Rossignol S2 Howell 2009

Overall

Great value if you can still find it. It can fit any role you want it to in your quiver of skis as there are 3 mounting points on it: 1 for a pure bred park rat, 3 for the skier who likes everything but wants to explore the park, and 0 for the backcountry/sidecountry/steep ripper.

Performance

Yes. Very durable. Used it every day last season which was 70+ days and it held up every time. A bit chattery in the springtime but that's when everything is either mud or crud, no? It's at home in the powder or backcountry freestyle scene or park rats who still crave the 'fluff' but don't wanna shell out some more money for a powder ski. It may feel a bit heavy when you're wiggling your feet around in the lift line but the swing weight is fairly low.

Design

The graphics are fairly grey, so don't hesitate to throw on a few stickers. Still, they're very cool! In terms of innovation, it isn't changing the game in a 'technical' sense but it can definitely change yours.

Value

Got it for $299 at Dick's Sporting Good's store. Great deal considering it's a 2009/2010 model. Great ski nevertheless.

Fit

Loved the fit. Got it in a 160 last year and I couldn't ask for a better size. Doesn't go too big, so it's great for us lightweight skiers!

Characteristics

It's fairly stiff but it has a fantastic flex pattern. It's soft in the tip and tail when you want it to be and stiff when you don't. It truly fulfills the role of a 'do-it-all' ski. Stout under the boot to give it the ability to charge down a groomer or steep and buttery enough for a jump.

Durability

Only 1 scratch and it was because I skied over a pinecone at Alta. The base may look a bit dry at times but it can still rip. Make sure you tune these puppies a lot, though; the edges seem a bit dull after a certain point and I LOVE a good bite when I'm carving. Some chippage here and there but it didn't affect my skiing.

• Terrain
  Park
  Pow
• Design
  Clean
  Busy
• Durability
  Fragile
  Durable
• Weight
  Light
  Heavy
• Style
  Uncool
  Cool
• Flex
  Soft
  Stiff
• Camber
  Cambered
  Rockered
• Pop
  No Pop
  Poppy
• Stability
  Jittery
  Stable