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I first peeped these skis at SIA Vegas and amidst all the kabuffle of new gear I was seeing, I didn't think too much of them initially. A few weeks later I was in Japan with Mike Douglas and I was asking him about it and he said it was not only the best ski Salomon has ever made, it was the also the best ski he's ever skied. I took that statement to the bank because Mike is not only one of the best skiers in the world in my opinion, he's also been super open and honest with me about what product he does and doesn't like over the many years I've had the pleasure of being friends with him. I began to get more and more curious about the Czar after coming to the conclusion that I was tired of skiing on skis over 185cm and wanted something more in the 182cm range with a 100+ waist. Then, a day after mentioning this to Tyler Gigg and Bruno Bertrand from Salomon, I was presented a brand new pair, which were mounted and hand delivered to me on the hill...no big deal. Thanks gentlemen!
Performance
Although I haven't had too much chance to ski it in the deep stuff as I got them towards the end of the year, I've really, really enjoyed my time on them thus far. They mob through the crud, are super lofty in the pow and although they're not as turny of a ski as I'm use to, they ski pretty well on the groomed as well.
Design
I love the fact that Salomon has started going to wood cores (particularly with this ski) and has figured out the weight issue that has given them some trouble with their wood core skis of the past. The ski is light and nimble but is definitely made for charging. A big plus is that it's reportedly the only rockered ski on the market that is pre-pressed with rocker (which adds to the durability and longevity of the rocker), as opposed to being rockered after the fact.
Graphically, it's subtle but with a bit of pop. The crowns and snowmobiles on the tip are cool because I like to think of myself as a bit of a king and I heart snowmobiles. I also dig the finger of God-type image in the middle of the ski.
Value
I got them for free so I'm pretty stoked. But for those of you that have to mow lawns all summer or crunch numbers in the stock exchange tower, believe me...it'll be money well-spent.
Fit
After skiing on skis over 185 for many, many years and my knees getting worse and worse, I decided this season that I was over long skis and was becoming more of a 179-182 type of guy. Thus, the 182 length for me in this ski (at 111 in the waist) was a perfect fit for my desired all-around shred stick.
Characteristics
I love the flex, and it was one of the initial things that drew me to the ski. It feels a bit softer in the tip than in the tail (mainly because of the rocker) which is nice because I usually tend to land a bit backseat when I drop cliffs. Having this flex gives me a bit more confidence to stomp the piss out of drops which makes all the ladies waiting for me at the bottom extra turned on.
These skis successfully incorporate a rocker, which alone gives them good performance, but they didnt fit any niche I could think for them. for their soft flex they didnt allow for good charging, as my vcts are premium for, with camber in the tail they dont allow for switch in powder, which I thought was the point of them, and theyre not a park ski. They would be good for someone who cruises groomers and likes to stray into powder when its there going forwards. they don't feel as wide as they are on the bright side, but I just dont think this ski has a definite niche. I highly recommend rockered skis if you ski anything other than race courses, believe me theyre worth every bit of the hype, they make powder more meneuverable than you could imagine, I just dont think this ski hits the nail on the head.
Performance
If you havent tried reverse camber skis yet, these things will absolutely blow your mind in any condition you can sink an edge into. these were the first rockered skis I had ever used, and nose butters were hilarious. these skis are definitely made for skiing forwards in pow though which I was dissappointed in. forward is good though.
Design
Salomon found a nice comprimise between soft and groomer performance with these skis. However, this is not really the compromise I would have wished for. they dont do park well, they dont charge great, and theyre not really a freestyle specific powder twin. they do everything mediocre. If you're an older fellow that cruises and likes to stray off into powder, by all means get these, they make baked slush feel like blower. If you're looking for an addition to the quiv though, look elsewhere
Value
Theyre salomons, probably outrageously priced for a recreation-grade product. lawyer prices for lawyer skills.
Fit
The guy I borrowed them from had a 175, Id definitely go longer, although the longest they come in is a 182, so kind of suck.
Characteristics
Soft Flex, wierd with the camber, which is normal in the tail and reverse in the tip, made it hard to gage the flex and looks kind of like ~
Durability
salomons with foam cores usually lose camber after a season, I see no reason why these would be any different.
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