First Look: 2016-2017 Rossignol Super 7 RD

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Rossignol Super 7 RD for Blister gear Review.
Rossignol Super 7 RD

Ski: 2016-2017 Super 7 RD, 190 cm

Actual Length (straight tape pull): 186.2 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: 2300 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2126 & 2173 grams

Stated Dimensions (mm): 145-120-126

Blister’s Measured Dimensions (mm): 143.5-118.5-127

Stated Sidecut Radius: 30 meters

Core Construction: Paulownia + Carbon/Basalt Laminate

Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 79 mm / 31 mm

Traditional Camber Underfoot: ~4-5 mm

Factory Recommended Mount Point:

“All Mountain” = -6.0 cm from center; 87.1 cm from tail
“Freeride” = -8.0 cm from center; 85.1 cm from tail

Intro

As you probably know by now, Rossignol has updated their “S” lineup of skis for the 16/17 season.

In our Deep Dive of the new Salomon QST 118, I talked about how the QST 118 compares to the new Super 7 HD and the Super 7 RD. But it’s time to start getting some more information out about these skis in their own right.

HD vs. RD

First, let’s clarify these names. For 16/17, the Super 7 “RD” replaces the Rossi Squad 7. The “Squad” moniker has had a long run in Rossi’s modern-day history, and the name has served to signify Rossi’s big mountain ski with a big sidecut radius.

We’ll see how long the name stays retired (you’d bet a beer that the Squad gets unretired again in 6-10 years, wouldn’t you?), but for now:

Super 7 HD = tweaked version of the 15/16 Super 7

Super 7 RD = tweaked version of the 15/16 Squad 7

Over the years (and in keeping with modern trends), the weight of the Squad has decreased, and given its length and width, the 16/17 Super 7 RD is coming in pretty light.

Flex Pattern:

I’d sum up the flex pattern of the Super 7 RD like this:

Tips: 6
Underfoot: 10
Tails: 7-8

I’d also say that this is a really nice flex pattern. When I call the tips a “6”, that is at the very front of the ski, and the ski then ramps up consistently and evenly from 6 to 10 without any hinge points.

And the same is true for the back of the ski — that “10” underfoot holds behind the heel piece, then smoothly softens to about a “7” at the blue portion of the tail.

Our Primary Questions

What does the shape, construction, weight, and flex pattern of this ski all add up to on snow?

How different does the Super 7 RD perform and feel from the Super 7 HD?

How does the 16/17 Super 7 RD compare to the 15/16 Squad 7?

How does the Super 7 RD stack up against the other ~118mm-wide, big mountain / big sidecut skis out there.

We’ll be offering answers to these questions shortly, but for now, check out the rocker profile pics of the new Super 7 RD.

NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics

2 comments on “First Look: 2016-2017 Rossignol Super 7 RD”

  1. Looking forward to the full review. Any chance you guys are gonna review or have heard anything about the Black Crow Anima Freebird, Black Diamond Helio 116, Voile V8, or the new Candide 4.0? Looking for a dedicated touring ski to mount with Radical 2.0. Im curious how these skis compare to the new Super 7

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