Ski: 2023-2024 Rossignol Sender Free 110, 184 cm
Test Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO
Days Skied: ~25
Available Lengths: 176, 184, 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (top, straight-tape pull): 181.5 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (bottom, along base): 183 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2196 & 2211 grams
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 140.3-110.4-132.6 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (184 cm): 20 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 69 mm / 50 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 6 mm
Core Materials: poplar + partial titanal layer + rubber inserts + “Air Tip” insert + carbon & fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -3.4 cm from center; 87.4 cm from tail
Ski: 2023-2024 Rossignol Sender Free 110, 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (top, straight-tape pull): 189.5 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (bottom, along base): 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2328 & 2370 grams
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 140.1-111.5-132.6 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (191 cm): 22 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 65 mm / 48 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 4 mm
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -3.6 cm from center; 91.1 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Mach1 MV 130, Lange Shadow 130, Atomic Hawx Ultra 130, Atomic Redster CS 130 / Tyrolia Attack 13
Intro
Rossignol’s line of freeride skis has undergone quite the overhaul during the past few seasons. They discontinued their wildly popular “7” series of skis and replaced them with the Blackops, Sender, and Rallybird skis for the 2020-2021 season. Then they made some tweaks and name changes for 2022-2023, reserving the “Blackops” name for their twin-tipped, freestyle-oriented models, with the Sender and Rallybird lines covering the more directional, flatter-tailed models.
For 2023-2024, they’re adding a new ski to the mix. It’s one that, ahem, some of us (raises hand) have been eagerly awaiting for quite some time now. The new Sender Free 110 combines elements of both their Blackops and Sender skis, and despite the name differences, it looks a whole lot like a narrower version of a Blister favorite, the Rossignol Blackops 118.
But it’s called the Sender Free 110. So what exactly is this new ski — the one that has been all over Freeride World Tour podiums this season — and how does it slot into Rossignol’s 23/24 lineup?
We were first able to get a few runs on an early prototype of this ski way back at our inaugural Blister Summit, then tested some later prototypes last spring. Then our founder headed to France to check out Rossignol’s factory and actually lay up a pair of these skis (see Ep.201 and Ep.202 of our GEAR:30 podcast). Finally, we were supposed to get on the production versions at the start of this year, but the U.S.’s airline meltdown + car trouble prevented that. Fortunately, we were able to start spending time on the production versions shortly after, and we’ve now updated this post with our Full Review. But first, let’s dive into the details of this new ski, starting with our Blister Summit Brand Lineup video with Rossignol:
What Rossignol says about the Sender Free 110
“Wide open bowls and backcountry kickers to steep lines and high speed resort carves, the Sender Free 110 ski lets you send it anywhere the snow takes you, inbounds or out.
This full sidewall ski combines the playful response of a powder ski with the confident grip of a big mountain board.
Our Double Rocker profile and Airtip set the bar for fun, responsive skiing, while a PEFCTM poplar wood core keeps it light and environmentally friendly. Titanal reinforcements and Damp Tech vibration absorption maintain a predictable, powerful feel in all snow conditions.
The fall line is calling. Prepare for full send.”
Shape / Rocker Profile
The Sender Free 110 looks a lot like both its Sender and Blackops relatives. The Sender Free 110 features very little tapering at its tips and tails, with a pretty symmetrical overall design. It has fairly deep tip and tail rocker lines, paired with plenty of camber underfoot. It has notably more tail splay and a deeper tail rocker line than the Sender 106 Ti+, which is the first hint that the Sender Free 110 isn’t simply a slightly wider Sender 106 Ti+ or narrower Sender Squad.
Construction
The Sender Free 110’s construction is a bit of a hybrid between the Sender 106Ti+ and Blackops 118. The Sender Free 110 features a PEFC-certified poplar wood core, rubber “Damp Tech” inserts at the tips and tails, a metal “Ti Beam” around the binding area, Rossignol’s signature “Air Tip” insert, and a laminate that’s a mixture of fiberglass and carbon “Diago” fiber.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 184 cm Sender Free 110:
Tips: 7.5-8
Shovels: 8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8.5-7
And here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 191 cm Sender Free 110:
Tips: 7.5-8
Shovels: 7.5-8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8.5-7.5
The Sender Free 110 is a very strong ski overall. Its tips and tails are, unsurprisingly, softer than the middle of the ski, but they’re not very soft compared to most skis’ tips and tails (in contrast to some of Rossignol’s older skis that featured their larger Air Tip inserts, like the Soul 7, which had very soft tips).
Compared to the Sender 106 Ti+, the Sender Free 110 has slightly stiffer tips and shovels, but a slightly softer tail. Compared to the Blackops 118, the Sender Free 110’s flex pattern is pretty similar, though it’s notably stiffer at the ends of its tips and tails (it’s a similar story when compared to the Sender Squad).
Sidecut Radius
At 20 meters for the 184 cm length and 22 meters for the 191 cm, the Sender Free 110’s stated sidecut radius is pretty standard for a ski in this class.
Mount Point
The Sender Free 110’s primary recommended mount point is about -3.5 cm from true center, which is quite close to center, though there’s a smaller line marked 2 cm in front of that line, and another 2 cm behind it. So Rossignol is implying you’ve got some options, depending on your skiing style.
Weight
The Rossignol Blackops 118 and Sender Squad are very heavy skis, which is a big part of why several of our reviewers really like those skis — they offer excellent suspension in rough snow.
The Sender 106 Ti+ is by no means some lightweight, but it doesn’t share the same ultra-damp construction of its wider relatives. So where does the Sender Free 110 fall? Somewhere in the middle.
At about 2200 grams per ski for the 184 cm length and close to 2350 grams for the 191 cm length, the Sender Free 110 is a pretty heavy ski, but is less of an outlier in that regard than the Blackops 118 and Sender Squad. Still, we’re psyched to see that the Sender Free 110 is not all that light, given that it’s got “Sender” in its name.
For reference, here are a number of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to try to keep things apples-to-apples.
1800 & 1804 Head Kore 105, 184 cm (21/22)
1820 & 1821 Majesty Havoc Carbon, 186 cm (20/21–22/23)
1833 & 1894 Head Kore 111, 184 cm (22/23)
1836 & 1838 Armada ARW 106 UL, 180 cm (21/22-22/23)
1863 & 1872 Atomic Bent 110, 188 cm (22/23)
1875 & 1881 Line Sir Francis Bacon, 184 cm (19/20–22/23)
1905 & 1919 J Skis Slacker, 188 cm (20/21–21/22)
1920 & 2006 RMU North Shore YLE 110, 186 cm (21/22–22/23)
1946 & 1962 Black Crows Atris, 184 cm (22/23)
1947 & 2011 4FRNT Devastator, 186 cm (20/21–22/23)
1951 & 1953 Elan Ripstick 106, 188 cm (20/21–22/23)
1951 & 1957 RMU Apostle 3.0 106, 184 cm (21/22–22/23)
1964 & 1972 Moment Deathwish, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
1970 & 1993 Moment Deathwish 104, 184 cm (21/22–22/23)
1989 & 2000 Folsom Cash 106, 188 cm (22/23)
1997 & 2001 Zag Slap 104, 188 cm (21/22-22/23)
2008 & 2065 Wagner Summit 106, 186 cm (20/21–22/23)
2009 & 2010 Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, 186 cm (22/23)
2011 & 2028 Moment Wildcat 108, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2011 & 2046 Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition, 188 cm (21/22–22/23)
2022 & 2046 DPS Foundation Koala 103, 184 cm (21/22–22/23)
2027 & 2052 K2 Reckoner 112, 184 cm (20/21–22/23)
2046 & 2120 Black Crows Corvus, 188 cm (18/19–22/23)
2057 & 2061 Fischer Ranger 102, 183 cm (22/23)
2060 & 2075 4FRNT Hoji, 184 cm (21/22–22/23)
2073 & 2074 Season Nexus, 183 cm (20/21–22/23)
2077 & 2097 Nordica Unleashed 108, 186 cm (22/23)
2110 & 2117 Fischer Ranger 108, 185 cm (22/23)
2110 & 2119 Moment Wildcat 108, 190 cm (19/20–20/21)
2112 & 2125 4FRNT MSP 107, 187 cm (18/19–22/23)
2068 & 2178 Salomon QST 106, 181 cm (22/23)
2120 & 2134 Blizzard Rustler 10, 188 cm (19/20–22/23)
2138 & 2172 Rossignol Sender 106 Ti+, 187 cm (22/23)
2145 & 2167 Sego Big Horn 106, 187 cm (20/21–21/22)
2165 & 2219 Icelantic Nomad 105, 191 cm (19/20–20/21)
2170 & 2180 Dynastar M-Free 108, 182 cm (20/21–22/23)
2177 & 2178 Moment Commander 108, 182 cm (20/21–22/23)
2182 & 2218 Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, 185 cm (17/18–22/23)
2196 & 2211 Rossignol Sender Free 110, 184 cm (23/24)
2220 & 2237 K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 186 cm (22/23)
2228 & 2270 Sego Comp 110, 187 cm (20/21–21/22)
2232 & 2242 Blizzard Cochise 106, 185 cm (20/21–22/23)
2233 & 2255 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 186 cm (19/20–22/23)
2230 & 2290 Line Blade Optic 104, 185 cm (22/23)
2243 & 2287 Salomon QST Blank, 186 cm (21/22–22/23)
2258 & 2303 Wagner Summit 107, 186 cm (21/22–22/23)
2295 & 2344 J Skis Hotshot, 183 cm (20/21–22/23)
2302 & 2342 Dynastar M-Free 108, 192 cm (20/21–22/23)
2312 & 2386 Prior Husume, 188 cm (17/18–22/23)
2328 & 2370 Rossignol Sender Free 110, 191 cm (23/24)
2353 & 2360 Volkl Katana 108, 184 cm (20/21–22/23)
2412 & 2426 Rossignol Sender Squad, 194 cm (21/22–22/23)
2438 & 2492 Rossignol Blackops 118, 186 cm (17/18–23/24)
2449 & 2493 J Skis Hotshot, 189 cm (20/21–22/23)
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) The Sender Free 110 looks a lot like the Blackops 118, but it’s got a different construction and Rossignol has opted to place it in their Sender line, not the Blackops series. So how exactly does the Sender Free 110 compare to the Blackops 118, Sender Squad, and Sender 106 Ti+?
(2) The Sender Free 110 is pretty stiff and heavy, but has a fairly symmetrical design and a recommended mount point that’s quite close to the center of the ski. So is it going to work best for freestyle-oriented skiers, more directional folks, or can it work for both?
Bottom Line (For Now)
The Rossignol Sender Free 110 is a big, strong, and substantial ski that has several of our reviewers very excited. Check out our Flash Review for our thoughts so far on both the 184 cm and 191 cm versions, then stay tuned for our Full Review.
Flash Review
Blister Members can read our Flash Review of the Sender Free 110 for our initial on-snow impressions. Become a Blister member now to check out this and all of our Flash Reviews, plus get exclusive deals and discounts on skis, and personalized gear recommendations from us.
FULL REVIEW
We now have had a handful of our reviewers on both the 184 cm and 191 cm lengths of this ski, and there’s no question, the Sender Free 110 is already getting a lot of buzz going into the 23/24 season. So let’s just dive into why that’s the case:
Powder
Dylan Wood (5’10.5”, 155 lbs): The Sender Free 110 could be considered a wider all-mountain ski or a narrower powder ski, but regardless of what you choose to call it, it performs well in fresh snow.
As far as pure flotation goes, I’d say the Sender Free 110 is good for its class. It planes well in fresh snow, especially from a more centered stance. I can definitely put some pressure into its shovels, especially in the longer 191 cm length, but directional skiers who prefer a very forward stance might find themselves overpowering the Sender Free 110’s relatively short front half of the ski.
The Sender Free 110 also feels loose and maneuverable in powder. It is easy to throw sideways at a moment’s notice, but also doesn’t feel overly loose and sloppy in powder. It can adopt a more carving-oriented style at higher edge angles, and it is also happy to pivot and drift around with the bases flatter.
It offers a lot of stability and support in powder, with a large sweet spot. It can be pushed hard and its long, fairly stiff tails offer good support on landings. I’d say this is most true of the 191 cm length, but even the shorter 184 cm Sender Free 110 offers good stability and support in powder for how long it is.
Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): As far as all ~110mm-wide skis go, I think the Sender Free 110 is pretty good overall. As Dylan noted, its centered mount point and strong flex pattern don’t result in the best flotation from the shovels, especially at slow speeds, but it planes nicely once you’ve got some momentum going. And notably more so than on firm snow, it feels quite loose and surfy in soft conditions. At the same time, it’s happy to lay down some big, drawn-out arcs when you’ve got room to run — this versatility in pow is something it shares in common with the Blackops 118.
And I’ll echo Dylan in that it provides an excellent landing platform in soft snow. It feels really balanced overall, which not only helps on takeoffs and once you’re in the air, but also when you’re coming back down and need a tail that’s not going to make you wheelie out when you don’t land perfectly centered.
All that said, I’ve been viewing it much less as a narrow pow ski and much more as a wider ski suited for a wide variety of conditions. It’s not that it’s a bad pow ski, but that it truly sets itself apart from many other skis in its class once everything is a bit skied out.
Jonathan Ellsworth (5’10”, ~180 lbs / 178, 81.6 kg): First of all, I feel like we probably ought to clarify that all three of us are pretty big fans of this ski. And we’ll be spelling out precisely why the further we get into this full review.
But since we’re specifically talking about the Sender Free 110’s powder performance here, well, for me, the single biggest question you need to ask yourself is how well you tend to get along with pretty center-mounted skis. For me, the answer is: not very well in powder.
In deep snow (and I had the 191 cm Sender Free 110 out on some very deep days here in CB), I definitely found myself going over the handlebars, and wished I had more shovel out in front of me. So if this was going to be a ski that I used in deep snow a lot, I would certainly be pushing back to the “-2” line that’s marked on this ski, which puts the mount point close to 6 cm behind true center, which is where I personally start to get along with skis in deeper snow, including the Blackops 118.
Soft Chop
Dylan: The Rossignol Blackops 118 is a ski that is borderline more fun in soft chop than it is in pure powder (a rare trait), and while the Sender Free 110 isn’t quite the monster truck that the Blackops 118 is, the Sender Free 110 is still pretty ideal ski for skiing soft chop.
Much of what I said about this ski’s powder performance rings true here. It has a big sweet spot, and it’s supportive and stable while still being relatively easy to throw sideways to scrub speed. Skiing hard and fast through chop also reveals this ski’s suspension, which is great overall and exceptional when compared to other similar skis in its class. It doesn’t feel as smooth and ultra-damp as the Rossignol Sender Squad, but the Sender Free 110’s mass does help it stay on track nicely in soft chop.
This ski is definitely on the heavier side. But it also feels far from dead in choppy snow, despite its great suspension. Its tails can be loaded up, releasing impressive amounts of pop to get you airborne. The Sender Squad could definitely feel “dead” to me, especially at slower speeds, but the Sender Free 110 feels pretty engaging at all speeds.
Luke: This ski seems like it was made for skiing soft, cut-up snow at high speeds and catching air off anything you can find.
Dylan already covered all the highlights I would’ve pointed out, but I’ll reiterate that the Sender Free 110 doesn’t quite match the Blackops 118 and Sender Squad when it comes to those two skis exceptionally plush, smooth, planted suspension that makes variable snow all but disappear beneath you. But the Sender Free 110 is also a lot more energetic, which means you don’t have to be going Mach 10 for it to “come alive.”
And to be clear: the Sender Free 110 is still one of the best skis I’ve used in the ~110mm-wide category when it comes to stability in soft chop, it’s just that I’ve mostly been thinking about how it compares to the Blackops 118 and Sender Squad, which are arguably two of the best skis — of any I’ve used — when it comes to blasting through chop at high speeds.
[Jonathan: I 100% agree with that last statement.]
Luke: Like the Blackops 118, the Sender Free 110 also makes quick changes of direction quite easy, relative to how stable it is in a high-speed turn, and the Sender Free 110’s lower swing weight and more energetic feel make it feel even more nimble. So while the Sender Free 110 is best suited to those who value high-speed stability, it’s not some massive burden when it comes time to shut things down or switch up your line at the last minute.
Jonathan: Let’s get back to mount points for a sec. In soft chop, I actually quite liked the 191 cm Sender Free 110 mounted on the ‘standard’ line, about 3.5 cm behind center. Mounting forward keeps a bigger ski feeling pretty quick, so if you would primarily be using this ski in soft, variable conditions — and not deep pow — I would not necessarily advise you to be mounting as far back as possible on this ski. Personally, I’d still probably mount at 5 or 6 cm back, but think about how much you value that lower swing weight that Luke and Dylan are talking about.
Firm Chop / Crud
Dylan: At 110 mm wide, the Sender Free 110 isn’t ideal for very firm snow, but the reality is that a lot of folks do end up skiing their mid-fat skis in these conditions. And while the Sender Free 110 performs pretty well in firm chop and crud, it does feel notably different than in soft / deep snow.
The Sender Free 110’s long effective edge and relatively stiff flex pattern become more apparent the firmer the snow gets. It feels quite precise in these conditions, reminiscent of the Sender 106 Ti +. Compared to how it feels on soft snow, the Sender Free 110 isn’t as easy to slide and pivot around when the snow is firmer, and its long tails must be accounted for, especially when swinging through tight terrain. I found that the firmer the snow, the more the Sender Free 110 benefitted from a dynamic, finesse-oriented style.
As far as overall suspension and stability goes, the Sender Free 110 still feels quite good when all the fresh snow is gone. It will let you aggressively ski through variable, set-up snow, and can definitely be skied with a more forward stance and directional style on 2-dimensional snow than in deep, soft conditions. I think the Sender Free 110 is totally reasonable to take out days or even weeks after a storm, and it offers a lot of versatility in terms of the snow conditions it can be enjoyed in.
Luke: I’ll focus on Dylan’s first point: the Sender Free 110 feels notably more precise and less surfy the firmer the snow is, which can be a benefit, but also comes with some caveats. For those who loved the Blackops 118 for how easy it was to slarve and smear around, you might find that you have to be a bit more deliberate with your technique on the Sender Free 110 on firm snow, since it offers notably more edge hold and its tails aren’t quite as easy to release on firm conditions. On the other hand, those who prefer a slightly more precise ski may prefer the Sender Free 110 — if you stay on its shovels, it tracks impressively well through cruddy, variable snow. Again, it doesn’t have the same trophy-truck-level suspension of the Blackops 118, but it’s still really good for its class.
Moguls, Trees, and Tight Terrain
Dylan: In tight terrain, the Sender Free 110 offers a nice mix of stability and maneuverability, but as I mentioned above, it can feel quite different depending on the snow conditions. If the mountain is pretty soft, the Sender Free 110 is happy to pivot and slide its way through bumps and trees. If it’s firm and/or chalky, it benefits from a more active and dynamic approach.
But overall, the Sender Free 110 definitely doesn’t feel restricted to wide-open freeride venues. It’s a heavy ski overall, but like the Blackops 118, a lot of its mass is shrouded by its centered mount point, and its swing weight feels balanced, making the ski easier to whip around in tight spots than one that weighs the same but has a more rearward mount point, such as the Volkl Katana 108.
Luke: Agreed re: the caveat about conditions. On firm snow, the Sender Free 110 feels surprisingly precise, lively, and even “quick” — at least when it comes to skis of similar weights. On soft snow, it feels considerably looser and more inclined to slash sideways down the fall line (though, as noted in the Powder section, you can still carve big turns on it in soft conditions).
While it feels relatively quick for its overall mass, I wouldn’t call the Sender Free 110 a particularly “easy” ski in tight terrain. Its recommended mount point creates a lot of tail behind you, and that tail is pretty stiff. So if you get too far back in a tight bump line, it can take you for a ride (especially on firmer snow). Detuning the tails helps a bit in that regard, but overall, it’s a ski that makes the most sense for those who prefer a strong, heavier ski because of how that helps in terms of high-speed composure, and are willing to deal with the downsides those traits create in tight, technical terrain. I think those coming from softer, similarly center-mounted skis might find it a bit demanding (at least at first), while those coming from similarly strong, heavy, but more rearward-mounted skis may find it surprisingly nimble.
Groomers
Dylan: The Sender Free 110 is a good carver for a ski this big and makes groomers enjoyable. It offers good edge hold and nearly the entire edge of the ski can be engaged at moderate to high edge angles. It initiates carved turns well from the shovel, and offers some nice rebound at the end of each turn. It feels most comfortable making GS turns, and while it doesn’t feel very engaging on flatter green runs, it can definitely be enjoyed on anything blue or steeper.
Luke: I spent my first day on the Sender Free 110 just lapping Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Paradise lift, cruising groomers while I waited for the off-piste terrain to soften up a bit. And I was pretty blown away. Sure, it doesn’t finish carved turns with the same power as a less tail-rockered ski (e.g., Rossi Sender 106 Ti+), and it’s not the quickest when it comes to turn initiation. But once you put some power into its shovels, it provides really impressive edge hold and plenty of rebound coming out of an aggressive carve. As far as my expectations go for a freestyle-oriented 110mm-wide ski, the Sender Free 110 more than exceeded them.
Jonathan: Yep.
Playfulness
Dylan: The Sender Free 100 feels loose and surfy in soft snow, offers good liveliness when flexed, and feels balanced in the air. It’s far from an ultra-playful ski like the Line Sir Francis Bacon, but for how damp and stable the Sender Free 110 is, the level of playfulness it offers is really quite impressive. Its stiff flex doesn’t make it ideal for slower-speed butters, and its overall mass also means that it isn’t the easiest ski to whip around at slower speeds. But folks looking to throw tricks all over the mountain and lap through the park occasionally, hitting medium to large features, shouldn’t be disappointed by this ski’s level of playfulness.
Luke: To me, the Sender Free 110 feels more “freestyle-friendly” than it does “playful.” We’re splitting hairs here, but from my perspective, the Sender Free 110 is a damp, strong, and stable big-mountain ski first and foremost, but it also happens to be built on a pretty center-mounted, symmetrical platform that makes it feel balanced, easy to throw sideways, and generally intuitive when skiing with a more playful style. So don’t get it if you want to maximize fun at slow speeds, but do get it if you like to ski fast and hard and also want to air / trick features in the middle of your high-speed lines.
Mount Point
Dylan: This is where I think my opinion differs the most from the rest of the Blister folks who got on this ski. I spent the majority of my time on the 191 cm length (more on that below), and I found that I really like this ski mounted on the recommended line, which is about -3.5 cm back from true center.
I ski with an aggressive but mostly centered stance, and the Sender Free 110 really benefits from that. I tried the 191 cm Sender Free mounted 1.5 cm behind the recommended line (or about -5 cm from true center), and while I liked it there and I think that more directional skiers will end up preferring that, it just didn’t feel quite as intuitive to me in powder.
Overall, the Sender Free 110 has a pretty big sweet spot and I don’t think it is easy to totally mess this ski up by mounting a bit behind the recommended line. But, if you think you might want to mount it around -7 or -8 cm behind true center, I think you’re looking at the wrong ski, and would be better off on something like the Sego Comp 110.
Luke: I’ve probably been the least picky about mount point on this ski. I’ve skied both lengths around 3.5 and 5 cm behind true center, and got along with both skis at both mount points. The -3.5 (recommended) line leads to a very balanced overall ride, which I appreciated in the air, on firm snow, and in tight terrain. Mounting around -5 cm got me a bit more support from the shovels, which I mostly appreciated in deep chop; I didn’t have any major issues with tip dive in untracked snow when skiing the 191 cm length mounted on its recommended line. So I’ve mostly been thinking about mount point in terms of how I’d end up using the ski. If I was using it as more of a daily driver, I’d probably stick to the recommended line for a more balanced, playful feel; if I was primarily going to use it on storm days and the days following, I’d probably mount a bit farther back for better flotation and support from the front of the ski.
Jonathan: Of the three of us, I certainly get along the best (in general) with more traditional mount points. But a number of my favorite skis have mount points around -6 or -7 cm from true center.
All that said, I suspect Dylan is on to something when he says that if you’re looking to push this ski back to -7 or -8, you might want to consider another ski. But anybody used to skis in the -3 to -6 range that likes the sound of the performance of this ski that we’re describing, well, then this ski ought to be in play.
Now read again what Dylan and Luke wrote in this section.
184 vs. 191 cm Lengths
Dylan: This is another place where I think I’m in the minority. After hearing reports that the 191 cm Sender Free 110 was a big, burly, demanding ski, I spent my first day on the Sender Free 110 in the 184 cm length, and I didn’t love it. It was a day filled with skiing soft chop, and I found that I couldn’t quite nail the balance point of the ski. It didn’t feel like there was enough shovel in front of me to drive it, but there was also a lot of tail behind me that would punish me if I got backseat.
I then hopped on the 191 cm length and really, really liked it. It felt like it had a bigger sweet spot, and provided more support and stability. Despite being longer and heavier, to me, it actually felt easier to ski. To be clear, the 191 cm Sender Free 110 is definitely less maneuverable overall than the 184 cm length, and unless you are skiing fast and aggressively, it will feel more demanding. But for skiing hard through variable snow, I found myself preferring the 191 cm Sender Free 110.
Luke: I’m mostly in agreement with Dylan here, and my length preferences echo my thoughts on mount point: I’d go with the 191 cm Sender Free 110 as a pow and soft-chop ski for the reasons Dylan mentioned, while I prefer the 184 cm length for firmer conditions, groomers, and more everyday conditions. I agree with Dylan in that I found it easier to stay balanced on the 191 cm length when skiing fast in chop and crud, while the 184 cm length feels notably quicker and more engaging at slower speeds.
Jonathan: If this ski were going into my personal quiver, I would get the 191 and mount it at 5.5 behind true center. And I would then use this (and love it) on soft-chop days and softer, variable-conditions days.
That said, I want to make the case for the 184 cm Sender Free 110 mounted at 5.5 cm behind true center. I found this to be an easy, intuitive, and manageable ski, and found myself thinking that it would be an easier option (and better option) for softer conditions than, say, the Rossi Sender 106 Ti+.
Who’s It For?
Dylan: The Sender Free 110 has graced many Freeride World Tour and Freeride World Qualifier podiums, and it really does feel ideal for that style of skiing: skiing fast and hard though soft snow, making quick changes of direction, and throwing the occasional trick.
Does this mean you need to be a pro freerider to enjoy it? Absolutely not. Its mix of stability and maneuverability could be practical for plenty of skiers who ride a mix of terrain types, or those who appreciate good stability and suspension in a ski but also find directional chargers too demanding.
Overall, I do think this ski is best for folks who ski with a more centered and balanced stance, and who ski aggressively. You definitely don’t need a huge bag of tricks to enjoy it, but directional skiers looking to drive the shovels of the ski hard have better, more rearward-mounted options (see the All-Mountain Chargers sections of our Winter Buyer’s Guide).
Luke: Agreed. The Sender Free 110 is best suited to those who (1) want a damp, strong, and stable ski and (2) prefer a more center-mounted ski because of the more balanced, nimble ride it creates. It handles most conditions quite well, but really shines in the variable snow you often see on big-mountain freeride venues. And as someone whose bag of tricks rarely extends beyond back-scratchers, cossacks, and shifties, I can attest to Dylan’s point that you don’t need to be a former (or current) park rat to enjoy it, but there are plenty of more directional options that may work better if you ski with a very forward, driving-the-shovels stance in all conditions.
Bottom Line
With the Sender Free 110, Rossignol has blended the traits of several of their other skis into a cohesive package. The Sender Free 110 brings some of the maneuverability, suspension, and balanced platform of Blackops 118 to a more versatile width, while also adding some of the precision and energy of their narrower Sender skis. The end result is a ski that feels particularly well suited to skiing fast and hard in all sorts of conditions while providing the ability and even subconscious encouragement to get in the air often and throw some tricks.
Deep Dive Comparisons
Become a Blister Member to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Sender Free 110 to see how it compares to the Rossignol Blackops 118, Rossignol Sender Squad, Rossignol Sender 106 Ti+, Dynastar M-Free 108, Moment Wildcat, Salomon QST Blank, Volkl Katana 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Blizzard Cochise 106, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, Black Crows Corvus, Nordica Unleashed 108, Black Crows Atris, Icelantic Nomad 105, Faction Dancer 3, Blizzard Rustler 11, Fischer Ranger 108, Line Blade Optic 114, K2 Reckoner 112, 4FRNT MSP 107, & J Skis Hotshot.
Do you know if they are releasing any in the 191 length for sale this spring? Or just the 184?
I saw the 191 length at my local store in Truckee
Just went to a local store to get a look and personally feel the flex and weight. They apparently got 2 184’s and 2 191’s two days ago… 184’s were gone, but the 191 feels and looks like the perfect everyday ski for me personally (even though I’m 5’9 155ish).
I want to push the ski and have the same high limit I do with my 118’s, but yes they’re out, and yes I love the flex and weight. If you’re a fan of the 118’s, I’d say they flex stiffer but appear to have the same minimum taper and high weight that I love.
Wish they made a 187, but 191 will do!
Holy shit! I couldn’t be more stoked to just find out about this! This seems like the perfect ski for me (I’m on my 2nd pair of 118’s (loved them so much I bought a pair the 2nd year because I was worried they’d stop making them (then kept them on the shelf until this year and the other ones died (-5 from true center is incredible).
I have my no-speed-limit ski at 108 for hard days at bird/alta, but I love the 118’s to death. I feel like I’m caught in-between sizes at 5’9 155. I want to still have no speed limit, but the 118’s give me that at 186 in chop or anything soft/new.
Besides the size dilemma, 100% I know this is the next ski I will be buying.
Thank you Rossignol!
The Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (bottom, along base) of the 191 appears incorrect. You may want to take a look at that.
My one complaint, being 6’1″ with the BOps 118 was that 186 was just a tad too short, Not enough tip in some circumstances.. With your measurements, this ski could be the perfect replacement, and honestly, a better daily ski than anything else I can conjure. Right now, my ON3P Jeffs fit that spot, but they don’t have metal and despise icy days. My Wrens 102s are great, but I don’t like them in deep stuff. And my Billy 118s charge as hard as possible and are INSANE on powder days, but a lot of work. I have also learned that I have completely grown accustomed to a more center stance ski, which the Billy nor the Wrens are. So, In comes this masterpiece, and if it measures at about 189ish, per your review, has the weight you’re touting, then I am ALL in. Thanks, again, for your awesome reviews, boys and gals. Excited to read more!
Went to a local shop today that has the 191’s. They flex stiffer than the 118’s (perfect), but have a very similar flex pattern (bendable in tips and tails, yet progressive, and very solid underfoot. I think the stiffness might ramp up a tad quicker as you get closer to center), and minimal taper. Looked perfect underfoot as the ski you’d hope they’d be. I can’t wait to get these (also, very happy with the simple graphic).
Can’t wait for the full review, but I think I’ll pull the trigger.
I bet this would be a really fun ski for jumping off everything in sight.
Hahahahaha!… The ol’ Sickle on steroids!!!… Definitely the most appealing come-up lately!
Sender 110’s vs Dictator 4/ Dancer 4? Would love to know more / get an updated review of the Dancer 4 (I hear it is the same as the Dictator?)
I own both and theyre not very comparable. The SF110 is much more accessible and forgiving at slower speeds, they pivot much easier, like being in the air more, and generally feel just more playful and easy going. Both skis can be pushed to absurd speed limits but the way they do that is different too. The SF110 has a lot of edge grip by not having much taper and having a long effective edge, and is more accepting of going bases flat at speed and absorbs vibrations and impacts better. The dictator is pretty tapered but its stiffer, has a flattish tail, 2 full sheets of metal, and generally wants to be on edge and driven hard to keep the ski tracking and stable. Mount points are polar opposite too. The Dictator has something like a -10cm mount as reccommended.
The dictator needs a lot of room, a lot of speed, and a pilot with good technique to get the most out of it. It feels like a niche ski for very rare moments. Its really a big mountain line chaser and unapologetic about its intended purpose. If you do find yourself on a line with insane vert and good snow that thing has so much power, stability, and so much energy and acceleration out of a turn its absurd. I have never felt a ski that has that “gas pedal” feeling as much as the dictator 4.0 when you really lean into it and let it open up.
John,
Thank you for that comparison! I have the Dictator 3 and have been interested in the SF110 or the D4 so its nice to see the differences! I wonder if the D3 feels like an easier/slighty more accessible/narrower version of the D4? I do get that gas pedal feeling with the D3. Was initially confidence draining but have learned to love it haha. I also have the D2 and it does feel similar to the D3 but feels like it wants to be more on edge (not as much as per say an M6) but still a very fun ski with thrilling acceleration.
So yes, how are they compared to Sickle? Still looking for a replacement:)
I’m currently on the Black Ops 118 and loving them overall, but would like a bit lighter and more nimble. This seems like it would hit the sweet spot, my question therefore is more length. I’m thinking 191 given what I currently ski, and my own spec’s (5’11”, 215lbs). Does that sound about right? Would the 184 be completely overwhelmed by me?
How much does the 176 size weight?
How do these compare to the MFree 108?
I just skied some 184cm Sender Free 110’s I bought for the 1st time on 3 in of new chopped snow; I had a really good first impression. They like speed, and aren’t that punishing. Amazingly, they are good at butters and GS carves (tips seem a bit soft for good turn initiation but it holds well after initiation and rebounds well). I am looking forward to getting to know them better.
Just got the 191cm Sender Free 110’s. Really excited for these skis, legit I’ve been riding my super 7s for years because Rossi skis have just not had anything really to be excited about. Its been a long wait for something like this and can’t wait for the season. My only concern is the length, hoping the 191 isn’t too long. I’ve been riding 188 for a long time and feel like that is the sweet spot. I am 6’2″ and feel like it seems like a really comfortable spot to be. Anyone else have concerns about the length? It really feels like the 184 is just way to short, and the 191 is too long? Maybe I just need to get these on the mountain and figure it out for myself.
I am 5’10 and ski the 186cm Black Ops 118 and the 188cm Dictator 3. Just got the 191cm Sender Frees and gotta say they didn’t feel longer than either of my other 2 skis. Quite happy with the length and have no regrets not getting the 184.
Looking at these to finally replace my Super 7s too (Super 7s have been awesome). Hope you’ve enjoyed the update. Trying to figure out whether to 176 or 184. I’m 5’8″ so 184 feels like pushing it but the 180 Super 7s were very good to me and jumpy about downsizing at all.
So, if you really liked the Sender ti 106 in 187, but wanted something with a bit more flat and pivot, I’m guessing the 191 mounted at the 5.5cm back from center is a good call?
How would these compare to the Armada ARV JJ 116, I’m trying to decide for a competition ski with freeride comps.
How would you rate this against the Nordica Unleashed 108?
In our Deep Dive comparisons for the Sender Free 110, we compare it to the Unleashed 108 and 20 other skis in its class — https://blisterreview.com/deep-dive/deep-dive-rossignol-sender-free-110