The next day, the conditions made for slightly more difficult skiing. Both the temperature and tourist count were high, and a lot of the snow had been skied off. I figured that another top-to-bottom run to start the day would be ideal; that in these conditions, the skis would still rip.
And they did. Sort of. Seeking a comfortable speed and turn size, I hit a few bumps and suddenly felt out of control. I maneuvered my way around a few people to the side of the trail where I safely put on the brakes. After a few more tries in the choppy snow, I kept finding myself in the back seat, my legs completely drained from the added effort it was taking me to get down the hill.
The ski’s softness, as Julia pointed out, is what probably made the skis slightly less controllable in chop and caused them to get bounced around at high speeds. I did find, however, that when I slowed myself down and really focused on arcing and not on going mach 10, the S3 W made smooth and sharp turns.
Although that day was slightly less enjoyable than the previous, the variety of conditions was admittedly good for testing skis. I even got to try the S3 W on something the western states rarely see: ice. Surprisingly enough, when I started to crank a few turns, the S3 W performed fine. I assumed I would need to watch my every turn, but they actually gripped well, and, although I didn’t charge nearly as hard as the day before, the skis were easily controllable. Not that ice is ideal, but when encountered, it seems the S3 W can hold its own.
Overall, the Rossignol S3 W is awesome in any consistent snow: powder, groomers, and, yes, even ice. The S3 W was certainly designed for powder, but it also feels strong when pressured in a turn. At high speeds in the bumps or chop, however, this ski does seem slightly harder to control. If, however, you slow it down and focus on the turns and not hitting any large, hard moguls, the S3 W shouldn’t be any trouble.
The S3 W would be great for an intermediate or advanced skier who is looking for a softer ski and who isn’t trying to charge in the bumps or choppy snow. Provided you don’t haul down the trail or ignore any good sense of speed and safety in less-than-great conditions, these skis will rip. If you do charge, these skis will be perfect for powder days or hard groomers, but may not be ideal in more variable conditions.
great review. I really feel like I was skiing right there with you. I liked that you were able to review in different conditions; hard pack, ice, woods, and choppy snow, too.
Do you happen to have measured weights on this ski and or a flex breakdown? I’m trying to narrow down some modern options to replace/upgrade/compliment my wife’s pair. Thanks!