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The time period quiver-killer will get thrown round lots nowadays, however having one ski to do all of it–and do it effectively–is perfection value striving for. Rossignol entered the fray final 12 months with the Sender Soul 102, taking cues from each their hard-charging freeride Sender Free line and the now retired cult-classic Soul line to create a contemporary all-mountain freeride ski that may make numerous skiers very blissful. This 12 months, the ski stays unchanged, that means there’s lots extra easily-accessible energy on faucet for individuals who haven’t skilled it but.
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Rossignol Sender Soul 102 Specs
Measurement skied: 180cm, 188cmLengths accessible: 156cm, 162cm, 172cm, 180cm, 188cmSidecut: 135mm – 102mm – 125mmRadius: 17m (180cm)Profile: progressive rockerWeight: 2090g (180cm)
Form, Flex and Building
Rossignol’s new Sender Soul 102 isn’t only a pure mashup of the Sender Free 110 and the outdated Soul 7, although it does take fairly just a few design components from each skis. The directional freeride form options loads of tip rocker, pronounced underfoot camber, and a comparatively flat tail, all paired with a medium-short turning radius and a mount level that’s fairly centered given the ski’s intentions. That ought to all add as much as a predictable, approachable all mountain efficiency that’s equally at house each on- and off-piste.
Carter Edwards
Inside, the ski options the identical poplar wooden core and beam of underfoot titanal that’s within the Sender Free 110, paired with Rossignol’s hollowed-out Air Tip taken from the Soul 7 (and likewise seen in your complete Sender Free sequence). There’s additionally full vertical sidewalls, which when paired with the medium-stiff flex, give the ski very highly effective edge grip on agency snow.
On-Snow Efficiency
Any all-mountain ski value its weight ought to have the ability to deal with a big number of snow textures, terrain, and snowboarding types, and the Rossignol Sender Soul 102 definitely matches that invoice. What shocked us most was how a big number of skiers, ex-racers, dad-turn perfectionists, park rats, and freeride chargers all appeared to get alongside swimmingly with this ski, all raving about how simple to regulate, but enjoyable and highly effective the ski is.
On groomers, testers liked the highly effective edge grip and felt that the ski was very responsive–that’s the brief turning radius and titanal beam speaking. Off-piste, at reasonable speeds, they felt the stiff-but-not-too-stiff flex helped take the sting off moguls and chunky snow, however liked that the marginally softer ideas and tails allowed for extra playful and artistic snowboarding. The Sender Soul 102 isn’t your common 2×4-stiff crud buster, as a substitute it presents a extra bouncy, poppy, and vigorous experience.
Carter Edwards
One tester who comes from a freeride competitors background stated, “I didn’t love the outdated Soul 7 a lot, however Rossi listened and realized and the Sender Soul 102 can actually be pushed everywhere in the mountain. Even at 102 underfoot it rolls over properly in bumps and may even deal with a little bit of pow with the broader shovel within the nostril. You are feeling supported by way of every flip from begin to end.”
Regardless of that, whereas testers agreed that the Sender Soul 102 will get excessive marks on versatility, many identified that the identical poppy and playful nature of the ski that makes it so enjoyable and agile leaves with a particular velocity restrict. At actually excessive speeds, busting by way of crud, and even on nasty re-frozen moguls, testers felt the ski might get somewhat overwhelmed and felt chattery and too gentle.
Comparisons
With so many comparable skis on this class, it’s simple to attract comparisons. Maybe probably the most comparable ski (and one which comes out of the identical manufacturing facility) is Dynastar’s M-Professional 100.
In comparison with the Dynastar, we discovered the Sender Soul 102 lacks a little bit of the “enjoyable” issue that the M-Professional presents with how a lot power it provides again to you thru every flip. On the flip aspect, the Sender Soul feels such as you could be a little lazier snowboarding it, maybe making it extra approachable to a greater variety of skiers.
In comparison with the über-stiff Nordica Enforcer 99, it’s clear the Sender Soul 102 is a lot better suited to intermediate skiers who will not be in search of a ski that requires a great deal of energy and finesse to harness its full potential. The place the Enforcer has extra “rise up and go,” the Soul prefers to sit back and cruise round.
Hanne Lundin
What kind of skier is the Rossignol Sender Soul 102 finest for?
It’s all within the title. The Rossignol Sender Soul 102 is happiest on these days if you’re simply out soul snowboarding–arcing easy activates the groomer, bouncing off sidehits, and searching delicate snow within the bushes. It’s not for all-out charging, successful freeride comps, or stomping the most important, baddest airs you’ll find. As a substitute, that is an approachable, pleasant, and versatile ski that may make numerous totally different skiers blissful if it had been the one ski to seize on any given day.
