Ski Review: Salomon’s XW Enduro
Comments (0) The weather in April and May was absolutely amazing this year, setting the stage for a wide variety of conditions on the slopes – everything from bottomless powder to just a few inches of soft spring snow. And to add to our fortune of clear blue skies and a blanket of white crystals, we were also blessed with the fact that Salomon’s new line-up for 2011 had become available for testing. One ski that we particularly liked was the all-mountain Enduro. Read more about it here:
I once had the opportunity to drive a friend’s Carrera 4s – Porsche’s all-wheel drive 911. With a 3.8 liter motor rated at 385 hp and four paws clawing the asphalt, I could crack 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and still comfortably handle the twisting road that was rapidly approaching. It was a great experience and certainly one of the sweetest pieces of equipment that I’ve ever taken from the garage. Several years later, I find myself in a state of deja-vu as I set off from the top of the Klein Matterhon cable-car in Zermatt, Switzerland on a pair of Enduros – Salomon’s newest addition to their all-mountain quiver.
At 12,500 feet, I begin my descent towards the small village of Valtournenche in Italy’s Aosta Valley. The run is over 7 miles long with more than 6,000 ft of elevation and groomed with perfectly cambered turns that look as if a team of professional GS racers had personally designed the piste. Normally, it takes me at least 40 minutes to get to the bottom, of course, my slow time can probably be attributed to resting every few moments in order to appreciate the breath-taking views or the occassional urge to stop for a delicious combination of espresso and teramisu at one of the many mountain restaurants. But today, it’s non-stop from top to bottom.
Like Porsche’s 4s, Salomon’s Enduros feel incredibly stable at eye-watering speeds. According to the company, this is largely a result of their Powerline technology, which uses two additional shock-absorbing bars that are integrated into the top edges of the ski. Of course, Salomon has also returned to a traditional full wood core, which, in my opinion, seems to play a huge role in keeping a ski under control.
In addition to the stable speed advantages, I find that I can easily carve “railroad track” lines – even in the most variable parts of the piste. With a sidecut of 124/84/111 (at a length of 177cm), the Enduros like to turn in a smooth and consistently long arc. Even in the bumps and crud, the Enduros shine. However, it should be noted that these boards *do* require an aggressive stance. By no means are the Enduros a laid-back comfort cruiser. They are specifically designed for the advanced skier.
By the time I get to Valtournenche I’m in such a state of euphoria that I immeadiately unclick from the bindings and head straight for the cable-car to have another go. Of course, I’m so far from the Zermatt station that I actually need to take a series of cable-cars and chair-lifts to return to the summit. So with idle time and absolutely no ability of conversing in Italian, I quietly admire the skis on my long journey upwards. Unlike the current styles that emphasize bright colors and somewhat violent gangster graphics, the Enduros are more muted with a “stealthy” black topsheet. One might even say that they are the antithesis of French design. Maybe it’s the fact that they look so cool or simply a result of their debut to the ski slopes, but after a few moments, I see a few people looking them over and then giving me the unspoken approval of a thumbs-up. “Bello”. “Beautiful”, a few others say. I return the smile and eek out a thankful reply, “Si. Molto Bello!” “Yes. Very good indeed!”
Halfway up, I begin to hesitate in regards to my repeat adventure and I look at my watch only to realize that I had forgotten to time my last run. With both a sigh and a laugh, I now favor the option of stopping at my favorite mountain hut for a plate of fresh pasta and a sun deck with an invaluable view of the Italian Alps. Anyways. It’s supposed to snow the next day. Now I’ll have the chance to ski these things in the powder.
Salomon XW Enduro + Z12 (All-Mountain Expert Ski)
- Lengths (cm) 163/170/177/184
- Sidecut (cm) 127/84/111 (177cm)
- Radius 14.0/15.6/17.4/19.3
- Rocker 290 mm
Summary: The new Salomon Enduro carves great on groomers and, with just 290 mm of rocker, it works excellent in powder, moguls and crud. A great one ski quiver.
We love them!
More pictures soon.
There’s no doubt that skiing in Europe often involves the pleasures of stopping at a sun-browned chalet for a gourmet lunch, but it also means that one may have the opportunity to ski some really big mountains too. Last Saturday, the skies cleared exposing several inches of fresh new snow on the mountains of Zermatt and with little hesitation, we decided to make first tracks on the Stockhorn glacier – an hour hike from the top of the Triftji lift station. Maybe it had to do with the fact that we were three friends who have known each other for over twenty years or simply a result of the incredible conditions, but it was definitely one of the best days I’ve ever had. A great experience all around!
The concept of stopping every few runs for a warm drink or a bite to eat often seems a bit confusing for most Americans who are visiting a European ski resort for the first time. But as their days pass, they eventually adapt to the lifestyle of the locals. My clients unanimously termed this “Euro-Skiing” and I must say that it is quite a fun way to spend an afternoon in the mountains. Here we are at Chez Vrony in Zermatt, Switzerland – an incredible fine dining experience that is rarely matched in the US.
I find one of the most fundamental differences between Europe and the US to be with the programs that are available for kids. For example, in Zermatt, kids under 10 years of age ski for free and the schools offer great classes for a wide range of abilities. What’s more is that they have quite elaborate award ceremonies at the end of the week. Here are some clients’ children – all smiles at the podium. Truly tons of fun to watch them in their moment of glory.
It’s a cold February here in the Alps with temperatures dipping below -20 C. But the skies have been clear, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This week, I’m joined by an American couple who are living in Morges, Switzerland. We had a fantastic day skiing into Cervina, Italy.
The Winter Wildlands Alliance, which created the series, eventually agreed to come, so on Wednesday, January 13, the Backcountry Film Fest lands in Santa Barbara, bringing a blend of eco-ethics and powdery inspiration to the Victoria Hall Theater. Among the highlights are: Signatures by the Colorado-Japan team of 
The Schwartztor is typically skied at the conclusion of the Haute Route, the week-long tour between Chamonix and Zermatt, but like many places in the Alps, one can easily access it in a single day for an incredible off-piste experience.
classic French tour. But if I had to define one distinguishing difference between the two places, it would have to include the unique opportunity to crawl through the ice cave at the toe of the Gorner Glacier. Over the years, a path has been made where one can slide through a tunnel of ice no taller than three meters high. You may get your trousers a bit dirty, but it’s well worth the diversion.
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