MEN’S ALL-MOUNTAIN SKI OF THE YEAR – SALOMON S/FORCE BOLD
The S/Force Bold is the premium ski in Salomon’s all-new frontside-oriented S/Force series for Winter 2020 and boy does it come with a primo pricetag! With a heap of very fine skis available at half the cost of the £820 S/Force Bold, we were intrigued to see whether such a significant outlay was justified.
With an additional layer of metal and a sidewall that looks to be straight off a GS podium, the S/Force Bold is definitely a beefy ski and to be perfectly frank we think it’s freakin’ brilliant. Dickie definitely felt the S/Force love at the SIGB Ski Test, falling immediately and permanently under it’s spell: “this ski is so well constructed, smooth and glidey, it feels like operating a mechanically immaculate device. On piste, the power comes on demand. Grip follows beautifully and confidence abounds. Head off the side and the 84mm waist handles it all admirably. Hacking chopped snow is fast and exhilarating and the feedback is terrific.”
The widest rig in the new S/Force line-up, the Bold is a traditionalist in terms of shape and camber and has a pretty strong flex, without feeling overly stiff. There may not be anything particularly wow-ee, gadgettastic here but that’s kind of why we like it so much. It just purrs and performs with all the character and expertise of a valuable classic car.
All in all, the S/Force Bold is a fab example of what you get for chucking a bit more into the pot – look at it as repaying the investment you’ve put into your skiing and enjoy this quite brilliant all-mountain ride.
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE SALOMON S/FORCE BOLD AND ALL THE OTHER NEW SKIS FOR 2020, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GEAR GUIDE, OUT IN OCTOBER!
STATS
RRP: £820 including bindings
Lengths: 170, 177, 184
Radius: 16m @ 177
Dimensions: 132-84-116
Weight per pair:4810g @ 177
More Info: Salomon
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2020 MEN’S FREERIDE SKI OF THE YEAR – NORDICA ENFORCER FREE 104
