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The Scores (out of 10)
- Overall Score: 7.25/10
- Rank: #9
- Hard-Snow Integrity: 7
- Stability at Speed: 6.75
- Carving: 7.88
- Quickness: 7.5
- Responsiveness: 6.88
- Playfulness: 7.5
- Forgiveness: 7.63
- Crud Performance: 6.88
- Versatility: 7.25
The Specs
- Price: $600
- Lengths: 161, 169, 177, 185
- Dimensions: 123-84-106
- Radius: 16
- Level: Intermediate, Advanced
In a Nutshell
- Pros: Forgiveness, Carving
- Cons: Stability at Speed, Crud Performance
Salomon鈥檚 Stance line launched in 2021 with a bang, so testers were stoked to see the newest addition to the line鈥攖he Stance 84鈥攊n the frontside category of this year鈥檚 gear test. Designed to rip on groomers while offering a little extra forgiveness, this all-mountain ski is an excellent narrower one-quiver ski for all levels of skiers.
Unlike Salomon鈥檚 QST line, the Stance skis boast metal in their core, leading SKi testers to describe the past iterations of the Stance as 鈥渂eefy.鈥 But the Stance 84 is pleasantly energetic and versatile, thanks to the combination of poplar wood and a layer of Titanal with carbon windows. While previous reviews of the line criticized the skis鈥 dampness and lack of energy, the Stance 84 is a pleasant departure鈥攊t鈥檚 poppy, playful, and energetic.
Testers touted how easy it is to get on edge and lauded its versatility when charging in bumps. 鈥淚 was surprised by how nimble and agile it was and the tons of rebound and pop at all speeds,鈥 said tester Sam Cox. 鈥淭his ski is perhaps the best all-around stick I鈥檝e been on in years.鈥
Read more: See how the Stance 84 stacked up against the rest of the competition
However, other testers found that the ski was a little too soft and could be easily overpowered at speed. It also didn鈥檛 shine in more challenging conditions like steep faces and early morning icy snow. 鈥淲ill not challenge the rider,鈥 said tester Matt Schiller. 鈥淢edium speeds on variable snow is its happy zone, but tread lightly on the steep and deep. And if there鈥檚 a morning freeze on hard groomers, take a long breakfast.鈥
It may not be the best option for advanced skiers looking to challenge themselves, but a big positive of this ski? Its price. At an MSRP of just $600, it is less than half the price of some of the competition in this category and it is $100 less compared to the next least expensive ski. So if you鈥檙e looking for a great entry-level carver ski, this one makes a strong case for itself.
Overall, the Stance 84鈥檚 effortless turns and forgiveness make it an ideal tool for intermediate and advanced skiers, but any level can (and likely will) enjoy the ride. 鈥淭his ski packs a ton of performance and provides a balanced feel and a smooth ride,鈥 said tester Dylan Hall.
grew up ski racing, starting on the icy slopes of New England and finishing at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She now lives in Park City, Utah and works as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. She also freelance writes and consults in the skiing and Olympic industry. When she’s not traveling with the team, her home mountain is Deer Valley Resort, where she loves to arc turns on groomers, but also knows all of the secret spots for days-old powder. Harkins has been testing skis since 2016 and has been a SKI gear tester for three seasons.