Unlike, say, the Elan Amphibio 85 Ti Skis, the Rossignol Experience 88 all-mountain skis are far less focused, sometimes feeling like a powder ski and other times like a mountain ski. But don’t take that as a negative. Instead, the Experience 88’s are more concerned with overall performance rather than focusing on one or two key features. In that sense, they’re some of the best skis in this particular bracket.
Why We Like It – Rossignol Experience 88
The Rossignol Experience 88 all-mountain skis provide balance, performance, and build quality into a pair of skis that have no problem dealing with the various snow conditions experienced on a mountaintop. And to know what size skis to buy, take a look at our review of what size skis do I need?
- Performs well in any condition
- Ideal for skiing enthusiasts
- Affordable
- Not ideal for beginners level skier
Related: Not yet convinced? Read the Salomon QST 99 Ski review
Performance
The Rossignol Experience 88 Skis find their strength in being able to tackle a wide variety of conditions, which is perfect for skiers who’ve focused on specific conditions, but are ready for new experiences. For starters, the waist width is mucher wider, coming in at 88mm. That’s a lot thinner than, say, the K2 Pinnacle 95, but you’re still getting a bonus to balance even when you feel like carving powder snow, where length would matter most. And yet, you’ll easily be able to transition over to firm snow at any time, especially with its solid edge hold and line control.
Design
Incorporated into the ski’s design was a series of honeycomb pockets with Air Tip-a. This lends to much quicker turns because the overall swing-weight gets a boost. The tip rocker and tail also win points for having added shock absorption when you’re tearing it up in soft snow, but the camber still gives you the hardness necessary for carving your experience into the snow. To keep energy being transferred to the edges, the designers made use of vertical sidewalls.
Value
You don’t want to make the mistake in thinking the Rossignol Experience 88 Skis are the best in the business—they aren’t, though they can outclass the Salomon X-Drive 8.3. However, the Experience 88’s aren’t looking to be the best. What these skis aim to do is provide performance, durability, and balance without costing an arm and a leg. In other words, they’re essentially all-purpose skis; otherwise considered “utility” skis. Sure, the ski would certainly get you plenty of speed, but not the fastest. Their value is comparable to the K2 Pinnacle 95, with the Experience 88 beating them out.
Rossignol Experience 88 Wrap Up
Rossignol isn’t a stranger to designing quality skis and the Experience 88’s are just one more example of that continuing legacy. For an experienced skier, Rossignol Experience 88 all mountain skis are perfect for individuals looking to challenge just about any snow condition on their preferred mountain—and to do so at an affordable price.
