Ski Canada Test 2019 On-Slope Reviews
MOOD-READING SKI
RENOUN says its HDT technology reduces chatter by 300 per cent, translating into an overall smoother, more stable ride in any conditions. The secret is a unique polymer laid into eight channels in the ski. The polymer changes in response to vibration, growing stiffer as vibration increases in amplitude and frequency. That’s ideal in an all-mountain, 98mm-waisted ski like The Endurance. It can be light and playful one minute, stable and powerful the next run, and forgiving and easy to ski when out with junior. More tip than tail rocker helps The Endurance float fast and initiate turns easily. Slight camber encourages carving and rebound into the next turn. And the core construction sounds solid and poppy: fibreglass, wood and a Titanal binding retention plate. Renoun skis are only available direct from the company. Risky? Maybe not: it offers a 100-day guarantee, free returns and a two-year warranty. (US$1,099; renoun.com)
RENOUN ENDURANCE
US$1,099 * BEST FOR: Maching all over the mountain.
LENGTHS: 160, 169, 178, 184, 191 * RADIUS: 18@178 * SIDECUT: 127/98/121
Smooth and powerful don’t usually go with lightweight when it comes to skis, but that’s what just about everyone said about The Endurance, one of three models from this small Vermont brand. It’s a lighter than average ski for its size, but the ski felt planted at every speed. No matter how fast we charged down ice, crud, soft snow, slush and powder, it was locked in. Less technical and less experienced skiers found it more challenging to handle. But stronger skiers figured it out quickly and were stoked. “Wow! It’s like driving an expensive heavier car. You don’t even notice you’re going crazy fast until you blow by everyone else,” said Chris Hodgettes. “So stable and smooth.” At 98mm underfoot it asked for driver input to move edge-to-edge, but was happy in all terrain and could make any turn shape.
