Ski Canada Test 2019 On-Slope Reviews
STIFFER IS BETTER
To design the Valhalla 95, RMU talked to women patrollers, rippers and pros, then sent out 30 pairs of skis with slight tweaks. What the company found was that women want a stiff and powerful all-mountain ski. You can ramp up the performance even more by opting for a carbon construction. With 95mm underfoot, the Valhalla plays well all over the mountain. ($899; rmuoutdoors.com)
RMU VALHALLA 95
$899 * BEST FOR: Advanced, athletic skiers looking for a partner to explore the mountain.
LENGTHS: 162, 172 * RADIUS: 16@162/172 * SIDECUT: 118/95/112
The Valhalla 95 and the bigger 104 performed best when our testers took charge and worked these stiff skis. On the 95 Caitlin Burge found the sweet spot after a little experimenting: “The tail is solid and a little forward motion was required to liven it up in the bumps, but once I found the balance point it steered with ease.” The versatile width and build meant the ski locked in to groomer turns like it was on rails, and was responsive and stable at high speed in all conditions. As expected, the 104 floated through knee-deep fresh at Whitewater but didn’t shy from the rest of the mountain. “It felt stable and powerful on more compact snow, providing confident, energetic turns,” Burge wrote. “Yet it was supple and manoeuvrable in tighter trees and busted through mini moguls left behind from a fun powdery morning.”
