The Sky 7 HD W favors backside conditions, where it can bust crud, float well, smear and hold long turns. “If you’re looking for a big Betty ski for the backside, this ski will do,” said one tester. The 2018/19 Sky 7 has been redesigned, with the addition of Air Tip 2.0, which more efficiently integrates the honeycomb tip filled with air into the forebody of the ski. Power Turn Rocker adds a long, low rocker to the tip for both flotation and maneuverability in a variable snow. Core construction includes Rossignol’s Carbon Alloy Matrix – a weave of energy-increasing carbon fiber and vibration-absorbing basalt – added to the paulownia wood core.

Testers said the burly ski had a stiff construction and requires power to turn on hardpack, though said it was easy to smear, with enough float and play for powder and crud. Testers gave high scores for Resort Float and Versatility, differentiating the Sky 7 as an all-mountain back ski as compared to more responsive, short-turning all-mountain front models. Average scores came in for Carving and Stability, with lower scores for Responsiveness. “It’s not responsive or quick on steep, icy slopes,” said one tester. “But it favors long, gliding turns and easily manages cut up or soft snow.”

Sidewall construction includes full-length vertical sidewalls, for better edge grip, however, some testers felt that the long, low progressive Powder Turn Rocker impeded the tip’s engagement in turns on hardpack resulting in feeling as if skiing on only two-thirds of the ski. Though the tip didn’t engage like more frontside-oriented skis, testers felt that the Air Tip 2.0 (in the tips and tails) helped reduce swingweight in the tip. The tip didn’t get kicked around in crud, and helped to “smooth out turbulence,” according to one tester. The overall shape of the ski allowed for smearing, pivoting and easy flotation in soft snow.

Responsiveness

The Sky 7 HD W’s lowest scores came in for Responsiveness. “This is a big, burly ski,” said one tester. “It feels like a man’s ski.” The combination of the 18 m turn radius, 98 mm waist and strong wood/carbon alloy core creates a ski that favors long turns in off-piste conditions and not in short turns on hardpack.

Stability

Testers gave the Sky 7 HD W average marks for Stability. Many remarked that the ski felt burly and big, best when cut through crud or smoothing out turbulence. The long, low Powder Turn Rocker increased float and maneuverability in soft snow but felt over-rockered in the tip causing some testers to feel like they were only skiing two thirds of the ski and challenged to feel the tip at the top of the turn, thus reducing stability.

Resort Float

Testers gave the Sky 7 HD W high marks for float where they appreciated the easy swingweight of the tips. Updates the to Sky include new Air Tip 2.0 – an integrated construction like overlapping fingers – designed to reduce weight and increase maneuverability. “It’s a good powder teaching ski,” said one tester.

Versatility

The Sky 7 HD W is most versatile in backside conditions, where testers said it performs best. “Cuts through crud and smooths out turbulence,” said one tester. With decent float and passable carving skills on the frontside, it most suits skiers who spend time off-piste in variable conditions.

Carving

The Sky 7 HD W received average scores for carving. According to testers, the 98-mm-waisted ski favored long turns on hardpack. The ski lacked responsiveness and felt too burly for short turns. Also, some testers said Rossignol’s longer, lower Powder Turn Rocker impeded the tips engagement at the top of the turn on hardpack. All in all, the ski was most proficient in real all-mountain conditions where testers said it could cut through crud or float well. “This ski is made for 70 percent off-piste skiing,” said one tester. “If you’re looking for a big Betty ski for the backside, this ski will do.”

The Gear Institute Women’s Ski test took place over three days at Snowbird, Utah, in March of 2018. Six female testers skied each of the skis in the test and completed a detailed test card after each test run. Testers ranged from Olympians, to former racers and coaches to ski instructors and skiers who prefer backcountry/off-piste conditions. Categories were concluded on the same day so that skis were tested during similar conditions and on the same terrain. An in-depth look into construction and performance of the skis took place in Vail, CO, during a December industry event where testers skied on all test skis under similar conditions.

Testers were instructed to view each ski as a “Tabula Rasa,” or blank slate. Test cards included initial rankings of Favorite, Excellent, Good and Awful. Testers were asked to list three things they both liked and disliked about each ski as well as answering the question, “Who is the ideal customer?” Lastly, testers rated the criteria in terms of best to worst in the following mini-categories; Responsiveness, Stability, Float, Carving and Versatility.