2023 Salomon Stance 84 Review
If you’re looking for a confidence-inspiring teaching tool to help you level up, give this ski a try
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This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
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’s Stance line launched in 2021 with a bang, so testers were stoked to see the newest addition to the line—the Stance 84—in the frontside category of this year’s 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’s QST line, the Stance skis boast metal in their core, leading SKi testers to describe the past iterations of the Stance as “beefy.” 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’ dampness and lack of energy, the Stance 84 is a pleasant departure—it’s poppy, playful, and energetic.
Testers touted how easy it is to get on edge and lauded its versatility when charging in bumps. “I was surprised by how nimble and agile it was and the tons of rebound and pop at all speeds,” said tester Sam Cox. “This ski is perhaps the best all-around stick I’ve been on in years.”
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’t shine in more challenging conditions like steep faces and early morning icy snow. “Will not challenge the rider,” said tester Matt Schiller. “Medium speeds on variable snow is its happy zone, but tread lightly on the steep and deep. And if there’s a morning freeze on hard groomers, take a long breakfast.”
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’re looking for a great entry-level carver ski, this one makes a strong case for itself.
Overall, the Stance 84’s effortless turns and forgiveness make it an ideal tool for intermediate and advanced skiers, but any level can (and likely will) enjoy the ride. “This ski packs a ton of performance and provides a balanced feel and a smooth ride,” said tester Dylan Hall.
Courtney Harkins 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.