2023 Salomon Stance W 84 Review
An easy-skiing option for all levels, especially newer or casual skiers
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This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
The Scores (out of 10)
- Overall Score: 7.34/10
- Rank: #7
- Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.29
- Stability at Speed: 7.86
- Carving: 7.57
- Quickness: 7.2
- Responsiveness: 7
- Playfulness: 6.43
- Forgiveness: 6.57
- Crud Performance: 6.43
- Versatility: 7.43
The Specs
- Price: $600
- Lengths: 151, 159, 167, 175
- Dimensions: 122-84-105
- Radius: 15m
- Level: Intermediate, Advanced
In a Nutshell
- Pros: Carving, Versatility
- Cons: Playfulness, Crud Performance
Sturdy, powerful, and balanced, the Salomon Stance W 84 is what the Frontside ski category is all about. Just a hair narrower than an all-mountain ski, but with the flex of a groomer ski, it does it all—from bumps and trees to on-piste carves.
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Salomon’s Stance line launched during the 2020-’21 season and the 84mm model is a new addition to the acclaimed line—last season, the slimmest model was the Stance 88 W. Its caruba and poplar core makes the ski agile, combined with a good amount of Titanal and carbon to generate stability and dependability when taking it to high speeds, which testers were pleased about
“An approachable ski that can handle a bit of speed with easy steering at medium to low speeds too,” said Jackson Hole-based tester Lily Krass. “Predictable and invokes a sense of trust and confidence on-piste.”
Testers were happy about the Stance W 84’s ability to get on edge and cut into a sheet of ice, and others applauded its user-friendliness and approachability. “New skiers and casual skiers—this is your ski,” said tester and SKI Magazine Editor-in-Chief Sierra Shafer.
The ski steers nicely at all speeds, which makes for a smooth ride even in variable snow. “Easy and non-fatiguing,” said Krass. “I could cruise bell to bell with this fun and easy groomer ski.”
Also Read: Find Out How the Salomon Stance W 84 Compares to its Closest Competition
However, the Stance W 84 lost points in the energy department—scoring some of the lowest scores in the Playfulness category. Testers also criticized its lack of personality, stating that it could use some additional liveliness and excitement and bemoaning a shortage of pop and energy at the end of the turn. But at $600, it’s a more affordable option for those looking to add a skinnier ski to their collection.
It would be a great ride for any skill set, but casual skiers heading out for a weekend day would enjoy this the most. “I had zero issues with it,” said tester Abby Ghent, an ex-U.S. Ski Teamer. “It’s more of an all-mountain ski than a strict groomer tool, but can still rip some lovely turns. I would recommend this ski to a lot of people.”
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.