Day 2, I was really able to put the Squad 7 to the test when we spent most of the day exploring the newly opened Mizuno No Sawa area of Niseko. Here we found endless knee to waist deep powder, continuous steeper terrain, a few drops, and pillows everywhere.
It was here that all of the work that Rossignol has put into the Squad 7 really came to show itself.
The Super 7 had made deep snow feel like a balancing act: If I got too far forward, the soft tips would fold with any change in snow density; if I got too far back, I’d be pulling wheelies or setting the E-brake as the pintail sank out of sight. The new Squad 7 has none of those qualities.
In no time, I became completely confident in the Squad 7’s powder performance. I could press gently into the front of my boots and let them fly. Whether going fast or slow, the skis floated as well as anything I’ve ever ridden, remained incredibly maneuverable, and any variability’s in the snow basically disappeared beneath my feet.
With a couple full days under my belt skiing mostly freshies on the Squad 7, I decided Day 3 was the day to seek out some places where I could drop the hammer in the worst chop and crud I could find.
It was also the day I wanted to play around with the boot center location to see if there was a sweet spot that I preferred.
On this day it was Niseko Village’s Misoshiru that would provide all the fast terrain and sloppy beat up seconds I needed to put the Squad 7 through the test.
After my first lap at mach 10, it was clear that, while the Squad 7 might not be the straight, metal laminated, crud leveler that fans of Rossignol’s discontinued RC112 might be hoping for, it does have enough backbone to rally through chop, and it is infinitely better than the Super 7 in these conditions.
What I enjoyed most about the Squad 7 is that its construction—and lack of metal—kept the ski light enough to be playful, even at 40 mph through knee-deep chop. I was able to pick off random piles of snow and just boost without any concern for what I may be launching into.
Before going further, I need to touch on mounting points. After messing around with the boot center for most of the day, I decided that I personally prefer about +1.5 centimeters from the recommended line. At 1.5 centimeters forward, the ski felt the most balanced and playful to me, yet still had enough length out front to keep from high-speed tomahawking through the pow or deep crud.
For those looking for a more traditional drive-into-the-front-of-your-boots stance, I’d recommend keeping the mount back at 0, or even 1 centimeter behind the line (which, weirdly, I preferred more than 0). Any farther back than this (-2cm), and I noticed less support from the tail if I was unexpectedly thrown into the back seat.
I did italicize the word straight in my earlier description of the RC112 for a reason, and that is to hit on the one characteristic of the Squad 7 that will not please everyone. What I will describe isn’t so much a criticism of this ski in particular, but more of an issue that I am repeatedly finding with skis designed with an oversized shovel, that have their widest point in the side-cut located 15-25 centimeters down the ski from the true tip.
With this design, I have found again and again that high-speed chop and crud performance suffers. There is a reason skiers looking to fly at the biggest and steepest resorts are riding skis like the Rossignol RC112, Blizzard Bodacious, or the ON3P Wrenagade. Those skis simply offer a level of stability at speed in played out and cut up resort conditions that these more shapely skis (like the Squad 7) just can’t seem to provide. If you are looking for something that performs exactly like those mentioned above, it’s not here.
For me personally, I am willing to sacrifice a bit of crud performance to get that playful, smeary feeling that skis like the Squad offer, and this combination of hard-charging ability yet playful performance is where I believe Rossignol has really stepped up their game with the Squad 7.
We will continue to put this ski to the test over the next couple weeks here in Japan, and Jonathan will be chiming in about his experience on the Squad 7 on the steeps and monster moguls of Taos. (You can now read Jonathan’s review of the Squad 7.)
As for me, I’m stoked about all of the moves that Rossignol made to their newest addition to the “7” line. The Squad 7 truly is a big mountain, freeride ski for people who push it every day.
NEXT PAGE: ROCKER PROFILE PHOTOS
I already own a pair. Everyday I ski them I find a new major advantage that no other Rossi has ever provided. You are right about it not being a RC112 crud killer, but that really is not necessary when there are so many more advantages. Buy this ski and you won’t want to buy any other after it! I kid you not.
I have a pair of 195 Super 7’s and experience the same tip grab at high speeds in powder and crud. Moved the binding to minus 1 and still struggle with them with big lines on soft days. I do like their playfullness in the trees. Considering Liberty double helix, nordica patron, Armada ak jj. Ex racer weighing 190.
Squad 7 looks like it still has the same problem. Also considering Nordica Girish. I have some nordica frontside nitrus ti’s on hard days that I still like.
Have you guys skied the Helldorado or Patron. Curious to see how I would match up.
I spent a bit of time on the 185 Patron and can easily say I preferred the Squad over the Patron in all but super firm hardpack.
Hey Jason, you should check out the 2011-2012 Surface Live Life 191’s. They have nearly an identical looking camber profile at the tip, tail, and underfoot as well as a very similar shape throughout the ski as the squad 7’s. They feel pretty damn stiff, are a little bit wider (156-120-135) and don’t have quite as much taper in the tip and tail as the Rossi’s however. I just got myself a pair for a great deal and I’d be interested in reading your comparisons of the two. BTW, Love your guys’ site! No from around the PNW though?
http://www.surfaceskis.com/
Thanks, there are definitely plans to get on more Surface skis next winter. Bring on the snow!!
check out the side camber profile of the live lifes, nearly identical! http://c3976.r76.cf2.rackcdn.com/connect/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2203.jpg
I don’t see why you’d say they eliminated the pin tail when the dimension is 7mm wider in the tail than the waist????? The pin tail is a strength of the design, IMO. It may rise less, but it is very tapered. Your bias to charger skis is too strong.
There seems to be some mixing up of terminology here. So I’ll just reference what I was specifically talking about. When I said they basically eliminated the “pin-tail”, I was referring to the portion of the ski that resides behind the widest point of the tails sidecut, say the last 6″-8″ for example. And I stick with “the tail on the Squad 7 has been flared out into a more traditional square shape, substantially increasing surface area.”
As for tip-to-tail ratio, yes, “The ski still has a slightly exaggerated tip to tail taper compared to a more “traditional” shape, with its 146-120-127 dimensions, but it is less pronounced on the new Squad 7.”
This shape definitely has it’s benefits and it’s draw-backs, and the Squad 7 had many more benefits than draw-backs!
As for my bias, my two favorite skis are not “charging” skis, the Rossignol Sickle and Line Opus. When a company tells the world their ski is a “big mountain charger” (charger being my least favorite term of all time), it is my job to to put it to through that test to the best of my ability, and compare it to others claiming the same. The Squad7 lives up to Rossi’s claims for someone my size and I hope I made that clear. What it won’t do is satisfy people that love to bomb straight and fast, destroying everything in their path like those in love with the RC112, Moment Garbone, or Volkl Katana style of ski, and I have to provide that information.
Hi Jason
Nice review, man you sound really stoked about these. I love to ride big, fast turns but don’t want to give up the ability to turn on a dime in the woods in powder. I’m looking for a fat ski for deep powder days, heading to Neiseko in January too! I loved the Rocker 2 last year, not much of a fan of the Rossi Super 7s. I’d kind of decided on the Rocker 2 115 this year, but now you give me this review! Have you ridden both ski’s? Any comparisons? thoughts? I’m going to do touring with these skis so I’d be happy to go with the lighter ski. Thoughts?
Hello Jason, I was wondering if you could discuss the differences between the 11/12 Sickles and the 12/13 Squad 7s. It seems like you really like both of the skis, and they can both work well in a variety of conditions. If you were restricted to one pair of skis for steeps and trees, crud and powder, for a few trips to Alta /Jackson Hole each year, which might you go with. I run about 5’11” and 175, so I don’t think I’d overpower either. The Sickles are a lot cheaper as well, so I’m leaning that way, unless the Squads are that much better.
Hello Jason,
I have been following this website for the past week or so. You guys do an incredible job and sucks that I didn’t know about you sooner! I have been reading about 5 skis that I am interested in but can only choose one. Currently, I own the Salomon X-Wing Fury 2008 with the z12 bindings. They are at 164cm (a bit short for me now but they charge well allowing for nice speed while GS’ing), the right height for me when I first got them. I am 24 now, 5′ 9.5″ at 165 lbs. I’m an advanced+ ambitious skier looking to push forward.
I want to get a ski that will complement the other and mainly use for just powder days. I like bowls and chutes, drops up to 12 ft or so, and skiing trees (as long as they are not too tight). I am not looking for a dedicated charger ski, but a ski that if I decide I would like to charge a bit, it will hold control. But, I am not looking for a ski thats too soft that would force me to smear as its only solution coming down. I ski neutral stance with the Dalbello Scorpion SF 110’s.
Skis I am interested in:
Nordica Helldorado
Blizzard Cochise
Line Opus
Blizzard Gunsmoke
Rossignol Sickle
Thank you all for your incredible and unbiased reviewing! And thanks for any help in advance!
Respectfully,
Amit Gandelman
Oh! I completely forgot about the Rossignol Squad 7 (especially because I am on their posting)!!
Thanks again!
-Amit Gandelman
What about mounting point for guy like me? I am 5 feet 8 inches and 194 lbs? I am kind of a feeling guy who likes agrressive rididing.
Hi Jason!
Great review! I’m trying to decide where to mount my Squads and I’m wondering if you could elaborate a bit on the difference between 0 and -1. In which way did you like the handling more at -1? Thanks!
Hi,
On my Squad 7s, there’s a little clear window on the ski with the big R. It appears to look through to the base, and there are a series of black lines that I assume to be the carbon stringers. They are not symmetrically distributed, being primarily on one side (the left) of the ski. You can actually see it in the photo at the top of this page.
This would imply to me that the Squad 7 has a stiffer edge and a softer edge, and maybe a better left ski and right ski. Is this accurate in your opinion, or am I misunderstanding something?
thanks!
I’m 6′ 200# I have a pair of unmounted squad 7’s (12/13) model. What mount point will keep the ski the most pivoty. I have 195 kuros for deep pow days, but for cut up pow etc, i want this ski. I was going to mount back -2 because of my weight, but will the ski pivot better at 0?
Thanks,
Mark
how good is the 2012/13 squad 7 BY TODAYS STANDARDS. i HAVE A PAIR WITH MAYBE 10 DAYS ON THEM. AM I CHEATING MYSELF FROM MODERN TECHNOLOGY
I mothballed my Squad 7s after a really bad knee injury 5 years ago, and am just starting to ride them again this season. My everyday ski is a Deathwish 104, but with all the snow I’m Tahoe, I decided to resurrect these. It’s a lot of ski but I’m gonna see what they could do. Would love to hear what you think of them. They most definitely don’t feel outdated.
2012-2013 Squad7’s – my favorite all time ski after 50 seasons! Great geometry, materials, and flex pattern. Black Koala 119’s close runner up – more “plush” suspension but requires little more energy and attention than the Squad7 to be playful.