Salomon Stance 96 - Review 2025

It’s clear that there’s been an uptick in the number of burly, hard-riding skis lately. Some may see this as a return to older industry sentimentalities, but it also might be an evolution. Ski manufacturers have learned that people want the freedom to ride their skis through variable conditions the same way they ride them on hardpack. They also want to be able to throw massive high-speed turns in a way that an off-piste ski isn’t typically capable of. The Stance ski is Salomon’s solution to the gap in their product line between their big-mountain oriented QST, and their race inspired frontside carver.

The construction is pretty typical of this style- a full poplar core sandwiched between titanal sheets that stretch nearly the entire length of the ski. What sets the Stance apart in terms of construction are the blended carbon and flax fiber inserts popped into holes along the top layer of titanal. Salomon claims they eliminate chatter without the weight compromise of other super damp skis. The tails are also unique in that they have a little more flex than what you see in other similar stoic charger skis, perhaps opening up a nice middle ground for people who want to try something of this style without having to accommodate for powerful stiff tails.

The Stance is notable because of its accessibility. Due to its general stiffness and a higher weight than more playful options, it’s still not a great entry-level ski. But, it’s a great option for people who want an all-mountain carver but don’t have a race background or much formal experience with aggressive skis.