Salomon S/Race Equipe SL 12 + I12 GW Skis (26-27)

A slalom ski in the literal sense: short turn radius, race construction, and the I12 GW binding already mounted and ready to be set to your DIN. It rewards a skier who drives the front of the boot and puts the ski on edge early, and it is unforgiving of passengers — that is the point of the category.

On firm groomers and race snow it holds a line that a softer all-mountain ski simply cannot. It is not the ski for a powder day or for cruising; it is the one you take to the hill when the snow is hard and you want to work.

GripWalk soles are standard on these — the rockered, rubberised sole that makes walking from the car to the lift a normal activity rather than a hazard. Check that your bindings are GripWalk-compatible before switching over.