Alpine skis
Product 2027
Lady
We tested this handsome women’s Salomon model in a 165 cm length. The Salomon S/Max N°14 features a narrow waist and a gorgeous glossy topsheet with a glittery, marble-like finish. It looks distinctly classy, elevated by high-quality detailed inserts. Oddly enough, while the circular badge on the forebody seems designed to display a model number, the “14” doesn’t actually appear inside it. So much for aesthetics and first impressions.
On the snow, the tip of the Salomon S/Max N°14 engages turn initiation quickly for the skier. It is an extremely easy ski whose responses and reactions aren’t instantaneous, giving you ample time to get centered without feeling overwhelmed—always serving its rider’s intent. Once established in the arc, however, the ski exhibits a noticeably quick-steering,almost oversteering nature. The tail is surprisingly unobtrusive, lacking the bite to cleanly finish the turn or support the exit phase. We almost thought it featured a pin-tail shape, but that’s not the case; the Salomon S/Max N°14 sluffs and skids readily, which may well be by design.
It features a short turn radius of 13 meters in the 165 cm tested length. This is a predictable, easygoing ski that requires very little physical stamina to drive. It feels docile and absorbs terrain chatter well in the bumps, aided by a well-shaped tip rocker. In slush and spring snow, it holds up surprisingly well, even though on-piste carving remains its primary domain.
The Salomon S/Max N°14 pivots effortlessly from an upright stance. Likewise, if you choose to sluff or skid your turns, it responds right on cue. On pure carved edges, however, you must stay perfectly centered to keep it comfortable on edge,ensuring the arc rolls smoothly without the tail washing out. A intermediate skier of average build will get along with it quite well. A more powerful skier, on the other hand, will quickly hit the tail’s structural limits. Yet, if she stays properly balanced and knows how to feather edge pressure, the Salomon S/Max N°14 can roll through carved arcs decently—though it demands speed, technical expertise, active weight transfers, and a bit of work. In that sense, carved performance isn’t entirely intuitive.
What the Salomon S/Max N°14 prefers above all is initiating turns in a sluffed stance before potentially laying over onto the edges—or starting carved and transitioning into a drifted finish. In that rhythm, it excels.
The Salomon S/Max N°14 serves as a great stepping stone before transitioning to a dedicated carving ski built to slice through hardpack. Overall, it’s a very pleasant ride. What is it missing? Perhaps a bit more tail presence, as the current flex profile is tuned extremely soft and tame. A more energetic tail would give the Salomon S/Max N°14 a smoother, more continuous turn-to-turn transition.
A handsome, well-crafted ski with a high-end feel that is flattering to own, thanks to a truly standout topsheet design. It remains somewhat heavy underfoot, but serves as a great tool for making relaxed progress without demanding extreme physical output or advanced technique.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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