Touring backcountry skis
Product 2022
Woman, Man
A mixed review for this Scott Superguide 88 which needs a detailed analysis. You don’t feel immediately at ease on this ski. It’s very flat with a long edge length despite the front rocker. It feels like the ski is glued to the snow, a huge presence underfoot. It’s also because of the relative weight of the ski, almost 1.3kg in size 170cm, which makes it a little less flamboyant on the uphill.
On hard snow at full speed, it is rock solid. No vibrations, it filters the irregularities of the terrain pretty well, it almost feels like an Alpine ski. It is cushioned and comfortable with well-adjusted torsion, whether on hard snow or powder.
The Scott Superguide 88 grips well on the slope, but skidding turns requires fairly precise balance. Its maximum capacity, in other words: turn initiation loading the tip, curve, pressure, and end of the turn, won’t be harmonious and fluid unless you have the perfect position on the ski. A noticeable backwards or forwards imbalance on hard snow provokes reactions from the ski and requires pressure readjustments. So, it’s a little more complex in these conditions. It works really well if you are well positioned, the active edge length is very centred underfoot and from the moment where you can be in this position you can play with the radius.
About the tip: if you have too much pressure, you push it too hard, the ski rides a lot less well. If you incite the tail too much at the end of the run, you fall into being “directive”. Once again, if you are well positioned, which necessitates some getting used to, the Scott Superguide 88 reacts perfectly. In deep snow, these subtleties are erased, and the ski reacts more easily. In flat sequencing there’s less need for precise piloting.
All pivoting is very easy in an upright position on hard or transformed snow. Transitioning and control on the edge are very interesting, easy, accessible on all angles.
The grip is pretty good if you give it angle and put pressure on the edge. Likewise for short or wide radius variations, the operation is easy, you can change the curve. The 170cm ski’s radius is 18 meters. The radius is neither too short nor too long which means you can attack practically any situation. It’s easy to ski in deep snow without needing to position yourself backwards or forwards too much. Carrying a backpack doesn’t change its behavior on the snow. You can ski fast.
Light to average built skiers will notice a hard zone underfoot, the flex isn’t super consistent or fluid. For a backcountry ski that should be easy in all types of snow and terrain the Scott Superguide 88 is lacking. That said, for skiing on steep slopes, areas where you need a solid ski underfoot, this one is spot on.
To fully exploit it you need to be an experienced and perfectionist skier. It glides really well. The design is pleasant, well-finished and corresponds to this range of skis without being garish or austere.
We experienced it more as a steep-slope ski than a real touring ski. It’s an efficient ski, not designed for uphill or only on short-lived climbs. Without being too extreme, you have a ski that requires skill, but in the right position, it works well on hard snow. In deep snow, it’s a lot softer, more fluid, comfortable and pleasant.
For 123-86-108 cm
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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