Freeride backcountry skis
Product 2021
Woman, Man
The Scott is a versatile piste/off-piste ski with an opening on ski touring thanks to its weight: 1340g in 178cm. You can ski comfortably at a low speed (easy pivoting), and also accelerate and keeping stability.
The tip works very well in uneven snow. The Scott Superguide 88’s ability to absorb vibrations and uneven terrain was really appreciated.
You don’t tire with this ski. On old snow, fast lines on trails, choppy or crusty snow the ride doesn’t deteriorate the ski stays present and easy. You can do what you like: small turns, radius variations at different speeds, old-school style with your feet tight together or a more aggressive stance and angulation, it goes on and on. A comfy ski for riders to enjoy.
On piste it rides well skidding turns in an upright stance. Carving is tetchier especially if you add a bit of angle. You can lower your centre of gravity by flexing and in those conditions it works well. With speed, angulation without being too upright it goes onto the edge. Worth noting: the Scott Superguide 88 doesn’t like it if you lean back. If you don’t put pressure on the tip it stalls and isn’t fluid.
So, this ski is good at an average speed without using much angle. Performance is released with a flexed position, whilst keeping an eye on the tip (don’t need too much pressure), if you control eventual backward imbalances, you get good results. You don’t get excessive speed from the Scott Superguide 88, because it’s light, the structure underfoot is not sophisticated like 100% piste ski is. Don’t get them too short otherwise you will lose some of its qualities on irregular snow and some stability. In a shorter length it’s more playful but has less hold.
A powerful skier would enjoy this Scott Superguide 88 as the tail is active. Its lightness in the uphill is really appreciated (knowing that afterwards you’re going to have great skiability) if you make sure you have lightweight insert bindings fitted. This is a very coherent compromise. The only downfall is its turn initiation when you want to carve.
You come out of the turn easily and you can oversteer easily with a little added downforce. Skidding turns are unbeatable and short flat pivoting turns or carving/skids are a doddle.
The design is sober and efficient.
A nice light ski that is easy to pivot. It suits a large range of ski tourers looking for a ski for off piste on average steepness. A very good compromise between a ski touring and all mountain ski.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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