2018 Salomon XDR 84 Ti Ski Review

[@JeremiahGreco]

You seem to provide the only ski reviews of value anymore. Thank you. Whether it's publications or shops, reviews these days tend to be the sales pitch, verbatim. Oh, the ski is wide and rockered so it'll float? No shit. Thanks for sharing what your actual thoughts are on the feel and experience of the ski. Keep up the good work.

[@SkiEssentials]

Thanks Jeremiah! We really try our best to honestly and accurately communicate how the skis we test perform and your feedback means a lot.

[@wesleyguan6833]

Great review! I am a 6’1 intermediate-advanced skier, and I am currently riding on Volkl RTM 80 172 cm carving ski. However, do you think this Salomon 179cm 84Ti with Titanium added will be too advanced to handle for me? But I am pretty sure my ski skills will progress pretty fast. Thank you!

[@wesleyguan6833]

Finally give a try on this ski! Hella fast initially but will adapt it pretty soon. Thanks

[@stevelovell3616]

Great reviews guys, very helpful. I'm relatively new to skiing, but have progressed to a point where I am looking to replace my 'beginner' skis and am looking at these XDR's. Am looking for something that will help me improve my technique and feel confident and stable whilst picking up a bit more speed down the slopes. Haven't tried going on to the soft stuff yet, but the idea that I could do a little bit of playing off of the piste is the reason I am looking at these skis... I'm 6'2" and about 95kgs, with the vast majority of my skiing being on groomed slopes, would you recommend this size and, also, do you think this particular ski (84) has a best year, i.e. is the 2020 model better than the 2019 model and, again, that being an improvement on the 2018 model?? Many thanks, Steve

[@SkiEssentials]

Hey Steve! The XDRs are largely the same across all those years, so I would just pick up whichever XDR 84 you can get the best price on. You've picked a perfect ski for your situation. It won't be a tremendous adjustment from your beginner skis, but they are way more capable and way more appropriate off trail.

[@pieroroccaysj]

Some of the best reviews around. Would be great to call out who the skis would be best suited for. I'm going into my 2nd year of skiing and I'm in the market for my own equipment and that sort of info would help inform my decision. Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

Hi Piero! Thanks! Sometimes you'll hear or read us mentioning certain types of skier that would enjoy a certain ski. Sometimes a ski can be a lot of different things for a lot of different skiers and it's not so cut-and-dry. Have you seen our Ski Test results? You'll find a lot of that info on those pages. www.skiessentials.com/2018-ski-test Also, don't ever hesitate to leave a comment or question if you're looking for info we didn't provide. We typically will respond within 24 hours.

[@pieroroccaysj]

Thanks for the link. Although informative it still doesn't indicate who the target skier is for the ski. The XDR 88 Ti for example is reviewed as being very stable and forgiving and with not a lot of chatter. It kind of implies even a low intermediate might be able to benefit from the skis though I've seen ratings elsewhere indicating they're suited for advanced-intermediate to expert. For someone new it's overwhelming to figure out best ski to get based on location, ability, needs, etc.

[@SkiEssentials]

Every skier is unique in their own way, so we really can't give a blanket statement that a particular ski is good for a specific type of skier. Even within that specific type of skier category there will be variations. Some people perceive ability and aggressiveness differently than others. Two skiers could both describe themselves as advanced, aggressive skiers, but actually be completely different when it comes to getting on snow. We try really hard to break down the performance of a particular ski and discuss who it could potentially be good for, but rarely will you see us say "Ski X is for Skier Y, period." The XDR 88 is a great example. An expert skier can fully enjoy its performance. It can rip turns on firm snow and is super versatile. An intermediate skier, however, as you mention, could also enjoy it as it is indeed relatively forgiving. We wouldn't recommend it for a timid intermediate, however, as it still uses metal, so is fairly stiff, etc. Does that make sense?

[@bradhills4861]

Hi, great vid. What’s the difference between these and the 88 TI apart from the added width? Are these playful easy to pivot skis or aimed at hard chargers?

[@SkiEssentials]

Really it's just the difference in width between the 88 and 84. Yes, I would describe them as relatively playful. Among skis in this category they're pretty easy to pivot. Not really designed for hard-chargers, although an aggressive skier could definitely ski them and have a lot of fun on them. Overall, however, yeah, a fairly playful all mountain ski.

[@wiiilleestyylee]

Hi! Would you recommend this ski for someone that is gonna buy a allround set of skis for a first season? Kind Regards

[@SkiEssentials]

Hello! Have you skied before or are you brand new to the sport? The XDR 84 is definitely a great all around ski; good for all sorts of different terrain and conditions. It is, however, arguably a bit much for a brand new skier. As long as you have some experience on skis and some established technique, you'll be fine. If you're brand new to the sport even just dropping down to the XDR 80 would be a little more appropriate.

[@artofthedanceworld5745]

What ski is best for an Intermediate/advanced skier skiing mostly groomers on east coast and only occasionally some powder. I am 6 ft tall, weighing 155 lbs. Rossignol Experience 88 HD? Volkl Kendo? Armada Invictus 89 Ti? Salomon XDR 84 Ti?

[@dvv938]

Great review! How would you compare it with the Head Kore 93? For the Kore, they also use the same oxymorons like "light but stable" so I was wondering how they compared. Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

Thanks DVV! While you definitely can say that both of those skis can be described as both "light and stable," there are some differences between the two. The Kore 93 draws more influence from freeride skis in both its shape and construction. It uses more early taper in the tips and tails and a more pronounced rocker profile. The XDR 84 draws more from frontside carving skis than the Kore 93. It has less rocker, less early taper, and the inclusion of metal in its construction gives it more of a classic carving ski feel, while being quite versatile considering its performance on firm snow. Hope that helps! SE

[@dvv938]

Thanks for the fast and detailed response! So, performance-wise, which ski is best for an advanced skier skiing mostly groomers and moguls and only occasionally some powder. I am 6 ft tall, weighing 145 lbs.

[@smellrod]

salomon rules

[@delplaya5]

Which do you guys prefer out of the Rossi experience 84 and the Salomon xdr 84?

[@SkiEssentials]

They're a little different. The shape of the XDR is designed to be a little bit more playful and versatile for use in moguls, trees, etc. The Experience 84 has full width tips and tails, while the XDR has more early taper and a little bit more corresponding rocker. You really can't say one is better than the other, it's much more subjective. If you spend all your time on groomers, the Rossi may be the way to go. If you like to play around in some off-piste terrain from time to time you might benefit from the increased maneuverability of the XDR. Hope that helps!

[@delplaya5]

Helps a lot, thanks. Btw your reviews are the best.

[@pascalrupprecht7342]

My height is 196cm (6ft 5). Would you recommend me to take the 179cm or the 186cm edition?

[@robbydridesemtb4428]

186

[@snow_monkey]

does it have tail rocker?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes, but it's quite subtle.

[@Rael21]

is it similar to xwing fury?

[@SkiEssentials]

Similar, yes, although there's a couple generations of separation between the X-Wing and XDR 84. There have been advances in both design and construction since the X-Wing.

[@danharris7805]

what jacket do you have on??

[@SkiEssentials]

That camo jacket Bob is wearing is Burton. He doesn't use it much anymore if you want to buy it from him!

[@danharris7805]

Skiessentials.com. what size?

[@SkiEssentials]

@@danharris7805 It's either L or XL. He can't remember, but he's 6'2 215.

[@SkiEssentials]

@@danharris7805 It's actually a Special Blend jacket that's size Large, he double checked.

[@jamiemarchant5826]

Do you review any piste skis??

[@SkiEssentials]

Hi Jamie! We certainly do. Have you seen our reviews of the Blizzard Quattro collection? In fact, we put the XDR 84 Ti into the "all mountain frontside" category and could arguably be called a "piste" ski. Or are you looking specifically for skis closer to ~70 mm under foot?

[@jamiemarchant5826]

Yes. I have 2015 Atomic Redster Double deck sl's 155. I was looking to buy some longer skis for next season. But I am thinking of going heli skiing in Rikksgranse as well so will want to buy something suitable for that. What you recommend for a powder beginner?

[@SkiEssentials]

Hey Jamie. Gosh, those are two very different things. If you want a longer version of what you currently have I would get a GS race ski. If you like the waist width and performance of your 155 cm slalom skis chances are you'll like a GS ski if you just desire something "longer". That being said I certainly would not take either ski heli skiing. While heli skiing you'll be skiing entirely off-piste and both your current slalom skis or a GS ski would be very, very challenging. Have you ever skied a wider ski? Where do you typically spend most of your ski days?