Rossignol Forza: Rossignol reinvents carving

I've been amazed for years at the variety of technological ideas that are constantly being developed and implemented in skis to make the skiing experience even better for skiers. This winter, the French ski brand is launching a new carving model series called “Forza”. Rossignol is developing unique concepts for the Forza series to take carving to a new level.

From 20 to 70 degrees

When carving, you put the ski on the edge and let the ski make its curve. The steeper you place the ski in the snow, the more aggressively the ski pulls and the more challenging the ski is to ski. The range of the series includes six models that differ in terms of the angle of attack in the snow. You can choose between Forza 20⁰ / 30⁰ / 40⁰ / 50⁰ / 60 ⁰  and 70⁰ degrees. 20 degrees means that the ski is angled relatively flat, as you see with beginners. 70 degrees, on the other hand, is very steep and is aimed at carving professionals. In addition, the more sophisticated ski models are also more elaborately designed and built. In addition, the Forza 70 model is also offered as a “master” ski, which is built with an ash core instead of poplar like the other models. This model is based on the Master racing models and has such features. The Forza series is fundamentally not a racing ski series, but rather a very smooth-running carving series.

Smaller radii, wider ski tips

It's clear to everyone that carving is about curve radii that you want to go through as easily and quickly as possible. On the one hand, Rossignol has now managed to reduce the radius while keeping the length the same, thereby making the skis clearly more agile. This is due to the new Supersized Cut, the shape that had to be developed for even wider ski tips (from 130 mm). This is a further development of the oversized sidecut. Wider ski tips and an even more extreme shape are one thing. To ensure that these extreme ski tips are not laterally deformed, the ski tips must be technically supported. By embedding a titanal layer in the tip, the binding forces are increased and deformation is prevented. In addition, power transmission and precision are also increased. The makers call this concept “Reinforced Torsion Tip”.

More strength and stability

But Rossignol has come up with even more ideas to further sweeten the carvers' joy of carving. The high-quality ski models are reinforced with two layers of Titanal, above and below the ski core. The top layer has it all. Rossignol called this concept “V-Titanal” because the Titanal was recessed in the middle and viewed from the side profile like a “V” looks. When reinforcing materials are placed over the ski core, they already have a massive effect when they are two-dimensional, but when they are three-dimensional like the present V-Titanal, the effect becomes much stronger. By installing the V-Titanal, optimal damping and stability is achieved as the groove along the plate ensures a stiffer longitudinal bend. The result is a perfect ski balance.

The Carver model is supplemented with Line Control Technology (LCT), which eliminates the counter-bending of the ski. Rossignol's patented LCT construction is a World Cup innovation that ensures pure power transmission while offering stability in all situations. Thanks to a “power rail” centrally integrated from ski tip to ski tail, the LCT eliminates shocks and vibrations in the skis, ensuring consistent stability and ski control even at high G-forces.

Driving experience & model choice

In tests, the ski models show an unusually easy turn initiation and clean precision and control on the outswing. It's not a racing ski, but a playful carver with a massive fun character. As fun as the ride will be, it will be important to choose the right model. If you carve really demandingly at a high level, one of the two 70 models will be right for you. However, if you take a more relaxed approach and don't have the ambition to compete with the professionals, a model below is the right choice. It is important to correctly and honestly assess your own skiing skills and requirements, then nothing will stand in the way of incomparable fun on the slopes.