Anyone have any thoughts on the Rossi Experience 88's?

Hey Charlie,

I have a pair of these and so far I have luke warm feelings to them. They are not the skis for hard snow, which is what I ended up skiing on most of the last season. However, once I got the feel of them they did pretty well in the late season really soft snow near DC. I've had trouble with that type of snow in past year and had actually had fun skiing it with those skis last season. I think I would have done better to get a size shorter than what I did as well, but they did work well in the slush

I wouldn't rate them as the perfect all arounder for East Coast skiing, you need something that does better on hard/almost ice snow. However, they should do pretty well when the snow is good at the WV ski areas. I do plan on taking these skis next season to Utah with me and I may fall in love with them in the powder out there!

Consult with the royalty of Wheeling.

My guess is that it's a bit too wide for you. 80 under foot would be my rec.

Interesting that you feel this way.

I think you're going to want a different Utah ski, in the 100-110 mm range. The E88 should be OK for you in CO or PNW snow but I would have put you on something like the Rev 90 for a more all-round feel.


LMK if you want to play swop again. I also have some tentative notions of popping up to VT to test some Worths, earlyish season.

So what is the "perfect" width of an East Coast all mountain ski?

...that eternal question. For my two bits, I've been pretty happy bringing my Dynastar Mythic Riders at 90 underfoot on recurring Vt trips to MRG, Stowe, Magic and the like. I retired them last season and am considering my options...

I demo'd the Rossi Exp 98s last year and greatly enjoyed (they ski more like the 'old' Dynastars - separate convo) - but that's probably too much for East coast (my new out west?). I observed many patrollers at Elk on the Exp 78s last season. They all loved them. I've been using similar width at Whitetail, some Head Monster 78s...but those have never touched Vt snow.

..back to my options, I've been eyeing deals on the Volkl Kendo, an 89m ski that's lively as heck, but still solid at speed. It might replace the do-everything Mythics and I push back the next narrow waists until next season.. But if I had to go one size including trips to Vt (or WV), I'd shoot for 89/90. But that's me.

Finally, I recall this question asked of Glen Plake in a Buyer's Guide issue a few years back. His response (as I recall) along the lines of: get something wide enough for your best pow days and knock it down a length to get thru the trees and bumps. Seems wise.

Thanks everyone for your input, I am currently on Dynastar Legend 80's that work real well for me on EC slopes (mainly TLine) but am looking for something a little wider for the occasional EC pow-pow days and hopefully some western trip(s) this season.
JohnL, I couldn't meet with the Wheeling royalty this week as they are not available for any consultations. I did meet with him last week and he suggested something in the 88-90 range underfoot.

So you plan on keeping your Legend 80's for everyday skiing? Edit: I thought you were looking to replace your Legend's, not add another ski to the quiver.

If so, for WC trips and EC pow days, I recommend 88-98 underfoot. (88 may be too close to your 80's, hence the recommendation for up to 98. Plenty of great skis in the ~98 category.) 2nd Edit: thinking some more, 98.

For general use at T-Line, I'd recommend 80 underfoot for you (given what you mostly ski.)

Depends what, where and how you ski. So 75-100 mm since the range of what, where and how is ginormous.

For you, the question is academic, since you'll never buy a new set of skis.

JohnL says "So you plan on keeping your Legend 80's for everyday skiing? Edit: I thought you were looking to replace your Legend's, not add another ski to the quiver."

I am going to keep the Legends, looking to add something to the quiver. The Legends get lonely standing in the corner by themselves. (BRW, the wife said "I thought you said when you both these skiis they would be the last pair you would need". She may need some JohnL enlightment this winter.

The major thing you need for an eastern ski is a 3 degree side bevel. Factory specs and ski shop specs are generally 1 degree. Just get a file holder and a few files and learn how to tune your own. The aggressive bevel will not harm powder performance at all.

Edited to add understanding. The greater the side bevel, the better the edge hold on ice and hard surfaces. World Cup slalom racers will go to 5 deg., which will be all but impossible to skid. 3 deg is an excellent compromise for an Eastern recreational skier under all conditions, IMHO. Manufacturer and shop specs for base bevel are typically 1 degree. WC skiers use 1/2 or even zero. This will make it hard to release the old turn but will grip like crazy.

All that needed for Whitegrass?

I thought my quiver kept them company? Oh that's right, your skis were anti-social and stayed on the 2nd floor.