equipment

ISPO & Gear News Ski 2021

Mainly design updates

by Tobias Huber • 02/04/2021

Blizzard Allmountain Collection — Blizzard Allmountain collection

As expected, there was little news presented at this year's online ISPO and at individual product presentations by manufacturers. Many retailers still have stock from 2020, which is why some model ranges are carry-overs for the coming season. This mainly affects the downhill-oriented models.

Touring skis seem to have sold well despite or even because of the pandemic, so there are some design updates in this segment. If you want to pick out a slight trend in the new products, it could be freeriders with a center width of around 110mm.

The fact that ISPO is taking place virtually this year is of course understandable. The main reason to go to ISPO, namely to meet people, is logically not happening this year. The number of manufacturers still represented at the trade fair is also dwindling. Following the departure of Amer Sports and the smaller North American brands, Völkl and Head, for example, are no longer represented this year. It is to be hoped that the trade fair will not disappear completely, because nowhere is it easier to obtain information and make social contacts than centrally and in person on site.

Atomic/Salomon

We are currently unaware of any official news from the Amersports brands. According to rumors, a bentchetler model with a 110mm center width will be presented soon. Salomon, one of the pioneers in the freestyle sector with the 1080, no longer has a single twintip ski in its range. In the freeride range, there is now a new model, the QST Blank, which at 112mm is the widest ski in the range.

Nordica

Nordica has slightly adapted the topsheet design of the Enforcer and Santa Ana models, otherwise it seems that the slight changes to the rocker curve from last season will remain. Unfortunately, Nordica only sent a link to the entire catalog in response to specific questions regarding new products.

LINE

Only the topsheets are changing at LINE, the range of ski models remains the same. Following the departure of Eric Pollard, who founded his own ski brand with Season Equipment, we are also seeing a new style in some of the designs.

K2

K2 is also introducing completely new topsheets for all lines. After launching the Reckoner line last season, this year there are new graphics and two narrower entry-level models with a 92mm center width and short lengths.

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The new Salomon QST Blank with 112mm center width

Blizzard

Blizzard is leaving most of its skis with last year's models, as retailers are still well stocked with them. However, the all-mountain line is getting a new core and the Zero G touring skis a design update, as they were in high demand.

Scott

Scott is launching a new Pure in collaboration with Jeremy Heitz, whose key data is 109mm center width in 182cm/190cm lengths.

Völkl

For well-known reasons, Völkl is also leaving most of the 2020 range unchanged. However, a new Mantra model has been developed: The M6 Mantra is the next version of the popular downhill-oriented all-rounder, which has been made a little more good-natured and forgiving and thus for a broader target group.

Black Diamond

BD is launching new freeride skis on the market with the Impulse models in three center widths (112mm, 104mm, 98mm).

Dynastar

Dynastar is not changing most of its models, but is launching two new touring skis, the M-Tour 86 and M-Tour 99, which should still deliver appealing performance with a lightweight construction.

You can find a collection of images of the new 2022 skis in the gallery.

The Reckoner Line released in 2020 gets new topsheets that are somewhat reminiscent of earlier K2 designs in terms of style. Entry-level/youth models are added with the 92 models. — The Reckoner Line released in 2020 gets new topsheets that are somewhat reminiscent of earlier K2 designs in terms of style. With the 92 models, entry-level/youth models are added.

Elan

Elan presents the "Voyager", a folding ski. Based on the concept and purpose of a folding bike, Elan is targeting customers who travel a lot by plane but don't feel like bulky luggage or queuing at rental stores. "It's designed to fit the needs of the traveling skier, that is passionate about striking a balance between a busy schedule and a healthy lifestyle."

Rossignol

At Rossignol, everything is carried over from 2020.

Head

Head is making its KORE skis even lighter and giving them two different constructions: Softer on the wider models, more stable construction on the narrower ones. There are also more available lengths for all models and a new KORE 111 that closes the gap between the Kore 105 and Kore 117.

Photo gallery

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