Not only does the 2023 Rossignol Hero Master LT look absolutely stunning, but they also rip turns, too. This is a great combination, and Rossignol really nailed it with these skis, especially with the Rossignol/Look SPX Forza master bindings to match. The LT comes in 4 different sizes, producing turn shapes of 15-meters in the 169, 17-meters in the 173, 19-meters in the 179, and 21-meters in the 183. This is a smart way of shaping skis, keeping the waist widths right around 70 mm, and making the skis just a bit easier to enter the turn than the real-deal FIS GS ski. Built with a dense ash wood core, two sheets of metal, and Line Control Technology, these skis are super-strong, stable, and damp. They have a lot going for them for strong and aggressive skiers who are looking for race-room construction, but in shorter turn shapes. If you’re a masters racer, beer-leaguer, or a former racer looking for a front side ski that spares no performance expense, the 2023 Rossignol Hero Master LT is the ski for you.
ROCKER PROFILE
Camber
CORE MATERIALS
Line Control Technology
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers
Ryan Daniel is one of our top beer league racers here in Stowe, so it’s great to get his feedback on these skis. He was on the 179 and called it perfect. Resultingly, he gave the ski top scores of 5’s out of 5 for overall impression, torsional stiffness, edge hold, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. An unsurprising 1 out of 5 for flotation bookends those 5’s, with 3’s for versatility and playfulness filling out the middle. Ryan “really enjoyed these skis!! It was super quick edge to edge as it should be. Held on ice well. I also found the ski to be the perfect stiffness. Perfect for the above average skier. I felt I did not need to put all my effort into each turn to get the ski to come around, like a full-on race ski. I found the ski easy to ski. It also did not mind braking out of a carve and doing a few short sliding turns.” Having that accessibility to the ski makes a lot of sense, as most people who will find themselves on these will not be heading out to the World Cup circuit any time soon. Jamie O’Brien was also on the 179, and he felt they were a bit long, “felt more like a 185.” Jamie gave 5’s out of 5 for stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold, and a 4 for overall impression. 2’s for forgiveness, versatility, and flotation round out the other end of the spectrum, and these are not shocking to see. Jamie notes that “The Hero Master is demanding and requires an expert skier that wants to stay on the rails all day. Rocket ship that will make any masters racer a hero!”
Mike Anglin is another former racer and long-time Stowe ski instructor who knows how to carve a ski. He liked the size and gave his top scores of 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge hold. 4’s followed suit for overall impression, versatility, forgiveness, stability, quickness, and maneuverability. Mike notes that the “Rossignol Hero Master LT is a fast sports car that loves corners. Very stable ride that thrives on linking GS turns on firm groomers. I found the tip of the ski to be unique. Pretty versatile turn shape at all speeds. Loves steeper terrain but doesn't mind mellower stuff. Advanced intermediates to beer league experts will love arcing on the Hero Master LT.”
I like how Rossignol makes these types of skis for high-end racers and experts who love the feeling of a race ski but don’t always get them up to the speed required for true GS FIS courses. Skiers should be able to use skis like this in a more recreational format, albeit high end, both in and out of the race course. As far as a front side race ski goes, these are some of the best in the business, appealing to top-flight skiers looking for the pinnacle of performance.
