2023 Salomon Stance 90

The 2023 Salomon Stance 90 returns unchanged except for graphics, keeping the 90-mm version of the ski alive and well. Built with a poplar wood core and Salomon’s metal twin frame technology, skiers get the best possible performance on groomers combined with strong off-piste acumen to boot. The two metal laminates feature rectangular cutouts in the shovel and in the tail so that they can replace the titanal with their carbon/flax stringers, thus making the ski snappier and more energetic. It works, and makes the Stance 90 one of the smoothest and poppiest skis out there at this width. These are two qualities that don’t normally go together, and it’s great to see it when they do. In the 176 cm length, the Stance 90 generates an 18-meter turn radius and weighs 1775 grams per ski. Both of these stats put the 90 into more of the middle-ground in terms of weight and shape, and that’s what we’re looking for when it comes to versatile, all-mountain skis that can carve quite well. While they’re accessible for progressing intermediates, advanced and expert skiers will find the most success in making the Stance 90 do what they want.

On the big 188, Marcus Shakun notes that it’s the right size for him, scoring it straight 4’s right across the card. This is a high average and a good indication that the Stance 90 is both a strong ski and a versatile one. Marcus states that it’s a “Solid Stance in all conditions. Great for energetic all-mountain advanced skiers. Has no problem plowing through the thick snow. Then transitioning into the firmer snow with ease. Holds a solid edge and lively snap as it transitions between each turn! Not sure if it’s the dampness of the ski or maybe the weight, but it smooths the ski out. Turn shape you can whip some quick medium radius turns or lock in some larger radius.” Putting the intent of the ski onto the feet of the skier has been a trademark of the Stance series of skis for a few years now, and it’s nice to see that it carries through to the 2023 version as well. On the shorter 176, Dave Hatoff noted it was just right and scored it 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, playfulness, quickness, and maneuverability. A lowly score of 2 out of 5 for flotation isn’t that crazy given the width and weight. Dave calls the Stance 90 “Approachable for a lot of skier types. Business man’s ski. Easy to ski, light. Great edge hold.”

Connor Gorham also skied the 176, noting it was a “strong size” for him. Like Marcus, Connor scored the Stance 90 all 4’s out of 5 across the board, reenforcing the fact that these are both high-performance and well-rounded at the same time. While a lot of our testers use car analogies to describe a ski, Connor is more of a basketball fan. “Ever heard of the Triple-Threat position? It’s a stance in BBall that puts you in position to dribble, pass, or score. The Salomon Stance is essentially the triple-threat. Keeps the opponent of softening corduroy cruisers on its heels while I jab, jump, and grip at any opportunity. Winners practice the fundamentals and it feels like Salomon has a team culture of doing the little things well and not changing what works!” Jeff Neagle skied both 176 and 182 and notes that “The Stance 90 continues to get overlooked a little bit in the ~90 mm skis with metal category. What I like about it is it always feels more versatile to me than some of the harder chargers. The slight amount of rocker and taper really lets you get off trail on this thing and have some fun. It doesn't feel too stiff or catchy, which allows you to play around in softer snow, ski some trees, some bumps, etc. On a groomer, you're not far behind the top skis in this category in terms of edge grip and vibration damping. It might not be quite as stiff as some, but there's plenty of edge grip and vibration damping for even really aggressive skiers who demand a lot out of their skis. We had a full day test day with Salomon this year. I started on the Stance 90 and ended up skiing it all day because I was just having so much fun on it. I feel like that says a lot about how good of a ski it is.”

We’ve always liked these Stance skis for a lot of reasons, and the 90 likely makes the most sense for what we ski here in Vermont. Grippy and stable, yet wide and versatile enough to handle the variety of conditions and terrain that we deal with on a daily basis. For skiers looking for one high-performance ski to do it all, the 2023 Salomon Stance 90 should certainly be on the list.