2026 Rossignol Arcade 88

The 2026 Rossignol Arcade 88 returns unchanged as a carryover model featuring the same shape, build, and graphics. They’re stiff, too, using a thick wood core and a metal layup to create pin-point precision and tons of power. The Arcade 88, amazingly, makes the value more of a selling point, dropping almost $200 off the retail price of its predecessor. In a world where prices of almost everything are skyrocketing, it’s great to see a quality product with a lower price point. Advanced and expert skiers will have the best time here as the skis are on the stiff and demanding side of the spectrum. It’s a wild ride, and tough to tame, so be prepared to put in the work on the Arcade 88.

Rossignol’s use of materials is sophisticated but simple. By using a poplar wood core with an LCT strip in the middle, Rossignol keeps it pretty plain. The thickness of the wood core is what stands out here, though, as the Arcade 88 is a stiff ski with a lot to lean on. We also get a full titanal layer and VAS damping in the tips. The full sidewalls work in unison with the build to make endless edge grip a priority. The 178 weighs 1800 grams per ski, which is in the middle range of weights for skis in this category. It ends up feeling quite a bit sturdier and damper than that weight lets on, delivering amazing energy and rebound on any type of snow surface. That blend of on and off-trail performance is exactly what Rossignol’s going for here. We’ve found that the carving power and ability is off the charts in this width class. Tester Brad Schauermann notes that “This ski rips on the groomers very energetic amd playful, holds an edge incredibly well easy to lay over and have a great time carving.”

It’s got an interesting mix of build and shape. At 88 mm underfoot, this ski falls strictly into the all-mountain category, but it feels like more of a dedicated carver. This doesn’t mean it can’t go off-piste, but it excels in a front side realm for sure. The tips and tails are wide and not really rockered. The lack of taper and rocker contributes to the carving performance and lead to direct edge contact throughout the duration of the turn. We do see shorter turn radii even though the effective edge is long—that speaks to the dramatic sidecut of the ski. The 178 registers a 15-meter arc. We normally see that number on a shorter more front-side oriented ski so it’s an interesting mix of shape and turn here on the Arcade 88. Tester Dave Raybould “found this ski more versatile and playful than the rep explained it would be. Significant change from the recent Experience 88s and more akin to the OG Experience 88s from a decade ago, which is a good thing! 2 sheets of metal mean a burly ski that can hold an edge, but still a little playful to venture into some easy bumps or skid some turns.”

This is a crisp and strong ski with performance written all over it. We learned that advanced and expert skiers will harness more of the potential while intermediates and progressing skiers may be set back by the stiffness. It works amazingly well on groomers, specifically in mid-radius arcs, but also can open it up for higher speeds and more aggressive skiing. With a lot of camber underfoot and a dramatic sidecut, this is a different style of ski than the outgoing Experience 86, and with a reduced-price tag, we’re loving the value to performance ratio with these all-mountain beasts. It’s incredible how core thickness and camber affect the overall character of a ski.