Expert Review: Rossignol Black Ops Stargazer Skis · Women's · 2022
This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in March of 2021.
All photos courtesy of Emilie R.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in March of 2021.
My take
The Rossignol Blackops Women's Stargazer, partially made from recycled materials, is a versatile all-mountain ski designed for the intermediate to advanced female skier honing her skills on piste and likes the occasional off-piste venture through the trees.
About the skis I own
- Model: Rossignol Blackops Women’s Stargazer Ski 2021/2022
- Size: 154cm
About me
- Height: 5’1”
- Weight: 110lbs
- Experience: 8 years of skiing
Test conditions
- When I bought these: March 2021
- Days tested: 30
- Mount position: Traditional (true center)
- Boots: Atomic Hawx Ultra 115 W GW 2022
- Boot Size: 22/22.5
- Bindings: Marker Griffon 13 ID 2021
- Where I’ve used it: Grand Targhee, Snowbasin, Park City, UT; Pomerelle, Sun Valley, Soldier Mountain, ID
- Terrain Groomers, trees, some off-piste
How they perform
What I was looking for
I had previously used a mixture of the Volkl Deacon and Salomon Stance skis, for example, for rentals in the past. Though these were good on the groomers, I wanted a versatile ski that could specifically perform better in powder.
Why I chose this gear
Rossignol uses recycled materials in this particular ski, which is a major selling point for someone environmentally conscious like me. I also looked at the Maiden line of powder skis made by Icelantic, but thought that was too much of a powder ski for what I needed. Volkl’s Flair line was a little too narrow at the waist for what I wanted for powder days.
What I love about them
- Speed: With their medium turn radius, I can get these skis up to high speeds quickly, but then also slow right back down if needed. They’re a solid, fun ride at high speed.
- Edge hold: These skis hold a good edge in steep icy terrain so I don’t slide down the mountain.
- Turns: These skis are very easy to turn at any speed and turn length—especially when moving through congested areas on the mountain or making tight turns through trees.
- Groomers: Despite having a wider waist than a carving-specific ski, these carve well in the groomers, even when the groomers have been cut up by other skiers.
- Powder: The 90mm waist is just wide enough to help the ski float on in-bound powder days for the dabbling powder skier. However, a wider waist (>100mm) would be better in deep backcountry powder.
- Trees: They’re easy to turn when navigating through trees—well, for the most part. One time I got treed because I couldn't judge the distance of that next tree. User error.
- Moguls: I did some of my first moguls in these skis because they were so easy to turn.
- Weight: They’re light for being a wider ski, which is nice on the legs. I can ski all day for days without fatigue being a drawback.
- Stability: They’re stable and easy to turn for both short, quick turns in the moguls and long, graceful ones. Very little underfoot chatter turning at high speeds.
- Durability: For being made out of recycled materials, the topsheet has held up great and still looks new, minus a couple scratches on the back where I’ve crossed my back tips.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Park: I’ve never used them in the park; however, the rocker/camber/rocker profile and the medium 90mm waist give this ski fun potential for both rails and jumps.
- Backcountry: They could work for a backcountry touring ski, but I would prefer a wider waist for better float in powder.
Favorite moment with this gear
My first time in powder was at Soldier Mountain. I wasn’t sure how my skis would perform since I’d only been on the groomers with them. After a few floaty turns in the powder, I was very glad I had purchased these particular skis and have been a powderhound ever since.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Rossignol Blackops Stargazer (90mm) has a wider waist than the Volkl Flair (79mm), making it better suited to in-bounds powder days. It’s also got the environmentally conscious aspect of the Icelantic Maiden 91, for a slightly lower price.
Final verdict
These skis are a great option for an intermediate, environmentally conscious female skier hoping to improve her carving and powder skiing skills.
