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.