In the world of all-mountain skis, the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon Stance 90 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who love to carve on groomers and hardpack snow. The Kendo 88, with its 88mm waist width, offers a balance between carving and maneuverability, while the Stance 90, with its 90mm waist, leans more towards carving with a bit of versatility. Both skis are praised for their stability at high speeds and their ability to handle a variety of conditions. However, the Kendo 88 is known for its 3D Turn Radius, allowing for a multitude of turns, while the Stance 90 is lauded for its versatility and responsiveness. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.

Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 summary

The Völkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.

In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow, while the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation. This combination makes them effective on groomed runs, moguls, and even lighter amounts of soft snow. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.

Salomon Stance 90 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 90 skis are designed for skiers who love to carve on groomers and hardpack snow. With a 90mm waist width, these skis lean more towards carving but still offer a bit of versatility. The Stance 90 skis are built with a poplar core, which adds durability and a poppy nature. They also feature titanal and carbon in the ski to smooth out the ride and have a forgiving nature. A middle-of-the-road flex adds to the versatility of these skis.

In terms of on-snow performance, the Stance 90 skis are praised for their versatility, stability, and responsiveness. They can handle a variety of conditions, from moguls to fast groomers to tree runs. The Stance 90 skis are also known for their ability to handle high speeds and have a strong edge hold. They are designed to go bell to bell no matter the conditions. Load up the ski and get some pop then lean them over and crack and they will remain stiff enough through hard turns.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon Stance 90 skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who love to carve on groomers and hardpack snow. They both offer a balance between carving and versatility, with the Kendo 88 leaning more towards versatility and the Stance 90 more towards carving. Both skis are praised for their stability at high speeds and their ability to handle a variety of conditions. They both feature a combination of materials in their construction to optimize performance, including a wood core and layers of metal. Both skis also have a slight rocker in the tip and tail for added maneuverability and turn initiation.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, the Völkl Kendo 88 skis are ideal for those who want a versatile all-mountain option that can handle a variety of conditions. They are particularly good for skiers who spend a majority of their time on groomers and hardpack snow but still want the ability to handle lighter amounts of soft snow. The Kendo 88 skis are also known for their 3D Turn Radius, which allows for a multitude of turns, from short and quick to hip to hip across the trail.

On the other hand, the Salomon Stance 90 skis are ideal for skiers who love to carve on groomers and hardpack snow but still want a bit of versatility. They are particularly good for skiers who want a ski that can handle moguls, fast groomers, and tree runs. The Stance 90 skis are also known for their ability to handle high speeds and have a strong edge hold.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, the Völkl Kendo 88 skis take the lead with their 3D Turn Radius and ability to handle a variety of conditions. For carving performance, the Salomon Stance 90 skis come out on top with their strong edge hold and ability to handle high speeds. In terms of construction, both skis are on par with each other, featuring a combination of high-quality materials to optimize performance. Finally, for stability at high speeds, both skis are equally praised for their smooth and confident ride.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon Stance 90 skis are top contenders in the all-mountain category for the 2023 season. They both offer a balance between carving and versatility, with each ski leaning more towards one aspect. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style. If you're a skier who loves to carve on groomers and hardpack snow but still wants a bit of versatility, then the Salomon Stance 90 skis might be the better choice for you. However, if you're a skier who wants a versatile all-mountain option that can handle a variety of conditions, then the Völkl Kendo 88 skis might be the better fit. Regardless of your choice, both skis are sure to provide a smooth and confident ride on the slopes.