In the world of women's skis, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Atomic Maven 86 Skis are two standout options for 2024. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of performance, versatility, and value. The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro is a lively, playful ski that excels in a variety of conditions, from groomers to moguls to light powder. It's a great choice for advancing intermediate skiers or teens transitioning from kids' skis. The Atomic Maven 86, on the other hand, is a responsive, agile ski that's great for carving and offers a smooth ride in various conditions. It's a bit more forgiving and approachable, making it a good choice for skiers transitioning from rental gear or those who prefer a more relaxed ride. Both skis are versatile all-mountain options, but the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro offers a bit more pop and playfulness, while the Atomic Maven 86 provides a bit more stability and precision.

Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings · Women's · 2024 summary

The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are an all-mountain, intermediate to advanced ski with tip and tail rocker. They are marketed towards the advancing intermediate skier and are a great option for those transitioning from kids' skis or rentals. Despite their beginner to intermediate level marketing, these skis hold their own when cruising down the mountain. They are particularly impressive in the trees and on bumps, offering intuitive control and a 90 waist width that allows for easy edge-to-edge transitions.

The Rallybirds have a good amount of rocker in their tips, which allows for quick turn initiation, and rocker in their tails, which makes them suitable for freestyle skiing. Underfoot, they pack a good amount of camber which adds to the springiness of the already light wood core. These skis are pretty soft, so they're easy to rail into, but they can also hold up for someone who's powering into their ski.

In terms of carving, this ski turns on a dime. It's great for short radius turns and quick edge-to-edge turns, but it can also handle medium or longer radius turns. The edge hold on these Rallybirds is pretty good for a softer snow type of skiing day. However, they might not be the first choice for hard pack icy days due to their cap sidewall construction.

In terms of freestyle skiing, these skis are super playful, poppy, energetic, and lively. They're great for hitting little jumps off the sides of the trails and they're also suitable for park skiing. In terms of freeriding, they're not the ideal powder ski, but they're light and a little wider so they're pushing their way into the all-mountain category of skis.

Atomic Maven 86 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Atomic Maven 86 Skis are an all-mountain, intermediate to advanced women’s ski. They are a bit more forgiving and approachable than the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro, making them a good choice for skiers transitioning from rental gear or those who prefer a more relaxed ride.

The Mavens have a bit of rocker in the tip which helps ease into turn initiation, and a good amount of camber underfoot which adds a bit of pop into your turns and helps you move from turn to turn. They're a moderate flex, which means that they're going to be decently easy to lay into and get turning for you.

In terms of carving, these skis are really easy to turn. They turned on a dime and are really maneuverable. They link turns really well and carving is pretty intuitive on them. In terms of edge hold, these skis did a pretty good job while cruising down groomers. They weren't the stiffest ski out there, so there was a bit to be desired in terms of rigidity and toughness if you're really pushing on the tips of your skis.

In terms of freestyle skiing, these skis are not what you would take into the park. They are more playful than some that are made with titanal but they're not going to be as soft as something that doesn’t have any carbon in it. In terms of freeriding, the Mavens are 86 millimeters underfoot, so if you're looking to ski a lot of powder, these aren't your guys.

Similarities

Both the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Atomic Maven 86 Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of performance, versatility, and value. They both have a good amount of rocker in their tips for quick turn initiation and camber underfoot for a bit of pop into turns. Both skis are also pretty soft, making them easy to lay into and get turning. They both perform well in a variety of conditions, from groomers to moguls to light powder. Both skis are also not the ideal choice for hard pack icy days due to their cap sidewall construction.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile all-mountain options, they cater to slightly different skier personas. The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro is a lively, playful ski that's great for advancing intermediate skiers or teens transitioning from kids' skis. It offers a bit more pop and playfulness, making it a fun choice for those who like to explore different terrains and conditions. It's also a great choice for those who are looking to grow in their skiing abilities, particularly in freestyle skiing.

On the other hand, the Atomic Maven 86 is a bit more forgiving and approachable, making it a good choice for skiers transitioning from rental gear or those who prefer a more relaxed ride. It provides a bit more stability and precision, making it a good choice for those who prioritize control and precision over playfulness. It's also a great choice for those who prefer to stick to groomers and want a ski that's easy to turn and maneuver.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions, but the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro has a slight edge due to its wider waist width and more playful nature.

In terms of performance, both skis offer good edge hold and easy turn initiation, but the Atomic Maven 86 provides a bit more stability and precision, making it a better choice for those who prioritize control and precision.

For playfulness, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro is the clear winner. Its lively, energetic nature makes it a fun choice for those who like to explore different terrains and conditions.

In terms of value, both skis offer great value for their price point, but the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro comes with bindings included, making it a more budget-friendly option.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Atomic Maven 86 Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers. The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro offers a bit more pop and playfulness, making it a great choice for those looking to explore different terrains and conditions. The Atomic Maven 86, on the other hand, provides a bit more stability and precision, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more relaxed ride. Both skis offer great value for their price point, but the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro comes with bindings included, making it a more budget-friendly option. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal skiing style and preferences.