written by MikeNagoya on 22/01/2014
I am a snowboarder that is learning to ski. My level is about low intermediate, until this season I ski'd on some ski's classed for beginner to low level Intermediate Skiers, but I could never feel myself getting any better, and as a result of this made excuses not to ski. I was attracted first to these ski's by the dark colour and price - greatly reduced as they are 2011 model, and then by the many great reviews they got from users, one thing I was worried about was that they were classed for advanced to expert skiers this had me really worried but I finally purchased them and I was not at all sorry ! felt confident on these ski's straight away and after 2 weeks feel a positive improvement I really regret not getting ski's like these 2 years ago - I hate to say this but some days I finish boarding early to have more time to improve my skiing ! One thing I regret I bought them a size smaller than I should have for my height assuming shorter ski's would be easier for me to turn - but after using these I don't think I would have had any trouble at all with the extra length. I wish I could also write a glowing review for the new ski boots I bought - wasn't so lucky with them.
written by james_elgy on 13/08/2012
I have used these skis for several years, and honestly these are by far the best skis I have ever used. The skis are extremely stable at high speed, beit in a straight line or otherwise. for this reason it is possible to use slightly shorter skis than usual, improving the responce and turning radius. Unlike many alpine performance skis the X-Wings are usable of piste. They are by no means perfect off-piste but they are easily good enough for the vast majority of off-piste skiing. I have spent a couple days in large powder fields and they were fine. My only slight complaint I have is my pair have slightly delaminated, although this is after five years of heavy use. Overall I think these skis are a fantastic all rounder. They do everything well and a few things perfectly.
written by on 02/03/2011
I have just returned from 2 weeks at Snowmass Aspen where I rented Salomon Tornado Xwing skis. I recognised immediately how good they were for fast or speed controlled skiing on groomed piste, powder and even a few runs through the trees. I demo-ed Rossignol Richtor and Volkl skis as a comparison, the Volkl's being excellent also.
I liked the Tornados so much I bought a pair (US$849) and brought then back to Australia. Highly recommend.
written by on 06/02/2011
I have just returned from St. Anton where I rented Rossignol Xwing skis. Brilliant performance on steep piste with exceptional grip on ice. Highly recommended for fast controlled skiing.
written by on 03/01/2011
Brilliant skis. Just returned from skiing in Paradiski in France. These ski`s enabled me to ski to a level I believed was long gone. They are very responsive on both piste and off piste and give the skier a great sense of confidence. I would recommend these skis to anyone. Thank you Salomon.
written by EAA on 22/12/2010
My ski experience is 1-2 weeks a year for the past 14 seasons and I ride all slopes as well as a some off-piste.
In February 2010 I rented and tried around 20 different skies and the X-wing Tornado Ti (178 cm) were my absolute favorites.
I used to ride Fischer RX-6 170 cm which was great on the slopes. But being 85 kilos and 183 I needed a longer and wider ski to be able to do well All-Mountain.
Other ski's were a bit faster on the slopes but terrible in the deep snow and some more stable in the deep snow off-piste but slow and difficult to turn on the slopes. But with these ski's I don't need to be afraid to go anywhere - they will do well at all surfaces!
written by on 15/03/2010
Rented a pair of Tornado Ti's in Italy last week and absolutely loved them. Longer (173cm) than I've skiied in a couple of years - I'm 54 and unfit - but they were beautifully responsive and easy to turn. Skiied mostly on groomed piste and they were a pleasure to ride. As someone else said here, they made me look a better skiier than I am...
written by on 25/01/2010
I rented a new pait of Tornadoes in La Clusaz Jan 2010. SSimply te best pair of skis I've ever used in 26 years of skiing. Skied off piste every day in 2ft fresh snow, day old and porridger snow. Piste, moguls and ice they never missed a turn, never caught an edge and flattered my skiing no end. I'm 50, 100kg 5'10" and skied on 173s.
written by on 17/07/2009
Awesome pair of skis. Have been skiing for 3 years and decided to upgrade to an intermediate - expert ski. Took a couple of skis for a test run then came across the tornados. my first impressions were good. I then arranged a whole day trial where i put them through their paces. They were solid underfoot cutting through all the rubbish on the slopes and responded quickly when they needed to. On piste and off piste they stood up to the test and I am very pleased with my latest purchase. The money is irrelevant when it comes to buying an excellent pair of skis, they also made me look better than i actually am when i was coming down the slopes.
written by Jonnyf on 18/12/2008
We'll see how they are at Chamonix in a few weeks. I was never going to buy another pair of skis, but these were just so good anywhere on the hill, I had to have them. I don't think there are any. I bought them in the States as ex-rental in March when the exchange rate was good, so not pretty cheap.c
written by paul uk on 22/06/2008
Went from 5 Stars to AC 3's which felt very solid but not as alive as my old 5 stars. Spent 2 weeks in Sun Peaks, BC, on these Tornados cover pretty well all the bases. Quick edge to edge, enough width under foot for playing in crud, fresh pow or bumps, light enough to flick around, yet on a groomer they are stable enough you can really crank them over - even got a glove down you can get such good angles:) Despite aging body these things made me want to go again and again until the lifts closed! Excellent all round ski.
written by on 01/04/2008
I'm a returning skier with 4 seasons under my belt, after not having skied since I was in my 20's, (I'm 50 this year) I would class myself as an intermediate, more towards the beginning side. I try to ski at least 10 and hopefully 15 times a season. I weigh 210 lbs. and am 5' 10" tall. I have been skiing on Atomic Izor 3.1 skis for a couple of seasons and have really liked them, but as I have gotten faster and on greater steeps, (usually advanced Blues) I have noticed chatter, so I got a pair of Tornados 162 cm. I tried them for the first time yesterday at Park City and though the base snow was Springtime slush, the upper mountain was great. Some crud, but the Tornados blew right through it! They held to the mountain, and there was no chatter at any time. They carve very nicely! These skis are quite a bit wider than my Izors and yet they go where you tell them to. I found them to be very forgiving, but don't lean back on them, they'll let you know real quickly that your control is lessened. Stand correctly centered or lean forward and you feel like you've got super handling under you. I've only touched the tip of the iceberg with these and am looking forward to many more great ski days with them, hopefully for years to come.
written by on 07/02/2008
Good to hear a real skiers review, not one of those reviews where you know the guy has been paid to ski 30 pairs of skis in one day!
written by TheGreatSandaledOne on 18/09/2007
I was lucky enough to get my Tornadoes on sale from a ski shop on Ebay paying around £300 rather than the full price in the region of £550-600. These were complete with the Salomon Z12 binding.
The ski itself in a solid piece of kit with all the hallmarks of Salomon quality. They are truly awesome to ski on. Though mostly an on piste carving ski, they're perfectly capable off piste where the riders ability is present.
I've not felt as confident on another pair of skis, though these are my first pair of owned skis, those I have borrowed or rented have paled in comparison.
The sharp turning radius and stiff(ish) edges allowed me to progress my technique carving no end and have opened up a whole new feel for skiing at speed and on the steep.
If, like me, you're a 'powerful' skiier with a well built frame (6 ft, 85kg's, powerful legs & core) who skis at an intermediate getting on for advanced level then these skis are well worth considering. They've truly helped me come on and I feel more confident to throw myself at anything the mountain has to offer. Except the park, I'm keen but these skis aren't right for the park!
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Thegreatsandaledone's Response to TheGreatSandaledOne's Review
Written on: 25/09/2007
Apologies, some information that I had forgotten to add:
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<br/>My skis are length; 170 (Cm) Sidecut (124mm/75mm/107mm) and have a turning radius of 14.5m
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<br/>The length chosen to suit my stature and ability, the sidecut makes these great on piste and capable off, and the turn raidus proves that they are going to turn very sharp in an carved turn.