Rossignol
Rossignol Blackops 98 Skis
The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a 98mm-waist all-mountain ski built around a wood core and titanal construction, aimed at confident skiers who want one quiver-capable board.
### Overview
The Rossignol Blackops 98 is an all-mountain ski with a preference for a more playful style of skier. It's a truly versatile "one-ski" option capable of crushing the carve, pouncing through fresh, and stout enough to hold an edge on ice and hardpack. Its relatively simple design doesn't pigeonhole it into any particular category or style of skiing — it caters to a pretty broad swath of skier types, from hardpack chargers with a need for speed, to all-mountain jibbers, to big-mountain skiers that like techy, bony lines.
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### Standout Features
- **Air Tip construction:** The wide, light shovels in the tip allow the ski to blast right over turbulence while also making it very easy to bounce around and pivot when you find yourself off-trail. - **PEFC-certified Poplar wood core:** A versatile construction designed to ensure liveliness, grip, and a feeling of safety — and PEFC™ certification guarantees sustainable forest management. - **Titanal layers:** The centered titanal laminate delivers a perfect balance of stiffness underfoot, while the PEFC poplar core contributes to the playful and lively personality of the ski. - **Rocker/camber profile:** The blend of longer, lower tip rocker, tapered tail profile, and traditional camber underfoot allows easy steering, instant speed control, and the power, energy, and grip to get you back to the lift. - **Rectangular sidewall construction:** A horizontal layering of core materials combined with full-length vertical sidewalls delivers optimized edge grip, precision, balance, and power. - **Twin tip design:** The energetic feel combined with an only slightly directional shape and kicked-up tail allows for endless freeride potential.
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### Who It's For
This is an all-mountain ski built for a more playful style of skier — one that feels right at home diving through trees, bumps, side hits, and spinning some park laps. It's a strong candidate as a one-ski quiver for East Coast skiers, and a great option for non-powder days out west — including park laps where its stability really shines. The accessible flex and forgiving character make it a solid choice for anyone from a confident intermediate all the way up to an expert.
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### Important Considerations
- **Not a dedicated powder ski:** It's not a powder ski and doesn't love to be thrown sideways in deep 3D snow, but it will handle moderate depths comfortably, powering through as much as it floats. - **Stiffer than typical freestyle skis:** It's a pretty damp, powerful ski — definitely on the stiffer, damper end of the scale for a freestyle ski. Skiers expecting a soft, surfy feel may be surprised. - **Groomer-focused carvers may want to look elsewhere:** At 98mm underfoot, the Black Ops is composed on icier terrain, but if your main priority is crushing groomers, look elsewhere — it definitely prefers softer snow and all-mountain freestyle riding. - **Size increments are wide:** With 10cm increments between lengths, some skiers will fall in between sizes — worth demoing before committing if you're on the border.
Key features
- Air Tip for reduced weight
- PEFC-certified wood core
- titanal layers
- all-mountain versatility.
A titanal-reinforced, wood-core all-mountain ski that earns its quiver-of-one credentials on varied terrain.
What stands out
- The 98mm waist sits in a versatile sweet spot — wide enough for soft snow, narrow enough to hold an edge on groomers.
- Titanal layers add torsional stiffness and dampness at speed without making the ski feel punishing.
- Air Tip construction removes material from the tip to reduce swing weight, making the ski feel more nimble than its specs suggest.
- PEFC-certified wood core is a meaningful sustainability credential, not just marketing.
What to weigh
- At 98mm underfoot, it is a compromise by design — dedicated powder or race skis will outperform it at the extremes.
- Titanal construction adds meaningful weight compared to lighter carbon-based all-mountain alternatives.
- The stiffer, damp character may feel demanding for intermediate skiers still developing technique.
Great fit if
- Confident intermediates to advanced skiers looking for a single ski that handles most on- and off-piste conditions.
- Skiers who prioritise stability and edge hold over a playful, surfy feel.
- Those who want a sustainability-conscious construction without sacrificing performance.
Skip it if
- Beginners or early intermediates who need a more forgiving, lighter ski.
- Dedicated powder hounds who spend most days in deep off-piste terrain.
- Weight-conscious skiers who prioritise a lighter swing weight above all else.