2012 Salomon BBR 8.9

Where to start with the BBR? First consider the brand..Salomon and the innovation that have brought to the industry. The BBR is about as close to a one ski quiver as I have ever skied, it is very good in almost every condition from firm snow, to groomers, to bumps to powder. While there are many skis that excel in any of those particular conditions, there are none that to them all with the ease that the BBR does. This is the about the easiest ski I have ever skied with this amount of versatility. If you are someone who has a quiver, no this isn't the ski for you. But if you are a terminal intermediate/advanced skier and just are out on perfect days and the mostly are pretty chill on the hill, the BBR should be on your demo list. If you need ONE ski to travel west with, the BBR should be on your demo list. 

Other skis in segment: None. 

Product:

Length Tested: 186

Dimensions/Turn Radius: 89 underfoot, disregard dimensions with this ski

Camber: Traditional, Early Rise,  Other

Binding: Demo or Suggested

Mount point: Suggested or Other 

Environment & Conditions:

Location of Test: Aspen, Northstar

Number of Runs: 10+

Snow Conditions: Everything

Demo or Own: Demo

Tester Info:

Username: Philpug

Age: 47

Height/Weight: 5'10" 185lb

Ski Days/Season: 40-60

Years Skiing: 35

Aggressiveness: Moderate (Finesse) 

Current Quiver: 12 Blizzard Bonafide, 12 DPS 112RP Pure, 12 Kastle MX88

Home Area: Squaw & Northstar

Preferred Terrain: bumps, off-piste, trees

Many people don't like the look of these skis. I think they are great, individual, surfboard like and bold. You loose the graphics of many skis when you put them on the mountain but these big blue babies with a yellow side wall stand out. 3 seasons ago, ski wear was kind of boring, conventional, dull and now...... colours are in!

I currently have a quiver of 4 skis - Rossignol Radical 9S WC, Dynastar Legend 8000, (though these have now been skied to bits and need replacing), K2 Apache Chiefs and Dynafit Mustagh Ata Light. The idea being, short radius slalom ski for the piste, all mountain ski which you can charge all over the hill with, powder days and touring - in that order. I have a perfect ski for all conditions HOWEVER, how many times have I stood in the garage and asked myself which ski to take and then get out on the hill and wish that I had another.

I have been looking for a ski which has a radius of a slalom ski, versatility of an all mountain ski and will float in pow like a fat boy. Isn't that they idea, 1 ski to do it all, 1 ski to master all conditions. OK, I will still need a touring ski for the backcountry but come on, 4 skis, this is ridiculous! 

I have been skiing for 35 years - I am 40 years old. Skiing is my passion, so much so that I now live in the Dolomites so I ski a lot! 4 times a week throughout the season. I watched the youtube videos on this big blue baby and decided to give it a try. I was interested after all, I owned a set of X screams years ago and loved them so Beber caught my interest once more, this time with his BBR.

From the moment I initiated the first turn I couldn't quite believe what I was feeling. I started off with some nice cruising GS turns, the edges gripped, the ski flexed with a feeling of assurance and an underlying quality. Tucked my knees up over a lip and then started to decrease the radius of my turn. I could hardly tell the difference between the BBR and my Rossignol FIS Slalom skis - incredible. Fast, short, double edge carves on a ski that is large and f@£$ckin' blue. I finished the run with a grin on my face, knowing that I was going to have to find a way to explain to my wife why I needed to buy a 5th set of skis.

Later on in the season I took them out for the day in classic alpine spring conditions. Again, mega impressive as they ripped up the hardpack in the morning and surfed the slush in the afternoon with this underlying feeling of quality. If they were a car for sure they would have to be German and bloody expensive but these gorgeous, blue babies are also French....... and I am beginning to fall in love......... and they are curvaceous!!!!!!!

OK, I have never bought a pair of skis for how they look. I have always chosen skis for the way they ski, after all, until the BBR came along top sheet graphics didn't really stand out anyway. Now with Salomon BBR 8.9 we have everything - French, gorgeous, maneuverable, solid, floaty, grippy, a feeling of absolute quality, curvy, fast and last but not least BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!