Rossignol 2012 skis and thoughts on 'integrated' bindings

I think you are looking in the right place. Experience 83 or 88. You could probably flip a coin, but I'd say just get the 88. Probably in a 170. It's cool that you can buy it flat if you want, but unless you know exactly what you want (and you wouldn't be asking here if you did), I think you should just get the system binding.

FWIW, my home area is not dissimilar in terms of snow conditions (you have better views, I have better ice ), and most of the instructors favor a 78-84 mm width for most days, even in light chop. When there's some pow, they'll break out Bridges, S3's, Ones, that width. But also think the difference between the 83 and 88 may be pretty small, perhaps it should be decided on the deal you can get. I haven't skied the new Rossi's but suspect that for your size (I'm about 163 lbs these days), they'll work well. Agree with Jim that "system" will be fairly neutral. IMO the only system that's ever actually added significantly to a ski's performance is the Blizzard IQ. 

System binding vs adjustable?  I've had great experiences with Rosi (Axial2) bindings...but never have purchased as a "system" binding and as Jim mentions; does not offer anything really significant in the Rosi line (unless tied to an awesome price point).  But never mind that.  What I'd think you might consider is a binding that would allow you to dial fore/aft giving you some range dealing snow conditions and mount position with respect to an all mountain ski mentioning anything rocker, early rise, powerturn etc.  I also noticed you have some decisions on length of ski along with describing in a subsequent post certain characteristics you attribute to length.  Dunno but perhaps its your mount point which can have a significant play in your ski experience (of course with a bunch of other factors confounding everything which you must sort out).  Anywho...you could consider for a ski like the ex88 (which is a ski I'm considering as well) a binding such as the Griffon Schizo (per your described din spec), giving you a total of 3cm of travel either side boot center helping to dial in that ski to youz.  Oh, and while bindings like these will add a bit of weight, I don't get caught up in that crap.  We're skiing...not running, cycling or dancing ;)  Good luck, ski well this season.   

I have just had three days on the E83 with integrated binding. (Hards snow softening a bit in the afternoon, some bumps)

I thought the toe and heal pieces of some previous integrated bindings were a bit sloppy on the track but these are solid.

The ski skis short and is a bit squirly on the flat at speed on hard snow.

The early rise tip hits the snow when the ski is tipped about 30 degrees (guess not measurement) so you roll into a long turn and the ski becomes long and smooth, no speed problem.

If you go for a quick high edge the ski will hook up like a slalom ski and you can feel like Marcel Hirsher.

I am on a176 (5,10 170lbs) and would suggest that if you are in between lenghts go for the longer one.

Any updates on the E83 vs. E88's. I just went with the 83's but had the same dilemma. I am on east coast so we get few powder days... coming from a 73mm ski. I did not want to jump to a thick of a waist.

I had the 2011 Rosi. Ti avenger 82 in 170mm. I just switched to the 2012 ti avenger in 177. I had about 5 days on the 170 with the intergrated bind. and I think they are fine. I love the ski but for my weight I thought the 177 would be better for me (5'11, 200 lbs) I dont know why there is not more love for this ski on epicski, they have great ratings and very nice to ski in your conditions.

A little more to think about between the E88 & E83:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Z3AfG2gzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXkbTAuZgY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kekZs1Tizfk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbBR8uWnK6Y&feature=relmfu

the question about appreciation for Rossignol models?

Personally, I've had great experience with Rossignol skis and encourage you to get some.

if you can get the ski flat, then when it's worn out you can take off the bindings to put them on another ski. saves about $200, which of course is

edit to simplify and delete sarcasm

im curious about this.

I had a chance to ski the 83 in a 168 length and a 88 in a 178 length.  (advanced skier 150lbs 5'11'') 

I found the 83 at 168 super playful and fun, not amazingly quick but blown away by the edge grip and how light it was,

I hated the 88, in a 178.  I found it too long and chunky and not nearly as playful or fun as the 83, slower edge to edge, heavier and less mobile.  Now I think this has a whole lot to do with two things.  I live out west but was skiing east coast groomers this weekend, and the 88 was too long.  I feel that for me, i would buy the 170 in the 88.  (my pow day ski is a 188cm rossi S7)

I didnt get the chance to try the 170 E88 though and wont make my decision until i get that chance. I want something that can do moguls as thats what i spend my time doing when its not a pow day on the S7.  but i want the ability to do mild pow as the S7 is pretty wide for just little dumps.  Light, stable, playful, fun, forgiving ski thats versitle is what i want and i think the 88 may be that ski

Im looking for a replacement for my contact 10's that is more forgiving and playful and more versitile for varying conditions.  Western skier - kicking horse, louise, revelstoke etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk Singleton 

I had the 2011 Rosi. Ti avenger 82 in 170mm. I just switched to the 2012 ti avenger in 177. I had about 5 days on the 170 with the intergrated bind. and I think they are fine. I love the ski but for my weight I thought the 177 would be better for me (5'11, 200 lbs) I dont know why there is not more love for this ski on epicski, they have great ratings and very nice to ski in your conditions.

You're right! I just demoed them and I'm going to buy one pair! I largely prefered them to the blizzard magnum 8.5 (will replace the 8.7 next year) and the others. I tried them at 170 and they were perfect in bumps, steep, trees, carves nicely and stable at speed! So please can someone explain to me why I hesitate between buying them at that lenght or going more toward the 177 ( lenght that is more near what I am use to for my Mustang , kendo and sultan 85!) !!!!

As a fellow instructor, I strongly recommend a set of park skis. They are built strong, so they can take the abuse from people skiing over them, into them, etc. As well, the soft flex makes them super easy to ski at lower speeds. Also, having a twin-tip style ski helps a ton, I spend 80% of my lessons skiing switch. Finally, park skis are cheap, so when they get wrecked, it doesn't cost as much as other skis to replace. However, if you choose to go with the E-series, I know a fair number of guys who ski them and love them. It's all personal preference, buy what you like to ski. Just my 2 cents.