Rossignol's Soul 7 HD seems to hog the limelight in the freeride line up, which is a shame as the narrower Sky 7 HD should be a more approachable ski for most people, at 98mm underfoot.
It's a shame then that the graphics are so uninspiring - a dull muddy grey detracts from the otherwise striking looks of that honeycombed tip and may explain why the more dynamic looking Soul 7 gets all the attention.
The ski is the same as last year's model, but the Air Tip 2 has been slightly better integrated with the core. It has a lovely flex, soft and poppy, and is also very lightweight for a freeride ski.
In consequence, it's a fantastic ski. Considering the weight - and the Sky 7 HD is light enough to warrant a free-touring set up, despite not being marketed as such - this ski charges.
Yes, the shot-through nose flaps about in the merest breeze, but it also absorbs slush as well as chopped up off piste, and the flappy part visibly ends beneath the rockered tip. In other words, it's solid underfoot.
There is a surprising level of manoeuvrability here, and it is quick edge-to-edge. And maybe the stiffness underfoot adds to a desire to ride it just a smidge too fast!
It lacks a little in edge hold - maybe partly due to the lightness, but that also helps its agility. A compromise that will suit some more than others.
The bottom line is we really liked this ski and could happily ride it all day. With a touring binding the Sky 7 HD would be superb on a powder day.
