Me: Early 60s, 6'1" and 230 lbs, Advanced skier
Where tested: Big Sky, MT
Conditions tested in: Soft groomers after a 6" overnight snow, hard windblown groomers, skied off groomers with soft chop, side of run powder and tracked out powder, soft moguls.
Size: 176cm
Rossignol's Arcade series for 2025 is a direct replacement for the Rossignol Experience 82 and Experience 86 skis (both Ti and basalt versions) from 2024. We get construction changes here, most notably with a titanal beam underfoot sandwiched in between a poplar wood core with full length sidewalls. We also get Rossi's Line Control Technology (LCT) with a vertical ABS strip down the middle of the ski, V.A.S. vibration damping and Air Tip to reduce weight.
Accordingly, this new ski is quite a bit lighter than the Experience Ti versions (and their two full sheets of metal) it replaces although it does not possess the unlimited power or demanding nature of these skis. It is about as light as the Basalt versions while definitely being a smoother, quieter, more powerful ski.
Rossignol has shortened the turn radius about a meter in all sizes over the Experience models, but the sidecut and taper remain nearly the same. The big difference in skiing characteristics for me is that these new Arcade skis really want to adhere to that shorter turning radius, where the Experience skis will make almost any shape and length of turn. The tail on the Arcade also has a bit more splay that noticeably increases the ski's versatility in different types of snow conditions.
I found the Arcade 84 to be one of the easiest skis I've been on in variable snow conditions. It absolutely rails on fresh corduroy but was also great in soft chop, skied off piles and even a few inches of dry fluff. The ski likes to turn and prefers short-to-medium radius turns. I was able to find a speed limit with the ski (it was great up to 40 mph for me) but past that it started to get a bit skittish. I believe this has more to do with the ski not really liking to make the longer-radius turns that higher speed requires rather than construction, as this ski is smooth as silk and very quiet. I am a guy who likes to make wall-to-wall big turns on a run like Big Sky's Elk Park Ridge but this ski had me making shorter turns and using less real estate, but still having an absolute blast doing it!
The ski is also easy to turn in moguls with the softer, metal-less shovel and tail giving it a nice, forgiving ride while the titanal beam provides solid grip, quickness and responsiveness.
The Arcade 84 fits right between the Experience Ti and Basalt versions in terms of power and stability, It is easier to ski than both and considerably smoother than the Basalt while being more forgiving and versatile than the Ti. I enjoyed the ski very much and will more than likely pick up a pair to replace my Experience 82 Ti, as I should probably think about slowing down at my age and due to many previous injuries/repairs. It's turny nature makes it easy to have tons of fun without going mach speed and this is precisely what I need at this point in my skiing career.
Insider tip: Despite its narrow dimensions, this ski makes it easy to release the tails and slash or smear your way through 3D soft snow...much easier than the Experience skis it replaces.
One thing I would change: Nothing I can think of. A fantastic, narrow all-mountain ski that is more versatile than the current Experience while being easier to ski.
Interesting side note: Rossignol is also offering the Arcade 88, which has a single full-length titanal sheet rather than the 84's titanal beam, which only extends about 4" north and south of the mounting area.
Who is it for? Almost anyone. Intermediate to advanced to expert skiers who like to make turns all over the mountain and like to stick on-piste at least a fair amount of time.
Who is it not for? Expert skiers who like to make high-speed, GS-style turns on hard snow. There are race-style skis for that, or your current Experience Ti.
Skier ability:
Where tested: Big Sky, MT
Conditions tested in: Soft groomers after a 6" overnight snow, hard windblown groomers, skied off groomers with soft chop, side of run powder and tracked out powder, soft moguls.
Size: 176cm
Rossignol's Arcade series for 2025 is a direct replacement for the Rossignol Experience 82 and Experience 86 skis (both Ti and basalt versions) from 2024. We get construction changes here, most notably with a titanal beam underfoot sandwiched in between a poplar wood core with full length sidewalls. We also get Rossi's Line Control Technology (LCT) with a vertical ABS strip down the middle of the ski, V.A.S. vibration damping and Air Tip to reduce weight.
Accordingly, this new ski is quite a bit lighter than the Experience Ti versions (and their two full sheets of metal) it replaces although it does not possess the unlimited power or demanding nature of these skis. It is about as light as the Basalt versions while definitely being a smoother, quieter, more powerful ski.
Rossignol has shortened the turn radius about a meter in all sizes over the Experience models, but the sidecut and taper remain nearly the same. The big difference in skiing characteristics for me is that these new Arcade skis really want to adhere to that shorter turning radius, where the Experience skis will make almost any shape and length of turn. The tail on the Arcade also has a bit more splay that noticeably increases the ski's versatility in different types of snow conditions.
I found the Arcade 84 to be one of the easiest skis I've been on in variable snow conditions. It absolutely rails on fresh corduroy but was also great in soft chop, skied off piles and even a few inches of dry fluff. The ski likes to turn and prefers short-to-medium radius turns. I was able to find a speed limit with the ski (it was great up to 40 mph for me) but past that it started to get a bit skittish. I believe this has more to do with the ski not really liking to make the longer-radius turns that higher speed requires rather than construction, as this ski is smooth as silk and very quiet. I am a guy who likes to make wall-to-wall big turns on a run like Big Sky's Elk Park Ridge but this ski had me making shorter turns and using less real estate, but still having an absolute blast doing it!
The ski is also easy to turn in moguls with the softer, metal-less shovel and tail giving it a nice, forgiving ride while the titanal beam provides solid grip, quickness and responsiveness.
The Arcade 84 fits right between the Experience Ti and Basalt versions in terms of power and stability, It is easier to ski than both and considerably smoother than the Basalt while being more forgiving and versatile than the Ti. I enjoyed the ski very much and will more than likely pick up a pair to replace my Experience 82 Ti, as I should probably think about slowing down at my age and due to many previous injuries/repairs. It's turny nature makes it easy to have tons of fun without going mach speed and this is precisely what I need at this point in my skiing career.
Insider tip: Despite its narrow dimensions, this ski makes it easy to release the tails and slash or smear your way through 3D soft snow...much easier than the Experience skis it replaces.
One thing I would change: Nothing I can think of. A fantastic, narrow all-mountain ski that is more versatile than the current Experience while being easier to ski.
Interesting side note: Rossignol is also offering the Arcade 88, which has a single full-length titanal sheet rather than the 84's titanal beam, which only extends about 4" north and south of the mounting area.
Who is it for? Almost anyone. Intermediate to advanced to expert skiers who like to make turns all over the mountain and like to stick on-piste at least a fair amount of time.
Who is it not for? Expert skiers who like to make high-speed, GS-style turns on hard snow. There are race-style skis for that, or your current Experience Ti.
Skier ability:
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Expert
- All-Mountain
- Frontside
- Groomers
- All-Mountain
- Moguls
- Men
- Women (comes in sizes down to 152cm)