Rossignol's Sky 7 HD range is its successor to the Sin 7 and while women didn't have their own version of Sin last year (boo!), this season they do get the Sky 7 HD W which replaces the Saffron 7 in the freeride department.
Cosmetically the difference is easy to see, with the tip and tail sporting a gentle pink colour rather than burnt orange, but under the hood there is very little difference between the sexes.
The Sky 7 HD W weighs in at 3.4kg per pair, just 0.2kg less than the men's version, and the sidecut (127-97-117) of the 170cm length gives a 16m turn radius that is comparable with the men's skis.
What has changed for both versions is the replacement of a poplar wood core with one made of paulownia wood. That is combined with what Rossignol terms its Carbon Alloy Matrix - the material that earns the 'HD' in the ski's title.
Basically it's a blend of carbon fibre and basalt fibre, which Rossignol says boosts the properties of "lightness, power transmission, shock absorbing and stabilising".
As the Sky 7 HD W sports the Grenoble-based company's recognisable honeycomb Air Tip and Powder Turn Rocker, it's unsurprising that on piste they aren't too comfortable with a lot of nose flap going on.
Off-piste the tips help with easy turn initiation but the midski area feels a little heavy in contrast, although we reckon this would be a good freeride starter ski for those developing their skills away from the groomed stuff.
