Salomon's piste-charging X-Max series was launched in 2016 and the French company provides models from the X6 to the X12 to suit most abilities.
The top of the range X12s are mostly unchanged for this season, with Salomon adding just a touch more titanal into the construction mix (so the reps told our eager reviewers when they were begging a pair for testing).
The X12s are all about power and have a double titanal layer plus carbon reinforcements beneath the understated black and white topsheet. The dampening effect of the carbon is aided by Salomon's Pulse Pad - a layer of rubber along the edges and in other strategic places within the skis.
Koroyd, another man-made material that is light yet strong, is used in the reinforced nose of the X12, while the full woodcore is stable at both high and low speeds and gives plenty of snap in turns.
The skis come in five lengths from 155cm to 175 and all of them need to be worked to get the best out of them - but if you put in the effort you will be rewarded.
The X12s fly down the piste as if turbo-charged and are equally happy in big carving arcs or slashing short turns, helped by the carve rocker Salomon has placed in the tip.
Wind them up, let them go and embrace the pace!
