Rossignol’s 'Super Black Ops 98' has been around the block a few times, had multiple names but it might be the longest continually run twin tip ski on the market right now, possibly ever. We think it was first called the Slat (and then Holyshred, Black Ops 98 and perhaps other names too) and hasn't changed much, if at all, since. It's a precisely tuned and aggressive for a 'freestyle' ski with power and dampness enough to charge all over the hill.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
What makes the Rossignol Super Black Ops 98 such a great ski is that its relatively simple design doesn’t pigeonhole it into any particular category or style of skiing - it caters to a pretty broad swath of skier types from hardpack chargers with a need for speed, to all-mountain jibbers, to big-mountain skiers that like techy, bony lines without a ton of snow. One thing is certain, and that is this ski has absolutely wild amounts of edge grip–it’s got one of the smoothest feeling rides out there with huge amounts of suspension for when the snow isn’t all that smooth.
“So fun and powerful! It absolutely rails carves (so quiet yet so responsive) - these are like velcro but they don't feel uncontrollably locked in. Really easy to ski very fast in just about any condition, powder/soft stuff included, the short size slithers through moguls.”
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
The Super Black Ops 98 is a pretty damp, powerful ski. The core has some pop to it when you load it up but overall, it's definitely on the stiffer, damper end of the scale for a freestyle ski. It powers through crud and mixed conditions comfortably. It offers a great midpoint between something like an Enforcer and a more traditional jib ski, like a Volkl Revolt 96. It's a whole lot more fun than an Enforcer but a lot more powerful and grown up than even a relatively stiff park ski like the Revolt. It does ok in soft snow too, with a wider tip providing some float and rocker backing it up. It's not a powder ski, it doesn't love to be thrown sideways in 3D snow, but it will handle some moderate depths of snow comfortably, powering through as much as it floats. All this comes with the caveat that it's a ski that requires strong legs to get the most out of.
Park & Jibbing:
That damp, quiet, and stable ride is paired with a fairly energetic core and a round, predictable flex that lets you load up the ski and pop, slash, or butter off anything in sight, especially knowing that it’s got your back no matter how sketchy the landing is. The last bit is the key. This ski doesn't have the lowest swingweight or the most playful feel but we loved it in the park for stomping big jumps and boosting deep off cannon rails.
“The Super Black Ops 98 is totally my type of ski: a chargy all-mountain ski that allows for confident and powerful turns. I also love it in the park for its stability. The stiff flex pattern makes my off-balance landings forgivable and adds confidence on larger features.” - David Zorko
Who's it for?
Given that the Super Black Ops 98 works exceptionally well just about anywhere on the mountain - it could be an all-mountian pick no problem. But we gave it a Best of Test award in the park, because it absolutely stomps. Most park skis are on the softer side these days and there isn't much out there (except for properly boring skinny slopestyle skis) that allows you to go as big as the Super Black Ops. They would be a great one ski quiver out east, and could be a low snow day ski in just about any western resort for someone who likes to go FAST.
Check out our Best Of Test | Park video for more on the Rossignol Super Black Ops 98
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
What makes the Rossignol Super Black Ops 98 such a great ski is that its relatively simple design doesn’t pigeonhole it into any particular category or style of skiing - it caters to a pretty broad swath of skier types from hardpack chargers with a need for speed, to all-mountain jibbers, to big-mountain skiers that like techy, bony lines without a ton of snow. One thing is certain, and that is this ski has absolutely wild amounts of edge grip–it’s got one of the smoothest feeling rides out there with huge amounts of suspension for when the snow isn’t all that smooth.
“So fun and powerful! It absolutely rails carves (so quiet yet so responsive) - these are like velcro but they don't feel uncontrollably locked in. Really easy to ski very fast in just about any condition, powder/soft stuff included, the short size slithers through moguls.”
These do it all from day mode to full send. Skier: Mark Valtr. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
The Super Black Ops 98 is a pretty damp, powerful ski. The core has some pop to it when you load it up but overall, it's definitely on the stiffer, damper end of the scale for a freestyle ski. It powers through crud and mixed conditions comfortably. It offers a great midpoint between something like an Enforcer and a more traditional jib ski, like a Volkl Revolt 96. It's a whole lot more fun than an Enforcer but a lot more powerful and grown up than even a relatively stiff park ski like the Revolt. It does ok in soft snow too, with a wider tip providing some float and rocker backing it up. It's not a powder ski, it doesn't love to be thrown sideways in 3D snow, but it will handle some moderate depths of snow comfortably, powering through as much as it floats. All this comes with the caveat that it's a ski that requires strong legs to get the most out of.
Skier: Mark Valtr. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Park & Jibbing:
That damp, quiet, and stable ride is paired with a fairly energetic core and a round, predictable flex that lets you load up the ski and pop, slash, or butter off anything in sight, especially knowing that it’s got your back no matter how sketchy the landing is. The last bit is the key. This ski doesn't have the lowest swingweight or the most playful feel but we loved it in the park for stomping big jumps and boosting deep off cannon rails.
Even our camera man got airborne on these. Skier: Aaron Kalat. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
“The Super Black Ops 98 is totally my type of ski: a chargy all-mountain ski that allows for confident and powerful turns. I also love it in the park for its stability. The stiff flex pattern makes my off-balance landings forgivable and adds confidence on larger features.” - David Zorko
Who's it for?
Given that the Super Black Ops 98 works exceptionally well just about anywhere on the mountain - it could be an all-mountian pick no problem. But we gave it a Best of Test award in the park, because it absolutely stomps. Most park skis are on the softer side these days and there isn't much out there (except for properly boring skinny slopestyle skis) that allows you to go as big as the Super Black Ops. They would be a great one ski quiver out east, and could be a low snow day ski in just about any western resort for someone who likes to go FAST.
Check out our Best Of Test | Park video for more on the Rossignol Super Black Ops 98
