Salomon Depart 01 Review

The Salomon Départ 1.0 (Depart 01) is a modern, freestyle‑forward all‑mountain ski built for creativity: side hits, natural features, and surfy, slashy turns. Deep tip and notable tail rocker with a touch of camber, a short radius, and moderate weight make it quick, forgiving, and lively, while basalt fibers and a Titanal plate underfoot provide more edge hold and composure than you’d expect from a playful twin.

Key takeaways

Surfy and playful: deep rocker (~23% tip/~18% tail) makes butters, slashes, and pivots effortless.
Better grip than expected: small camber + underfoot Titanal give bite on firm snow.
All‑mountain 104/106 mm: comes alive in soft snow and still carves enjoyably on groomers.
Not a crud crusher: can get nervous at high speeds in chopped snow.
Limited sizes: only 170 and 180 cm.

On‑snow performance

Groomers: The 14–15 m sidecut encourages short to medium arcs. On fresh corduroy the edge hold is solid; on true ice the deep rocker shortens effective edge, so technique and tune matter.
Soft snow and spring: This is the sweet spot. The wide, pointed tip planes easily and the tail releases predictably—great for smears, butters, and tree‑skiing.
Mixed/chop: Basalt layers keep it calmer than its weight suggests, but it won’t match metal‑laminate chargers when you plow through heavy chop at speed.

Construction and specs explained

Rocker/camber/rocker: Big rocker for float and looseness; the small camber underfoot adds rebound and edge bite when you pressure the ski.
Dimensions by size: 170 cm (137‑104‑125), 180 cm (140‑106‑128) — shapely tip for easy planing and quick turn entry; slightly squarer tail supports landings.
Radius: 14 m (170) / 15 m (180) — promotes quick edge‑to‑edge and playful, carved or smeared turns.
Weight: ~1580 g (170) / ~1740 g (180) per ski — light enough to feel nimble yet stout for resort abuse.
Core: Karuba/Poplar — low weight with lively pop.
Laminates: Basalt Superlight — adds damping/snap without heft.
Titanal binding reinforcement: Improves power transfer, edge hold, and screw retention underfoot.
Semi‑sandwich build, thick edges, fast base: Durable and quick‑gliding.

Mounting and sizing

Mount point: The recommended line is progressive and well‑balanced for all‑mountain. For more freestyle/press feel, consider up to +1 cm; for a touch more directional support, up to −1 cm.
Size choice: 170 cm for lighter/smaller or park‑leaning riders; 180 cm for more stability or a stronger, faster style.

Comparisons

Armada ARV 106: ARV is looser and even more butter‑friendly; Depart 01 offers slightly better edge hold and precision on firm snow.
Faction Prodigy 3: Stiffer and steadier at speed; Depart 01 is lighter, surfier, and easier to pivot.
K2 Reckoner 102: Softer, smearier tips/tails; Depart 01 has better on‑piste bite.
Salomon QST 106: More directional and composed in chop; Depart 01 is the fun, post‑park option.

Pros and cons

Pros: Playful, surfy, quick to pivot; impressive bite for the category; quality base/edges; shines in trees and spring conditions.
Cons: Not built for charging heavy chop; only two lengths; less confidence on boilerplate.

Best for

Riders who want a playful, creative all‑mountain twin around 104–106 mm—someone who hunts side hits, loves soft snow and spring laps, and still wants enough edge hold for the groomer back to the lift.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is the Salomon Depart 01 for?
A: Freestyle‑minded skiers who prioritize playfulness and creativity across the resort. The Salomon Depart 01 excels in soft snow, trees, and side hits, while remaining capable on groomers.

Q: How does it handle ice and hardpack?
A: The small camber and underfoot Titanal provide above‑average grip for a playful twin. On true ice, the deep rocker reduces effective edge, so a sharp tune and measured speed help.

Q: What bindings pair well?
A: A solid all‑mountain/freestyle binding in the 12–13 DIN range fits the brief. For a resort‑plus approach, a hybrid system (e.g., Shift/CAST) preserves versatility without adding too much weight.

Q: How does it compare to the Salomon QST 106?
A: QST 106 is more directional, damp, and confidence‑inspiring in chop at speed. The Depart 01 is lighter, looser, and more fun for butters, slashes, and creative lines.

Verdict

The Salomon Depart 01 nails the post‑park all‑mountain brief: tons of playfulness and surfy feel, with just enough bite and damping to keep it versatile. If you want a fun‑first 104/106 that treats side hits as seriously as groomer laps, this should be high on your list.