Rossignol Sender Free 118 – Review

Overview

The Rossignol Sender Free 118 is a wide, playful freeride board built for deep days. Its 118 mm waist, twin rocker, and lightweight Air Tip deliver instant float and a surfy feel, while Diagofiber and full sidewalls add welcome composure when the snow turns tracked and choppy. It’s aimed at skiers who hunt pillows, drops, and natural hits but still want control at speed.

On‑snow performance

Powder: Long, low twin rocker plus the 118 mm waist make the tips rise effortlessly. It planes quickly, feels loose when you want it, yet doesn’t get washy.
Chop & variable: Diagofiber and the rectangular full sidewall keep it torsionally solid, so you can charge through tracked pow and wind buff without excessive flap.
Trees & play: Air Tip keeps swing weight low, making quick pivots, butters, and slashes second nature.
Groomers: For a 118, edge hold is respectable, but it’s not a carver. The long radius prefers medium-to-long arcs; performance on ice is serviceable, not stellar.

Construction & tech

Poplar wood core for a balanced blend of damping and pop.
Diagofiber reinforcement (race-derived) for torsional rigidity and energy.
Rectangular Full Sidewall for direct power transfer and grip.
Air Tip to reduce swing weight and boost float.
V-A-S vibration reduction and a high-density sintered base for smooth, durable glide.

Specs explained

Rocker profile (Twin Rocker): long/low tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot—easy float and pivoting, with bite when you pressure the edge.
Dimensions (146-118-141 mm): wide waist for flotation; moderate taper for predictable tracking.
Turn radius (22 m @176 / 25 m @186): stable at speed, favors medium/long turns; not hooky.
Weight (2.2 kg/pair 176; 2.5 kg/pair 186): light for the class, contributing to agility and a playful feel.
Lengths (176, 186 cm): pick 186 for higher speeds and bigger skiers; 176 for tighter trees or lighter riders.

Comparisons

Atomic Bent Chetler 120: surfier and softer at the ends; Sender Free 118 offers more edge support and poise in rough snow.
Salomon QST Blank (112): more versatile as a daily driver; less float when it’s truly deep.
Armada ARV 116 JJ: ultra-pivoty and newschool; Rossignol is more composed at speed and landings.
Blizzard Rustler 11: more directional and better hard-snow bite; less twin-tip playfulness than the Sender Free 118.

Sizing & who it’s for

Choose it if you want a powder-first, playful freeride ski that still lets you blast through afternoon chop.
Not ideal if you ride hardpack often or need a single do-it-all ski.
Stay near the recommended mount for balance; a slight move forward can help with switch and butters, at the cost of stability.

Key takeaways

Float on tap: 118 mm waist and twin rocker make deep days easy.
Playful yet planted: low swing weight with real damping when it’s rough.
Acceptable on groomers, but the backcountry is where it shines.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How does the Rossignol Sender Free 118 handle groomers?
A: Respectably for a 118 mm ski, but it’s no carver. The long radius keeps it calm in medium-to-long arcs; on truly firm ice, expect just-okay grip.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Go 186 cm if you’re larger, faster, or value stability for drops. The 176 cm suits lighter skiers, tighter trees, or slower speeds.

Q: Is it good in heavy, coastal snow?
A: Yes. The wide waist and Air Tip keep the nose up, while Diagofiber and the sidewalls add the support needed to stay composed in denser chop.