Rossignol Escaper 105 Nano – Touring/Backcountry Review

Rossignol’s Escaper 105 Nano hits a sweet spot for modern backcountry skiers: light on the skin track, confident and playful on the descent. With 105 mm underfoot, tip and tail rocker, and a targeted Nano Titanal plate underfoot, it balances float and maneuverability with reassuring edge hold for a ski this light.

Overview

Personality: lively, quick to pivot, composed enough for firm snow by touring standards.
Turn shape: prefers medium to long arcs; pivots and slashes easily in tight trees and steeps.
Ideal for: intermediate‑to‑advanced ski tourers seeking a powder‑leaning daily driver without carrying extra grams.

On‑snow performance

Powder: 105 mm waist plus generous tip rocker produce easy planing. Early‑rise tail helps speed control and quick direction changes without feeling hooky.
Tracked/chop: the underfoot Nano Titanal calms vibrations better than ultra‑light carbon builds. Still, it’s a light ski—expect less plow‑through damping than heavier freeride boards.
Firm/hardpack: rectangular sidewalls and “Extended Sidecut” deliver solid bite for a touring layup. The 20 m radius (179 cm) rewards a bit of speed; very short, forced turns take more input than a tighter‑sidecut ski.

Uphill & touring

Weight: around 1400 g per ski (179) keeps long climbs efficient and legs fresh.
Swing weight: the Aero Profile makes quick kick‑turns and hop turns feel precise and low‑effort.
Skin‑ready: V‑Skin anchors at tip and tail make skins fast, secure, and hassle‑free.

Construction highlights

Light Poplar core: trims mass while keeping a lively, supportive feel.
Nano Fiberglass + Nano Titanal (0.4 mm underfoot): targeted grip and torsional support with minimal weight penalty.
Rectangular full sidewall: direct power transfer and better edge hold on firm snow.
Sintered HD base: durable, fast glide with good wax absorption.
Aero Profile: reduces swing weight for quicker, more accurate steering.

Specifications and what they mean

Rocker profile (tip & tail rocker / early‑rise tail): boosts float, eases turn initiation, and enables speed‑scrubbing slarves in tight or steep terrain.
Sidecut (135‑105‑125 mm): 105 mm balances powder float with all‑round versatility; the supportive tip initiates cleanly while the slightly narrower tail releases predictably.
Weight (≈1400 g/ski @179): efficient on the skin track; trades a bit of high‑speed damping versus heavier, metal‑laden skis.
Turn radius (18 m @170 | 20 m @179 | 22 m @187): stable at speed with smooth, confidence‑building arcs; rocker still allows easy pivots at low speed.
Lengths (170/179/187 cm): go shorter for tighter terrain and lower mass; go longer for more stability, float, and longer turns.

Comparisons

Atomic Backland 107: surfs looser in deep snow; the Escaper 105 Nano feels more precise on edge and slightly calmer at speed.
Salomon MTN 106 Carbon: a touch heavier and damper on the down; the Rossignol climbs lighter and feels more playful in mixed conditions.
Blizzard Zero G 105: stiffer and more demanding on firm; the Escaper is friendlier and easier to pivot in tight spaces.
Black Crows Corvus Freebird: charges chop better but weighs notably more; the Escaper is the better choice for long vert days.

Who is it for?

Tourers who prioritize low weight and powder performance but still want trustworthy edge hold on the exit.
Skiers who like medium‑to‑long turns and a playful, pivot‑friendly feel across variable alpine snow.

Key takeaways

Light yet capable: real touring efficiency without sacrificing downhill confidence.
Powder‑friendly and maneuverable: easy to slash and pivot in steeps and trees.
Less damping in rough chop: not a bulldozer for resort crud at high speed.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What bindings pair well with the Escaper 105 Nano?
A: A lightweight tech binding (about 250–400 g) preserves its uphill edge. If you want more downhill support, consider a 400–600 g tech binding for added elasticity and retention.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Around your body height fits most skiers. Size down (‑5 cm) for tighter terrain and agility; size up (+5 cm) for more stability, float, and longer arcs.

Q: Is it suitable for beginners?
A: Ambitious beginners to advanced tourers will get along well thanks to the forgiving rocker and low swing weight. True novices on hard snow may prefer a narrower, shorter‑radius ski.

Verdict

The Rossignol Escaper 105 Nano is a modern, lightweight touring ski with genuine backcountry versatility. It excels in powder and variable snow, climbs effortlessly, and keeps enough edge hold for confidence on firm—trading only a bit of crud‑busting damping. If you want one touring setup that favors soft snow without compromising everyday utility, put it at the top of your list.