Salomon Depart 02 — Review

The Salomon Depart 02 (marketed as Départ .02) is the narrower 98-101 mm sibling of the Depart 01 in Salomon's resort-freestyle line. It scales the Depart 01's freestyle DNA into a daily-driver all-mountain shape with Ti binding reinforcement and a Karuba/Poplar woodcore.

The Depart 02 keeps the freestyle bias of the line — symmetric-ish twin shape, playful flex — but the narrower waist and tighter 13-16 m radius range make it more responsive on firm groomers than the 106 mm Depart 01. Ti binding reinforcement edge-to-edge underfoot provides hardpack edge hold without locking the ski. Karuba+Poplar woodcore keeps the ski lively. Salomon describes a softer, forgiving flex profile suited to buttering and pressing.

The Depart 02 uses a Karuba/Poplar Full Woodcore + FX Fiberglass + Ti Binding Reinforcement running edge-to-edge underfoot + Full Sandwich Sidewalls + Wide Steel Edges. Freeride Rocker Profile: 21% tip rocker / camber / 18% tail rocker. Lengths 164, 172, 180, 188 cm. Sidecut sliding: 132/98/120 at 164 to 135/101/123 at 188. Radius 13 m at 164, 16 m at 188. Salomon does not publish per-length grams.

The Depart 02 is for the resort-freestyle skier who wants Depart line playfulness on a daily-driver waist. Compared to the Salomon Depart 01 it is narrower, more piste-capable, slightly less floaty in soft snow. Against the Line Chronic 101 it has slightly less freestyle-specific shape but more all-mountain capability. The Salomon Qst 100 is the directional sibling at same waist — choose QST for charging, Depart 02 for playing.

Pros

• Edge-to-edge Ti binding reinforcement gives hardpack drive without locking the ski.
• Playful, forgiving flex makes the ski accessible for buttering and pressing.
• Karuba/Poplar woodcore balances liveliness and stability.
• Four lengths from 164 to 188 cm fit most adult skiers.

Cons

• Salomon does not publish per-length weight figures publicly.
• 98 mm waist is wider than ideal for hardpack-only days.
• Less powder utility than the Depart 01 by design.
• One retailer source conflicts with manufacturer 98-101 mm range (cites 104 mm) — trusted manufacturer.

Verdict: A playful, narrower companion to the Depart 01 — choose it when most of your resort days are on firm snow but you still want Depart line freestyle character.