Equipe gs pro review

Overview

The Equipe GS Pro is the top model of Salomon's new Equipe GS family for 26/27, the race-inspired line that takes the place of the S/Race models in Salomon's range. Salomon describes it as a ski for racers who tackle giant-slalom turns at World Cup level, and it is sold as a package with the P749 race plate and the I12 GW binding. It comes in 175, 179 and 182 cm; at the 179 cm reference length it measures 115-67-98 mm with a 17 m radius. Compared with the Equipe GS 10 and GS 12, it gets the most serious build in the family: a solid ash core and thicker titanal sheets.

On-snow performance

The construction makes this the most demanding ski in the line. Solid ash is stiffer and more powerful than the poplar used in the lower models, and the double titanal (0.8 mm + 0.6 mm) is clearly thicker than the GS 12's 0.6 + 0.4 mm. Combined with full camber and the race plate, it is built to hold a high-speed GS line on hard, prepared snow and to deliver strong rebound out of the turn — Salomon talks about explosive acceleration and precise grip. The PCS cork inserts in the titanal layer are there to take the sting out of vibration at speed, and the 7° sidewall angle is meant to speed up turn initiation. Expect a ski that needs speed, technique and a strong stance; at slow speeds, in short skidded turns or in soft snow it will feel stiff and hard work.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: solid ash.
• Metal: double titanal, 0.8 mm + 0.6 mm.
• Damping: Power Control System (PCS), cork inserts in the titanal layer.
• Sidewall: 7 mm ABS, 7° angle, full-length sandwich sidewalls.
• Profile: full camber, competition profile.
• Plate and binding: P749 race plate with the I12 GW binding, supplied together.
• Lengths: 175, 179 and 182 cm.
• Dimensions: 115-67-98 mm with a 17 m radius at the 179 cm reference length.

Who it's for & comparisons

The GS Pro is for racers, masters competitors and very strong ex-racers who want a race-style GS ski for gate training, club races and fast skiing on groomers. In Salomon's range it takes the place of the Salomon S race gs pro, now in three lengths instead of two, with 179 cm added between 175 and 182 cm. Within the Equipe family, the Salomon Equipe gs 12 is the more accessible option with an ash and poplar core and thinner metal, and the Salomon Equipe gs 10 is the entry model. Outside Salomon, the Elan Ace gsx master (69 mm, 17.4 m) and the Fischer Rc4 noize lt pro (66 mm, 17–19 m) are comparable non-FIS GS platforms aimed at the same skier.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Solid ash core and 0.8 + 0.6 mm titanal for maximum power and edge grip.
• PCS cork inserts aimed at damping at race speeds.
• Three lengths, including an in-between 179 cm.
• Race plate and binding included.

Cons

• Very demanding; it needs speed and strong technique.
• Not a ski for slow cruising, bumps or soft snow.
• The highest package price in the Equipe GS line.
• The shortest length is 175 cm, which rules out lighter skiers.

Verdict: The Equipe GS Pro is the most powerful ski in Salomon's Equipe GS system-ski range for 26/27: solid ash, thick titanal and a race plate in a 17 m (179 cm) shape. Buy it if you race or train gates; otherwise the GS 12 delivers most of the carving with far less effort.