S max n14 review

Overview

The Salomon S/Max N°14 is the most race-inspired ski in Salomon's women's S/Max N° line for 2026/27. The N°8, N°10 and N°12 use a 72 mm waist; the N°14 narrows to 68 mm, with a 121 mm tip and a slalom-style radius of 10 to 14 m across five lengths (150, 155, 160, 165 and 170 cm). It is sold as a system package with the MI12 GW binding on a P749 plate. Salomon aims it at advanced women who want power, precision and easy agility on groomed runs.

On-snow performance

The numbers describe a short-turn carver. The radius is 10 m at 150 cm and rises to 14 m at 170 cm, so it is short at every length, and the 121 mm tip on a 68 mm waist should pull the ski into the turn as soon as it is tipped. The narrow waist should make edge changes quick. Salomon's on-piste profile combines camber underfoot with tip rocker, so the shovel should engage progressively. A SKIMAGAZIN review described the N°14 as solid, well-behaved and easy to control. It found the ski easy to carve into a turn, good in short to medium turns and easy to drift, but said very sporty skiers might miss some liveliness and rebound. That fits a precise but approachable slalom-shaped ski rather than a stiff race tool.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: wood core of poplar and karuba; Salomon cites karuba for lightness and stability.
• Metal: double titanal, with a titanal layer above and below the core.
• Power Control System (PCS): cork inserts in the titanal to damp vibration.
• Sidewalls and edges: full sandwich construction with 7 mm ABS sidewalls, wide steel edges and a 7° side edge angle.
• Plate and binding: P749 race plate with the MI12 GW binding, which is GripWalk compatible.
• Shape: 121/68/106 mm at 150 cm, 121/68/105 mm at 155 and 160 cm, and 121/68/104 mm at 165 and 170 cm. The radius is 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 m from shortest to longest.

Who it's for & comparisons

The N°14 is for advanced women who mostly ski groomed pistes and like short, dynamic turns. Compared with the Salomon S max n12, it is 4 mm narrower underfoot and has a shorter radius at similar lengths. It leans further toward slalom-style turns, while the N°12 is the more rounded piste carver. The unisex Salomon S race sl 10 has the same 68 mm waist and is the closest shape reference from Salomon's previous race-carve line. The Salomon S lab equipe sl is the full race-construction step up for experts who want a flat ski on a race plate. Outside Salomon, the Elan Ace sl11 w is a comparable women's 68 mm slalom carver.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Short 10-14 m radius makes quick, slalom-style turns easy to start.
• Double titanal with PCS cork points to good grip and damping on firm snow.
• Five lengths from 150 to 170 cm.
• Matched MI12 GW system binding, GripWalk compatible.

Cons

• Very sporty skiers may find it short on liveliness and rebound.
• The narrow 68 mm waist limits it in soft snow and off-piste.
• The short radius can feel busy for skiers who prefer long, fast arcs.
• The system binding means you cannot fit a different binding.

Verdict: The S/Max N°14 is the sharpest short-turn ski in Salomon's women's piste range. It is a precise, damp, easy-to-control slalom-shaped carver for advanced women who spend their days on groomers.