Rossignol Sender Free 118 Review: A Purpose-Built Deep Snow Ski

Introduction

The Rossignol Sender Free 118 is the widest ski Rossignol makes, and at 118 mm underfoot it sits squarely in the powder ski conversation. This is not a broad all-mountain shape with a bit of extra width. It is a dedicated tool built around deep snow, and the design choices throughout the ski reflect that single focus.

That width also comes with a clear trade-off. The Sender Free 118 floats extremely well in fresh snow, but away from genuinely deep conditions it gives up much of the versatility most skiers depend on. You can ski it on a groomer or in shallow snow, but it does not feel especially good there, and it clearly wants to be where the snow is deep.

Anyone shopping in this category should go in knowing the ski is built for one job and does that job well. The sections below cover the construction, the shape, and the skier profile that gets the most out of it.

Who This Ski Is For

This is a western ski, and realistically a snow-rich one. It makes sense for skiers based somewhere that receives heavy snowfall, for travel to destinations known for consistent deep snow, and for those who spend their days on big mountain terrain where endless float matters more than versatility.

For skiers in low-snow regions, the case is much harder to make. A 118 mm waist is a lot of ski to manage on firm or shallow surfaces, and it is unlikely to be the shape that gets reached for most days of the season. If the plan is one trip a year to deep snow, a narrower ski with some float will usually cover more ground.

The Sender Free 118 is also not a directional design. It is closer to a twin tip than anything else, which suits skiers with a freestyle background or those who simply like a more centered, playful approach. Skiers who charge hard and prefer a fully directional setup, with a flatter tail and a more setback mount point, are likely to be happier on a different shape.

Main Strengths

Float is the headline. A ski this wide generates tremendous lift in deep snow, and the shape avoids the abrupt early taper found on some powder skis. That means the tips and tails also contribute to flotation rather than being cut away. The result is a ski that stays on top of the snow with very little input and rewards a relaxed, centered stance.

Torsional stiffness is the other notable strength. Rosignol uses Diago fiber in the build, a material that comes from the race world, and it adds a degree of torsional rigidity. That matters at this width, where skis can easily become floppy. The Sender Free 118 is not a floppy ski by any means.

The flex pattern supports that impression. It is supportive without being jarringly stiff, with enough give to work naturally as a powder ski while still holding together when the snow gets heavier or the terrain gets more demanding.

Construction, Core, and Flex

Under the hood, the ski uses a wood core paired with Diago fiber. The fiber is a long-standing element in the brand’s construction vocabulary, borrowed from racing, and its role here is to add torsional stiffness to a very wide platform.

Weight is worth flagging. At the 176 cm length, the ski comes in at nearly 2,300 g, and a 186 cm option is also part of the range. That puts the Sender Free 118 on the heavier side of the spectrum for skis in this category. The payoff is a planted, supportive feel, but it is not a featherweight build.

Shape, Rocker, and Turn Radius

The shape reads exactly like a big powder ski should: very wide, plenty of rocker, and a 25 meter turn radius at the 176 cm length. That combination delivers a lot of float, and the absence of abrupt early taper extends that float into the tips and tails.

The 25 meter radius sounds intimidating on a ski this size, but in soft snow it actually adds forgiveness. Deep snow turns generally involve releasing the tail edge rather than carving a clean round arc, and a longer radius makes it easier to release different sections of the ski. The ski tracks straight until you ask it to do something else.

One consequence of the shape is that the tips and tails can feel like a lot of ski. Skiers who are less aggressive, or who are still learning to ski powder, may not love that sensation. Those who like maximizing float, and who enjoy nose butters and similar moves, tend to appreciate it.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The limitations here are as clear as the strengths. Outside really deep snow, the Sender Free 118 is not at its best, and its weight makes it a physically demanding ski to move around. It is a specialist, and it should be bought as one.

The tail shape and mount point are the other consideration. Because the ski leans toward a twin tip rather than a directional build, hard-charging skiers with a fully directional style may want something with a flatter tail and a more setback mount point. This is a genuine preference question rather than a flaw, but it changes who the ski suits.

Finally, consider how often the conditions will actually match the ski. A 118 mm powder shape delivers its value only when the snow cooperates, so an honest look at a typical season matters more here than with a narrower all-mountain ski.

Buying Advice

The Sender Free 118 comes in a 176 cm and a 186 cm length, so the decision largely comes down to matching the ski to your size, style, and the terrain you ride. Skiers who spend their time in open, steep, deep terrain and ski fast and aggressively will find the longer option appealing, while the 176 cm length keeps the ski more manageable without giving up its float.

If you want a big, strong powder ski and you ski the conditions that justify it, this is a really good choice. It is straightforward in application rather than a ski that requires overthinking. Buy it for deep days and build a quiver around it, rather than expecting it to cover everything.

For skiers whose seasons are dominated by firm or shallow snow, the smarter move is a narrower ski that still offers float, and a rental or demo on the deepest days of the year. Matching the tool to the conditions is what makes a purchase like this feel worthwhile.

Conclusion

The Rossignol Sender Free 118 is a focused, well-built powder ski with impressive float, useful torsional stiffness, and a supportive flex. It is heavy, it is wide, and it is not trying to be versatile. For skiers who regularly ride deep snow and who like a playful, more centered style, it is an easy recommendation. For everyone else, a narrower shape will almost certainly serve a season better.