Salomon Mountain 96 Carbon Review: A Dedicated Touring Ski Built for the Uphill

Introduction

The Salomon Mountain 96 Carbon sits firmly on the touring side of the ski spectrum. It is not an alpine ski with a lighter build, and it is not an all-out uphill racing ski either. It occupies a middle ground that Salomon has shaped around the reality of backcountry skiing: long approaches, technical terrain, and a descent that still needs to feel composed.

With 96 mm underfoot, a karuba wood core and carbon stringers running through the length, the Mountain 96 Carbon is aimed at skiers who climb more than they ride lifts. Everything about the construction, from the cork insert in the tip to the flat, squared-off tail, points toward efficiency on the way up and control on the way down.

This review covers what the ski is built from, who it suits, where it performs best, and what to weigh up before you commit to a setup around it.

Who This Product Is For

The Mountain 96 Carbon is made for the dedicated touring skier. If most of your days involve skins, a long approach and a descent in fresh snow, this ski’s priorities line up with yours. The design decisions all serve that pattern of use: it wants to climb smoothly and then handle soft, deep snow without feeling twitchy.

It is also a reasonable fit for riders stepping into a more touring-focused setup who want something that still feels stable and predictable rather than radically light. The 96 mm waist keeps it versatile across a range of soft-snow conditions without drifting into the very wide, deep-snow-only category.

Because the ski sits on the lighter side but is not the lightest option available, it rewards skiers who think about their whole kit. Binding and boot choice will shape the final feel of the setup just as much as the ski itself.

Main Strengths

The first strength is the blend of low weight and energy. The full karuba wood core gives the ski a lively, responsive character, and the carbon stringers add stiffness and performance without adding much mass. At 174 cm the ski comes in at 1,446 grams, which places it clearly on the lighter end of the touring spectrum.

The second is the cork in the front of the ski. Carbon construction can sometimes feel pingy or loud underfoot, and the cork insert is there to keep the tip quiet and smooth. That matters in technical terrain, on firmer snow and on steeper lines, where a calm, composed tip makes the ski easier to trust.

The geometry reinforces the same idea. An 18 metre turn radius at 174 cm produces longer turn shapes, which is deliberate for touring: a ski that wants to turn constantly is inefficient on the uphill, and a longer radius smooths out the descent in deep snow. Combined with positive camber underfoot, pronounced tip rocker and splay, and a relatively flat tail, the package is tuned for skinning grip and soft-snow performance rather than short, snappy arcs.

Construction and Ride Feel

The tip rocker and splay are more dramatic than you would see on an alpine ski, and for a practical reason: the tip stays above the snow surface while you are skinning rather than submerging. The tail takes the opposite approach. It is flat and squared off with only a light early taper that does not cut much into the sidecut, so more skin stays in contact with the snow and you slide back less on the climb.

Underfoot, the positive camber keeps the ski feeling planted when you are moving efficiently across flat or rolling terrain. In the descent, the combination of a moderate waist, longer turn radius and rockered tip makes the ski feel smooth and smeary in fresh snow rather than locked into a tight arc. If you have ridden a very light ski with a short radius, you will notice the difference immediately: that setup can feel overly turny, while this one tracks more calmly through soft snow.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The clearest consideration is intended use. This is a backcountry and touring ski. Salomon makes other models better suited to resort and alpine-oriented skiing, and the Mountain 96 Carbon will not be the most rewarding choice if your days are mostly lift-served and on-piste. Its strengths are tied to climbing and soft snow.

Second, it is light but not the lightest. If your goal is fast uphill travel above all else, there are lighter skis available, and the ski you choose is only one part of the equation. Bindings and boots together determine how light the finished setup actually feels, so it is worth planning the whole kit rather than optimising the ski alone.

Third, the longer turn radius is a deliberate trade-off. It suits deep snow and efficient touring, but skiers who prefer quick, tight turns will find it less immediate. Finally, if you want a single ski to cover both resort laps and backcountry days, this is a specialist rather than a compromise.

Buying Advice

The right way to approach the Mountain 96 Carbon is to build the setup around your terrain and your priorities. If your days are dominated by long approaches and soft-snow descents, the ski’s balance of a karuba core, carbon stringers and quiet cork tip makes it a coherent choice.

Think about the 174 cm reference point at 1,446 grams as a guide rather than a rule. Pair the ski with a binding and boot that match how much weight you are willing to carry uphill, and be honest about whether your riding is mostly backcountry or mostly resort. If it is mostly backcountry and mostly soft snow, this ski’s design intentions are aligned with yours.

Conclusion

The Salomon Mountain 96 Carbon is a focused touring ski rather than a do-everything one. Its full karuba wood core, carbon stringers and cork tip deliver a light, energetic and composed ride, while the 96 mm waist, 18 metre radius, rockered tip and flat tail are all tuned for climbing efficiency and smooth performance in fresh snow. For skiers whose season is defined by the uphill, it is a well-reasoned option worth putting on your shortlist.