Salomon Stance 90 Pro Review: A 96mm All-Mountain Ski Built for Advanced Skiers

Introduction

The Salomon Stance 90 Pro arrives with a fresh graphic and a slightly revised name, but the same build that made this ski a favourite in the category. At 96 mm underfoot it sits squarely in the heart of the all-mountain range, and it has earned its following among strong skiers who want a stable platform that still feels lively when a few inches of snow land.

It is a genuinely capable carver for a ski this wide, and it keeps enough energy in the tips to stay fun in soft snow and chopped up conditions. That combination is what makes it worth a closer look if your season mixes groomed runs with softer, more variable terrain.

This review covers who the ski suits, where it performs best, and the trade-offs worth knowing before you commit.

Who This Ski Is For

The Stance 90 Pro is at its best under advanced and expert skiers. It rewards a strong, active technique and a willingness to keep the ski on edge and let it run. The 96 mm waist makes it a natural choice for everyday all-mountain use, including the smaller snowfalls and mixed conditions that many resorts see through the season.

It also has a clear home in bigger terrain. In wide open spaces, big bowls, and aggressive skiing, the ski eats up variable snow and stays composed through crud and chop. It is an intuitive platform to stand on, which matters when the surface changes from run to run.

Main Strengths

The build is the foundation of the ski’s character. Salomon blends Karuba, a lighter wood, with poplar, then adds two sheets of metal. One sheet runs full length along the bottom. On top, the metal is cut into windows through the forebody and the tail, and the removed material is replaced with the brand’s CFX material. The result is energy and zip without giving up the damping that all that metal provides. Full sidewalls run the length of the ski, and there is positive camber underfoot.

Carving Performance and Edge Grip

Underfoot, this is a phenomenal carving ski for a 96 mm platform. It likes to go fast and it produces clean, round turns across a range of radii and speeds. On groomers, the extra heft works in your favour, promoting positive edge grip and carrying energy through the turn regardless of how firm the snow is.

The camber underfoot and the full sidewalls give a strong, connected feel from tip to tail, while the CFX windows keep enough life in the ski that it never feels flat or lifeless when you load it up.

Damping and Stability in Variable Snow

Two sheets of metal produce an incredibly damp and strong ride. The ski is very planted, and it prefers to be on edge and charging through variable conditions rather than getting poppy and playful in moguls and tight spaces. In crud and chop it feels settled and predictable, which is exactly what you want when the snow underneath you is inconsistent.

There is still some freeride mentality built in. The tips carry a little play, which gives the ski energy and helps it boost out of soft snow. The tail is flatter overall, so the ski finishes turns cleanly and holds its line.

Turn Shape and Radius

The shape leans more toward on-trail skiing than off-piste. There is not much rocker or taper to speak of, just a small amount of early taper, and the result is a 20 m turn radius. That is long by current standards, and it is a deliberate choice. A longer radius does not pull you across the hill, so an advanced skier can control the shape and style of each turn and flex the ski into the radius they want.

For skiers who prefer to shape their own turns rather than be steered by the ski, that geometry is a real advantage. It also means the ski feels most at home on open, uncrowded terrain where a longer arc has room to run.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The 188 cm length tested comes in around 2,500 g, so there is meaningful weight here. That weight is an asset on groomers, but it takes more effort to wrangle effectively in off-piste conditions and terrain. If your days are mostly tight trees, bumps, and short turns, the planted character of this ski may feel like more work than you want.

Because the ski is damp and strong rather than poppy, it is not the most playful option in moguls and tight spaces. It is also a big mountain ski by nature, so skiers who spend their time on small hills may not get the most out of it.

Buying Advice

This is an easy recommendation for advanced and expert skiers shopping in the mid-90s underfoot range, particularly those who split their time between groomed runs and softer, variable snow. If you want a ski that holds an edge on firm mornings, stays composed once the snow gets cut up, and does not force a turn shape on you, it deserves a serious look.

If you are deciding between lengths, the 188 cm used here is a useful reference point for a taller or stronger skier who wants stability at speed. Lighter skiers, or anyone whose priority is quick, tight turns in bumps, should weigh the ski’s heft carefully against how and where they actually ski.

Conclusion

The Salomon Stance 90 Pro is a strong, damp, confident all-mountain ski with a genuine carving bias for its width. It suits advanced and expert skiers who value edge grip, stability at speed, and control over turn shape, and it is a compelling mid-90s option for mixed resort conditions. If that description matches how you ski, it is a platform you can build a season around.