While this isnt a free pass to say screw all that, I know I need 210s!, it is an official recognition that different skiers have different preferences which can easily change the length of ski they purchase. Rossignol has a lot to say when describing the Blackops Rallybird Ti and I wont include it all here, but this snippet should provide a good summary: Step on it. The Rallybird Ti also features Rossignols carbon alloy matrix, which is essentially an additional layer of carbon fibers designed to add torsional stiffness, while the standard Rallybird has a more traditional fiberglass laminate. All our reviews are independent and unbiased. When it comes to weight, the Blackops Rallybird Ti sits squarely in the middle of the class for skis in the 93-106mm-wide range, and the standard Rallybird isnt very far off. I have the black pearl 88s which I love and recently tried out the Rossi stargazer which I also loved. Stiffer tail makes carving arcs so fun and easy. Rossignol have overhauled their freeride line this season, and the Blackops Rallybird appears the pick of the bunch in the ladies selection; we test whether the revolution has paid off. Your boot sole length is the actual length of your ski boot, in millimeters. This guide is for Alpine Skis. The Rallybird (non-Ti) is definitely a more forgiving ski and one that I found lends itself to quicker turns. In soft chop (chewed-up from fresh snow), if Im not weighting the Rallybird from a forward, aggressive stance, its tips will chatter a bit. I gravitate toward skis that are easy to initiate on edge, and while the 171 cm Rallybrid Ti is not the easiest to initiate of the skis Ive tested, I was still able to turn every time I wanted to it just took a bit more effort than a slightly softer ski like the 172 cm Nordica Santa Ana 98. The Rallybird Ti rewards good skiing with better stability, but can be punishing if you find yourself in the backseat. 
Choosing the Perfect Pair of Women's All-Mountain Skis. Even with all the similarities in outward appearance, the skis do perform differently. If youve looked all over and still cant find your BSL, its also acceptable to measure along the bottom of the boot from the very tip of the toe, to back of the heel- just make sure you measure in Millimeters! 
She was "worried about length at first, but apparently for no reason. Test Location: Mt. Weight: Theres no easy way to say it, but skiers who are carrying around a bit of extra weight should consider staying to the higher side of the scale. These skis are drastically different than the old Rossignol 7 skis, with the Blackops skis having far less tapered tips and tails, and shallower rocker lines. I think its fairly comparable to the Rallybird Ti when it comes to blowing through chop, but the Santa Ana 98 is a little bit more maneuverable. It could have something to do with the length of the skis I tested, but none of those definitions / interpretations of the word playful come to mind when describing the Rallybird Ti. While youll still need a final adjustment done before you can ski, providing us with your boot sole length is absolutely crucial if youd like us to send your skis pre-mounted with your bindings. The boot sole length is the literal length from toe to heel of that boot, measured in millimeters. 
It can be a little reluctant to change edge quickly, which is to be expected in a mid-fat ski, but long, laid-out turns are solid both on and off piste. At your friends 54 height, we would normally size her to a to a 161 cm length ski. Heres how wed characterize the flex pattern of the BLACKOPS Rallybird Ti: Tips: 7Shovels: 7-7.5In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10Underfoot: 10Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-9Tails: 9.5. Its tail rocker line isnt super deep and the tip of the ski is fairly stiff, which meant it required more effort on my part to initiate each turn. Fitting cross country skis is different then fitting alpine skis. I had one instance when one ski got away from me while in the backseat (thankfully no image of this messy form exists) and I really struggled to stay on my feet. Stable and quick turning in steeper terrain, the Rossignol Black Ops W Rallybird Ti is otherwise an unremarkable ski. I never felt myself gravitating towards quick, snappy turns on the Rallybird Ti. The specs of the Blackops Rallybird represent the flagship model of the family; 102mm underfoot is approachable for most freeride skiers without being off-putting to intermediates and the full wood core maintains some lightness and something of a forgiving nature, as does the retaining of the lightweight honeycomb tips that made their predecessors so popular. The rubber in the ski construction dampens the vibrations and makes the ride ultra-smooth. Powerful feel without getting nervous. The pick-up-and-go feel just wasn't present. Relatively light and forgiving for expert ladies." The Black Ops Rallybird Ti simply does not hit the mark as a replacement for that legendary ski. Im researching skis for my friend (I snowboard) but she is on beginner skis and definitely have outgrown them, they are really short 144cm or something and shes 54. The 2021 Rossy Rallybird would be a good match for her- approachable, easy to ski and will progress with her as her skill do. If the pole is too long, then your forearm will be angled slightly up. Our testers agreed that this is not the Black Ops Rallybird Ti's strong suit, especially compared to the old Soul 7 which shined in this metric. All freeriders, from the tentative to the diehard, Outstanding freeride performance and still approachable to a wide range of skiers. The bad news, is that it can be a bit more difficult to do- but thats why were here. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, Doesnt ski as well as the discontinued Rossignol Soul 7, but it still handles powder ok. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. That ski is still my gold standard. To determine your size, simply flip a ski pole over, grab it under the basket, and place the handle on the ground. The nice thing about these skis is that when it's a powder day, they feel wider, and when you're on groomers or in the trees, they feel narrower. In hot, spring pow, I noticed the tips had a tendency to dive, except when I was going fairly fast, at which point they maintained some float. It was easy to see that these were high-functioning skis that thrive in soft snow, but also have a lot of redeeming qualities in more typical eastern conditions. I got to ski with Allison Ruschp, who owns a pair of these, on numerous occasions this past winter, and it was really fun to see how she reacted to the skis she owned as opposed to those which we demo. This new Black Ops Rallybird Ti is only just above mediocre in the powder and frustrated us elsewhere. On your ski boot, there will be a 3 digit number on the outside or inside heel of one or both of your boots. When comparing the Rallybird Ti and standard Rallybird, the first thing to discuss is the design differences between the two, which basically just comes down to their core constructions. Youre that good at skiing. They are stable and fun! This is what used to be referred to as Expert until rocker skis came along and let experts go back to over head ski lengths. If I maintained good body position and didnt get lazy with my skiing, I was rewarded. Absolutely! Ive only used ~85mm wide rental skis before and I mainly ski in interior BC. It was a bit scary but nowhere near as terrifying as when something similar happened on the heavier, stiffer Volkl Secret 102. Not a terrible ride in the bumps, but the Rallybird didn't give us much feedback in general. If youre looking for a generally more playful ski, it seems like the twin-tipped and more forward-mounted Blackops Blazer would make more sense. Theres a good chance you already know that Rossignol discontinued their 7 series of skis for the 20/21 season and you are also likely aware that they didnt exactly replace it. It feels stable in a tight turn in the steeps and less stable in a bigger, faster turn. Rather than snowplow your way down blue squares, youre able to use the shape of your skis to make parabolic or carving turns. I love these and the Blazers. But if you have good technique, want a ski that is predictable, stable, and holds an edge when you ask it to perform, the Rallybird Ti is an excellent option. Overall, the Rallybird Ti performs pretty well for its width in fresh now, but there are better options in this width if you prioritize flotation and / or maneuverability, such as the Blizzard Sheeva 10 and Nordica Santa Ana 104. Expert: Hands down, youre the best skier on the mountain. Are either -or both good for an highly advanced/expert NE skiier who occassionally goes out West? The Ti in the name stands for titanal metal and unlike what I initially thought, both skis actually have metal underfoot not only the Ti version. Youve made it to the next level in skiing. Start by asking yourself questions about Should You Buy the Black Ops Rallybird Ti? The Rallybird Ti holds an edge nicely and I felt comfortable charging down the mountain, regardless of whether the groomer was soft and smooth, firm and choppy, or some combination of the two. If not for the firmer underlayer we often encounter here in VT, that Rallybird would be a perfect choice for a solo ski for sure. Too short, and you'll find your forearm angled downward. This is the number that our ski techs will use to mount your bindings. It's this type of versatility that is really going to allow a large number of lady skiers to take a strong and long look at the Rallybird as their next ski, whether they're using it for a soft-snow specialist here on the east, or a western daily driver. One, I love the graphic, and two, it skis just about everything I would want to. My first powder day on the Rallybird Ti consisted of about 10 in / 25 cm of untracked new snow. Youre likely still pretty cautious in regards to your speed, but are able to stop on demand and have a bit more confidence that youll make it to the bottom in one piece. Advanced skiers who are looking to dial up their ski game might find the smooth ride and predictability it provides to help them push their limits. Id like to buy a pair of skis that I will not outgrow as I progress. In my opinion, the Rallybird Ti is a ski designed to charge, and in the right length it might be playful, but that was not my experience in the 171 cm length (which is generally my preferred length for skis of this width). The longitudinal flex patterns are also almost identical between the two pairs of skis. While it rolls from edge to edge with relative ease, there is not much rebound to help ping you into the next turn. Cross-country pole sizing is easy as well. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The Rallybird Ti isnt the easiest ski for making short, quick turns, but despite this, I still found myself often skiing them in moguls, glades, and tight chutes. In most cases, this is the right call, but skiers should be geo-conscious before buying more than they can handle. The nice thing about sizing ski poles is that it's relatively straight foreword. Women looking for a ski that can handle speed on and off-piste, that isnt too heavy or too light, and that provides a predictable experience should check out the Blackops Rallybird Ti. The Rallybird Ti lands smackdab in the middle of a class of ~100mm waist skis, from the heavy, demanding, and often punishing Volkl Secret 102, to the more playful and lightweight Elan Ripstick 102 W and Line Pandora 104. And to be clear, I enjoyed skiing the Rallybird Ti regardless of the terrain or snow conditions. Rossignol Blackops Rallybird Ti vs. Rossignol Blackops Rallybird. I do want to note that nothing in their description mentions beginners getting along with the ski. Overall, this is a pretty strong flex pattern, particularly around the middle and tail of the ski. Have fun! I tend to get along well with skis in the ~171cm length, but if given the opportunity to test the 163 cm length, theres a good chance I would find them to be more playful in the easier to throw them sideways and ski in a more centered stance way. But for me, the 171 cm length felt very directional and required a more forward body position. I dont want to start a review by kicking a dead horse, so if you want to know more about why they removed an extremely popular ski collection from their lineup and more about the collection that replaced it, you should definitely check out the Rossignol Brand Lineup video from our 2021 Blister Summit: Long story short, for the 2020-2021 season, Rossignol introduced a new line of freeride skis that include the Blackops Rallybird Ti and Blackops Rallybird, which are the widest womens specific skis in the new series. So you can measure yourself, or you can just check out our handy-dandy chart below. Any insight would be appreciated. Use: This is a question thats most relevant to advanced or expert skiers: Where are you skiing? She floated right through the woods on a couple-inch day and stayed right on top on a deeper run we shared. She can certainly go down to the 153length which will give you better swing weight, easier turn initiation as she progresses, and most importantly better maneuverability. Long enough that I could open them up on and off piste, but short enough that it didnt feel like I was driving a tank. The womens Blackops Rallybird Ti is a full gas, go-anywhere ski for skiers who share the first-to-last-chair attitude. Heck, you could probably even ski blindfolded and with your hands tied behind your back. Hi, Im an intermediate skier who generally prefers groomed runs but Im looking to improve and try out more varied terrain. The rule of thumb for skate poles is that they should come between your lip and your nose. Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes.
Choosing the Perfect Pair of Women's All-Mountain Skis. Even with all the similarities in outward appearance, the skis do perform differently. If youve looked all over and still cant find your BSL, its also acceptable to measure along the bottom of the boot from the very tip of the toe, to back of the heel- just make sure you measure in Millimeters! She was "worried about length at first, but apparently for no reason. Test Location: Mt. Weight: Theres no easy way to say it, but skiers who are carrying around a bit of extra weight should consider staying to the higher side of the scale. These skis are drastically different than the old Rossignol 7 skis, with the Blackops skis having far less tapered tips and tails, and shallower rocker lines. I think its fairly comparable to the Rallybird Ti when it comes to blowing through chop, but the Santa Ana 98 is a little bit more maneuverable. It could have something to do with the length of the skis I tested, but none of those definitions / interpretations of the word playful come to mind when describing the Rallybird Ti. While youll still need a final adjustment done before you can ski, providing us with your boot sole length is absolutely crucial if youd like us to send your skis pre-mounted with your bindings. The boot sole length is the literal length from toe to heel of that boot, measured in millimeters. It can be a little reluctant to change edge quickly, which is to be expected in a mid-fat ski, but long, laid-out turns are solid both on and off piste. At your friends 54 height, we would normally size her to a to a 161 cm length ski. Heres how wed characterize the flex pattern of the BLACKOPS Rallybird Ti: Tips: 7Shovels: 7-7.5In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10Underfoot: 10Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-9Tails: 9.5. Its tail rocker line isnt super deep and the tip of the ski is fairly stiff, which meant it required more effort on my part to initiate each turn. Fitting cross country skis is different then fitting alpine skis. I had one instance when one ski got away from me while in the backseat (thankfully no image of this messy form exists) and I really struggled to stay on my feet. Stable and quick turning in steeper terrain, the Rossignol Black Ops W Rallybird Ti is otherwise an unremarkable ski. I never felt myself gravitating towards quick, snappy turns on the Rallybird Ti. The specs of the Blackops Rallybird represent the flagship model of the family; 102mm underfoot is approachable for most freeride skiers without being off-putting to intermediates and the full wood core maintains some lightness and something of a forgiving nature, as does the retaining of the lightweight honeycomb tips that made their predecessors so popular. The rubber in the ski construction dampens the vibrations and makes the ride ultra-smooth. Powerful feel without getting nervous. The pick-up-and-go feel just wasn't present. Relatively light and forgiving for expert ladies." The Black Ops Rallybird Ti simply does not hit the mark as a replacement for that legendary ski. Im researching skis for my friend (I snowboard) but she is on beginner skis and definitely have outgrown them, they are really short 144cm or something and shes 54. The 2021 Rossy Rallybird would be a good match for her- approachable, easy to ski and will progress with her as her skill do. If the pole is too long, then your forearm will be angled slightly up. Our testers agreed that this is not the Black Ops Rallybird Ti's strong suit, especially compared to the old Soul 7 which shined in this metric. All freeriders, from the tentative to the diehard, Outstanding freeride performance and still approachable to a wide range of skiers. The bad news, is that it can be a bit more difficult to do- but thats why were here. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, Doesnt ski as well as the discontinued Rossignol Soul 7, but it still handles powder ok. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. That ski is still my gold standard. To determine your size, simply flip a ski pole over, grab it under the basket, and place the handle on the ground. The nice thing about these skis is that when it's a powder day, they feel wider, and when you're on groomers or in the trees, they feel narrower. In hot, spring pow, I noticed the tips had a tendency to dive, except when I was going fairly fast, at which point they maintained some float. It was easy to see that these were high-functioning skis that thrive in soft snow, but also have a lot of redeeming qualities in more typical eastern conditions. I got to ski with Allison Ruschp, who owns a pair of these, on numerous occasions this past winter, and it was really fun to see how she reacted to the skis she owned as opposed to those which we demo. This new Black Ops Rallybird Ti is only just above mediocre in the powder and frustrated us elsewhere. On your ski boot, there will be a 3 digit number on the outside or inside heel of one or both of your boots. When comparing the Rallybird Ti and standard Rallybird, the first thing to discuss is the design differences between the two, which basically just comes down to their core constructions. Youre that good at skiing. They are stable and fun! This is what used to be referred to as Expert until rocker skis came along and let experts go back to over head ski lengths. If I maintained good body position and didnt get lazy with my skiing, I was rewarded. Absolutely! Ive only used ~85mm wide rental skis before and I mainly ski in interior BC. It was a bit scary but nowhere near as terrifying as when something similar happened on the heavier, stiffer Volkl Secret 102. Not a terrible ride in the bumps, but the Rallybird didn't give us much feedback in general. If youre looking for a generally more playful ski, it seems like the twin-tipped and more forward-mounted Blackops Blazer would make more sense. Theres a good chance you already know that Rossignol discontinued their 7 series of skis for the 20/21 season and you are also likely aware that they didnt exactly replace it. It feels stable in a tight turn in the steeps and less stable in a bigger, faster turn. Rather than snowplow your way down blue squares, youre able to use the shape of your skis to make parabolic or carving turns. I love these and the Blazers. But if you have good technique, want a ski that is predictable, stable, and holds an edge when you ask it to perform, the Rallybird Ti is an excellent option. Overall, the Rallybird Ti performs pretty well for its width in fresh now, but there are better options in this width if you prioritize flotation and / or maneuverability, such as the Blizzard Sheeva 10 and Nordica Santa Ana 104. Expert: Hands down, youre the best skier on the mountain. Are either -or both good for an highly advanced/expert NE skiier who occassionally goes out West? The Ti in the name stands for titanal metal and unlike what I initially thought, both skis actually have metal underfoot not only the Ti version. Youve made it to the next level in skiing. Start by asking yourself questions about Should You Buy the Black Ops Rallybird Ti? The Rallybird Ti holds an edge nicely and I felt comfortable charging down the mountain, regardless of whether the groomer was soft and smooth, firm and choppy, or some combination of the two. If not for the firmer underlayer we often encounter here in VT, that Rallybird would be a perfect choice for a solo ski for sure. Too short, and you'll find your forearm angled downward. This is the number that our ski techs will use to mount your bindings. It's this type of versatility that is really going to allow a large number of lady skiers to take a strong and long look at the Rallybird as their next ski, whether they're using it for a soft-snow specialist here on the east, or a western daily driver. One, I love the graphic, and two, it skis just about everything I would want to. My first powder day on the Rallybird Ti consisted of about 10 in / 25 cm of untracked new snow. Youre likely still pretty cautious in regards to your speed, but are able to stop on demand and have a bit more confidence that youll make it to the bottom in one piece. Advanced skiers who are looking to dial up their ski game might find the smooth ride and predictability it provides to help them push their limits. Id like to buy a pair of skis that I will not outgrow as I progress. In my opinion, the Rallybird Ti is a ski designed to charge, and in the right length it might be playful, but that was not my experience in the 171 cm length (which is generally my preferred length for skis of this width). The longitudinal flex patterns are also almost identical between the two pairs of skis. While it rolls from edge to edge with relative ease, there is not much rebound to help ping you into the next turn. Cross-country pole sizing is easy as well. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The Rallybird Ti isnt the easiest ski for making short, quick turns, but despite this, I still found myself often skiing them in moguls, glades, and tight chutes. In most cases, this is the right call, but skiers should be geo-conscious before buying more than they can handle. The nice thing about sizing ski poles is that it's relatively straight foreword. Women looking for a ski that can handle speed on and off-piste, that isnt too heavy or too light, and that provides a predictable experience should check out the Blackops Rallybird Ti. The Rallybird Ti lands smackdab in the middle of a class of ~100mm waist skis, from the heavy, demanding, and often punishing Volkl Secret 102, to the more playful and lightweight Elan Ripstick 102 W and Line Pandora 104. And to be clear, I enjoyed skiing the Rallybird Ti regardless of the terrain or snow conditions. Rossignol Blackops Rallybird Ti vs. Rossignol Blackops Rallybird. I do want to note that nothing in their description mentions beginners getting along with the ski. Overall, this is a pretty strong flex pattern, particularly around the middle and tail of the ski. Have fun! I tend to get along well with skis in the ~171cm length, but if given the opportunity to test the 163 cm length, theres a good chance I would find them to be more playful in the easier to throw them sideways and ski in a more centered stance way. But for me, the 171 cm length felt very directional and required a more forward body position. I dont want to start a review by kicking a dead horse, so if you want to know more about why they removed an extremely popular ski collection from their lineup and more about the collection that replaced it, you should definitely check out the Rossignol Brand Lineup video from our 2021 Blister Summit: Long story short, for the 2020-2021 season, Rossignol introduced a new line of freeride skis that include the Blackops Rallybird Ti and Blackops Rallybird, which are the widest womens specific skis in the new series. So you can measure yourself, or you can just check out our handy-dandy chart below. Any insight would be appreciated. Use: This is a question thats most relevant to advanced or expert skiers: Where are you skiing? She floated right through the woods on a couple-inch day and stayed right on top on a deeper run we shared. She can certainly go down to the 153length which will give you better swing weight, easier turn initiation as she progresses, and most importantly better maneuverability. Long enough that I could open them up on and off piste, but short enough that it didnt feel like I was driving a tank. The womens Blackops Rallybird Ti is a full gas, go-anywhere ski for skiers who share the first-to-last-chair attitude. Heck, you could probably even ski blindfolded and with your hands tied behind your back. Hi, Im an intermediate skier who generally prefers groomed runs but Im looking to improve and try out more varied terrain. The rule of thumb for skate poles is that they should come between your lip and your nose. Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes.