Salomon Pilots

Anyone own or skiied a lot with these? They're the series where the binding attaches to the side rather than the top of the ski (I think?) - so the ski keeps a perfect curve under your boot rather than having a flat spot.

Can you really tell the difference if you're anyone other than an accomplished downhill racer? Or are they the next big thing after "carvers"?

Thanks in advance,

I bought a pair when they first arrived about 4 years or so ago iI still have them, they've had alot of use including my son using them for a season as a ski guide. When I bought I tried about 6 different skis and settled on the salomons as having the best performance. I was surprised because I'm not a fan of salomon, I've had too many of their crap products over the years. However since then the Salomons have been surplanted by a pair of K2 Axis Pros and Dynastar Intuitiv 74s. It's personal preference but I don't think salomons are well made skis, any that I have owned have never lasted as long or been as tough as the equivalent K2s or Dynastars which I especially rate. I feel that the pilot system has been matched by the other companie's technologies like the dynastar autodrive where the binding is mounted on a plate that allows the ski to flex beneath it. If anyone wants to buy a secondhand pair of Pilot 10's hardluy used for the past 3 years anyway, you can contact me here.

I've owned Dynastars and Salomons and, aside from some over-soft paints and plastics on the s912 bindings on my previous X-Screams have no complaints on quality.

As related elsewhere, I replaced the X-Screams with Scream 10s this year and those I absolutely love. Although improved fitness has something to do with it, top quote of my season so far is "I don't remember struggling to keep up with you last year" (from my brother). Performance-wise I've never ridden a better ski (for my ability/style), on or off-piste - will let you know how long they last!