Rossignol Soul 7 Review

Some things just seem to get better with age, and the Rossignol Soul 7 is one of those ski models that continues to become more enticing each year. The skis are some of my favorite freeride planks on the market, and have been a personal go-to for years.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.

Quick Summary

• Where to buy: Official Website, ChristySports
• Best for: Freeride skiers and powder chasers of all kinds. These skis are great in big mountain situations where you want something that can keep up without holding you back.
• Pros: A fun and capable ski that surfs over powder while enabling enough versatility to keep you happy and satisfied on all parts of the mountain. It’s wide enough to handle big lines while still being highly maneuverable when needed. Affordable as well.
• Cons: If you ski in an area that doesn’t get a lot of fresh snow, you won’t be able to unlock the Soul 7’s full potential. Capable in packed snow, but much more catered to the fresh stuff.
• Alternatives: Atomic Bent Chetler 100, K2 Mindbender, Atomic Backland 107

Why Trust Me

I’ve been skiing almost as long as I’ve been able to walk. I’ve skied all over the world and have decades of experience skiing on, testing, and reviewing different skis and skiing equipment. The Rossignol Soul 7 has been in my quiver for the better part of the last decade and I have spent several hundred ski days on them.

Detailed Review of Rossignol Soul 7

The Rossignol Soul 7 is one of my favorite skis of all time. When I know there’s going to be a good dump of snow, these are my go-to option time and time again. While they are not a dedicated powder ski, they are more than capable in deep snow and have the power to move easily through all sorts of other conditions. It’s a good option for a variety of different skiers.

Speed Check

These skis eat snow for breakfast, which means you can haul downhill at a fast clip with them on your feet. That goes double when there’s fresh snow to be had. If you like to straight line a bowl full of powder and go back for refills, these skis will keep you satisfied all season long. The build and design make them truly easy to use, which is a bonus to anyone who’s just starting to get their feet wet with big mountain lines and conditions.

While the Soul 7 crushes powder and fresh stuff, they aren’t as catered towards hard pack and groomed conditions. They are certainly capable in such situations, but they aren’t going to blow your mind like they will on true powder days. The skis hold a good edge and offer decent control at high speeds on groomers, but you won’t get that ski racer feel. Even so, they are versatile enough to still be plenty of fun when the speedometer increases.

I also love taking the Soul 7’s out a day or two after a big snow when things are a bit chunked or crudded out. These skis don’t even notice rough situations and are perfect when conditions are less than ideal. They can mob through crud with the best of them and keep you fully in control. I rarely think that skiing on that type of snow is fun, but it can be with the Soul 7.

Freeride Attributes

The great thing when it comes to getting skis geared towards freeriding is that they provide you with an effortless experience when you dive into conditions that are somewhat out of the normal realm of the average skier. The Soul 7 gives you such an experience, and is very much one of the best freeride options around in big lines with fresh snow.

Rossignol fully intended the Soul 7 to stand out in that regard and it has become even more evident over the course of the ski’s existence. On top of that, it has a playful feel that’s designed for more aggressive terrain. That gives you the ability to combine power and fun, which is what freeride skiing is all about. These skis are also pretty forgiving, which makes them a good option for intermediate skiers who want room to improve.

The Soul 7’s are also easy to maneuver, which makes them stand out in trees and bumps. They are lightweight for a powder focused ski, which gives them a little extra response. They aren’t much of a park ski due to a limited rocker in the tail that keeps them away from the twin-tip designation, but if you wanted to you could huck these off of a few big airs or take them for a spin in the pipe.

Construction and Style

The Rossignol Soul 7 utilizes a freeride shape and construction to enhance the abilities described above. A large part of the capabilities come from the profile which can be classified as a full-on freeride profile. That means a longer rocker in the tip and a shorter rocker in the tail to allow for float and surf over deep snow while keeping you a little more anchored in the rear when carving.

The skis also feature a Paulownia wood core combined with a Carbon Alloy Matrix that keeps them light and dynamic without sacrificing strength. That carbon layer is, in my opinion, one of the ski’s standout design features and another reason they are so effective in powder. An AirTip 2.0 construction on the tip and tail adds extra strength and stability in a lightweight package.

The Soul 7’s underfoot design is another area of focus. Traditional camber sits below your boots in a way that will provide plenty of pop and control when you need the skis to react quickly and obey your every command. The underfoot and centrally located sidecut also helps to improve control and overall response.

On the latest model of the Soul 7, you’ll see a mostly black top sheet with an almost X-ray-like view of the laminates in the tip and tail. It’s a basic design that isn’t going to catch much attention, but it pays homage to the missile-like abilities of these amazing skis.

Price and Value

The Rossignol Soul 7 is a fairly affordably priced freeride ski. It might be because of Rossignol’s long-term success, but you can often find a good discount on these through the major retailers that sell them. The affordable price on top of the excellent performance gives these skis high marks in terms of value. They are well worth their price and come highly recommended.

While these skis are capable across a variety of different conditions and terrains, they fall short of being a one-ski option. That knocks down their value ever so slightly. Other than that, they offer some of the best performance to price comparisons out there.

What I Like

There’s a lot to like about the Soul 7. When the flakes start falling, their true colors really shine. Powder skiing on these is effortless and fun. They surf, float, and play just as intended and earn high marks across the board in powder and fresh snow conditions. That makes them perfect for deep snow and dustings alike.

I also really like how well the Soul 7s fair in crud or tracked out snow. A day or two after a big storm and a few freeze cycles can leave an ungroomed run in sad shape. These skis won’t blink twice at such an event and they allow you to take advantage of snow that other skiers typically try to avoid. That’s an attribute that speaks to their many capabilities.

While the Soul 7’s aren’t a true all-mountain ski, they are a versatile freeride option that can hold their own all over the mountain. The lightweight build and freeride rocker profile gives you plenty of versatility in bumps, trees, and hardpack. The price is right as well.

What I Don’t Like

There isn’t a whole lot to dislike about these skis, but I do prefer a more rockered profile when it comes to all-mountain versatility. I will sacrifice a little camber underfoot for a more surfy and playful feel any day. While the Soul 7 is certainly a playful ski, it isn’t the most fun compared to some other all-mountain options with similar characteristics.

I also don’t like the latest version’s graphic design. It’s sleek and unflashy. I much prefer the older set of Soul 7’s that I have with a white color and green tips. That design speaks more to the snow, if you ask me. It’s about what overall look you prefer.

The Alternatives

If you’re looking for a freeride ski that’s built for powder and provides excellent performance at an affordable price, it’s hard to do better than the Rossignol Soul 7. Even so, these alternatives are worth a look:

• Atomic Bent Chetler 100 – These skis are even more powder focused than the Soul 7, but the 100 width size makes them a bit more versatile than their larger, and powder exclusive, option. If you strictly want to chase deep snow, you’ll be more than satisfied with what the Bent Chetler 100 brings to the table.
• K2 Mindbender – This is another option from a trusted brand that has been building some of the best skis in the game for years. A little more versatile than the Soul 7, but still capable in deep snow, the Mindbender is another high-value option that offers high-end performance in an affordable package.
• Atomic Backland 107 – If you’re looking for similar powder performance to the Soul 7 but want something that can handle touring and the backcountry, check these out. Lightweight and versatile, they are a nice all-around ski with the ability to tour. Read my detailed review to learn more.

Final Verdict

You won’t be disappointed with the Rossignol Soul 7. I have yet to meet a skier who doesn’t like some aspect of what the ski can do, and if you love skiing powder it will give any other option a run for the money. Their affordable price and consistent performance make them a great choice for intermediate and advanced skiers who want a freeride option that can help them conquer the season.