Stockli Mens Skis Nela 88 Vs. Rossignol Womens Skis Arcade 80W: Ultimate All-Mountain Showdown

Published: 2026-01-19
Views: 10
Author: Vikram Kumar
Published in: Business

In the world of all-mountain skiing, choosing the right pair means balancing precision, playfulness, and durability for everything from groomed runs to light powder. The Stockli Mens Skis Nela 88 and Rossignol Womens Skis Arcade 80W stand out as top contenders in the 80-88mm waist category, ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers tackling diverse resort conditions. Stockli, a Swiss precision brand, delivers the Nela 88 for men craving stability at speed, while Rossignol's Arcade 80W empowers women with lightweight agility and forgiveness. Let's break down their specs, performance, and who they suit best.

Design and Construction: Precision vs. Playful Engineering

The Stockli Mens Skis Nela 88 boasts a 88mm waist with dimensions of 128-88-112mm and a 17m radius (at 172cm length). Its full wood core, integrated titanal frame, and double titanal shell create unmatched dampening and edge grip. Stockli's Razor-Cut Sidewall technology sharpens turns with surgical accuracy, making it a favorite for aggressive carvers on hardpack or icy pistes. At around 1,780g per ski (169cm), it's robust yet responsive, excelling in high-speed stability thanks to its Full Adaptive Sidewall.

Contrast this with the Rossignol Womens Skis Arcade 80W, featuring an 80mm waist (132-80-114mm) and a playful 13m radius (at 162cm). Rossignol engineers women's-specific geometry with a lighter Air Tip construction, reducing swing weight for effortless turn initiation. The PEFC-certified poplar wood core pairs with C/FX carbon/flax weave for 30% more torsional stiffness without bulk—weighing just 1,480g per ski (160cm). Vibration-dampening tech like Air Turn adds bounce in bumps, perfect for variable snow.

Both skis use rocker-camber-rocker profiles for float in soft snow, but Stockli prioritizes power, while Rossignol emphasizes accessibility.

On-Snow Performance: Groomers, Bumps, and Beyond

On groomed runs, the Nela 88 shines. Its titanal reinforcement bites into ice, delivering rail-like edge hold and rebound that propels you through high-line arcs. Advanced men will love its composure at 40+ mph, though novices might find it demanding in tight turns. In moguls or crud, the damp chassis absorbs chatter, maintaining speed where others chatter.

The Arcade 80W, however, brings joy to women's skiing with quick edge-to-edge transitions and a surfy tip rocker for playful pivots. It excels in mixed conditions—think East Coast slush or choppy bowls—offering pop off lips and easy recoveries. Less ideal for pure speed demons, it rewards technique with energy return, making progression fun without intimidation.

Powder performance favors the wider Nela 88 slightly (better float), but both handle 6-8 inches admirably. Durability is stellar: Stockli's bombproof build suits heavy resort use, while Rossignol's recycled materials appeal to eco-conscious skiers.

Fit, Price, and Who Wins?

Priced at $850-$950, the Stockli Mens Skis Nela 88 (available in 161-182cm) targets strong intermediates/advanced men (80-110kg) who prioritize confidence on steeps. Pair it with a 10-12 DIN binding like Marker Baron for all-mountain prowess.

The Rossignol Womens Skis Arcade 80W ($600-$700, 152-174cm) fits women (50-85kg) seeking versatility without fatigue. Match with lightweight bindings like Salomon Warden for park-to-peak adventures.

Verdict: Choose Stockli for precision and speed; Rossignol for fun and forgiveness. Both elevate all-mountain skiing—test them at your local demo day.

Hansensurf  online store,   Stockli Mens Skis Nela 88 in Encinitas, San Diego CA USA AND Rossignol Womens Skis Arcade 80W in Encinitas, San Diego CA USA