New for the 2012 Collection
of Exceptional
High-Performance Skis:
Ultime Black
With production limited to just 100 pairs for 2011/12, this exclusive and techologically advanced all-mountain ski features Kevlar, titanium and carbon fibre construction for uncompromised ride and performance.
Sizes: 163 (turn radius 13m),
170, 177 (turn radii 14/15m)
LXR HD Silver
Men's all-mountain ski for levels up to advanced/expert, combining the inner strengths of the LXW with a less pronounced side-cut.
Sizes: 150/163 (turn radius 13m),
170, 177 (turn radii 14/15m)
Pearl
Women's all-mountain ski features the same LX sandwich construction for precision and stability but with a lighter mass and subtly elegant styling.
Sizes: 146/, 154, (turn radius 11/13m),
162 (turn radius 15m)
Still available:
LXW HD Silver
Men's all-terrain/freeride ski offering performance and comfort in powder, crud, etc., while remaining perfectly at home on piste.
Sizes 150, 160 (turn radii 11/12m), 170, 178 (turn radii 14/15m) Also available as a 187 backcountry ski (turn radius 20m).
Advanced Titanal, Kevlar and Carbon Fibre
LX sandwich construction
Courchevel Exclusive
Conceived for the fortunate few by Lacroix in collaboration with
the
3 Vallées ski resort of Courchevel,
the ultimate limited edition comprises:
A pair of Courchevel Exclusive skis, Lacroix Smartrack Bindings, Full-Carbon Ski Poles, Leather Ski Gloves, Goggles and two Leather Pouches. Housing it all is a Bespoke Luxury Travel Trunk created by Pinel & Pinel of Paris.
Also provided is a range of
Ski-Related Services, including:
One-year Unlimited 3 Vallées Lift-Pass,
Maintenance, Storage and Delivery.
Each set is priced at 50 000 euros.
Just ten sets will be produced,
available exclusively from the new Lacroix Boutique opening this winter in the heart
of Courchevel 1850.
Winter & Ski Home
Mountain Luxury
Lacroix Skis
In January 2011 the MountainPassions team put two very special skis through their paces in Montgenèvre. The results would surprise us, to say the least.
Over the years we've tried many different makes and designs of ski, in whatever snow conditions were waiting to confront us in and around areas from which we were due to report. Like every other skier, we have to take the snow as it comes and get on with it as best we can. Looking back, some models coped admirably, while others were, frankly, unnerving. But it all added up to valuable experience, so when buying our own skis we already knew exactly what we wanted. Uncertainties of equipment safely behind us, we went on to put enough mileage under them to come to regard our regular skis as trusted friends.
Which is why, given a choice we generally preferred to stick with what we knew. During last season's variable snow conditions, however, the longstanding love-affair with our skis changed, both suddenly and unexpectedly.
Testing times
“In short, we just can't recall snapping into unfamiliar skis and feeling so instantly and securely at home...” After completing a particularly high-energy, high-mileage (and at times low-grip) tour around the Via Lattea ski area from Montgenêvre, we had the opportunity to test-drivesome skis from the Lacroix range. We'd heard a lot of good things about Lacroix, but thus far had resisted the temptation to take up testing opportunities. Now, with the rare prospect of some free time ahead of us to ski where and how we pleased, it seemed an ideal moment to satisfy our longstanding curiosity; was the Lacroix reputation founded on mere hype, or perhaps something altogether more solid?
A turning point
‘Solid’ turned out to be the word which best sums up our experiences with both the Men's LXW HD and Women's Pearl models which we powered around the mountains. With some of the previous day's more icy encounters still very much in our thoughts this quality was particularly endearing. In short, we just can't recall snapping into unfamiliar skis and feeling so instantly and securely at home. To put this into context, the skis we'd previously snapped out of are well-known all-mountain designs, which we make a point of looking after carefully, including regular waxing and edging. So our experiences with the Lacroix models were even more impressive.
Conclusions
We've come to mistrust skis which seem to 'turn themselves' (particularly when we're trying hard to keep them in a straight line). 'Reactive' is something else entirely, however, and both the Lacroix designs simply went where WE wanted to go, responding to our input instantly, and with the kind of precision which encourages you to go for it, secure in the knowledge that (unless you're asking for the impossible) they'll look after you. The styling is similarly understated, the relatively impassive exterior giving few hints of the technology which lies beneath the surface.
Which probably explains why, despite all we'd heard, we expected less performance than these skis actually delivered. But it's how that performance was delivered which most impressed us: let's just say that on the Lacroixs we simply looked and felt like better skiers than we really are. Could we reasonably ask for more?
Our test skis from the 2011 range were a tough act to follow, but the 2012 designs promise further significant advances and refinements. We can't wait to ski them.
© Roger Moss 2011
Visit the Lacroix Skis website:
Lacroix Skis
Ultimate Luxury in Lacroix Skiwear
We look at some of this season's Lacroix range range of skiwear and accessories.
Read the feature.
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French ski-maker Rossignol lives and breathes for the mountains. An icon from the past, and a dynamic emblem of the present, the brand draws on its roots and heritage to build its vision for the future. We take a look at the history of the iconic brand.
