Ski Trab Neve 104

Ski Trab products stay true to a cast-iron rule: mountain professionals who field test their skis should know nothing about their makeup. “If we could, we’d ski blindfolded,” declares Giuliano Bordoni, head of the team that’s developed the new Neve 104, the widest-ever ski released by the Bormio-based manufacturer, available from next autumn. Anyone providing product ideas to Daniele Trabucchi — the ‘deus-ex machina’ behind the design of every Ski Trab product — and then involved in field testing to assess whether the result has been achieved, must concentrate only on the sensations, without prior knowledge of the weight of a given prototype, nor its materials or shape. Meaning if it were possible, they’d ski blindfolded, so they can concentrate fully just on the feel of the ski.

So what’s the final result? A lightweight tool (from 1,470 g to 1,610 g depending on lengths), available in 174, 181 and 188 cm versions, with sidewall radius ranging from 24.6 to 27.1 m according to waist width. As well as being the widest-ever Ski Trab, it’s also the first to feature a longer early rise tip and tail profile. The flex pattern is unusual for Ski Trab: a more rigid shovel and softer at the center. The ski features a 14-layer construction, Liwood Air wood core, and carbon/glass fiber cage which completely encloses the structure to improve ski damping courtesy of the enhanced deformability of the glass fiber. But the detail that really makes the difference they’ve named Cotton Edge Boost.

This is an insert comprising around ten layers of cotton fiber placed between the base and the structure which supports the edges and damps vibrations. It sits in the center of the ski, extending from just behind to just in front of the boot area, and delivers protection and support. “We know that in free touring it’s the central part of the ski that’s the most vulnerable. But straight sidewalls are not the best answer because, in addition to adding weight, they only extend into the structure by a few millimeters. The Cotton Edge Boost on the other hand penetrates by 2 centimeters, making it the ideal solution for reinforcing the structure and supporting more aggressive skiing,” says Giuliano.