This is Rossignol's entry-level women's all-mountain ski, and it does exactly what an entry-level ski should do: stay out of your way while you learn. The 78mm waist is narrow enough to make edge-to-edge transitions quick, and the Assist Flex -- Rossignol's softest flex profile -- means the ski bends easily at low speeds. You don't need to muscle it into a turn.

The carbon fiber in the layup isn't here for stiffness or speed. It's here to reduce weight. The cap construction (no sidewalls) saves more weight and makes the ski more forgiving when you're not perfectly centered. The Drive Tip absorbs vibration in the tip so the front of the ski doesn't chatter on firm snow.

On groomed runs, it carves clean short-to-medium turns and releases easily. The All Trail Rocker gives just enough tip rise to prevent hooking. It's predictable. It does what you ask.

The limitation is obvious: this ski has a low ceiling. Once you can ski parallel confidently and start wanting more speed, more edge angle, more off-piste adventure, you'll outgrow it. The cap construction and soft flex simply don't have the grip or stability for aggressive skiing. That's fine -- it's designed for seasons 1-3, not season 10.

Compared to the Experience W 86 Basalt, this is softer, narrower, lighter, and more forgiving. The 86 Basalt is for the woman who already carves and wants to push further. The 78 Carbon is for the woman who's learning to carve.