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Review: Rossignol Escaper 97 Nano

By

Jason Albert

This is the use-case when the Escaper 97 Nano shines: Mid-winter high pressure and the mixed bag of conditions.

This is the use-case when the Escaper 97 Nano shines: Mid-winter high pressure and the mixed bag of conditions.

Here we are—mid-April. And as the temp swings between highs and lows, we are in firm-to-soft snow season. Corn is here. Which, in part, was a key use case for hopping on and using, for three months when conditions were apt, the Rossignol Escaper 97 Nano. Let’s jump into use cases here. For a refresher,…

Responses

  1. Andrew Ross

    Nice review, Jason.

    I picked up a pair of these (2024 model – same except for the topsheet, if I’m not mistaken) this season, but in 177 length.

    Coincidentally, I just listened to the your podcast episode with Doug Stenclik, where you talked about how you’ve recently gone heavier and fatter with skis.

    Question for you – Which would you choose for a volcano ski: the Escaper 97 nano in 177 or the Black Crows Ova Freebird in 170? Bindings weights are comparable between both setups. I’m headed to Hood and maaaybe Adams at the end of May.

    Interested to hear others’ thoughts on this, too.

    1. Jason Albert

      Hey Andrew,

      A few thoughts here. The qualifier—it’s been a few years since I’ve skied the Ova. Keeping cost to a minimum, since we are already in ski-crampon mode here in the PNW, if you want to save some $, bring the ski you have ski crampons for. If ski crampons are not an issue and the weights are equal, I prefer a shorter ski in spring, which, in this case, means the Ova at ~170cm, as I like that size for steeper terrain. But I know plenty of folks who like the 178 length in spring. Those are personal preferences right there.

      I wouldn’t say the Rossi is a noodle; it’s plenty stiff. On firm snow, I like a stiffer ski—and who knows if you’ll hit the corn snow cycle, I’d expect some firm snow in some capacity, certainly skiing from the top of Hood (even the south side) and likely on Adams, too. Regarding firm snow, I’d take the stiffer of the two skis on this trip. Corn snow is forgiving, for the most part, no matter what ski you are on (within some limits, I suppose); the firm snow is definitely less forgiving, which you already know. Just my thoughts here. I hope you hit the weather window.

      1. Andrew Ross

        Thanks, Jason. The Ova is a noodle in my book. I’ll bring the Rossi’s. It is slightly heavier, but not much, and sounds like the safer bet.

        I hope I hit the weather window, too!

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