Update on this topic since purchase last season (see my comment below):
Used regularly with alien 1.0 and dynafit superlight bindings in 177cm.
This ski has delivered exactly what I asked the Skimo staff for: ability to go faster/be more stable than my old Cho's and hold up to more abuse. I have hit essentially the same old rocks and stumps I have before with essentially no damage. I find this difference truly amazing given the lack of weight penalty. This ski is a little more demanding than my prior set ups, but still seems very easy to handle in all but nightmare conditions (stout but breakable crust over 8" of soft coming back from to LCC from Days? South Superior with crust over a foot of mashed potatoes coming back from HOD?) and I'm not sure any ski would do much better without severe weight penalty.
That said, I would love to see a ski with nearly identical specs/construction as this one with a touch more rocker, maybe even a little skinnier. . . Is there such a thing?
Replacing the venerable Response-X is no easy assignment. The Session-X is up to it, however. Improved with mini-ABS sidewalls that reduce shock, increase edge hold, and offer impact resistance, this ski becomes the default flagship of the Movement X-series. It keeps the same light rocker profile and medium radius shape that made the previous iteration so popular. Also added to the X-Session was a vibration reducing rubber + glass layer in the tip. That makes it even more of a dream-carver. Simply put, the Session is the best version yet of the ultralight, mid-fat, all-mountain ski from Movement.
- North TPT carbon fiber construction process makes for lightweight stability.
- VA-Tech vibration reducing layer in the tips reduce high-speed chatter.
- Double Plate Reinforcement in the binding area is a multi-layer strengthener.
- ABS Shock Absorber is a short sidewall underfoot that does what it’s named.
- Tour Edge has a varying width to balance strength and weight savings.
- Structured P-Tex 4000 bases are relatively hard and can take some abuse.
Update 2017/18: The Session-X has been discontinued in favor of the Alp Tracks 89.
| Specifications | |
| Length(s) cm | 161, 169, 177, 185 |
|
Weight |
1030g [161] 1095g [169] 1155g [177] 1225g [185] |
| Weight (pair) | 2060g [161] 2190g [169] 2310g [177] 2450g [185] |
|
|
124-89-112 [161] 126-89-114 [169] 128-89-116 [177] 128-89-116 [185] |
|
Turn |
16.5m [161] 17.5m [169] 18.0m [177] 19.0m [185] |
|
Skin |
Curved tip, flat tail notch |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Light rocker, camber underneath |
|
|
Round tip, short-to-medium radius, flat tail |
|
|
Cap w/ TPT technology |
|
|
Karuba & Poplar wood |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Long tours with variable snow |
| Notes | ABS sidewall absorbs shock |
| Bottom Line | Ski it all, all day long |
| Compare to other Mid-fat Skis | |
Questions & Reviews
3/15/2019
Dave E
(used product regularly)
Comment on this review:
YES! This is the ski I have been looking for! Thanks, guys for keeping a pair in stock. I'm 136 and went with the 169. I was looking for something to be my go-to for long tours with lots of vert, technical descents, and variable conditions. Mostly for late season (March-June). Although my SkiTrab Magicos have faired me well for long traverses, I was hoping for something a little more solid underfoot for steep hop turns, and just more enjoyable in powder. Mostly, I skied these with Aliens. In soft snow, it was a smooth ride, easy to initiate a turn while being center on the ski. Fun, in general. In harder snow, I had to get a bit more forward and stay on top of the turn. Learning the exit of the turn took some practice since these boards don't have a big sweet spot.
From what I can tell, these boards are bombproof. I banged the heck out of them. Incredibly durable.
This is an ideal choice for ski mountaineering in the northern Rockies. 100% satisfied.
From what I can tell, these boards are bombproof. I banged the heck out of them. Incredibly durable.
This is an ideal choice for ski mountaineering in the northern Rockies. 100% satisfied.
Comment on this review:
11/28/2018
Hi, how do you folks think this ski would perform with a lightweight telemark binding? And what length would be best for a 5'10" 150 lb advanced to expert skier who likes jump turns?
11/28/2018
Hi Ira, unfortunately Movement does not recommend putting telemark bindings on the X Series skis.
Answer this question:
I found myself in a pickle a few weeks ago, in need of a replacement for my superannuated Cho Oyus just before I left for a spring ski trip. A good midfat that can handle deep wintry snow as well as it skis consolidated spring snow is a hard quiver slot to fill and I was uncertain where to turn, especially on short notice with no time to demo a new model. Having skied two other Movement mountaineering builds (Big Fish 78 and Alp Tracks 84) I felt reasonably confident that the Session X would deliver, as would Skimo Co with a short-notice binding mount. My one concern was that a 169cm length would run too short when making turns in unbridged/unconsolidated snow.
Fast forward two weeks and I've put 12 days, many miles of skinning and around 40k of vert on the Sessions. They are easily the most reliable superlight ski I've ever been on, and I sense I'll be reaching for it many more times over the course of the spring. They handle really well on steep windboard -- the camber and flattish tail that makes the AlpTracks so sendy definitely delivers on the Sessions -- but can definitely charge in softer snow as long as it's not so deep that I have to stay in the backseat. (That said, backseat skiing on Movements is absurdly easy because the tail flex is very responsive, maybe too responsive.) Normally I would think of 89mm underfoot as more ski than I need or want for long touring, but the extreme light weight coupled with a shorter length was just right. In fact, my "goldilocks" pair of Hagan Ultras never even made it out of the ski bag, since the Sessions really don't give much in weight, and the extra 13mm underfoot helps add stability in variable snow.
If you're uncertain of the midfat category and want a ski that can handle anything you throw at it, get this ski -- it rocks.
Fast forward two weeks and I've put 12 days, many miles of skinning and around 40k of vert on the Sessions. They are easily the most reliable superlight ski I've ever been on, and I sense I'll be reaching for it many more times over the course of the spring. They handle really well on steep windboard -- the camber and flattish tail that makes the AlpTracks so sendy definitely delivers on the Sessions -- but can definitely charge in softer snow as long as it's not so deep that I have to stay in the backseat. (That said, backseat skiing on Movements is absurdly easy because the tail flex is very responsive, maybe too responsive.) Normally I would think of 89mm underfoot as more ski than I need or want for long touring, but the extreme light weight coupled with a shorter length was just right. In fact, my "goldilocks" pair of Hagan Ultras never even made it out of the ski bag, since the Sessions really don't give much in weight, and the extra 13mm underfoot helps add stability in variable snow.
If you're uncertain of the midfat category and want a ski that can handle anything you throw at it, get this ski -- it rocks.
Comment on this review:
3/19/2018
I have been skiing Nanga Parbat 171cm and liked them. Ripped out an edge and looking for new skis. Are these fairly similar (other than being a bit wider, which is fine)? My use is all over the place: icy resorts, chopped powder, backcountry, spring corn, fitness uphilling. Intermediate skier, ambitiously working my way up :)
A second question to follow: what are the precut skins? They come with tip loops and tail clip, correct? Skin protectors? Mohair/nylon? TIA!
A second question to follow: what are the precut skins? They come with tip loops and tail clip, correct? Skin protectors? Mohair/nylon? TIA!
3/19/2018
Hi Anton, the Session is Movement's do-it-all ski. They rail on hard snow and corn, and float reasonably well. I'd say both metrics are a step up from the Nanga, but the feel is not too far off, maybe a touch stiffer.
The precut skins are 100% mohair with standard tip loops and an adjustable tail clip, correct. They come with protective netting (cheat sheets) and a carry bag. The glue is among the most sticky in the business.
The precut skins are 100% mohair with standard tip loops and an adjustable tail clip, correct. They come with protective netting (cheat sheets) and a carry bag. The glue is among the most sticky in the business.
Answer this question:
12/27/2017
Hey,
Blew a sidewall/edge on my Cho Oyus yesterday. That ski has been one of my all time favorites for general touring/skimo. Looking for a replacement and wonder if this fits the bill, or if I should stick with another Cho, or something altogether different. . . I'm using superlite/Alien 1.0 combo and ski moderate aggressive (unlike the megawatt/factor days, now a 5-10' drop requires some fortitude for me and I can't rip a slope in three turns on my set up)
Blew a sidewall/edge on my Cho Oyus yesterday. That ski has been one of my all time favorites for general touring/skimo. Looking for a replacement and wonder if this fits the bill, or if I should stick with another Cho, or something altogether different. . . I'm using superlite/Alien 1.0 combo and ski moderate aggressive (unlike the megawatt/factor days, now a 5-10' drop requires some fortitude for me and I can't rip a slope in three turns on my set up)
12/27/2017
Hi Dave, you have good taste! The Session would make a decent replacement for the Cho; it's quick and lively and crazy light. It stands up better to rocks vs the Cho in our experience as well, with the hard bases and surprisingly sturdy edges. That said, you should still steer around them! That won't be hard with this ski though.
Answer this question:
These are a really nice ski. I have been skiing them since December 2016 and have 15 touring days on them (~90k ft and ~175 miles) in wide ranging condition (powder, to ice, to slush, to grass/rock).
They ski/tour very nicely. Entry time I pick them up I laugh manically, another day of feather weight touring. 90mm seems to be a reasonable compromise in size for skinning up icy slopes and float on the way down. For as light as they are they are very durable. This season has been marked by snow and melt and cover has been lacking, a few days the approach tail, prolly should have been walked but it was stubbornly ski'd. I hit some rocks pretty hard I was sure of a core shot or pulled out edge, but luckily all the ski needs is an edge tune but that will wait for the summer...
Ski Size 177 cm
Skier weight 160 lbs (no gear)
Skier height 6 ft
They ski/tour very nicely. Entry time I pick them up I laugh manically, another day of feather weight touring. 90mm seems to be a reasonable compromise in size for skinning up icy slopes and float on the way down. For as light as they are they are very durable. This season has been marked by snow and melt and cover has been lacking, a few days the approach tail, prolly should have been walked but it was stubbornly ski'd. I hit some rocks pretty hard I was sure of a core shot or pulled out edge, but luckily all the ski needs is an edge tune but that will wait for the summer...
Ski Size 177 cm
Skier weight 160 lbs (no gear)
Skier height 6 ft
Comment on this review:
2/27/2017
Is the reinforcement in the binding area titanium?
2/27/2017
Hi Mike, no, the binding area is reinforced with fiber layers.
3/1/2017
I seem to remember metal in the binding area when I mounted them.
Answer this question:
2/17/2017
I am trying to decide between the Movement session X and the Ski Trab Mistico. They'll be used mostly for ski mountaineering above the tree line in everything from ice to windblown to powder, all often encountered in a single run. I'll be using them with the superlite 2.0 bindings and the TLT7 performance boots. Any suggestions? And, will the session be available in a 177 again anytime soon?
2/17/2017
Hey Randy,
The Session X is a killer tool for what you are looking for, but you couldn't go wrong with the Trab either. I've skied the older version, the Response-X, as my daily driver for most of this season and in couloirs of sustained 40-45 degree pitches with a couple cruxes over 50 and it's held it's own every time. It was designed to be a versatile ski that would do well in most any conditions, but not be a specialist in any.
If it has a fault, it's that the tail can be a bit stiff in some situations which decreases the size of the ski's sweet spot. I don't want that to sound like a big deal though. Most of the time it's just right.
Not sure if we will be seeing any more in size 177 this season. If I had it to do over again, for a mountaineering tool, I probably would have gone with the 169 length. (I'm 5'8" and about 195lbs for what that's worth.)
The Session X is a killer tool for what you are looking for, but you couldn't go wrong with the Trab either. I've skied the older version, the Response-X, as my daily driver for most of this season and in couloirs of sustained 40-45 degree pitches with a couple cruxes over 50 and it's held it's own every time. It was designed to be a versatile ski that would do well in most any conditions, but not be a specialist in any.
If it has a fault, it's that the tail can be a bit stiff in some situations which decreases the size of the ski's sweet spot. I don't want that to sound like a big deal though. Most of the time it's just right.
Not sure if we will be seeing any more in size 177 this season. If I had it to do over again, for a mountaineering tool, I probably would have gone with the 169 length. (I'm 5'8" and about 195lbs for what that's worth.)
2/17/2017
Hi Randy, we are expecting more 177s in about 10 days.
Answer this question:
1/30/2017
What is the difference between this and the Response-X?
1/30/2017
Hey Aaron, it's mainly the construction. On paper, the shape is identical however the handling characteristics are different in all the best ways. It's also slightly lighter, but that's not the main draw for me (though it is nice, I won't complain). Slightly more damp/stable, durable, and improved edge hold come from the ABS mini-sidewalls. There's also a rubber "saucer" in the tip that helps it from chattering (ie, more dampening qualities). Basically, when you point it where you want to go, it has a better chance of holding that line and not getting deflected...easier to ski at the same level/easier to ski it harder.
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