I have a 169cm pair mounted with Hagan Ultra race bindings for La Sportiva Stratos V boots. Somehow because of quiver management issues I’ve used this setup only a single time, partly because the purchase was ostensibly justified as an eventual replacement for my La Sportiva Vapor Nano. (I swear, the “Nano” part is a complete coincidence!)
The one time I used them was on a crazy stormy day, with various types of wind-affected powder. All the types were good types though, so although the skis performed perfectly, it wasn’t a great test of their capabilities. How well they perform in more challenging and varied conditions, TBD – I’ll append this review once I have further testing data. (Especially if my La Sportiva Vapor Nano eventually succumb to all the extensive abuse they’ve been put through over many years…)
Oh, and that picture shows my adherence to the Mt Washington Cog base lodge sign to keep poles outside, though I did bring my teeny tiny pack inside. The prior day we had perfect weather conditions for a skimo race I was organizing to up above Jacob’s Ladder. The next day we had wind-driven snow. Each lap we went up to Waumbek Station, decided to turn around, skied down all the way right up to the lodge entrance, went inside to recover, then went back out to repeat it again and again!
Rossignol Escaper 97 Nano
When you don't know what the day will bring, you'd best bring along the Escaper 97 from Rossignol. With its composition of light materials, the Escaper 97 is anything but laborious when ascending, allowing you to move efficiently and quickly in the mountains. When paired with the precut skins, the notched tip enables quick transitions at the top, allowing you to soak in the view while waiting for your partner to finish. By combining Basalt, Titanal, and paulownia, the Escaper 97 is extremely damp for its weight, allowing it to handle variable snow conditions with ease. The full sidewall provides edge bite in harder snow while the healthy rocker profile keeps your tips up in powder, allowing you to enjoy the untracked snow that you worked so hard to find. With the Escaper 97, Rossignol has created a versatile ski that can handle whatever the day throws your way.
- All Trail Sidecut provides versatility across a wide array of snow conditions.
- Paulownia Wood Core finds a compelling blend of weight and durability.
- Rectangular sidewall combines a horizontal layer of core material on top of the sidewall, providing edge grip, balance, precision, and power.
- Free Rocker technology allows the Escaper 97 to perform exceptionally well in deep snow.
- Nano titanium reinforcements place a Titanal sheet underfoot for increased binding retention and durability.
- Nano basalt fibers provide shock absorption and elasticity, resulting in a smooth and fun ride.
- V-skin anchor allows you to rip the precut skin from the tip, saving you time and effort while transitioning.
Update 2024/25: Rossignol changed the topsheet. Otherwise, the ski is unchanged.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 161, 169, 177, 185 |
|
Weight |
1175g [161] 1245g [169] 1325g [177] 1410g [185] |
| Weight (pair) | 2350g [161] 2490g [169] 2650g [177] 2820g [185] |
|
|
126-97-116 |
|
Turn |
15m [161] 17m [169] 19m [177] 21m [185] |
|
Skin |
Tip notch, flat notched tail |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Healthy rocker in the tip and tail, camber underfoot |
|
|
Round tip, medium radius, tapered tail |
|
|
Rectangular full sidewall, NANO BASALT, NANO TITANAL underfoot |
|
|
Paulownia |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Powder, crud, or anything in between |
| Notes | Notched tip works well with race style skins |
| Bottom Line | Maneuverable and fun in any condition |
| Compare to other High-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
Comment on this review:
10/2/2024
Hi, how would you compare the Rocker profile and ability to pivot of these, to dynafit free/Radical 97? The dynafits seems to tick most of the boxes for me(looking mainly for ski that will be good in tight trees and hooky snow), but i would prefer something a little bit lighter.
10/2/2024
Hi Joshuajj,
The Escaper 97's tail is more cambered and less rockered and tapered than the Free 97, so it will tend to behave more traditionally and hold onto turns a little more. You can release the tails on the Escaper if you need to, but compared to the Free, it will take a little more deliberate effort - the Free/Radical 97 has more tail rocker and will slide out easier. Both would be solid options for tree skiing, depending on your preferred skiing style!
The Escaper 97's tail is more cambered and less rockered and tapered than the Free 97, so it will tend to behave more traditionally and hold onto turns a little more. You can release the tails on the Escaper if you need to, but compared to the Free, it will take a little more deliberate effort - the Free/Radical 97 has more tail rocker and will slide out easier. Both would be solid options for tree skiing, depending on your preferred skiing style!
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3/13/2024
Hi,
what is the mount point of these skis in the 185 length?
what is the mount point of these skis in the 185 length?
3/14/2024
Hi Quintus,
I just measured it at -12mm from true center for the 185 length. It is a relatively rearward mount point.
I just measured it at -12mm from true center for the 185 length. It is a relatively rearward mount point.
Answer this question:
2/28/2024
How would you compare this ski to the zero g 95 or k2 wayback 98? I’m looking for a lightweight touring ski that is stiff enough to handle hard snow and can hold an edge in a tight couloir. Thanks.
2/28/2024
Hi Thomas,
Any of the above skis could work for your needs. They are all relatively stiff skis with underfoot camber and a good edge. The Escaper has the most rockered shovel of the bunch and gains some floatation/versatility for soft snow due to that feature while still being competent on hardpack. I would also say the Escaper skis a bit damper than the Zero G 95. The K2 comes closer. The Zero G is noticably lighter than the other two - still a very capable ski, but the Escaper and the Wayback will feel slightly more substantial in rougher conditions.
The Wayback has some tail rocker as well as a low tip rocker, so it will be a little bit easier to break free/slide around in variable snow. The Escaper and Zero G will hold onto turns a little bit more.
Any of the above skis could work for your needs. They are all relatively stiff skis with underfoot camber and a good edge. The Escaper has the most rockered shovel of the bunch and gains some floatation/versatility for soft snow due to that feature while still being competent on hardpack. I would also say the Escaper skis a bit damper than the Zero G 95. The K2 comes closer. The Zero G is noticably lighter than the other two - still a very capable ski, but the Escaper and the Wayback will feel slightly more substantial in rougher conditions.
The Wayback has some tail rocker as well as a low tip rocker, so it will be a little bit easier to break free/slide around in variable snow. The Escaper and Zero G will hold onto turns a little bit more.
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2/2/2024
How would you say this ski stacks up against the Fischer Transalp 98?
2/3/2024
Hi Steve,
Good comparison! The most pronounced difference is the tip splay/rocker, which is significantly higher on the Escaper 97 Nano. I would expect the Rossignol to float better in powder and to have a more tip-up attitude. Also, easier to initiate turns, especially in deeper or variable snow. The Transalp will feel more traditional. Both skis have camber underfoot, are fairly comparable weight-wise, and are pretty damp. I would recommend the Rossignol to someone who likes the energy of a cambered ski, but wants a bunch of tip rocker for soft snow performance. I would steer a more traditional skier, who likes to drive their shovels and likes a stiffer ski, towards the Fischer.
Good comparison! The most pronounced difference is the tip splay/rocker, which is significantly higher on the Escaper 97 Nano. I would expect the Rossignol to float better in powder and to have a more tip-up attitude. Also, easier to initiate turns, especially in deeper or variable snow. The Transalp will feel more traditional. Both skis have camber underfoot, are fairly comparable weight-wise, and are pretty damp. I would recommend the Rossignol to someone who likes the energy of a cambered ski, but wants a bunch of tip rocker for soft snow performance. I would steer a more traditional skier, who likes to drive their shovels and likes a stiffer ski, towards the Fischer.
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11/23/2023
How different is this ski from the M-Tour 99?
11/24/2023
Hi Matt, they are very similar skis in terms of weight, shape, and construction. Perhaps the most notable differences are the color and the tip notch on the Escaper 97's if tip rips are your thing.
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11/15/2023
Is this a renamed version of the Black Ops Alpineer 96? The specs seem pretty similar what I can tell
11/16/2023
Hi Matt, this is not just a renamed ski, though the dimensions / weight / turn radius are indeed quite similar. We don't have hands on experience with the Alpineer 96, but the Escaper Nano has a different construction with a full Paulownia core compared to the Paulownia / Foam core of the Alpineer, and also has a full sidewall compared to the half cap construction of the Alpineer. It looks like a generally burlier ski for the same weight.
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