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PlanetSKI Tests The New Wedze Skis From Decathalon

We’ve been putting them through their paces on the steeps of Argentière. They’re now competing with the big boys at a fraction of the price.

Decathlon has been selling skis for decades, but six years or so ago it decided to put in some proper research and development.

It wanted to produce skis that were affordable AND good.

Able to compete with the best.

I have been testing them with other skiers for a few years now and am more impressed each time.

We were shown the new offerings at the head design office in Passy near Chamonix this week.

If looks were anything to go by they had gone up a gear:

Coloursful display of lined up skis

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

close up of four single skis from the new range in vivid blues and powder pink and powder blue hues

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

The main test venue this year for the skis is the legendary north-face of Argentière in the Chamonix Valley.

The gondola at Les Grands Montets in Chamonix

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

A place for serious mountain folk.

Serious mountain folk with huge back packs, coils of climbing rope and wearing helmets

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

This time though I was going to do the tests in a slightly different way:

Ski testing the new Wedze offerings

Check out our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

And first up it was the 950+.

They were firm, fast and furious.

Mine was 177cm in length, 83mm underfoot with a radius of 16.7.

Close up of the Wedze ski 177cm in length, 83mm underfoot with a radius of 16.7

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

Next at the other end of the spectrum: the 150s.

Ski testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon

Check out our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

Not much more expensive than renting for a week in high season.

And it was time for the all-mountain, freeride skis:

Bindings set on the 500 Patrol 95s:

Man with screwdriver bending over a work bench setting the bindings of a pair of skis

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

So, what did I make of it?

Ski Testing: New Wedze skis from Decathlon

Check out our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

And the 980 lived up to expectations:

Bright blue skis with lime green tips, placed on the snow against a stunning mountainous backdrop

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

I have skied on better slalom skis – the Atomic Redster and Rossignol Hero Short Turn spring immediately to mind.

But the 980 can be compared.

It is 66mm underfoot, 166cm in length with a radius of 11.5.

It has a full sidewall, a wood core and is double titanium.

I found it fine at normal speed, but if you really cranked it over it didn’t quite have that feeling of grip and stability you get with the top of the range slalom skis.

It was though a lovely and fun ski to play with.

I decided to head back to the freeride/all mountain skis.

Next up:

Ski Testing: New Wedzi skis from Decathlon

Check out our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

For me it is the freeride skis from Wedze that have seen the most improvement in recent years, and I believe they can be compared to the range of offerings from other manufacturers.

The company has put in a huge amount of research and development with extensive testing and they have listed to feedback from the experts.

One such man is the French freeride enthusiast, Adrian Accorsini.

Man talking to a group of four men about some skis lined up against a wall

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

Some people collect stamps or china tea-sets… he collects freeride skis and has more than 250 pairs.

65 of them were on display for us.

Recognise any of these legendary skis?

Freeride Ski Collection

Check out this collection of freeride skis. And see our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

His involvement kind of sums up the new approach by Wedze: involve the experts, ask for their opinion and listen to them.

And lest not forget the touring skis offered by Wedze.

But, why go walking up hill in the first place?

To answer the question I turned to Elodie Billard, the Wedze Product Manager for ski touring equipment.

Why should you go ski touring?

Check out our full report here as PlanetSKI goes testing the new Wedze skis from Decathlon: https://www.planetski.eu/2020/02/07/planetski-tests-the-new-wedze-skis-from-decathlon/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Friday, 7 February 2020

Here on PlanetSKI we recently posted an extensive test of them, so check out this article:

PlanetSKI puts Decathlon touring skis through their paces

One touring ski I did test was the latest touring model that I took for a little night-tour in the ski area of Combloux above the Decathlon HQ in Passy.

PlanetSKI Editor James Cove putting skins on some touring skis. He's preparing for night skiing

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

Preparations for some night skiing - people standing around

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

Very good it was too, perhaps a bit light for the ski down in my opinion, but good on the walk up.

Ski slope surrounded by pine trees. slope is illuminated for night skiing

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.

But back at the daytime ski tests in Argentiere I surveyed the number of skis that I hadn’t tested as the day drew towards a close.

There were a few.

But I decided to have a play again with my new lady friends.

They didn’t disappoint on our second date and I’m looking forward to a more long-term relationship.

James, wearing helmet, goggles and dark grey jacket is grinning widely as he holds up a pair of blue wedze skis

Wedze skis from Decathlon. Image © PlanetSKI.