Gear reviews | Line Pandora 95

First impression

The colorful design of the Pandora is nice and doesn't use the typical color clichés that other "women's skis" often do. The camber with tip and light tail rocker is freeride-oriented. The radius of 13.8 m (at 162 cm length) in combination with the center width of 95 mm, which is not too fat for a freeride ski, already suggests that the Pandora can also be carved well on the piste. On paper, the shape of the Pandora presents itself as a good entry-level option into the freeride segment or as an interesting piste ski for those who usually ski with center widths of over 110 mm and no longer want to go back to the "spaghetti"race carvers. If you come from piste skiing, you should perhaps critically question the recommended mounting point of Stance -62mm (-75mm or similar may make the changeover easier here).

When describing the technical details of the ski, Line doesn't skimp on marketing terms: Capwall™, Early Rise™, Early Taper™, Thin Tip™, Maplelite Macroblock™, Fivecut™, Directional Flex™, Longer Active Edge™, Sintered Base™. So that you don't have to attend a sales training course at Line to understand how the ski is constructed, we'll try to give you a brief summary here. The ski is based on a wooden core construction with stable maple under the binding and light poplar wood at the tip of the ski. The poplar wood is made thinner to save weight, has a rocker and is softer in flex to float easily in powder.

Line points out that the Pandora 95 is the "women's version" of the Sick Day 95, but without going into more detail about what the differences are. Statements such as "It not only looks great, but also convinces with uncompromising women-specific performance and control" are of little help and leave even more perplexed question marks. The weight comparison of the two 172 cm versions (both listed at 1712 g) suggests that the Pandora is simply a shorter version of the Sick Day. In the Pandora range, Line also offers a version with a center width of 110 mm.

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Test

The Line Pandora 95 was tested in length 172 cm with a Marker Squire (rental) and a Marker Tour F10 by a 57 kg and 171 cm tall woman. The ski was used on about 15 days in the 16/17 season on the piste, off-piste and on tour. In the backcountry, the conditions varied from deep powder to slushy spring snow.

Downhill

The low weight of the Pandora 95 is already noticeable on the way to the mountain. Once on the mountain, the ski proves to be easy to turn (small radius) and very pleasant and easy to handle on the piste. Only on the first runs of the day, perhaps on perfectly groomed and possibly still frozen slopes, does the Pandora tend to flutter a little on fast descents. Soon, however, when the piste is no longer quite perfect, the ski begins to show its strengths and the advantages over many piste skis become apparent. The rocker and the wider design allow the Pandora to glide more easily over uneven terrain, such as mounds of snow that have been pushed together, and it also skis very well in wet spring snow. Freeriders usually take advantage of these characteristics, so it's no surprise that the Pandora is also a good choice off-piste. However, the center width of 95 mm, which is helpful in heavily packed snow, firn or steep descents, quickly becomes limiting in deep powder. This is particularly noticeable when attempting long, speedy powder runs: you'll soon have to use the good old deep-snow wiping technique. The edge grip is good and is supported by the stiffer tail with small rocker. The base, sidewall and edge have only worn down slightly due to some stone contact. Only the topsheet wears very quickly (especially on the shovel) and is frayed after just a few descents.

Ascent

Compared to 180+ cm long and 110+ mm wide skis, the Pandora with its 172 cm length and 95 mm center width is of course one thing above all: lighter. This is noticeable on the ascent and, above all, makes it easier to get into touring: the skis often fit into the tracks of pure touring skiers thanks to the smaller center width, the length makes hairpin turns easier and the edges provide good edge hold on icy traverses. Only in deep powder does the ski lack the necessary surface area underfoot to sink in shallowly and effortlessly. The combination with the well-engineered and easy-to-use Marker Tour F10 has proven its worth. The frame binding also allows the use of alpine boots and so the first attempts at touring can be started without having to buy new touring boots.

Line Pandora 95 in the descent

Lukas Zögernitz

Tyrol

Betty Larl

Conclusion

The Line Pandora 95 is a good freeride ski with a medium width of 95 mm, making it an ideal introduction to freeriding for piste skiers. Even on the piste, you'll probably be more light-footed for a large part of the time than with the race carvers light that are so common in the Eastern Alps. So if you're not just skiing off-piste and want to make the most of the season with one ski, the Pandora is a very good choice for "All Terrain. All the Time" to ski with it. As a thoroughbred freeride ski, it is a little too narrow and for many women with a maximum length of 172 cm probably also too short.

Advantages/Disadvantages
+ Downhill performance
+ Weight
- Durability Top Sheet
- Available lengths

Details
Radius: 16.5 m (at 172 cm)
Sidecut: 130 mm / 95 mm / 115 mm
Camber: Early Taper, Early Rise
Construction: Woodcore
Weight: 1712 g (172 cm, per ski manufacturer's specification)
Available lengths: 152 cm, 162 cm, 172 cm
Price: € 479.95 (RRP)

Here is the Line website with more information.

This product was provided to PowderGuide.com by the manufacturer free of charge in used condition