**Review courtesy of our sister publication SKI Magazine.** With characteristic braggadocio, Salomon promises a ski that' s equally good on or off trail. And very nearly delivers. In truth, the XT 800 is primarily built for success on groomers and hardpack-where its wood-plus-metal, vertical-sidewall construction holds its own against less versatile skis-but an effective rocker profile gives it some float and shock-absorption in crud and bumps. It was No. 2 in both Quickness and Forgiveness-which might be the very definition of "playful." "One of the more versatile in the category; fun to ski all over," said Mearce.