The all-mountain institution continues. So does Rossignol's attention to excellence. This season's Bandit B83 retains the same shape and performance as last year's Bandit B3, but Rossignol added a new TPI2 Free Binding System beneath the included Axial2 120 Ti Bindings for improved control and exceptional energy transmission. The B83 is designed for a 70/30 blend of untracked/groomed terrain, but most ski magazine writers and experienced skiers find that it's one of the best wide platforms for taking on tricky transitions from powder to crud and groomed runs with minimal hassles. In the past the Bandit B3 did catch flak for being heavier than most backcountry designs, but this ski remains the prime pick among the physically fit, old-school-style skiers. The silver lining is that much of this added weight was created to dampen vibrations and enhance control. The Bandit B83 features rugged, 20-degree sidewalls with overlapping material, including a layer of dampening Visco material (the