The Official Salomon AK Swallowtail Review

[Jim S]

I own both. I'd say that the AK's ski about the same or easier than my 180 White Wizards, even with the 195 length.

+ 1

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[altasnowbirdripper]

Does anyone know if Salomon is bringing back the AK Swallowtail, or I guess it's probably called the XWing AK Rocket, back in thier lineup for 2008??

[marshalolson]

i believe that this year was its last year.

it is being replaced next season with the AK XW, a 198cm, 107mm waisted twin.

[Phill]

So basically a ~ 191 cm?

[leroy jenkins]

i believe that this year was its last year.

That ski holds a special place in my heart. I progressed more using that as my one ski quiver than on any other pair (or quiver) of skis I've had since. RIP forgiving stable nimble floaty do evertyhing soft skis that look super burly.

[endlesswntr]

If anyone wants a pair of 05s, brand new, let me know. I've got a line on some for $399. I don't even know if that counts as a deal...ah whatever.

[marshalolson]

So basically a ~ 191 cm?

yeah prolly about that...

i tape'd them off closer to 199.5cm too. big skis. wood core. pretty sweet.

[altasnowbirdripper]

I second Leroy Jenkins on the AK Swallow. I'll never forget the first time I got them into 3 feet of day old untracked powder. Wow how damn cool it was to ski way FAST and actually carve through powder in a more forward position! When you actually feel the tails sink & the tips raise is just sooo freakin cool! I will miss this ski! Damn if only I could get my hands on a pair of the legendary Athlete issue 205's! That would be THE killer quiver ski to have! Too bad Salomon didn’t make a 08 205cm XWing AK Rocket Swallow to end it right and go out with a BANG! Oh well. On the flipside - I too am very eager to try the 08 198cm XWing Lab. Anyone know approximately how stiff it is and/or what ski the flex of it would compare to??

[Jim S]

If this is the twin you are referring to, I demo'd it and loved it this year at Mt Rose on wind blown hard pack and some light corn. I'm getting it for sure next year. It seemed a bit easier to turn than the AK Rocket but just as stable at speed and went through crud nicely.

[altasnowbirdripper]

Too bad Salomon never made the 205cm AK Swallowtail a little more available to a beater like me! I think the 205cm AK Swallowtail would be so damn freakin SICK! I was just out on my 195's and about the only thing I could think that would make the ski perfect is what the 205 AK Swallow was - both a little longer & wider. Anyone out there know someone who has a pair of the oh so scarce Team Issue Salomon AK Swallow 205 so I can bug the SHIT out of them until they finally cave in & sell them to me?!!?!?

[leroy jenkins]

Too bad Salomon never made the 205cm AK Swallowtail a little more available to a beater like me! I think the 205cm AK Swallowtail would be so damn freakin SICK! I was just out on my 195's and about the only thing I could think that would make the ski perfect is what the 205 AK Swallow was - both a little longer & wider. Anyone out there know someone who has a pair of the oh so scarce Team Issue Salomon AK Swallow 205 so I can bug the SHIT out of them until they finally cave in & sell them to me?!!?!?

Yea, the superfat 205cm ak rocket would be a lot of people's dream ski, but I doubt either you or I will even even lay eyes on a pair. From what I've heard, theres less than 10 pairs in the world. I think they're stiffer than the 195s too.

The normal 205s, with the same dims and flex as the 195s would be fun too though. I've seen a couple pairs for sale in the last few years.

[altasnowbirdripper]

Damn 91 days this year, awesome!

Were the pairs of 205 Ak Swallows that you saw for sale listed here on TGR?

[ulty_guy]

Well, trigger has been pulled on an ebay pair with binders for just 200 bucks, just couldn't resist. These are the purple-ish ones with the red S on the front, are these wood or foam?

[Kroenen]

Well, trigger has been pulled on an ebay pair with binders for just 200 bucks, just couldn't resist. These are the purple-ish ones with the red S on the front, are these wood or foam?

Wood. You'll love them.

[SkiBumOfVT]

Would there be a minimum weight limit on these skis, would anyone reccomend them in the east?

[altasnowbirdripper]

Not sure what you mean for a minimum weight limit - I guess the skiers size or weight. I know a few guys who weigh in the 150 range and have no problem skiing these skis. They are very light to begin with. The actual effective metal edge length that touches the snow is 185cm. They really do feel incredibly nimble & snappy on groomers. For me the biggest surprise with this ski was how great they skied on the groomers. You can make any turn shape, even fairly tight slalom turns when pushed. I think they would be a perfect addition to an East Coast skier quiver. I would mount them on the more forward mounting point (dot mark in middle of the ski). The newer rearward line mount point is better suited for mostly skiing off piste. Also, I wouldn’t make it my only ski, you could definitely do it out here(I did for all of 05/06 season) but for East Coast skiers, you'd probably need to have another pair of skis that were more suited to on piste skiing & handling East Coast boiler. In all honesty they really don’t feel long like a true 195. I wish I could make mine the same dimensions of the super rare team issue 205'er - 195 effective edge length & a 101mm waist! I’d kill for a pair of those! For me the extra length & width would be perfect for resort/back country skiing out here in the west. Can’t say enough good about them! GO BUY A PAIR! You won’t be disappointed!

[altasnowbirdripper]

Would there be a minimum weight limit on these skis, would anyone reccomend them in the east?

I know of a pir of last years black-gray Salomon AK Swallows in ecellent shape for $200.00 if your interested.