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The Rossignol XP 105 Positrack is an unapologetic wilderness ski built for breaking trail through deep, unconsolidated powder and managing steep, off-piste terrain. With an oversized 105mm shovel and an aggressive sidecut tapering to an 80mm waist, it acts more like a lightweight alpine touring plank than a classic Nordic ski. It is aimed at winter explorers who want to travel across untracked forests, river valleys, and mountain passes where flotation and descent control matter most. Rossignol builds the XP 105 with an LDC wood core that keeps weight reasonable despite its broad surface area. The waxless Positrack fishscale base provides dependable grip when traversing rolling hills, while full steel edges bite hard into wind-scoured ridges and icy sidehills. Independent reviewers emphasize that this ski offers legitimate downhill capability, allowing skiers using telemark or heavy-duty backcountry boots to link turns through soft trees on the descent. Naturally, the ski's sheer width and weight are significant liabilities on flat or packed surfaces. At roughly five pounds per pair, kick-and-glide mechanics feel slow and laboured compared to touring skis, and the ski will never fit inside a groomed track. The Positrack base can also drag on dry downhill hardpack. But when the snow is deep and the trail does not exist, the XP 105 provides unmatched security. **Highlights** * Wide 105mm shovel delivers superior flotation in deep powder snow * Full-wrap steel edges ensure positive grip on icy traverses and steep descents * Positrack waxless base provides immediate climbing traction in variable snow * Deep sidecut enables functional turn initiation on downhill backcountry slopes * Durable LDC wood core balances trail-breaking strength with manageable weight **Watch-outs** * Too wide and heavy for flat, packed trails or groomed resort tracks * Demands supportive backcountry boots and heavy-duty bindings * Fishscale base produces friction and drag on firm downhill snow
Pros
- Generous 105 mm shovel provides exceptional floatation in deep, untracked powder
- Continuous steel edges deliver reliable purchase on firm sidehills and steep descents
- Waxless Positrack pattern offers maintenance-free climbing traction on rolling terrain
- Aggressive sidecut enables functional turn initiation on low-angle backcountry slopes
Cons
- Broad dimensions and heavy weight significantly hinder flat-terrain glide efficiency
- Too wide to fit inside standard machine-groomed cross-country ski tracks
- Requires heavy, specialized backcountry boots and bindings for proper control
Best uses
- Breaking untracked powder trails
- Rolling wilderness exploration
- Off-piste backcountry touring
- Low-angle forest descents
Specifications
- Category
- Backcountry Nordic touring
- Tip Width
- 105 mm
- Waist Width
- 80 mm
- Base Type
- Waxless Positrack scale
- Edge Style
- Full-wrap steel edges
- Weight per Pair
- Approx. 4.5 to 5.1 lbs
- Available Lengths
- 160, 170, 180, 190 cm
Pricing
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Best for
Breaking untracked powder trails, Rolling wilderness exploration, Off-piste backcountry touring, Low-angle forest descents
Where to buy the XP 105 Positrack Skis
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The Rossignol XP 105 Positrack sits at the burliest extreme of the cross-country ski spectrum, blurring the boundary between traditional Nordic touring and backcountry ski mountaineering. Engineered specifically for breaking trail in deep, unconsolidated powder, the XP 105 relies on an oversized 105-millimeter tip and an 80-millimeter waist to keep skiers riding high above submerged brush and soft snowpacks. Beneath its broad geometry, Rossignol equips the ski with a low-density wood core, continuous steel edges, and an integrated waxless Positrack pattern. This combination prioritizes reliable climbing grip on rolling hill climbs and solid purchase along wind-scoured ridgelines. The pronounced sidecut also affords downhill steerability that standard narrow touring planks cannot match, letting confident skiers carve or stem turns through open glades. That descending prowess and powder floatation come with unavoidable liabilities on flat terrain. At roughly five pounds per pair, the ski possesses heavy swing weight and substantial base friction, rendering classic kick-and-glide mechanics slow and tiring. It cannot fit into groomed tracks and demands supportive backcountry boots to drive. For wilderness travelers forging their own paths across untracked winter terrain, however, the XP 105 provides dependable security.
Target Audience and Intent
The XP 105 Positrack is engineered for wilderness travelers who spend nearly all their time outside developed trail systems. It is not designed for fitness laps on packed snow or casual touring at Nordic centers. Instead, it serves hunters, foresters, and backcountry explorers who routinely break trail through knee-deep powder across variable wilderness topography. Skiers who value floatation and descent control over flat-track speed will appreciate the ski's broad profile. Because of its wide dimensions, the ski demands an assertive pilot who is comfortable maneuvering heavier equipment. It appeals directly to those transitioning between Nordic touring and light telemark skiing, offering enough surface area to stay on top of the snowpack while retaining the simplicity of a waxless pattern for rolling terrain.
Materials and Core Construction
Rossignol constructs the ski around a Light Density (LDC) wood core built from lightweight paulownia or poplar channels designed to mitigate the weight penalty of such wide dimensions. Air channels integrated within the core maintain longitudinal stiffness while keeping the overall package near five pounds per pair. Full-length steel edges wrap the perimeter of the ski, protecting the internal cap construction from rock strikes and ice abrasion while providing the bite necessary to traverse firm sidehills. The running surface features Rossignol's proprietary Positrack base, an embossed negative-cut scale pattern that delivers immediate mechanical traction. The build feels solid in hand, balancing the flex needed to absorb surface irregularities with adequate torsional rigidity to hold an edge across packed slopes.
Deep Snow and Downhill Performance
In soft, untracked snow, the 105-millimeter shovel keeps the tip from diving, allowing skiers to maintain forward momentum without constantly fighting tip entrapment. The deep sidecut, tapering to an 80-millimeter waist, allows the ski to initiate turns far more naturally than straight-sided Nordic gear. On moderate backcountry descents, skiers can execute controlled telemark turns or parallel skids through powder and soft chop. The continuous steel edges provide dependable braking power and stability when negotiating wind-crusted slopes or icy logging roads. While it does not offer the high-speed edge dampening of a dedicated alpine touring setup, it provides substantially more downhill control and security than conventional touring planks on steep forest lines.
Efficiency and Flat-Track Trade-Offs
The primary compromise of the XP 105 is its sluggish behavior on level ground and packed surfaces. The wide waist and mechanical Positrack scales generate noticeable drag, shortening the glide phase of a traditional kick-and-glide stride. Carrying roughly five pounds on the feet over dozens of miles on flat frozen lakes or packed snowmobile trails induces noticeable fatigue compared to lightweight 60-millimeter touring skis. Additionally, the ski is physically too wide to drop into standard machine-cut Nordic tracks, strictly confining it to the backcountry. The waxless base can also feel grabby or buzz loudly when running straight down firm, hardpacked snow, signaling that the ski is operating outside its intended powder habitat.
Durability and Field Maintenance
The XP 105 exhibits robust durability, driven by its cap-wrapped construction and steel perimeter edges that resist gouges from submerged deadfall, hidden rocks, and crusty refrozen snow. The Positrack pattern eliminates the chore of daily kick-wax selection, performing dependably across fluctuating temperature bands around the freezing mark. Field upkeep primarily requires periodic application of liquid glide wax to prevent wet snow from balling up inside the fishscales. Skiers traversing abrasive or rocky backcountry terrain will need to check the steel edges periodically for burrs and use a handheld diamond file to restore sharpness. The topsheet resists chipping well, though off-piste branch strikes will inevitably leave cosmetic scratches over extended wilderness seasons.
Sizing and System Compatibility
Sizing for the XP 105 depends primarily on skier weight rather than height, because adequate body weight is essential to compress the waxless camber pocket and engage the climbing scales. The 160-centimeter length targets skiers between 100 and 120 pounds, while the 190-centimeter length is built for users weighing 180 pounds or more, including loaded expedition packs. Hardware pairing requires careful thought. Standard light-touring NNN bindings lack the torsional leverage to steer an 80-millimeter waist; the ski instead requires robust systems such as Rottefella NNN-BC, modern Rottefella Xplore, or heavy-duty 75-millimeter three-pin bindings. Boots must feature stiff plastic heel counters and substantial lateral support to effectively control the ski on slopes.
Market Context and Alternatives
Within the category of wide, metal-edged off-track skis, the XP 105 competes directly with models like the Fischer S-Bound 98 and S-Bound 112, as well as the Madshus Panorama series. Fischer's offerings feature an Easy Skin attachment system, which gives them an edge on steep, sustained ascents where mechanical scales lose grip, whereas the XP 105 relies entirely on its Positrack pattern unless aftermarket skins are fitted. Madshus skis often deliver a slightly livelier camber flex for flat cruising, but the Rossignol offers a very accessible, forgiving flex pattern that facilitates smooth turn initiation in variable powder. For skiers focused primarily on deep-snow trail breaking and rolling descents, the XP 105 remains a competitively priced, rugged workhorse.
How we picked
We started with a long list of cross country skis that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Edge hold and stability
- Grip on firm snow and composure at speed for the intended skier level.
- Versatility across conditions
- How the ski or board handles groomers, crud and fresh snow in one day.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
XP 105 Positrack Skis — frequently asked questions
- Is the XP 105 Positrack Skis worth it?
- We rank it #10 in Cross Country Skis. The Rossignol XP 105 Positrack is an unapologetic wilderness ski built for breaking trail through deep, unconsolidated powder and managing steep, off-piste terrain. With an oversized 105mm shovel and an aggressive sidecut tapering to an 80mm waist, it acts more like a lightweight alpine touring plank than a classic…
- What is the XP 105 Positrack Skis best for?
- Best for breaking untracked powder trails, rolling wilderness exploration, off-piste backcountry touring and low-angle forest descents. Standouts: generous 105 mm shovel provides exceptional floatation in deep, untracked powder and continuous steel edges deliver reliable purchase on firm sidehills and steep descents.
- What are the downsides of the XP 105 Positrack Skis?
- Broad dimensions and heavy weight significantly hinder flat-terrain glide efficiency, Too wide to fit inside standard machine-groomed cross-country ski tracks and Requires heavy, specialized backcountry boots and bindings for proper control.
- What are the key specs of the XP 105 Positrack Skis?
- Category: Backcountry Nordic touring · Tip Width: 105 mm · Waist Width: 80 mm · Base Type: Waxless Positrack scale · Edge Style: Full-wrap steel edges
- Target Audience and Intent — what should I know about the XP 105 Positrack Skis?
- The XP 105 Positrack is engineered for wilderness travelers who spend nearly all their time outside developed trail systems. It is not designed for fitness laps on packed snow or casual touring at Nordic centers.
- Materials and Core Construction — what should I know about the XP 105 Positrack Skis?
- Rossignol constructs the ski around a Light Density (LDC) wood core built from lightweight paulownia or poplar channels designed to mitigate the weight penalty of such wide dimensions. Air channels integrated within the core maintain longitudinal stiffness while keeping the overall package near five pounds per pair.
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