2023 ZAG Slap 98 Skis Review
By: Michael Ottinger, Seattle Store Supervisor | June 21, 2022
The Lowdown
Although they have only entered the US market recently, ZAG has been blowing up in the Chamonix region of France. With a mission to create high-end, sustainable skis, it is no wonder they’re becoming the talk of Europe. The Slap series is the brand's more playful, freeride layup; designed to be utilized for fast carving on groomers, quick turns through trees, and surfing through powder. The Slap 98 is the narrowest ski in the quiver and the newest to the Slap lineup. This ski has a ton of versatility with a focus on days with no new snow or more of a frontside freeride feel. Imagine looking at a mogul field and having a major grin on your face because you have the perfect ski to pop around the bumps. Or maybe the snow in the trees is starting to soften up, and you’re ready to explore it. If the groomers are more your jam, you can take some deep carves all the way down the hill and pop off the rollers. This is the essence of the all mountain skier and the Slap 98.
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Technical Details
The ZAG Slap 98 has some features that really bring the ski to life. The primary feature unique to the Slap series is the Heavy Duty Light layup. This layup adds torsional rigidity and fluid flexion by using multi-axial fiberglass within the ski and rubber inserts through the middle of the tip and tail. The inserts help absorb vibrations at speed, allowing ZAG to be able to use paulownia without inheriting the negative aspects of a lighter, less damping wood in the construction. The ski is designed with a “five point shape” in the tip and tail, which allows the ski to break loose easily if needed, and prevents the necessity of extending the rocker too much, which reduces unwanted chatter. The “five point shape” combined with a “multi radius shape” allows the ski to have a short turn radius to be quick and nimble edge to edge.
| Sizes (cm) | 173, 180, 187 |
| Dimensions (Tip, Waist, Tail - mm) | 130 - 98 - 116.5 |
| Turning Radius (m) | 20 |
| Weight per ski (g) | 1900 |
| Camber Profile | Rocker / Camber / Rocker |
Ride Impressions
The ZAG Slap 98 is a perfect ski for someone who likes to bob and weave down the mountain. The ski is super poppy, jibby, and playful while still providing a ton of stability and damping through the chop and slop. These shredder supremes are top of my list for someone who is looking for an all mountain ski and prefers to leave the ground as much as possible.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to try this ski in various terrain and conditions. Here are my thoughts as follows:
Moguls and Choppy bumps are typically areas of a mountain that people choose to avoid, but the Slaps will remove that mind set and bring you back to the days of neon outfits, mullets, and giant sunglasses. The poppiness combined with the lightness allows you to transition the ski from bump to bump like a dream and will have you hooting and hollering all the way down.
For the park riders who enjoy big airs and maneuverability, these skis will have you hitting rails and popping threes like the best of 'em. The softer tip and tail makes it really enjoyable to butter and jib on.
These skis are phenomenal through tight trees! They are quick edge to edge which allows you to adapt quickly at speed and dodge sketchy areas. You can pop off a stump, throw a daffy or a spread eagle, and then slarve around a turn.
When I'm ripping groomers on these skis, I like to slow it down. Not because I have to, but because I want to. This ski makes it so much fun to take the deepest cut you can and work your way side to side instead of just charging straight down the mountain. If you prefer to point straight and charge down, it can 100% handle that as well, but this ski reminded me how much fun it can be to turn!
Overall, the Slap 98 is the perfect frontside option for someone like me, and was the perfect ski to have during a season where there was less new snow and more time spent on firmer or slushy, spring ski conditions.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pros
- Nimble and agile - This ski makes it easier to maneuver and play in off piste terrain even on “groomer days”.
- Poppy - This ski will launch you if you pop off a feature or spring you into your next jump turn.
- Light and Stable - Most skis that are light kick you around on firmer snow, but these skis are the perfect balance and provide stellar dampness in a lighter layup.
- Slush King - This ski is amazing when the snow softens up a bit; the best ski I have tried for spring conditions.
Cons
- Hooky in Powder - This width of the Slap isn’t designed for the deepest days. It is still fine in those conditions, but the tail can lock up a bit on a really deep day.
- Vibrations - This ski can chatter a bit on extremely firm/icy days.
Who Are They For?
This ski is for everyone. If you are an expert skier, it is an awesome addition to the quiver. For newer skiers that want to explore off piste yet still be able to have a carvy, good time on groomers, this is an amazing option. The ideal person for this skis is someone who spends their time in the park or off the groomed runs. I look at the entire mountain as one giant terrain park and pop and jib my way down the mountain. If that is how you would describe yourself, then this is your ski!
The Bottom Line
If you're a “new school” skier and like to explore the entire mountain on days where most limit themselves to groomed terrain, this is a solid option. This ski is an optimal width for the PNW, narrow enough to whip around in choppier terrain, but wide enough to allow powder days to be fun. This ski is very user friendly and will help you keep up with your more expert buddies. If you’re teaching your kids and want to have fun while you slow it down, this ski will put a smile on your face!
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About the Reviewer
Name: Michael Ottinger
Age: 29
Height: 5'10”
Weight: 185 lbs
Size Reviewed: 180 cm
Location(s): Snoqualmie Pass, WA (Slushy Park Day), Schweitzer, ID (Tree Skiing Corn), Whitefish, MT (Powder Day)
Mount point: Factory Recommended
Bindings: Tyrolia Attack 14 GW
Boots: Nordica Promachine 120
Riding Style: My coworkers call me fast and loose, but I would say I am more of a brick house, charging my way down bumps and through the trees. I look at the entire mountain and try to find how I can hit the most natural features as I make my way down.