The Rossignol Sushi slices through powder with the same precision and artistry as its namesake Japanese delicacy. This directional powder specialist has earned its reputation as one of the most enjoyable and effortless powder boards on the market. When fresh snow blankets the mountain, the Sushi transforms an ordinary powder day into an extraordinary backcountry experience that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Rossignol has been crafting high-quality snow equipment since 1907, and their expertise shines through in the Sushi's thoughtful design. Over the years, they've fine-tuned their powder-specific boards to maximize float without sacrificing maneuverability, and the Sushi represents the pinnacle of this evolution. It's part of Rossignol's acclaimed "XV" series, developed in collaboration with backcountry legend Xavier De Le Rue, ensuring the design meets the demands of even the most discerning powder enthusiasts.
Key Specifications and Ratings:
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Length Options: 145cm, 151cm, 156cm (7/10 for size range)
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Effective Edge: 1060mm (9/10 for powder performance)
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Waist Width: 145: 260mm / 151: 262mm / 156: 266mm (9/10 for float)
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Sidecut Radius: 7.6m (8/10 for maneuverability)
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Stance Setback: 50mm (10/10 for powder positioning)
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Shape: Directional with 50mm taper (10/10 for deep snow performance)
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Flex Rating: 7/10 (Medium-stiff)
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Core: Lightweight PopCore with bamboo (9/10 for responsiveness)
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Base: Sintered 7500 (8/10 for durability)
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Rider Level: Intermediate to Expert
1. Flex and Camber Profile
The Sushi features a medium-stiff flex (rated 7/10) that provides the perfect balance between responsiveness and forgiveness. This flex pattern is notably stiffer in the tail than in the nose, which helps drive the board through turns while allowing the nose to rise above powder effortlessly. The stiff tail provides powerful pop when needed and stability during high-speed powder runs.
Rossignol has equipped the Sushi with their Amptek Elite profile, which combines camber between the bindings with rocker in the nose and tail. This hybrid profile maximizes float in powder while maintaining edge hold on firmer snow. The pronounced rocker in the nose is particularly noteworthy, as it keeps the board's front end above the snow surface without requiring constant rear-foot pressure. Rossignol has improved this profile over the years, finding the perfect balance point that allows the board to float naturally without sacrificing control.
2. Torsional Response
Torsionally, the Sushi delivers impressive responsiveness for a powder-specific board. The board provides enough torsional flex to navigate tight tree sections with precision, yet remains rigid enough for stability at speed. When initiating quick direction changes between trees or navigating narrow chutes, the board responds immediately without feeling twitchy.
Rossignol achieves this balance through their innovative construction that combines poplar wood with bamboo stringers running along the length of the board. This construction method, which they've refined over several iterations of powder boards, delivers exceptional energy transfer from edge to edge without compromising the board's playful character in soft snow.
3. Float Capabilities
Let's not mince words here—float is where the Sushi truly excels. Its wide nose, tapered directional shape, and substantial setback stance create a powder-surfing experience that's simply unmatched. On those epic powder days when you'd normally be fighting to keep your nose up, the Sushi practically floats itself, letting you focus on finding the best lines instead of battling fatigue.
The 50mm taper (where the nose is significantly wider than the tail) creates natural float while reducing the back leg burn typically associated with riding powder. I found myself able to ride significantly longer sessions without exhaustion compared to traditional boards. The wide waist width also contributes to exceptional float, allowing you to ride a shorter length than you might typically choose without sacrificing stability or buoyancy.
4. Shape Innovation
The Sushi's distinctive shape immediately sets it apart in the lift line. Its unmistakable swallow tail and massive nose aren't just for show—they're functional design elements that contribute to the board's powder performance. The swallow tail reduces surface area in the rear, helping to sink the tail and lift the nose naturally in deep snow.
Rossignol's shape innovation extends to the 3D surfing nose, which features subtle spoon-like contours that help the board plane across the snow surface like a surfboard on water. This 3D shaping is most noticeable when transitioning from edge to edge in powder, where the board seems to slice through rather than plow into the snow.
While this shape excels in powder, it does create some limitations on groomed runs. But honestly, that's like criticizing a Ferrari for not being good at off-roading—it's simply not what it was designed for.
5. Speed Performance
Despite its powder-specific design, the Sushi handles speed surprisingly well. On open powder fields, the board remains stable at high speeds without the nose chatter that plagues many powder-specific designs. The sintered 7500 base provides excellent glide, particularly important in flat powder sections where momentum conservation is critical.
When charging through variable conditions at speed, the Sushi's wider platform and directional shape help absorb impacts without bucking you off your line. That said, it's not a dedicated freeride board for hardpack bombing, and at extremely high speeds on groomed runs, you'll notice some instability compared to longer, stiffer directional boards.
6. Turn Initiation and Carving
The Sushi's tight sidecut radius (7.6m) makes turn initiation incredibly intuitive. The board responds immediately to subtle weight shifts, allowing for quick direction changes that prove invaluable in tight trees. Once on edge, the camber section underfoot provides surprising grip for a powder-focused design.
Carving on groomed snow is unexpectedly enjoyable, with the board's width providing a stable platform and the short effective edge making for snappy, surfy turns. Think of it as carving with training wheels—the wide platform forgives minor mistakes while the responsive flex rewards proper technique. You won't be laying euro-carves like on a dedicated carving board, but you'll have a blast making quick, surfboard-style turns back to the lift.
7. On-Track Behavior
While designed primarily for powder, the Sushi handles groomed runs better than you might expect. The camber section between the bindings provides adequate edge hold for linking turns on moderate slopes. However, on very firm or icy conditions, the board's abbreviated effective edge becomes apparent, and maintaining edge grip requires more attention than with a traditional all-mountain design.
Moguls and tight spaces are surprisingly manageable thanks to the Sushi's shorter length and nimble character. I found myself confidently navigating bumpy terrain that would typically give pause on a longer board. The wide platform does catch occasionally on steeper mogul sections, but overall, the on-piste performance exceeds expectations for such a specialized powder board.
8. Different Terrain Performance
Powder
This is where the Sushi truly lives up to its name, slicing through powder with effortless precision. Deep, untracked snow becomes your playground, and the board's natural float lets you focus on finding creative lines rather than struggling to stay afloat. Rating: 10/10
Trees
The board's short length and quick turn initiation make it ideal for navigating tight tree sections. The natural float keeps the nose up even when you need to slow down in dense forests. Rating: 9/10
Groomers
Surprisingly competent given its specialized design. Handles packed snow adequately, though it prefers to be on edge rather than flat-basing. Rating: 7/10
Park
Let's be honest—this isn't a park board. While you can hit side hits and natural features with confidence, the directional shape and setback stance make switch riding awkward. Rating: 4/10
Ice/Hardpack
The abbreviated effective edge struggles with very firm conditions. Edge hold is adequate but requires attentive riding technique. Rating: 5/10
9. Overall Experience
Riding the Rossignol Sushi delivers the closest sensation to surfing on snow that I've experienced. On powder days, it transforms the mountain into an ocean of possibilities, allowing for creative line choices and surf-style carves that other boards simply can't match. The feeling of effortlessly floating through deep snow, making quick direction changes with minimal effort, and surfing down natural wave features is simply unmatched.
What impressed me most was how the board seemed to disappear beneath my feet in powder. There's no fighting, no constant weight shifting required—just intuitive, flowy riding that lets you focus on the experience rather than the equipment. After particularly deep days, I noticed significantly less fatigue compared to riding traditional boards, a testament to how efficiently the Sushi handles powder.
For riders who prioritize powder performance and primarily ride on days when fresh snow is available, the Sushi's specialized design offers advantages that far outweigh its limitations. Yes, it's not the most versatile board in your quiver, but it's not trying to be. It's a powder-day secret weapon that delivers specialized performance when conditions align.
Conclusion
The Rossignol Sushi stands as a masterpiece of specialized design, delivering an unmatched powder experience that transforms how you approach deep snow days. Its unique shape, thoughtful flex pattern, and surf-inspired design create a board that floats effortlessly while remaining nimble enough for technical terrain. While it won't replace your daily driver for all-mountain performance, it absolutely deserves a place in your quiver for those days when the snow report shows double digits.
If powder days are what you live for and you're tired of fighting with conventional boards in deep snow, the Sushi offers a revelation in how effortless powder riding can be. Rossignol has created not just a snowboard but a specialized tool that opens up new possibilities on the mountain. Take the plunge and grab a Sushi for your quiver—your powder days will never be the same again.