August 29, 2003 – Salomon has always been at the  forefront of the Nordic ski market – a feat which we undoubtedly owe to our determination to break new ground with innovative designs whilst collaborating with the finest athletes. As a result, this season at Salomon will be marked by the introduction of our first Nordic ski and ski package. This new line of cross-country ski incorporates the very latest technology embodied by our new concept: Snowscape. Featuring S-cut, which increases  maneuverability and stability, geometry is now on the horizon. A women's  range (Vitane) is also in the cards having been tailored specifically to their needs. Waxable skis have not been forgotten this season either with the integration of colour-coded categories indicating ski rigidity. Clearly, the list of benefits offered by this season's catalogue knows no bounds: Nordic  skiing as a sport will be more accessible and fun; consumers will feel more  in control on their skis while retailers can rest assured that Salomon's easy-to-follow; colour-coded packaging will make their lives a lot  simpler!

Salomon on top as ever!

Commitment, innovation, dedication – we know what it takes to be the best in the world. After all, we've been working with the best for over 25 years now. From Bjorn Dahlie to Per Elofsson, from Stephania Belmondo to Kristina Smigun, Salomon athletes  have constantly inspired our designers and builders to push their limits in their quest to stay ahead of the pack. Today, Salomon leads the global Nordic market with Nordic market share(featuring the groundbreaking SNS system). We also lead the world in racing. Salomon athletes grabbed the spotlight at the 2003 World Championships in Italy (as they did at the Olympic Games in 2002)  by pushing performance limits to a whole new level.

The next big challenge: the Nordic ski

Now we are ready for our next big challenge. In order to consolidate our position as leader in the sport and to become even  better global players, we've finally decided to add the missing link to our Nordic product line. By fall 2006, we plan on having a complete new range of  Salomon skis on the market! Our goal: to develop exciting and innovative gear  that will appeal to a broad range of consumers and make the sport more fun  and accessible for everyone.

Touring: the roots of cross-country  skiing

Well-being, adventure, fresh air, fitness, communing with nature,  getting away from it all S Ski touring lies at the very heart of the  Nordic experience. And it attracts the greatest number of participants. That's why we decided to concentrate our efforts on that market for our 2004 ski launch. Our objective: to develop a touring ski that delivered a richer, more exciting Nordic experience for our customers by providing easier – and faster – access to the sport.

Salomon's first Nordic ski  package

Performance is always a high priority with us. That's why, from  the very beginning of the ski-design process, we worked so hard on  integrating the performance characteristics of all three elements – boots,  bindings and skis – into a cohesive whole. And the results, to date, have  been well worth the work. Salomon is proud to offer fully integrated  ski-packages that are designed to function together on all levels – from  performance to graphic look. And while we will be offering a range of classic  skis (both Waxable and waxless) in 2004 that bridge the “touring” and  “sport” categories, our most innovative line this season, is without a doubt,  the “Snowscape” touring line.

Salomon at the cutting edge: Snowscape

The design guidelines for the new ski were clearly stated:  stability, control, comfort, and above all, adaptability – anything less in  the final product was unacceptable.

S-Cut: a new ski  geometry

The Snowscape mission? To deliver more fun – and more skiing  performance – by producing a shorter and wider ski (thus more manoeuvrable  and stable) that also features a more pronounced sidecut for better downhill  control. In developing the S-Cut, we have introduced new ski geometry. This  consists of a parabolic side cut which has been moved backwards. The  narrowest zone is in behind the foot allowing skis to be controlled with the  edge. The widest zone is in front of the foot offering higher control and  stability in all glide phases.

Vitane: a line dedicated to  women

More importantly, the Snowscape line also boasts models that  are specifically designed, in terms of size, rigidity and design, for  women: the Vitane line. This female specific concept features a Vitane  optimised camber while the lower camber has a softer flex. User benefits are  grip and speed control demonstrating Salomon's dedication to women who want  to enjoy Nordic skiing safely.

Easy to use, while still performing  well over a variety of terrain, the 2004 Snowscape line will appeal just as  much to nature lovers looking for a soulful outdoor escape as to sports and  fitness enthusiasts looking for a fun way to train outdoors in  winter.

And last but not least S-Waxable skis

And don't assume the Waxable skis are languishing in design limbo. They're not.  In order to  let you choose a ski that is perfectly adapted to your size and technique, we've produced two easy-to-identify rigidity types for each size and  model.

Benefits for everyone

As ever Salomon listens closely to customers' needs and, as a  result, proudly introduces these new concepts. “My ski fits me” means that we aim to offer our customers the perfect ski in terms of their build  and technique. In the waxless ski range, there are models adapted  specifically for men and women. Additionally, in the same size of ski, there  is a choice between a rigid ski and a flexible ski. Additionally, the camber  and the length can be adapted to ensure a better grip and increase  manoeuvrability. As far as Waxable skis are concerned you can select the  right camber on each length for the best kick and glide performance.

Making our retailers lives easier!

Here we have  concentrated on making the retailer's choice a simpler process with the  introduction of colour-coding to show the rigidity of skis. For example red  denotes ski active 8 classic (hard) while yellow is reserved for active 8 classic (soft). But that's not all. In order to accurately meet the  individual requirements of our consumers, we've made sure that the important  selection criteria for all our equipment are properly highlighted. For example, the information panel for each of our products which displays the  key technical characteristics is now bigger (size, rigidity, male- or  female-specific, etc.).

Our Nordic ski offer for 2004 can be summed up thus: quality, clarity of choice, innovation and perfectly coordinated designs. At Salomon, we're totally committed to helping our retailers meet – and even exceed – the expectations of our customers. And that's a promise you  can take to the bank!