I just had the opportunity to demo this year’s Salomon Shogun in 173 length (I am 5’5” and 165lbs) which measures 99MM underfoot.
Went to Loveland where there is sufficient variable terrain to give these guys a good workout in everything except deep fresh powder (being April 10th) I had demoed the Rossi S3 in 177 2 weeks prior, as I am looking for a replacement for my Atomic M:EX, and loved how easy there were to ski and did everything well, but I desired a little more stability in the nasty and deep. Shogun was all that and more. I never felt more comfortable in the untracked windblown breakable crust they have near chair 8 and coming down the ridge. The sun baked crappy snow that I used to avoid was now my friend and the ski just seemed to be hungry to eat it up while giving me a solid unflappable ride. This made the difference for me between the Shogun and the S3. Just as lively (maybe even a little more poppy making aggressive carves in the semi-soft somewhat groom) and yet more stable feeling and smooth ride through the windblown and the spring mush. In the trees and down the bumps under chair 1 these were still amazingly quick, able to turn on a dime and even though they afforded more stability when the tips and tails were engaged, they were just as playful and quick in tight trees and a good performer in the steep bumps (the bumps were a little soft which also helped)
The 173 Shogun (like the 177 S3) did not feel any longer than my 165 Atomic M:EX in the tight trees and bumps and yet felt a bit smoother in the open fields of variable snow. Again I am sold on the rocker concept with some camber under foot for loading up the ski and popping out of turns. I am amazed at how a 99mm width can feel as quick and playful as my M:EX with 84mm under foot. This is definitely a good design turn that should be here to stay.

Me: 5’5” at 165lbs and 54yrs. Ski Atomic M:EX 165cm (84mm underfoot)
I had opportunity to demo the S3 in 177 length at Copper Mt in CO after a small storm leaving a few inches everywhere and up to 2 feet blown into patrol chute top of Spaulding.
From the 1st 5 turns I knew I would really enjoy these skis. Very quick edge to edge and smooth going from hardpack to soft to chop in and out of sideline trees on warm up run.
Took these everywhere I could think of to get an overall feel for the versatility of the S3.
Into 17 glades and ran the trees all the way down to the trail back to the lift.
These were amazingly quick but also very comfortable moving very quick through both open and tight tree lines, mostly untracked with a bit of crust under about 6” fresh. Passed the tree test easily.
Into the larger moguls on Hallelujah bowl which empties into a natural terrain park with many kickers/rocks to get air and bounce off of. Easily pivots through tight bumps, pushing the tips into and out of each trough and skimming the soft tops. Again, felt similar to my 165 length Atomics wrt swing weight and quickness. The jumps in the bottom area were confidence building. Pass the natural park/soft bump test.
Up to the top of Spaulding ridge and into Patrol chute. Snow was blowing into the chute so hard could hardly see the landing but looked very soft so jumped in and what a great feeling. Soft and easy, the skis tracked well and went into each turn so easily, especially in the deep and soft. I noticed that even though these are 98mm under foot, I could have easily had a little more girth in these conditions yet still felt comfortable. Pass the chute test with soft deep snow.
Into the Resolution bowl known for top to bottom bumps and tight trees on the side (south facing crust to boot) The top is labeled double diamond then turns to single black with bumps everywhere and trees to duck into if desired. Dust on crust for sure but the S3 really held a good edge and followed every lead I gave it all the way down. Again the length (for a short guy like me) was never an issue. Pass the icy steep bump test.
Back to the bottom via long relatively steep groomed runs. I put these guys on edge and made medium radius sweeping carves across the run. I could not believe how well these tracked and had a bit of pop in each turn. Felt really good. Pass the groom/hardpack grip/fun test.
I thought that the rocker design should be the best of both worlds, allowing for a longer ski for float/stability but maintaining in the bumps and trees a shorter ski feel and quickness. I was not disappointed.
The only thing I wanted extra from these skis was a little more width underfoot for extra float and stability in the deep and cut up but these really did perform in all conditions I encountered very well. I wonder what their big brothers feel like (S7)? Any input out there on the S7 at 168 or 176?