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DPS skis are maybe finest recognized for his or her distinctive carbon development, meant to ship a quiet, damp, nearly metal-like journey at a fraction of the load. They’re additionally recognized for being one of many few ski manufacturers that at the moment manufacture all the things they promote within the US. Whereas testing these skis, I bought to tour the DPS Manufacturing facility in downtown Salt Lake Metropolis and watch the parents who really put these skis collectively do their factor. The ability, which we’ve chronicled right here earlier than, is nothing in need of spectacular, representing probably the most superior ski manufacturing factories outdoors of Europe. It’s right here that two-time Olympic ski racing gold medalist Ted Ligety is working hand in hand with DPS’s design crew as their Head of Product Efficiency to create a brand new breed of high-performance carving skis known as Pisteworks.
The factor about Ligety-caliber ski racers is that regardless of how a lot we (mere mortals) need to, we’re by no means going to have the ability to ski as powerfully as them–nor do we’d like gear constructed to their elite-level requirements. That’s the place Pisteworks is available in.
In reality, this new line of skis from DPS is a reasonably large departure from what we’ve seen prior to now. DPS is finest recognized for the super-fat powder skis that first put them on the map, in any case, and these aren’t meant for powder snowboarding. As an alternative, the brand new Pisteworks sequence goals to convey elite-level on-piste efficiency to on a regular basis skiers. What’s a ski model rooted in pursuing deep powder turns doing manufacturing sub-100mm underfoot carving skis? I figured that I’d strive the brand new Pisteworks 94 to seek out out.
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DPS Pisteworks 94 Specs
Dimension skied: 184 cmLengths accessible: 165cm, 171cm, 178cm, 184cm, 189cmSidecut: 132mm – 94mm – 112mmRadius: 18m (184cm)Profile: directional camberWeight: 1750g (184cm)Value: $1995
Form, Flex and Building
For anybody who comes from a ski racing background (or has simply spent plenty of time snowboarding on the East Coast), a 94mm waist width in all probability doesn’t equate to a “carving” or a “frontside” ski. In reality, that falls squarely in the course of the all-mountain vary for many of us. Nevertheless, DPS is asking it a carving ski, so we’ll contemplate it as such.
Like a lot of the remainder of DPS’s lineup, the Pisteworks 94 incorporates a decidedly directional form, with the model’s signature rounded tip, conventional flat tail and fairly a little bit of taper on each tends. The ski has each a more-than-usual quantity of camber underfoot, and a considerable quantity of tip and tail rocker–a lot that I’d nearly qualify it as a twin tip. Flip radius is a medium-short 18-20m, relying on the ski size.
Griffin Kerwin
Inside, a purple oak/poplar wooden core is totally wrapped in DPS’s signature aerospace-grade carbon. There’s no steel laminate, an enormous departure from what most hard-snow skis depend on for stability. Immediately underfoot, DPS makes use of their carbon energy plate to create a super-stiff platform that drives energy straight into the perimeters out of your boot. Regardless of that energy plate, not like most piste/efficiency/frontside/carving/hardpack skis, the Pisteworks 94 flexes fairly delicate, particularly within the suggestions and tails. I’d really say it’s one of many softest skis in my check quiver this yr.
Lastly, the skis include a formidable manufacturing facility tune and base sample and a DPS Phantom Glide therapy baked into the bottom. This waxless therapy works to stop the bases drying out and retains them operating quick and easy for for much longer than conventional waxing.
For reference, I skied these mounted with Tyrolia Assault demo bindings and Atomic Treatment 130 boots.
Griffin Kerwin
On-Snow Efficiency
So how does a full-carbon ski with numbers extra akin to all-mountain skis fare as a high-speed groomer ripper? Briefly, the DPS Pisteworks 94 is de facto, actually enjoyable. It’s like a bit of sports activities automotive that doubles as your every day driver. Whereas highly effective, zippy, and agile, the Pisteworks 94 doesn’t kick your ass the best way a super-stiff race ski would and I’d say it’s, actually, an all-mountain ski in disguise. There’s loads of energy on faucet, nevertheless it’s very simply accessible and the ski doesn’t punish you for not driving it laborious.
Whereas rising up on the East Coast, I used to be by no means a ski racer. Certain, I spent plenty of time sliding round on icy groomers and frozen bumps, however bashing gates and laying my skis over to excessive edge angles was by no means a part of my upbringing. Nowadays, I’d put myself proper within the class of “I’m by no means going to ski like Ted Ligety,” and I’m completely alright with that. I’ve skied on a number of race and racing-adjacent skis in my day, and have all the time discovered them to be too demanding to be enjoyable for quite a lot of runs on perfectly-groomed slopes. Going actually quick and laying into carves is enjoyable, however not once you really feel wildly overpowered by what’s connected to your ft.
No offense to Ted, however I’m stunned that DPS leaned so closely into Ligety and ski racing efficiency whereas advertising and marketing the brand new Pisteworks 94, as a result of it really skis nothing like a race ski. Certain, it has very spectacular edge maintain on hardpack, nevertheless it’s delicate, simple to bend into numerous flip shapes, and about the identical weight as most touring skis I’m on nowadays.
I discovered it probably the most enjoyable at medium to excessive speeds on medium-angle terrain, ripping each brief and long-radius turns, the place I might push deep into the camber and use all that rebound vitality to pop out and in of turns. Powering into the entrance of my boot gave the feeling of stepping on the fuel pedal of a “sizzling hatch” (sure, I used to drive a GTI) the place the ski would simply hook up, rail right into a flip and let the super-damp carbon development preserve it completely glued to the bottom.
Off-piste, the ski doesn’t have fairly sufficient mass to punch by way of uneven snow and will get deflected fairly simply. I’d say it skis very like a lighter touring ski would in these circumstances: satisfactory, however not what you’re shopping for the factor for. Nevertheless, in easy chalk and windboard, they’re an absolute blast, inviting you to carve turns down the headwall of a steep bowl, launch the tails, slash a number of turns, and lock proper again right into a carve down beneath.
Comparisons
The DPS Pisteworks 94 is undoubtedly a really distinctive ski, with full carbon development, a staggering price ticket, and efficiency that can make plenty of resort skiers blissful. For comparability’s sake, I’ll put these side-by-side with the Faction Dancer 2, the Nordica Enforcer 99, and DPS’s personal Kaizen 100.
In comparison with each the Dancer 2 and the Enforcer 99, the Pisteworks 94 is far more approachable–that means it is going to be far simpler and extra enjoyable to ski for many skiers. It’s softer flexing, lighter, and the form feels much less “locked in,” nevertheless it nonetheless has related top-end efficiency on groomers. The place each the Dancer 2 and Enforcer 99 have the Pisteworks 94 beat is snowboarding off piste and in variable snow. Each are additionally probably higher choices for larger, heavier skiers searching for heavy, actually aggressive skis.
In comparison with the DPS Kaizen 100, which really shares a reasonably related form, the Pisteworks is clearly the extra on-piste-oriented ski within the household. Reality be informed, I haven’t been all too impressed with the Kaizen skis–they really feel a bit useless and boring to me. The Pisteworks is much extra energetic and enjoyable on groomers, the place the Kaizen prefers snowboarding off piste.
Griffin Kerwin
What kind of skier is the DPS Pisteworks 94 finest for?
I’ll should admit that the astronomic $2000 pricetag of those skis left me scratching my head a bit of bit. Why purchase a specialised instrument like this for that a lot, when you possibly can fairly buy a complete quiver for a similar quantity? I’ll go away that as much as you to resolve.
Value apart, these skis are definitively a premium product, and supply a journey not like the rest I’ve discovered on this class. The softer flex makes these actually intuitive to ski, particularly in case you don’t come from a racing background. Are you a hard-charging freeride skier who desires a agency snow instrument to carve on throughout excessive stress intervals? These are a wonderful selection.
Maybe you’re a former ski racer whose physique can’t deal with heavy steel skis, however you don’t need to surrender that exhilarating sensation of high-speed carving? Additionally an superior selection.
