 Poster: A snowHead
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Well, the tax man apparently owes me some money back and, on the strength of my online tax return, I've sprung for a pair of DPS Cassiar 80s in a lovely Ferrari red colour bought from the very helpful Asa at Chalet Pelerins.
This is an interim report, based on the first three days skiing on them over the weekend just gone.
The skis were skied in heavy powder; really horrible, grabby marbly/soapy snow (I think the French call is "Savon"); heavy powder that had turned into wet crud and heavy slush with occasional patches of ice. The first day was spent free-skiing a mix of conditions including and the other two were instructor training - one day largely off-piste and one day doing more short turns than you can possibly imagine.
Just to provide a frame of reference, I'm currently skiing alpine on Rossignol S3s (which I've been loving); Rossignol S86s, which are a dual telemark / Dynafit setup and Rossignol 9X Oversizes. The Cassiars are a replacement for the latter, to be skied alpine.
It must be said that these aren't the best conditions to get to know a new pair of skis - particularly the horrible, grabby snow - and I don't yet feel like I've settled into the skis. What would have been nice would have been to have a nice, grippy January piste to throw myself down increasingly quickly to get used to how the skis turn and grip. The conditions meant that every run was different, so I'd characterise where I'm up to as "growing affection" rather than "love at first ski".
The first thing to say is that the skis are completely unlike anything else that I've skied on. They even sound different, which is a bit disconcerting.
Things I like...
The skis are torsionally stiff and appear to have ferocious edge hold. (Despite other reviews on the internet) They are
They pivot really easily, have a soft(ish) tip and tail and are going to be a hoot in bumps.
They are really easy to ski in short turns and generate a nice amount of rebound when pushed - without being so demanding that you end up on your back bottom if you don't pay attention.
They are fast edge to edge.
Things that are going to take some getting used to...
They are light. Ridiculously light. I must admit that I hadn't considered the consequences of this.
One consequence is that they're easy to over-pivot because the swing weight is so low.
The other thing is that, unless you drive them, the skis are relatively easily deflected in crud. So you'd better be actively driving them, or paying attention.
The lightness also has an aspect to it that is quite difficult to explain in that they "feel light" on your feet and you feel like you "cut" through the crud, rather than charge through it (as long as you're driving the skis, rather than just standing on them). It feels a bit like being on rollerblades, as opposed to skis. This is a nice sensation, but I'm not yet used to it and it does have a sense of greater vulnerability - a bit like the difference between being in a car and on a motorbike.
As a consequence, I've not yet had the confidence (or conditions) to push them into proper performance long turns. We did some, but only at the end of day three when, frankly, my concentration wasn't really up to the job because of all the technical work we'd done that day.
The last thing I'd say is that they skis felt a little "grabby", although the snow was really weird in places so it's hard to tell how much of that impression is the snow, how much is me not being used to the lightness of the skis and how much is the skis.
That's it for now. More views in a coupe of weeks when I've skied them again in, hopefully, easier conditions.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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a lot of people seem to find DPS grabby when they first use them. some do some detuning; i just got used to it myself. i think it is partly due to their exceptional torsional stiffness
my experience is that DPS like speed so hopefully you'll find the same when you get the chance 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Arno, as you say, it might just be a case of getting used to them.
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FlyingStantoni, interesting...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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FlyingStantoni, out of interest, why did you go so skinny with DPSs??? slightly tongue in cheek question!
I also found it took some getting used to my first time out on carbon wide rockered skis, it wasn't until my 2nd trip that I started to feel comfortable on them
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kitenski, because I was more in need of some piste-oriented skis than off-piste ones!
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I wonder if anyone has really disliked DPS skis... do not need, do not need, do not need
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Still holding out for Arno's inevitable decision to move his on to buy a new pair to match his kecks.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Alans deep bath wrote: |
| I wonder if anyone has really disliked DPS skis... do not need, do not need, do not need |
I assume anyone who likes really stiff and damp, with metal layers, crud buster type big mountain planks.
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clarky999 +1.
Alans deep bath, I could imagine quite a few people liking the idea of them, but not the reality of them. I was reflecting this evening that they're quite binary. Drive them and they respond progressively and return energy to you. Stand on them (like many lazy skiers do) and it's not so much that they'll punish you, than they just don't do anything. The Rossi S3s and S86s are much more forgiving in that respect.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| Alans deep bath wrote: |
| I wonder if anyone has really disliked DPS skis... do not need, do not need, do not need |
I assume anyone who likes really stiff and damp, with metal layers, crud buster type big mountain planks. |
Ahem.
Kneissl Tankers, DPS 112s. Love them both - perhaps not skiing them right:-)
Although I have the Hybrid DPS, which are said to be less lively.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| horizon wrote: |
| ... perhaps not skiing them right:-) |
Or maybe just skilful 
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clarky999, I just haven't stumbled on any bad reviews, but I've not really been looking.
Sounds like I'd really need to try some. Wonder how long a demo fleet would last at Glencoe 
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I rode my 112s (carbon) for the first time last weekend. Day 1 was hardpack and they held on pretty well, given that I was really just hooning around trying to get the feel for them. Lots of feedback underfoot was something I personally enjoyed although I appreciate some might prefer a damper ride.
It snowed all of day 2 so I got to see what they were like on a chair lift with winds gusting 50kph. Sail-like, is the term I'm looking for, I think.
Saturday started bluebird. Lifts shut so there was a race for the fresh stuff as soon as 1 chair opened. Knee-deep, a couple of face shots - they were nothing less than everything I thought they would be.
Unsurprisingly they were less manoeuverable down the Face (Val) at 4:20 pm but that's hardly a curve ball, is it? I just took a line down the of piste to the side through the crud instead, which was, um, fast!
I had them out with Marker Barons on them so the weight differential was a bit lost on me this first time out, but I'll have the Dynafiddles screwed on for my next trip.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| FlyingStantoni wrote: |
| Well, the tax man apparently owes me some money back |
careful, that's you first in line for a doin next year then 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| horizon wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| Alans deep bath wrote: |
| I wonder if anyone has really disliked DPS skis... do not need, do not need, do not need |
I assume anyone who likes really stiff and damp, with metal layers, crud buster type big mountain planks. |
Ahem.
Kneissl Tankers, DPS 112s. Love them both - perhaps not skiing them right:-)
Although I have the Hybrid DPS, which are said to be less lively. |
Fair 'nuff. Do you find you ski them much differently?
I'm coveting the 99's right now, think they would make a brilliant touring set up with Dynafit. But then I get round to wondering if it might not be best to play safe and go with the 112's...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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clarky999, I probably do ski them differently, but not hugely so. They've got more sidecut and reward a more active approach to skiing...but then again I liked working the Tankers, too. One thing that's easier on the DPS is to turn incredibly quickly in the trees.
I think on Pures I would need to be even more balanced and agile on top of them...Hybrids ski somewhere between a metal layer and a pure carbon ski.
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Looking at the new 99's as a touring ski and for everyday use , trying to work out the pro's and con's of pure v hybrid in this ski .
As I am new to touring planning on marker baron on quiver killers to do mainly day/short tours .
Interested in people's thoughts on this
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Alans deep bath wrote: |
clarky999, I just haven't stumbled on any bad reviews, but I've not really been looking.
Sounds like I'd really need to try some. Wonder how long a demo fleet would last at Glencoe |
<cynic>Mostly bought by Americans, and who is going to put down $1,000+ and say their skis are bad<cynic>
Greg
PS Obviously not aimed at FlyingStantoni
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Neilski,
marshalosen on TGR said:
| Quote: |
DPS Hybrid vs Pure carbon
first off, yes i have been working for DPS for a bit.
not trying to be a shill, just explain the different ride qualities of the two skis, as not many people have much time on them.... and i get asked all the time about the differences and ride characteristics.
hopefully my impressions help.
PURE skis: are super light, very reactive, and require a technical skier to harness the design goals. the skis are very torsionally rigid, very light, and very powerful, so if you are not on the edges on firm, or the tune is off, they can provide feedback to your feet. the PURE skis are super fun on groomed, and are life changing in legit powder. in heavy chop, mank, wind hammered, etc, they require a skilled and technical pilot; fully engaging and bending the ski. if the pilot and style is there, these skis kill it in chop and mank. but if not: the skis will give feedback if you are making lazy turns in poorer quality snow. this means you are off edge and not applying the diesel. The pure skis also completely rail, and the narrower "all-mountain" skis are a blast. they shred groomed, but are way more versatile due to the low swing weight and pop that 95 and narrower metal laminate skis give up.
HYBRID skis: are still fairly light compared to most race-room quality skis, and i would count these in their midst in terms of materials and finishing. they offer a nice damp ride that is still more reactive and responsive than metal laminate or full fiberglass skis. they have the same flex pattern as the PURE, but are about 400g per ski heavier (on a lotus 120). i think they compare very favorably to a high end rossi/dynastar/salomon in terms of construction. i am very stoked personally on the hybrid. it offers a great ride quality overall, that is more inline with conventional construction skis, but with some nice upgrades that boost the pop and responsiveness of the ski.
anyways, just my .02 - i came away from a bunch of skiing on the hybrids that they are not "lower end" or "price point" to the PURE, but rather are striving for a different ride characteristic and design goal - and will fair well in comparision to other skis on the market.
hopefully this is useful in some manner. |
Also worth a read: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/233531-DPS-Wailer-112RP-Hybrid-or-Pure?highlight=difference+pure+hybrid
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| Neilski wrote: |
Looking at the new 99's as a touring ski and for everyday use , trying to work out the pro's and con's of pure v hybrid in this ski .
As I am new to touring planning on marker baron on quiver killers to do mainly day/short tours .
Interested in people's thoughts on this |
The Pure range is basically where DPS discriminate themselves from the rest of the market... there aren't a whole load of fancy full carbon ski manufacturers out there (PM Gear springs to mind, anyone else?) which makes the Pures interesting, unusual and certainly cutting edge. Hybrids though, there they're competing with other manufacturers who don't go for the full carbon layup but nonetheless make really nice gear. Plenty more choice and competition here, and there's a much greater chance that you'll find something that's either cheaper than a DPS hybrid, or feels nicer for you, or both.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I don't know enough about it but don't DPS have some sort of carbon in their Hybrid's too?
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Serriadh, also looking at the pm gear bro , but what do you see as alternative to dps 99 hybrid
clarky999, cheers, that helps confirm what i had summised , at this point in my skiing the bit of "dampness" in the hybrids could be what i am looking for , and from a touring point of view the extra weight can be off set by the lentgh of ski i would choose and a few other factors
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Neilski, I have Lhasas with Dukes and Quiverkillers, seemed fine to me on the 2 30min skins I did last season!
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| clarky999 wrote: |
Neilski,
marshalosen on TGR said:... |
Really useful cross-post clarky999, thanks.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Neilski, yes indeed, all waxed and ready to go 
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Neilski wrote: |
| Serriadh, also looking at the pm gear bro , but what do you see as alternative to dps 99 hybrid |
Well, continuing the fancy American ski theme... ON3P Vicik, Praxis backcountry, Moment Tahoe? Bit of a variety there, but they all fit into your price range  Bit of a vague question to try and answer, though. 100-ish mm ski, not super rockered, no metal... that's a pretty broad category right there. Everyday and sorta touring, maybe... that doesn't narrow it down a whole lot either!
Me, I'd probably look at last year's K2 Hardsides, but that's mostly because I have other things to spend money on 
Anyway, yeah, thread-hijack. I'll get my coat.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you're looking at something stiffer/damper like/than the hybrids, the Moment Belafonte is probably a closer fit than the Tahoe. Blizzard Bonafide maybe. A little fatter, but Whitedot Directors probably fit the bill too.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Neilski, what are the other Kastle's you have?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Neilski, personally, I'd stick some touring bindings on the MX108s.
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Alans deep bath, Might be a plan , especially ias they are inserted for marker jester ATM , could maybe put some inserts in for a light weight touring binding , giving best of both worlds
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Is it possible to demo DPS anywhere (near Chamonix would be ideal) or have those of you who've bought simply done so after a lot of research? It seems a lot to drop without a ride. I'm guessing the 99 hybrid would be what I'd be interested in trying.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks galpinos, I'd heard that someone had bought a few pairs of pure Wailers for resale last season - is this them or a more 'official' set up? Either way, I'll ask - thanks for the tip.
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FAQ
) with some more specific questions and requirements, but its hard to get past the simplistic beauty of the wailers 