2024/25 ski comparison and reviews? Ski from 102 to 107 under foot.

My preferred touring and everyday ski width (touring and lifts) until this winter has been just under 100mm.   98mm and 95mm more often than not.   But I also know the advantages of a wider ski (up to 138mm under foot)  in the right snow conditions.   The skis in this comparison are what I have been using in the 102 to 107 range to date and my thoughts on the manufactures and ski designs.  As always YMMV (your milage may vary). 

I'll be adding my impressions here on each ski, as my ski season winds down and I get time over the next few weeks. 

The short version?  The most succinct differences in how this batch of skis performed for me was generally defined by turn radius, and the amount of rocker on each skis.  Again, for me, the more rocker in the ski, the shorter the ski seems to ski.  The less rocker the more a ski seems to ski to the length it measures. What does surprise me is weight didn't make a big impact on how much better or worse the ski performed.  But weight was clearly noticeable to me as the conditions deteriorated.  Swig weight on your feet does matter.   Good snow conditions generally make any ski stellar.  For me, bad snow conditions are sure to make an unruly ski more apparent and a stellar ski design easily noticeable.

Charlie Bosco ripping Black Crow  Atris, on the Valley Noire. 

Black Crow 

Nevis Freebird, 173.4cm, 102mm, 19m, 3# 10.3oz / 3# 9.4oz  

Corvis Freebird, 176.2cm, 107mm, 21m, 4# 2.4oz / 4# 2.80oz

 

 La Sportiva 

'23 Tempo, 179cm,  103mm, 18m, 3# 14oz / 4#

'25 Tempo, 179cm,  103mm, 18m,   3# 3oz / 3# 4oz

Skinning on the '23 version of the Alps Tracks 106.

Movement 

'23 Alps Tracks, 177cm, 106mm, 19m,  3# / 3# .02oz. 

'25 Alps Tracks, 178cm, 106mm,  21.5m,  2# 14.5oz / 2# 14.oz

I bought both the older model and the newer model Alps Tracks late last season. And it was an internet comment that really got me wondering just how much different the new version might be from last year's version.

But frankly what I was really looking for was the widest ski I could find that was @ or under 3# per ski.  The Dynafit Denali's had simply spoiled me @ 98mm under foot and 2# 12oz per ski at 176cm.  The Denali will ski literally any snow condition I can ski.  Even as It is not an easy one to  replace no matter what anyone wants to say about the latest and greatest.

Gear reviews | Dynafit Denali | PowderGuide

The big indication they were different is the turn radius.   The '23 version is @ 19m.  The newer version is at 21.5m.   Less rocker on the '23 106 and more rocker on the '25 106 than the original  Denalis.  And that is pretty indicated how each Alps Tracks would ski.  The '23 holds an edge better, and is more stable everywhere.  The '25 is more playful and even with a 21.5 radius still quick under foot.   Both are very light weight and a pleasure on the ski track or on your back.

"Who prefers a more precise ski?" That would be me, thanks ;) And without a doubt '23 106 is a very precise ski. I was able to ski some of my best runs of the year (technically most difficult for snow and terrain) on the '23 version of the 106. I really like the ski. Being mounted online which is pretty far forward helps that ski IMO. No question the older ski, even in a 106 width, is scalpel in bad snow and on steep terrain. I can't say enough good things about the ski. Either version is way more solid than it should for the weight at speed. The newer version is surfier, and releases a lot easier. The older version, because it has an almost flat tail and little rocker reacts better at some speed. You need to be on top of that ski. If you are, the ski will pay dividends for sure. This year's model? It is mounted 2+ cm back from the previous ski. Which had me concerned when I was mounting. But, in for a penny in for a pound on Movement's skis. A bit more rocker was added to tip and tail on the '25 version. A hand flex test tells me the tail is a bit softer as well. Overall, I'd say the new ski is a little softer over all as well.  Not a noddle but softer than the previous year. Frankly none of those changes were giving me high expectations over last year's Model. Turns out there really are times a ski company improves a ski, instead of just changing the top sheet. Almost but not quite dramatic in the 106's comparison. I've skied slush, powder, some nasty mank, both wet and dry in both. Loved the newest 106 everywhere I have skied it. May be a bit more than the earlier version. I simply love the newest version.  Really a fun ski to skin with and even better to carry. I've skied some glare, spring ice and some hard freeze-thaw, in bounds, spring ice. None of that was any fun but the skis managed well enough. This is a very, very forgiving ski. Much more forgiving than the previous version of the 106. I like them both. But the new version just takes less effort and is simply more fun for me to ski. In the world of lwt 100+ touring ski, both are outstanding pieces of engineering. I was wondering if I would ever find a ski as light as, or lighter than, the Dynafit Denali-Dhaulagiri series? I have no doubt in my mind that I found, better skis than either, which is saying a lot for width, weight and versatility. And that is saying something in my book. I grew up on old school Rossi GS skis from the 80s. Boards you could rip around on at 35 or 40 mph with not too much effort. My Slopes phone app says the 106 is good for 35mph, no issues, and big smiles ;)  Pretty much 40mph being my max on any ski on a typical day of lift skiing. I typically like making lots of turns these days. But really fun to have a ski that seems capable of doing both without having to tightly crimp your toes in either venue. This makes a really fun ski for me!

DPS 

'25 Kaizen, 179, 105mm, 18m, 4# 2.7oz / 4# 2.3oz 

Leashes again? Really?!

 "I want to retain my ski.  Way, way less worried about unknowingly skiing in avi terrain."

 DB,  May -11-2014

Cold Thistle: Straps or brakes?

Since I wrote that I have spent a lot more time watching grass grow and shoveling manure than skiing.  And even less time skiing terrain that I actually worry about loosing a ski.  But I still do fall down on occasion, even on easy terrain while simply skiing on piste.  Or as we know it here in NA "at a ski area" as "on piste".

In that 11 year's time, I have seen some things and heard even more.   One of the best and most astonishing to me was putting on my skis in the parking lot getting ready for an easy hour plus tour into a hut.  I am seldom willing to spend the money for a guided trip, so this was a rare occasion for me.  But I was looking forward to the skiing the terrain, spending time in the American version of a hut (a yurt in this case) if for no other reason than there are so few huts s here to choose from.

Anyway, back to the parking lot 2 years ago.  A guide walked by and told me, rather bluntly, to remove my ski leashes, as "We don't allow them for safety reasons."  My first thought was....."WTF?  Really?" but I bit my tongue and complied.  Stashing my leashes in my pack.  Obviously, there will be no discussion with der leader.

The trip was uneventful and easily forgettable other than that conversation.   The proposed "extreme ski week" turned into a basic skimo class for ice axe self-arrest and how to move on steep terrain with your newly acquired crampons and the guide's suggested 45cm ice axes. 

What I did find amusing, when looking at what was an inspiring, and technical ski decent across the valley was the story of the 1st decent a few years earlier by the then owner of the guide school.  Turns out he took an inconsequential fall on the lower section of the face and then the resulting 15 mile ski out, on one ski.  Funny to me that no one thought that an opportunity to rethink "what was allowed". 

Sometimes people learn slowly...very slowly.  And have lots of time to reconsider their decisions.  Sometimes you don't.

This Spring while skinning up to the col on the shoulder of the Grand Montet, I watched a ski go by us, doing Mach 1, into a crowd of skiers on piste below us.   An expensive day out or could have been for any number of folks.  The loss of a ski hopefully the least of it.

Then there is the current published thought, from a good many IMGA guides, that brakes are better everywhere.  Better only because you are safer, with your skis and leashes, less likely to trap you in an avalanche.  Mind you it is the same fellows that don't recommend an air bag because they aren't warranted in "normal skiing".  But avalanches are normal skiing?  Saying nothing at all of skiing in crevassed terrain and the likelihood of a fall into a crevasse might well mean a lost ski. 

Always happy to have the conversation about avis while winter climbing or doing patrol work and tossing bombs.  Seen lots of avis in both.   I try to stay out of avi terrain while doing "normal skiing".   Conversations about helmets, air bags, beacons, and leashes seem appropriate to me even today.

10 years ago, there weren't the amount of tech bindings being skied in resorts in Europe compared to the numbers now. An even fewer in most of North American currently.  Tech bindings on full size alpine skis even more rare.   And when you do see them, almost always with brakes.

In Europe on the other hand, I saw as many brakes on touring skis and I saw skis, with neither brakes, or leashes.  The skiers using the always available option of locked toes.   I've skied a lot on locked toes and race heels.  I have always used leashes on that set up as well.  Redundant no doubt but I like the added security of always retaining my skis, if I can do my part.   Even while not liking I have to bend over and clip the leash to my boot.  It seems so uncool and slow having to do that.

Skiing off  Punta Helbronner @ 3,462m in Italy, April of '25.  A Blue Ice, Choucas harness, on me and stainless cable leashes, with a mini 

biner on my skis.

Not anywhere I want to lose a ski.   Below?  On crevassed terrain, 7 miles from a decent coffee.