DPS Skis?

Have you skied DPS skis? What do you think of them?

I've become curious about them the past few weeks after getting email from them for a while. I'm quite curious to hear from anyone who has experienced them what they think...

What do you think?

Man up and get the 202s
Me on 202s

They look like reverse side cut.  Other than that I know nothing of them. 

If I were to try them I'd probably get a 190 cm 120 Lotus soft in car green.  That is if I frequently skied somewhere that got over 5" of snow a week.  I look forward to skiing vicariously through someone else that does find a use for such a tool.

Super light. Super torsionally rigid. I assume the construction improvements the past few years are as advertised. 

I've skied the older design 138s (flex 2) vs Praxis Powders, Pontoons, Kuros... Newer 138s have changed rocker and tip profiles. As stated, they are uber light & uber torsionally rigid. Big fun in any soft snow. Certainly more fun in powder or slush than any conventional ski IMO. I find them fun and rewarding but somewhat more demanding than their competition.  Not as mellow as the others - they seem to have a distinct preference for a more "charging" style compared to the others (at least to my mind). Given my middle of the road quality of skiing - if I am "off" they will throw me on my ass ASAP. If I'm really "on" they are confidence inspiring and smile generating. Based on the old flex 2s, I'd assume a flex 3 is a seriously stiff ski.

I can't speak to their other designs- but I suspect it is to safe assume similar weight and torsional  characteristics - and temperment.

There's a fair bit of discussion at TGR - including significant posts from DPS. marshalolson on TGR was reping them and I think he had a demo fleet at some point. He is a great guy & is in your neck of the woods. Probably a great source of info.

Edited by spindrift - 8/1/2009 at 04:07 am GMT

Thanks, Spinner... I should have expected you to have skied them! And thanks for the pointer locally. I've been speaking with the western rep about them which is part of what got my interest piqued.

I'm actually looking at the skis for more frontside or mixed, given the typical conditions here in Colorado. But, I admit to being really drawn to the idea of very torsionally stiff skis with a smoother fore/aft flex. I tend to like that a lot.

I've had a Lotus 120 for a couple seasons and really like it a lot. Slowest bases ever, however. They are super light, torsionaly rigid with an easy tip-to-tail flex that has a unique 'load up and snap' feel to it. They seem to store and return energy in a way other skis do not, probably the carbon construction. They are lively and 'bright' feeling, not damp at all. I'm a big fan of the Lotus, but what makes me like it makes me think I would not like a more carving oriented ski built like this. The lack of dampness and seriously light weight makes me think it would feel like skiing on a ping pong ball.

My buddy had the same issue with his bases, they soaked up a lot of wax in the first month. He also had issues with snow freezing to his bases. They worked much better with a finer structure. As for a carbon carving ski I fully agree with you. I skied on a few Goode full carbon models. Really really precise, incredible grip from the torsional stiffness, and super lively. Problem is they terrifying to ski on, especially at speed or in any type of variable snow because they have zero mass.

One thing to be aware of is is that they have been changing things up a bit the past few years. Changes include rocker/camber profiles, supposedly shape on at least the 138, - and yes - base material.  I would not project too much about base behavior this year based on older skis...

For those looking for good deals on unusual skis..

Philip Drake and the folks at Drake Powderworks  sent me a press release announcing they are offering their entire quiver of models in two different constructions: "Pure" and "Hybrid".  The "Pure" skis are constructed using their more expensive "pre-peg carbon and nanotech" materials they helped pioneer and perfect into their trademark powder boards.  The Hybrid line reduces costs, but  boasts carbon stringers, urethane dampening and high-quality assembly around a bamboo core, all with the same shapes and high-quality emphasis as the "Pure" lineup.

There are some new lengths available, as well as different colors.

Check out the DPS summer preorder page for more details.

From their site:

Quote:

Summer Preorder Info

Through August 15th, Pure: Carbon+Nano skis will be $910, with a special introductory price on Hybrid: Fiberglass+Carbon+Bamboo skis of $575.

Normal Shipping charges apply: $40 to North America, $130 to EU/Global. Skis will ship as soon as they are ready or in stock: that means late-July for some models, with most models completed by mid October.

Deposits will be universally charged at USD. $510, with the your balance difference charged prior to shipment.

We are entering into a new dealer distribution channel this year, so deep discounts will soon become a thing of the past. The MSRP on Pure skis will rise to USD $1179 and an MSRP of Hybrid Skis ranging from USD $680-$740. We will sell out of popular models and sizes.