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2013 Dynastar Cham 97

2013 Dynastar Cham 97 + add a photo
6 reviews
100% Positive Reviews
Rated #5 in Big Mountain Skis
Pros:
“Fun, crud busting ability, powder float, tail drive, short radius”
“Easy in soft snow”
Cons:
“A little heavy for earning turns but manageable; top sheet material scratches easily; ”
“hacks will be able to ski pow like champs”
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Featured Review
By malibu

Pros: Fun, crud busting ability, powder float, tail drive, short radius

Cons: A little heavy for earning turns but manageable; top sheet material scratches easily;

Just returned from a 3 resort trip to Japan where I skied for 17 days on my new 178cm Cham 97s ). Snow varied from bottomless powder (50 inches in 36 hrs in one snow event!) to icey groomers. We had fresh snow (from 6 inches to waay more) on 12 of the 17 days so soft snow and powder performance was well and truly tested. Japan is legendary for its deep powder and uncrowded resorts so fresh tracks in-bounds after lunch were an almost daily occurrence. (the majority of Japanese skiers love slalom skis, groomers and bumps!)

 

I have fallen completely in love! These skis are a fantastic one ski quiver for those like me who can't travel with both a pow-specific and groomer-specific ski. My previous ski was a Scott Mission (great in the pow but lacking on the groomers) and this ski is helping me be a better alround skier.

The Cham 97 is a really fun ski that loves to rail fast turns on the groomers and hold its own in the powder. The flat tail provides real energy out of short and large radius turns and when you point 'em straight downhill they are rock solid at any sane speed (albeit with a little visible tip flap but without any undue wandering).

 

On the few times we did some short hikes they were a little heavy but not unbearably so. (there's a lighter High Mountain version for those that like to climb without the metal sheet).

 

One word to sum these up is 'FUN!' For those that like to rail on the groomers and float in the trees I recommend you try some this season.

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Posted
Featured Review
By cyepsen

Pros: Solid, versatile, turny

Cons: tail takes getting used to

Skied the Chams for 6 days over holiday break 2012.   Conditions included a little of everything - 16" powder day, groomers, windblown, crud.   Skied steeps, trees, moguls and easy terrain.   Gore Mtn. in the Adirondacks of NY.  

 

I'm moving to the Chams from Rossignol S3.  I was not a fan of twin tip.  I liked the S3s - they were fun, easy to ski, did most things OK, just not great.   I like the firm tail of the Chams - if you get in the back seat it will support you.   The Chams feel really good at speed and even better on ice.   Excellent on both.   The tip, at 133mm, is not floppy.  They can cruise and carve very fast - like my old Stockli Laser SCs. 15mm radius is perfect for me.  These skis seem to do everything really well.  5 stars.

 

The tail can be a little disconcerting if you get off balance.   If you aren't in control they will go where they want.

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Posted
Featured Review
By Start Haus

Pros: Unique shape & design makes for a versatile all mountain ski

Cons: some will find it stiff, some won't like the tail

The Dynastar Cham 97 certainly has gotten a lot of attention this year, with awards from multiple magazines and a general buzz here and elsewhere on the internet.

 

Going by width, this ski falls into what we'd consider a good western daily driver ski, a quiver of one to take on a wide range of conditions here in Tahoe or elsewhere with a descent amount of soft snow. But beyond it's 97 mm underfoot width, it really departs from other skis in this category.

 

First thing you notice is the big rockered, slightly tapered tip. Keep looking down the ski and you'll see a fair amount of sidecut (16 m radius), ending in a flat, tapered tail. Take the ski in hand and give it a bend, and it's surprisingly stiff - one of the stiffest in the width category.

 

On the slope that adds up to a ski that blends the high-speed stability of a traditional ski aimed at railing groomers with the float and quick turns of more new-school skis out their, thanks to easy turn initiation in the shovel and easier-than-average turn release from the tapered tail. 

 

It's still not as playful or surfy as skis with a rockered tail and/or a softer overall flex, but it certainly rails on the groomers better than those skis.

 

And where the Dynastar Cham 97 really shines is in variable snow and crud - this thing is unflappable. Blasting through cut-up soft snow, refrozen crud - whatever you through at it, this ski charges through.

 

Quincy, one of our ski testers at the Start Haus, spent last season on this ski and found herself reaching for it more often than anything else in the quiver.

"I went to Alaska on a family ski vacation and had to make a decision on which pair of skis to bring. I chose the Dynastar Cham 97 because I knew no matter what the conditions would be (slush, powder or corn) I would be able to keep up with the pros."

 

Here's what SierraJim had to say:

 

Want to learn more? Check out our ski blog for more Dynastar Cham 97 reviews and some sweet shots of Quincy ripping Squaw Valley on these skis!

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Featured Review
By Skidmarks

Pros: Easy in soft snow

Cons: hacks will be able to ski pow like champs

Talk about easy to ski on in the crud. The Dynastar Cham 97 was very easy to ski on in the 70 Degree East Coast mush we had at Stowe this past Monday. This ski is going to be a dream in the Pow. I love the way the un-rockered tail feels! This amazing Ski will be in www.SuburbanSkiAndBike.com 's ski rack this fall!!

 

 

 

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Posted
By Xela

Pros: Nice "pop" out of turns. Pivotable. Rails if you lay it over.

Cons: Some tip flap. Debatable tail.

 

Product:

Length Tested: 178cm

Dimensions/Turn Radius: 113 / 97 / 133, 15m radius

Camber: Rockered Tip w/camber

Binding: Demo

Mount point: Suggested

 

Environment & Conditions:

Location of Test: Squaw Valley

Number of Runs: All day

Snow Conditions: Spring conditions, not quite corn

Demo or Own: Demo

 

Tester Info:

Username: Xela

Age: 41

Height/Weight: 5'9", 150 lbs.

Ski Days/Season: 30

Years Skiing: ~20

Aggressiveness: Aggressive

Current Quiver: 2012 Blizzard Bonafide 180; 2006 Dynastar Legend 8000 172

Home Area: Squaw Valley

Preferred Terrain: bumps, off-piste, trees

 

Conclusion: A fun modern all-mountain ski with some tail.

 

Pros: Nice "pop" out of turns.  Pivotable.  Rails if you lay it over.

 

Cons: Some tip flap.  Debatable tail.

 

Review:

 

My initial impression of the Cham 97 was that it was easy and familiar.  Having spent most of this season on Bonafides, that's not surprising.  The Cham feels pretty similar at first.  It has a similar pivoty feel and also needs exaggerated tipping to get it to carve.  It should be skied from the center of the foot.

 

What pleasantly surprised me was the energy of the Cham 97.  It delivered a nice pop at the end of the turn.  If the Bonafide is a hiking boot, the Cham 97 is a sneaker.

 

On paper, the Cham 97 has an aggressive turn radius.  Perhaps it was the soft snow, but I didn't really feel it.  To me that's a good thing.  I'm not looking for this size of ski to do slalom turns.  And I don't think any skis in this class are ice skates.

 

In chopped-up snow at speed, I noticed some tip flap, which is not surprising for a big, wide, rockered tip.  Still, the ski tracked fine and turned as desired.  Here's a look at the Cham 97's shape:

 

cham97top.jpg

 

cham97side.jpg

 

It's pretty clear from the picture that the tip rocker isn't matched by any corresponding rocker in the tail.  Instead, the tail appears more traditionally flat.  What the designers have done is to thin the sandwich fairly abruptly behind the binding, making the tail flexible, but present.

 

I think the tail of this ski is the most interesting and, probably, controversial part.  Likely, people will love it or hate it.  Personally, I had the tail catch on me a few times in off-piste conditions.  I don't enjoy surprises like that.  For a ski with tip rocker and a pivoty feel, having a flat tail like that seems a bit odd.

 

I could have switched these skis out for my Bonafides easily, but I ended up keeping them for the whole day.  I think by the afternoon, I had adjusted my skiing style to take advantage of the tail.  It can be reassuring to have it there, even if it sometimes prevents the ski from smearing cleanly around moguls.  I'm not sure, but it may be that the tail provides some of that pop that I liked.

 

 

In all, I think Dynastar has put together a fun, versatile ski.  I'm glad they haven't produced a clone of someone else's ski.  Variety is the spice of life and some people are going to snap this up for its tail.  Frankly, if I owned this instead of my current skis, life would be fine.

 

cham97specs.jpg

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Posted
By Philpug

Pros: Easy to initiate, carves great

Cons: even with a pin tail, does not release as smooth as a ski with early rise in the tail

 

Review:

 

If any ski is primed to dethrone the Bonafide, it is the new Cham 97 from Dynastar. Dynastar's Cham collection is is about the freshest collection of skis to come out of Chamanix in recent memory. With it's early rise/extended tip profile/ tip rocker, and cambered underfoot and pin tail, the Cham sports uniquely visual difference from other collection from mainstream manufacturers. On snow the Cham 97 was a great performer even in a size below what I would choose for myself. It handled great in the high speed groomers and even the cut up crud didn't affect the 97 at all. I look forward to putting it through its paces when we get some softer conditions.

 

Product:

Length Tested:178

Dimensions/Turn Radius:  5 point contact with a 16.5M radius in a 178

Camber:  Early Rise,

Binding: Demo

Mount point: Suggested 

 

Environment & Conditions:

Location of Test: Mt. Rose

Number of Runs: 2

Snow Conditions: Powder

Demo or Own: Demo

 

Tester Info:

Username: Philpug

Age: 48

Height/Weight: 5'10" 185lb

Ski Days/Season: 60+

Years Skiing: 35

Aggressiveness: Moderate (Finesse) 

Current Quiver: 13 Blizzard Bonafide, 13 Blizzard Gunsmoke, plus various vintage skis

Home Area: Squaw & Northstar

Preferred Terrain: bumps, off-piste, trees

 
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Facts and Details

2013 Dynastar Cham 97
By:
Description:

The all-new Cham Series is a next-generation, freeride-adventure line built in the shadow of chamonix, the birthplace of extreme skiing. dynastar’s handcrafted, high-quality construction combined with the new levitation profile delivers a unique, user-friendly blend of float, maneuverability and stability in all snow conditions. levitation profile is an evolution of five-point sidecuts, featuring a long rocker tip, classic camber underfoot and flat pintail. With powerful, reliable and versatile performance, the cham series redefines “free ride.” Levitation Profile: The new cham adventure series features a unique new design that delivers more power, stability and maneuverability in all snow conditions from powder, to crud, to hardpack, for all skier types. cham’s levitation profile is the next generation in ski design. The combination of an evolved “5-point sidecut,” long tip rocker, classic camber underfoot and flat pintail provides the reliability and versatility to meet the demands of all- mountain and big-mountain skiing. Progressive 5-Point SideCut: combines reverse (tapering) sidecut in the tip and tail with traditional sidecut underfoot. • delivers effortless maneuverability and smear turns • Quick, easy turns and speed control in all snow • prevents hooking, twitching and overturning at speed in deep snow • carves and turns well on groomed snow Long Rocker Tip: long rocker from tip through forebody. • delivers superior floatation through deep snow and crud • enhances steering, maneuverability and control Classic Camber Underfoot: • delivers stability, reliable edge-grip and power • enhances turning and maneuverability on groomed snow Flat Pintail: The narrower, flat tail maximizes the benefits of the progressive 5-point sidecut. • enhances tip floatation for phenomenal ease-of-use in deep snow • delivers power, tracking and stability in all conditions • easier to balance and maintain direction for enhanced powder performance • delivers easier speed control Sandwich Laminate Construction: • Wood cores with titanal and/or high tech laminates provide the best feel, balance, power and stability Full length Vertical Sidewalls: • deliver the ultimate edge grip, power and balance

Details:
DetailValue
Lengths166, 172, 178, 184 cm
Dimensions118-133-97-113-94 mm
Turn Radius16M
Constructionearly-rise
Core MaterialSandwich construction
Binding IncludedNo
Recommended BindingLook
Recommended useOff-piste
Binding TypeFlat
Recommended LevelAdvanced
Model Year2013
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
Links:
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