Dynastar Contact 4x4 Ski System

I provided a quick and enthusiastic review of the Dynastar Contact 4X4 in Feb of 2008. A day of deep powder at Snowbasin does not really test a ski the same way boilerplate ice does. Is the ski as good as I reported? A day at Mt Bachelor would provide the answer.

 

172cm Dynastar Contact 4X4

 

Where: Skied at Mt Bachelor on 1/16/09.

 

Conditions: The mountain was machine tilled frozen granular and some boilerplate ice and some moguls were found on a few runs. Blue sky, 25F at dawn, 45F at 3PM.

Conditions were Vermont like with frozen granular. An ice storm hit the mountain last week leaving a shimmering clear blue ice. Carving conditions were awesome due to the effective grooming the night before and the sunny warm temperatures in the forties. The snow stayed cold and firm. The wide runs & moderate slope allow carving from top to bottom.

 

My specs: 5’ 11", 225lbs. male, 40th season skiing, former USSA & High School 7-day-a-week competitor in New Hampshire, GS & DH specialist.

Skis used in the last 2 years: Fischer RX8, WC RC, WC SC, Progressor, Cold Heat, Watea 84, 94 & 101. Volkl Tigershark 12, AC4 & Mantra. Head Chip Magnum Supershape, Monster 78, 82 & 88. Dynastar Contact 11, Legend XXL and Mythic Rider. Elan Speedwave 14, 999 and 888. Atomic Crimson Nomad. Nordica Mach 3 Power. Many others…

Boots: 2003 Salomon Course (red, 130 flex).

 

Comments:I skied a 178cm Contact 4X4 last year and the 172cm Contact 4X4 for this review. The Contact 4X4 is capable of the high-edge-angle carving heroics and provided the same edge-grip as the any good laminate construction race carver. However, the real world versatility of the Contact 4X4 is apparent even on firm snow. The ski is simply superior in every way to the much more specialized cheater GS ski.

The ski was comparable to my Fischer Progressor on the firm groomed corduroy, with massive edge-grip. Very easy turn initiation. A ski with very large sweet spot. Turn shape is very versatile. Mid-length turns are no brainers while very tight turns require a very little extra effort. I could bend the front of the ski and produce rapid slalom turns or stay slightly back at higher speeds with no punishment. I could rub my elbows on the snow at the apex of the turns and produce large edge angles on the hard groomed surface. The Contact 4x4 is a true race-carver with 122-75-106mm dimensions.

The ski can be used as a carver and can perform in a wide range of conditions. The 75mm width-at-the-waist provides moderately quick edge-changes but feels a little plush compared to a thinner SL ski. This is a benefit as I was concerned, the ski never feels twitchy and is 100% dependable in a wide range of conditions. Top racers might want faster edge-changes, but free skiers don't need it, IMO. The ski could easily be used for club racing.

 

Hardsnow skiing confirmed a few points from my Utah review and revised others.

Confirmed: Cheater GS ski performance in a more versatile and user friendly package.

Revised: Stability is very good even in the 172cm size. Grip is superb, even on ice.

 

Cheers,

Michael

Have only demoed at this point, and have NOT had them on eastern ice.

 

Great frontside ski - good edge grip, great for medium radius turns but equally happy at short/long radius turns (just don't expect a SL or GS race ski performance).  Handles itself very well in the bumps for such a good carving ski.  Surprisingly good in soft crud-on-ice as long as you stay centered.  Not for deep powder - but hey, you can't have it all. 

 

Great ski for your every-day frontside all mountain, all-day ski.  Would be great for instructors on non-powder days!  Somewhere between a 90/10 and a 70/30 ski (80/20?)

 

Skis long - 172mm is plenty for me at 5'11 160lbs.

 I'd been seeking a lighter, more responsive ski, one that would bend accurately and edge with consistent increasing pressure, a ski that could turn short swing turns out endlessly yet hold on large carving fast turns, a ski that fit my weight (155) and height (5'7), one I could discern my error and joy from.  This ski after two years of usage more than exceeded my expectations.  

This ski was great when I took it out for a demo this season. Fantastic on groomers, at times I thought I was on a race ski, that's just how well it carves. But also, you don't have to be committed to one type of turn. This will make slalom, GS, or slide turns depending on how you flex the ski and vary pressure to the edges. Its biggest downfall is off-piste, where it took some getting used to. I normally ski moguls by reaching the top of the mogul and then pivoting my skis around their center to complete a turn, but with the 4x4's sidecut you really have to engage the edges and carve through the bumps. Also, they don't seem to have much ability to pop, so definitely not a ski to dabble in the park with. Ski instructors; this is fantastic to teach others with. Overall, this is a ski for those who mainly ski on groomers and dabble off-piste. If it suits your style and you're advanced to expert level, go out and rip with it. Note: the "fluid" binding system does make this ski expensive, but does NOT increase the stiffness.