DPS Alchemist Wailer 100 RP
Dimensions: 134-100-119
Radius: 15m@179cm
Sizes: 171, 179, 184, 189
Size tested: 184
Design: All New
I am coming around to DPS's lighter Alchemist construction, first the Cassiar 79 Trainer and now the Wailer 100 RP. I really like the all-new Wailer design in the 100mm width. Usually when a manufacturer goes back to the well and makes a shape or design either narrower or wider, it is met with limited success, say 50% or so; the Wailer 100 and its lemon yellow coloring has DPS coming up roses.
When comparing the Alchemist with the value-priced Foundation, you will find a noticeable difference in feel on the snow. The 15m radius works well with the lighter and more playful Alchemist carbon buid; where some light skis get bounced around, the Wailer 100 remains solid on the snow. I have more than a few days on these in various conditions and they have yet to disappoint.
- Who is it for? Yes, you still need to have deep pockets if you want to step up to the Alchemist construction, but it is well worth the price of admission.
- Who is it not for? The frugal, but don't worry, the Foundation construction is a less expensive option.
- Insider tip: Don't forget to have Phantom applied when you order yours.
DPS Foundation Wailer 100 RP
Dimensions: 134-100-119
Radius: 15m@179cm
Sizes: 171, 179, 184, 189
Size tested: 184
Design: All New
It is true that RP in DPS’s model name means Resort Powder, but in the case of the all-new Wailer F100 RP, it should mean Really Playful. DPS abandoned the more traditionally shaped Wailer 99 to adapt the proven five-point sidecut from its cornerstone model, the Wailer 112 RP, and brought it down to the broader appeal of 100 width.
- Who is it for? Those who like to grin when they are skiing; the 100 RP is more fun than a basketful of puppies.
- Who is it not for? Figure 11 skiers; the 15m radius means the 100 RP wants to turn, and turn a lot.
- Insider tip: If you want a bit more uphill performance, step up to the Alchemist construction.
Faction Dictator 3.0
Dimensions: 132-105-121
Radius: 18m@178cm
Sizes: 174, 178, 182, 186, 192
Size tested: 182cm
Design: NGT
I found the Dictator 105 to be on the traditional side of the spectrum of the One Ohs. The Dictator could be 5 years old or brand new, I couldn’t tell. To me, that shows that it is perfectly predictable, a timeless design. The Dictator charged in Mammoth’s wind buff and nothing bothered it. It is a very stable ski that doesn’t demand your attention all the time.
- Who is it for? This is a damn good ski for someone who does not jump from hot ski to hot ski. They are like an old pair of jeans.
- Who is it not for? People who actually ski in jeans.
- Insider tip: Sizing is just right, no need to think about it.
K2 Mindbender 108Ti
Dimensions: 136-108-125
Radius: 22.9m@186cm
Sizes: 172, 179, 186, 193
Size tested: 186
Design: All New
K2 hit it out of the park with the Mindbenders, and the 108Ti is a good example of that success. The 108Ti, like its narrower brother the 99Ti, has one of the best turn-ins of the class: just think that you want to go left, the Mindbender goes left; think right, and you are going that way. The balance is just remarkable with this ski.
- Who is it for? Dare I say ... me. I don’t usually want a One Oh Something, but this could be the “One.”
- Who is it not for? Straightliners. As a rep from another brand said when he got on these, the tip is “active” and wants to be doing something.
- Insider tip: The school bus yellow stands out.
Kästle FX106
Dimensions: 137-106-125
Radius: 20.4m@184cm
Sizes: 168, 176, 184, 192
Size tested: 184
Design: All New
Let’s get the unwarranted prerelease concerns out of the way: the 106 HP is metal-less, and it doesn’t matter. Kästle’s all-new triple wood core Tri-Tech with carbon (What differentiates the HP) construction does the trick. The all-new 106 HP is damp, smooth, rounded, and every other positive accolade I can throw at it. In the cut-up three-dimensional snow at Mammoth, the tip shape was rock solid and the tail held on throughout the whole turn. There are things I want to do to this ski that I cannot post on a family-friendly forum; time to take a cold shower now.
- Who is it for? If you are looking for a premium One Oh Something, this needs to be not only on your short list, but at the top of it.
- Who is it not for? It you are frugal, do NOT even tempt yourself.
- Insider tip: This is the best of the BMX105, BMX105 HP, and a touch of the FX104.
Liberty Evolv 100
Dimensions: 139-100-122
Radius: 19m@179cm
Sizes: 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Yes, this is the love child of Liberty’s V-Series and Origin. The Evolv takes the Origin’s shape philosophy and infuses it with the V-Series' fantastic VMT construction. Surprisingly, I found it to be one of the damper skis in the category. The Evolv 100 wanted to run; it was one of the few skis that had a minimum speed limit, as it took a few mph to wake up.
- Who is it for? Bigger chargers will get a lot out of it.
- Who is it not for? Lighter finesse skiers -- but that's where I found the Evolv 90 to excel. Go figure.
- Insider tip: Liberty’s out-of-the-box tune has been fantastic.
Liberty Origin 106
Dimensions: 138-106-128
Radius: 20m@182cm
Sizes: 171, 176, 182, 187
Size tested: 182
Design: New Construction
While we started getting on Liberty with the V-Series, we are now circling back to some of their more familiar models like the Origins and specifically the redesigned 106. Where the other One-Oh skis I tested at Mammoth, I tested in heavier Mammoth wind buff, the first day of the Origin 106 was tested at Mt Rose in 30 in. of some of the lightest powder we have experienced in years. True that these condition being soooo good could mask a ski's attributes, the Origin 106 actually felt really nice and very easy to make whatever turn shape I asked of it in the deep powder. Where the 106 started showing its true strengths was in the heavy cut-up sluff in Mt Rose's Chutes and on the runs back the lift. This is where the Origin was stable without being dull, and quick without being nervous.
- Who is it for? In the 182, I had a good balance of stability without needing more length.
- Who is it not for? Bigger chargers, but they just need to go a little longer-- or to the 112.
- Insider tip: Stay tuned for a Long-Term Review.
Line Sakana
Dimensions: 150-105-138
Radius: 15m@166cm
Sizes: 166, 174, 181
Size tested: 174
Design: All New
Yes, this design has been around for a few seasons, but it is the first chance I have had to get on it. Shame on me. Say what you want about Eric Pollard, he is one hell of a skier. He is an artist, he has an accent that can impregnate a women if he so chooses, and he is a great ski designer. We can talk about the Bacons, but there are a dozen good skis that are similar in design; there is nothing out there like the Sakana (other than its brother Pescado). It is a fun ski with a unique personality that was just as good in 12 in. of powder as it was in a wooded bump run.
- Who is it for? Nothing against Cindy Lauper, but these are for guys who also want to have fun.
- Who is it not for? The close-minded. The tail could turn some off, which is their loss.
- Insider tip: These ski their full length and then some. I had a ton of fun on the 174, it never felt lacking.
Nordica Enforcer 104 Free
Dimensions: 135-104-124
Radius: 18.5m@186cm
Sizes: 172, 179, 186, 191
Size tested: 186
Design: All New
Playful. That's the first word that came to mind when I got on the all-new Enforcer 104 Free. The forebody of the ski reminds me of the Enforcer 100 when entering the turn in 3D snow, but as the turn progresses, the 104 Free comes into its own. The back half of the all-new ski is mostly that: all new (it has been out for a year or so on the Enforcer 110 Free) tail allows the back half to be worked more than the narrower 100s.
- Who is it for? The skier looking for a One Oh biased toward off piste and soft snow.
- Who is it not for? The skier looking for a hard-charging One Oh.
- Insider tip: This could coexist with an Enforcer 88, 93, or even 100 in the same quiver.
Salomon QST 106
Dimensions: 137-106-123
Radius: 22m@181cm
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Size tested: 181
Design: New Construction
Salomon took its very light Koroyd tip and put some cork in it; that change made a huge difference in how the ski reacts on snow. For those who felt the outgoing 106 was too nervous, the new one removes all those concerns. This ski now rocks. I found the QST skied way tighter than its 22m turn radius suggests; it feels more like an upper-teens radius. It is amazing what a little cork can do.
- Who is it for? In-betweeners. This is one of the few in the category to come in a 181.
- Who is it not for? Chargers who think they need a heavy ski. But even at 1800g, these ski like a heavy ski. Don’t worry about the numbers.
- Insider tip: If you mesh with the old 106, get on this one.
Völkl Mantra 102
Dimensions: 140-102-123
Radius: 20.1m@177cm
Sizes: 170, 177, 184, 191
Size tested: 184
Design: All New
Every year I flex a ski and immediately know, This is going to be a killer ski. The new Mantra 102 is one such ski. Where most brands zigged and produced a soft-snow playful 102, Völkl zagged and made a charger. This is the ski that 96-98 Mantra and Katana lovers have been waiting for.
I took these out at Mammoth during complete whiteout conditions; usually a ski with this type of power will say, "Hang on!" but the new Mantra 102 said (complete with heavy accent), “Come vith me if you vant to live.” And the 102 took me into the white abyss and made sure everything was ok.
- Who is it for? Not only those who bleed Völkl.
- Who is it not for? Billy Crystal, this ski’s $hit is bigger than you.
- Insider tip: It is great to see camber back in Völkl’s designs.
) a few weeks back and bought Attack 16s from Corbetts but haven’t mounted them yet. 
