Ya ya, these are amazing skis. I’ve read all the reviews and according to every expert out there, they’re the sh*t. But after spending a month on what DPS touts as being “the most advanced ski in the world” I am thoroughly sold on the fact that these skis suck. Thankfully, they sold on craigslist in about an hour. Good riddance.
Now, please don’t take this review as a criticism of the folks at DPS. Their Wailer 105 and is an absolute joy to ski and I would recommend it to anyone. But the 112 is wrong on every level. And I think those boys got a little carried away with what everyone else is doing.
Take the S7. Last year it was THE ski to have. It was innovative, really different to look at, and satisfied our hunger for cooler and better. And the 112 seems to be riding the coattails of the S7 and a few other skis this year.
First off, imitation is great, but I think in this case it’s the blind leading the blind. The 112 is similar to the S7 but has less rocker in the tail and as a result is a little more stable on the back end. Its rocker is such that the ski turns on a dime but still maintains enough edge contact to feel like a big mountain charger. It’s massive shovels keep the tips out of the snow and with that narrowing of the tip this helps to reduce hook-up in grabby snow while in a turn. At least, that’s the theory of the design.
Second, it’s a small “local” boutique brand, which means it has a fairly high cool factor and limited production. So having a pair means you’re kind of a big deal.
Sadly, they don’t live up to all the hype.
And here are my greatest hits of what I don’t like about these and every other full rocker, super fat, ultra progressive “game changing ski” out there:
– Their wide point is close to 450mm down from the tip of the ski. That huge width so close to your foot puts an incredible amount of stress on your knees in all but the most blower pow
– The tails, while better than the S7’s, promote sh&tty ski position and bad technique, so you spend most of your time in the back seat looking like a tool
– Too fat. What? Too fat? Yes, you morons. Why do we ski pow? To float? If you want to float, get a snowboard. I want face shots. Floating on top and ending up in a leaned back, ACL-ripping-snowplow position is not my idea of a good time
– Carbon fiber – great for helmets but brutal on your back. Too much responsive bounce. Even the hybrid had little to no dampening, which makes for a ski that feels like it needs ritalin
– They are great for landing drops. Really? I’m sure that’s a requirement for all you pro huckers out there but for me, I like to actually ski most of the time. And so far, landing the odd drop has been pretty easy on any ski in deep snow.
– They’re light – BULLSH^T. Compared to what? Any ski that fucking big is never gonna be light. I don’t care what you make it out of.
Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with wider skis. Let’s face it: skinny skis have gone the way of the Blackberry. They’re hard work, don’t have any float and weigh a ton for what they are. So width is fine. But making a ski that can’t decide if it likes the water or the snow is ridiculous.
Don’t let the hype of “progressive” design take you to Neverland. A little early rise, with an otherwise traditional shape that’s anywhere from 103-108mm underfoot is great. But reverse camber, full rocker, and the back and forth sidecut of so many of these newer fat skis is plain stupid.
So…if you want to dumb down your skiing ability, put unnecessary stress on your knees, have a ski that only excels in the driest of pow (hats off to those of you that live in Utah) and sh%ts the bed in every other condition but look really cool doing it, by all means, get some Wailer 112’s.
Be safe and ski hard.