The 2020 Technical Field
The Technical category isn’t completely dead, but it’s not exactly alive and kicking, either. Let’s call it suspended animation, as every 2019/20 Recommended model is a replica of its predecessor. To honor the category’s undisturbed tranquility, all the unisex reviews...2020 Women’s Technical
There are no women’s race skis made for consumers, only unisex skis in shorter lengths. Thus has it ever been so. If you calculated all the varieties of race models already being built at great expense by the brands committed to the category, you’d understand why...The 2020 Women’s Technical Field
Little by little, the women’s Technical category continues to add models to its lineup, offering a nearly full field of options to women who want elite hard snow performance. But expanding the market selection hasn’t substantially altered buyers’ interest, or lack...Speed Zone 12 Ti
[Neither the Speed Zone 12 Ti nor its scores have changed since this review was posted last season.]
The singular obsession of carving skis is maintaining continuous snow contact. Any interruption to an otherwise seamless arc is an aberration to be avoided at all costs. Dynastar has found a unique way of keeping the forebody in contact by making it more supple longitudinally without compromising the torsional rigidity needed for edge grip. Called Powerdrive, it’s a 3-piece sidewall that dampens shock, accentuates edge pressure and effectively uncouples the core from the sidewall structure.
This last function is particularly significant because it’s what allows the Speed Zone 12 Ti to stay smooth and accurate over rough terrain, flowing over irregularities instead of bouncing off them. “Hugs the snow,” one tester confirms, adding, “You don’t feel any deflections or minor bounces.” A full layer of Titanal works with the interior metal laminate in the Powerdrive sidewall to give the Speed Zone 12 Ti the crisp bite to the edge hard snow requires. While the Speed Zone 12 Ti is every bit as carving-centric as its comrades in the Technical cohort, it doesn’t require a fully laid-over stance to engage its best qualities.