[These scores were derived from 2015 test results; the Cham 2.0 117 is unchanged and was not re-tested last spring.]

The 117 was the first Dynastar Cham to convert to the 2.0 baseline, smoothing out the intersection between the Cham 117’s rockered and tapered tip and the cambered midsection. The merits of this evolution were immediately evident, as Cham 2.0 117 felt better connected in both long turns that used its midsection or the short swivels that depend on the rockered tip and tucked-in tail to effectively shorten the ski.

To cut it as a Power Powder model, a ski has to be stable at speed, not in the static society of homogenous groomers, but in the wild, ever-changing world that is crud. (If Heraclitus had been a freeskier, he might have said, “You can’t traverse the same crud field twice, bro.”) The Cham 2.0 117 is a certified crud stomper, with settings from “Smear” to “Slice.”

When tilted into a long turn, the Cham 2.0 117 can loiter in the middle, building enough momentum to bust through perimeter fencing, but the emergency chute of a sudden smear will restore order to the proceedings. Unless you’re big enough to bench-press a Cape buffalo, we’d suggest you steer clear of the 190cm length and latch onto the 180cm. As well connected as the Cham 2.0 117 is now, the 180cm is plenty of ski.