What does it take for a small brand to stand out in market awash with small-batch producers? It certainly helps to have distinctive new technology that not only works as advertised but exceeds performance expectations. Such is the case with Liberty, the Colorado-based homebrew that figured out to industrialize the insertion of vertical aluminum-alloy laminates in its bamboo-and-carbon core construction. Last year’s introduction of Vertical Metal Technology (VMT) in three models verified that the new tech could perform precisely as its creators intended.
By converting what are normally horizontal strips of Titanal into vertical alu struts, Liberty created a shock-damping system that constantly seeks snow contact while retaining the subtle snow feel that Ti tends to muffle. The result is remarkably consistent performance in all snow conditions. Given its wide range of application, it would be a shame to shackle the evolv90 to groomers. Not that it can’t handle corduroy; it’s nearly full cambered, with only a smidgeon of early rise in the tip, so connection on hardpack is a given.
But groomers are only one note in the melody the evolv90 has memorized. It’s specialty is having no specialty. Crud is a kick, pow is a blast (duh), it has energy off the edge on hard snow and maintains clean connection with anything soft. The Liberty V92 has a higher speed limit and even more tenacious grip (the V92 has a third strut for added oomph), but it’s not as playful and lively as the evolv90, which uses a polyethylene sidewall to enhance its natural rebound.
Theron Lee, a sought-after ski tuner, bootfitter and race coach, found the evolv90 to be a “very damp and smooth 90-waisted ski that skis like a narrower ski with great edge control. Damp but not dead, I felt it skied short compared with other skis of the same waist width. A better ski for intermediate to advanced skiers as its edge grip is too accurate for a beginner.”
For the way it retains brilliant snow connection without over-taxing its pilot, we award the Liberty evolv90 a Silver Skier Selection.
