[Neither the Intense 12 nor its scores have changed since this review was posted two seasons ago.]

Powerdrive is Dynastar’s name for a 3-piece sidewall which functions as a unique damping system. Stacked on edge alongside the core, it consists of a soft inner layer, a hard center section and a dynamic outer wall. Any time a viscoelastic material, like that used in the inner piece of Powerdrive, is bonded to Titanal (center part), the resulting element will act as a natural shock absorber, so the forebody of the Intense 12, where the Powerdrive feature resides, should stay nice and quiet on hard snow.

But Powerdrive serves another, more vital function: by un-coupling the core from the outer sidewall, the central laminates that dictate the ski’s behavior are allowed to shear, moving as the ski is pressured. This enhanced suppleness allows the ski to respond to subtle variations in the snow surface, maintaining contact, control and speed.

A squad of Willi’s Divas took the Intense 12 to task on brutal eastern “snow.” They describe a strong ski that meets the expectations of skilled skiers. “Confident, turns well,” trills one Diva. “Definitely for an expert,” cautions another, “It likes to go fast, but is nice to make turns with.” “Similar to the Intense 10, but stiffer,” chimes in a third member of the troop. “A good carver, with smooth rebound an intermediate could manage.”