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. Bob Gleason of Boot Doctors lauds it as “A speedway star, smooth, predictable and without a speed limit.”

As we’ve noted about more than one Technical ski and the genre in general, the best Technical skis aren’t intended as learn-to-ski models. The skills of tipping and pressuring are among those that separate experts from not-yet-experts, and without these movements virtually engrained, owning a Technical ski is probably not the best allocation of one’s recreational funds. But if carving is second nature, a Technical ski like the Speed Zone 12 Ti is pure delight. Who cares if it’s geared high and would rather scrub toilets than speed? The Speed Zone 12 Ti was born to run, so loosen the reins and let it fly.