Legend X 96
The attributes of All-Mountain West skis can be plotted along two axes: the Power/Finesse spectrum and the On-trail/Off-trail scale. The Dynastar Legend X 96 lives in the Finesse/Off-trail quadrant. The Legend X 96’s signature feature, Powerdrive, works differently from most shock-damping methods, by loosening the link between the outer sidewall and the central laminates. Powerdrive breaks the sidewall into three parts, which allows the main structural layers to sheer more easily, absorbing rough terrain the ski would otherwise bounce off. Because it manages to be damp without resorting to two sheets of Titanal, the Legend X 96 keeps the weight off and the stability up.
Speed Zone 12 Ti
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.
Legend W 84
A ski is always more than just its shape, but shape is the main reason the Dynastar Legend W 84 takes top honors for Finesse properties among women’s Frontside skis. Like all the Legends, the W 84 uses a 5-point sidecut that essentially creates a ski within a ski. The widest points at tip and tail are moved closer to the center, so the extremities aren’t connected to the sidecut in the middle that defines turn shape. This allows a ski with a 84mm waist to have a sidecut radius of 12m – less than a World Cup slalom – yet possess the surface area that helps it earn best-in-class marks for Off-Piste Performance.
Legend W 88
Dynastar doesn’t differentiate between its men’s and women’s Legend models; goose and gander get the same ski in a 166cm and 173cm. This means no skimping on the two layers of Titanal or subtle detuning of its signature Powerdrive feature. Given the pliability Powerdrive provides, the Legend X design might be better suited to the fairer sex. Instead of a greeting an immoveable terrain feature with a stiff, coiled spring, Powerdrive reacts by flowing with it, letting the camber zone underfoot maintain the snow connection and define the turn radius. The twin Titanal layers contribute torsional rigidity, mass and vibration damping.