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DPS Wailer 100 Tour Ski – First Look

by Doug Stenclik August 15, 2019
written by Doug Stenclik August 15, 2019
The new aerospace core of the DPS Tour skis

The new aerospace grade foam and carbon core of the DPS Tour skis.

I may not be a scientist or an engineer but I know my way around a ski’s construction, especially when I am standing in the bar. For example, while I was sneaking through the bar of Cripple Creek Backcountry in Vail, about to make my dash to the uphill track, a customer cornered me with a question: “Hey Doug, what would your ideal DPS ski be?”

I had been giving this some thought, so I described it as the following: DPS’s new Wailer 100 shape, as feathery as their superlight tour models, full sidewall construction and able to ski hard snow as well as their premier Alchemist skis. If you’re building dream skis, after all, why not shoot big?

Back in a nearby bar a week later, you can imagine my surprise when Thomas Laakso, VP of Product at DPS, reported to me that they had already built this exact ski.

The Wailer 100 Tour at the map bar, its temporary natural habitat.

The Wailer 100 Tour at the map bar, its temporary natural habitat.

Wailer 100 Tech Specs

Price: $1499!
Weight: 1485 grams
Length: 179 cm
Rocker Type: Camber underfoot, rocker tip and tail
Dimensions: 132 tip, 100 waist 117 in the tail
Turning Radius: 15 meters
Terrain predictions: Here at Wildsnow, we went away from it, but maybe the Obi One-ski-nobi quiver slot is coming back. Perfect for the skier wanting to one tool for the job from powder to hard pack.

The rise of carbon fibre in touring skis

When I entered the exciting world of ski touring gear over a decade ago, carbon fibre was a borderline disaster. It was overly stiff, expensive and fragile, and when it did fail it was catastrophic. Fast forward to 2019 and you will struggle to find a touring ski out there without an abundance of carbon in its construction. In fact, it is becoming so synonymous with high performance that most downhill skis use it at an increased cost, despite the fact that weight savings are not nearly as important.

So how did carbon fibre stage its hostile takeover as an essential element of ski construction and who were its accomplices? All along, the goal has been to create a ski with the positive qualities ski tourers want: light weight, responsive and able to maintain its camber longer than a non-carbon ski, while at the same time avoiding the reputation of a carbon ski being fragile, stiff and “pinny.”

DPS was certainly a main player in popularizing carbon, along with progressive shaped skis. They have had dozens of iterations all in a wild battle to exploit carbon’s strengths and mitigate its detriments. In the end, they came out victorious with many other fine ski manufacturers innovating on overdrive and quickly closing the gap.

While constantly tweaking their carbon, DPS has stepped up their commitment to performance again and moved their core manufacture in-house. This allows them to be more consistent and rule out many variables, such as differences in wood species, glues and epoxies used in construction. In addition to the wood used in their cores, they are taking an entirely new look at foam in the microstructure. When DPS says it is time to rebrand foam, it might be worth taking another look.

Foam gets a face lift. Enter the Wailer 100 Tour

I caught up with Laakso six months after trading ski stories at the bar in Vail to talk to him about the “F word” and ski construction. “Foam has often been associated with rental equipment in the ski world.” Laakso said. Images of spray foam come to mind and in some older lightweight skis you could even see the point of injection. “However, think about what exists under the shell of your car or glance out at the airplane wing keeping you in the air and you can bet foam is involved.”

At 10x the cost of their typical aspen core material, the foam is lighter weight but adds to the dampening and structural integrality.

More than just sparkling in the close up of this foam. At 10x the cost of their typical aspen core material, the foam is lighter weight but adds to the dampening and structural integrality.

So what is the difference between ski foam and aerospace foam? Well this is a secret guarded by DPS, which considers itself a technology company even more than a ski brand. Proprietary materials and construction techniques are closely hidden over there in Salt Lake. But what Laakso did explain to me is that foam has long been used in skis as placeholder for wood because it is lighter weight. Thus it existed for the absence of materials rather than as a material itself. However, even though there is more air in foam than wood, it is not the equivalent of air. By paying more attention to the structure between the air molecules, a ski with way better performance and longevity can be built.

When I was first told about the new concept for DPS’s special edition tour skis back in February, the goal was to make their lightest ski yet. After months of prototypes they decided it was best to put weight back into the core and focus on performance. Their hope is to have a ski that charges as hard as their premier Alchemist construction, but with a far reduced weight. In the end, they’ll leave full rando superlight skis to other brands and focus on what put them on the map.

The new Wailer 100 Tour, left, weighing in at an impressive 455 grams less than the Wailer 100 Alchemist to the right.

The new Wailer 100 Tour, left, weighing in at an impressive 455 grams less than the Wailer 100 Alchemist to the right.

Enter the Powderworks Wailer 100 RP Tour. Within the ranks of DPS, the ski is reputed to feel no different than an Alchemist ski but at 25% less weight. The issue is that nobody outside of DPS has skied them yet. Their Powderworks series, released every July, is your chance to be a product tester at the price of a mere $1500. This makes it the most expensive ski we have seen to date. This ski may indeed be that perfect quiver of one and at that price, at least you won’t need two pairs.

Early releases and early consumer testing

Frankly, I believe this a clever way to handle product testing. Too many brands test only on professional skiers and by the time they are released to the general public, it is too late to take them back if things start to go wrong. Skis, at least, have a higher success rate than most goods in the ski touring business. However, we have seen many recalls on bindings and boots over the past few years as the arms race for the newest and lightest gear wages on.

Should you take a leap of faith on the future of ski tech, or is $1500 finally too high a price to pay? Should you wait for the general public to test out the Powderworks skis before you do? The problem is, with such a limited run on the iPhone 11 of skis, they will all be gone before the first snow hits the ground. It would be a leap of faith indeed. I for one, will be that mediocre skier in my apres dive bar sneaking glances out the window at my nice skis parked in perhaps the wrong part of town.

Speculation on the future of DPS skis

If you have been following DPS’s limited product releases for the past seven years, you will see that these are a glimpse at what is to come. Through this peek we have seen better core materials in the form of stiffer carbon and higher quality foam, full sidewalls and, of course, new ski shapes. Although the exact spacing of wood and foam as well as ski thickness and overall geometry will undoubtedly vary on the full production runs in years to come, we can expect to see some of these changes in DPS’s next line of touring skis in the future.

Final takes on the DPS Wailer 100 Tour

I loved the shape of the Wailer 100, even when I saw it in its heavier Alchemist form. It was a clear upgrade from the older Wailer 99 shape, with less of a banana rocker and more of a tool for moving precisely through terrain. I admit that at first I was disappointed DPS moved away from its original ultralight ski objective, but after getting to play with this ski in person, you can bet I will be drooling over it, waiting for the first flakes of snow and especially when I am standing the bar.

Stay tuned for a full report.

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21 comments

David Field August 15, 2019 - 9:54 am

It will be interesting to hear reports from various users in various terrain and snow conditions regarding the performance of the ski. Was there any discussion regarding the binding attachment zone or special requirements for binding mounting? The cross-section photo appears to show a strip of more solid material within the foam core. Other lightweight skis have had issues with a specialized binding mounting zones restricting you to specific bindings or locations on the ski.

Doug August 15, 2019 - 10:57 am

There are so far no restrictions on mounting alpine or touring bindings. It does seem like no one wants to endorse telemark mounts as of late so I will need to check on that. I am happy to see one large mounting zone on the ski signified by the raised oval shaped platform. You definitely can’t mount this ski off that area, but it does give you a big enough space to move the binding many cm forward or back.

Eric Steig August 15, 2019 - 10:05 am

I’ll consider DPS skis when they bother to put a skin notch in the tail.

Doug August 15, 2019 - 10:51 am

Hey Eric. The skin notch in the tail as well as custom skins are reported to be on the way.

Lou Dawson 2 August 15, 2019 - 1:36 pm

Nice take Doug. Yeah, “consumer testing program” has been an epithet in most cases, for decades meaning a company appeared to neglect their own testing and pawned it off to people who offered their wallets. Not that consumers, myself included, can’t evaluate a ski. Quite the opposite. One knows what one likes. The problem rises in the basis of comparison. Using one product, or even three, is not “testing” is more like “trying out,” if that makes sense. While no ski review is perfect, the way to “test” a ski is to work from a rack of numerous similar brands/models, and switch often. The good stuff rises to the top. I’m disappointed DPS did not make this happen. On the other hand, ever onward, perhaps this DPS way of marketing a ski is the future, and it’ll work fine. I’ll be the first to cheer. Lou

DavidB August 15, 2019 - 6:30 pm

Lou, you can bet this ski has been tested and many iterations of it have been tested in-house.

I suppose the “consumer testing program” moniker is a little off the mark. “Limited release and respond to feedback” is a more appropriate tag. As you’re aware DPS are never satisfied with the status quo, at some point you have to release your crazy inventions to the world and from that point tinker with them to make them the best they can be.

Lou Dawson 2 August 16, 2019 - 8:16 am

David B, regarding releasing crazy inventions and then tinkering, clearly how we’ve come this far with ski touring gear!

David August 15, 2019 - 5:01 pm

Foam? How does this reiteration cope with classic foam degeneration from PU hydrolysis and related longevity issues… curious!

Cody August 20, 2019 - 4:41 pm

At least in the footwear world PU hydrolysis has basically been solved for the average lifespan of performance shoes. #trickledownchemistry But you should be mounting and keeping your skis water tight anyways so not even sure why that’d be an issue in skis…it’s barely an issue in PU surfboard foam and those regularly have water ingress from dings.

Nick Thomas August 15, 2019 - 5:58 pm

David – it might not be PU foam. There are LOTS of other types of foam.

Colin August 15, 2019 - 7:29 pm

It will be interesting to see how this foam plays out. I have been burned by being an early adopter before, by DPS and other companies, so I am holding off.

I got a chance to handle and flex this Wailer 100 in a shop a couple weeks ago and does seem like it could be something. Thing is: full sidewall, those dimensions, that flex – there are plenty of good skis out there that fit those specs at obviously a much lower price. So, why would I buy these? I say this owning two pair of DPS. They definitely moved away from the banana shovel on the wailer 99, ironically I just mounted a pair of those today. Looks like I am old news, but I like the older shape.

Great company, and I wish them luck, I just hope they don’t drop the Tour1 line…

Doug August 17, 2019 - 8:08 am

I also hope they find away to keep the Tour1 ideas but make it into a Tour2. One of the biggest problems we always see with making skis lighter “that still ski like a heavy ski” is that without that mass they will still deflect when you get in chunky snow. So far I have never found a ski in that weight class that doesn’t get pushed around in super variable conditions. We will see how it does!

Colin August 18, 2019 - 7:44 am

Totally agree. There is no getting around physics. Hence what we love and our wives hate: The Quiver.

Snowed on me on the top of Torrey’s yesterday…I’m counting it..

Bob Perlmutter August 15, 2019 - 8:39 pm

Call me a casual observer but given the numerous references to “at a bar”, this seems to be a drinking post with a ski problem. Commendable indeed and a good problem to have. A great way to spend the waning days of summer.

Lou Dawson 2 August 16, 2019 - 8:14 am

Bob, thanks for chiming in. If you knew how many times Doug and I have played the “bar song” together, the situation would be clear. (smile) It’s more like a blog post with a singing problem, though of late we’ve been too busy with the “relaunch” to do much but work. What do you think of the new site look?

Charlie August 16, 2019 - 1:52 pm

A foam core touring ski for $1500 that is a one ski quiver. This seems like a promo for DPS. Seriously, we have numerous choices for fairly lightweight touring skis that sell for ~$850$ retail. That said, DPS is an innovative and forward looking company, so let’s see how it all works out.

Doug August 17, 2019 - 8:05 am

Hi Charlie, I am with you. $1500 for a one ski quiver is rough especially when you can literally buy 2 skis. It is definitely a gutsy move as far as the industry goes. If you put all of the technology (costs) into a ski and make it twice as expensive in no way will it ever ski twice as well. I am always curious to see what the market can bear. I thought $1300 for a DPS was already on the steep side, but La Sportiva caught themselves right up to that. In the biking world the sky’s the limit. I think the skis in that $800 range will remain an amazing alternative and I would like to see the price drop even for that.

Bob Perlmutter August 17, 2019 - 4:22 pm

I really like the new look of the website. Fresh, clean, contemporary and easier to navigate.

Jon August 20, 2019 - 11:44 am

cant imagine this will hold up very well. Foam core wear item, this will dent and fail in compression at the first rock hit.

Petri Villenheimo August 21, 2019 - 12:52 pm

Hi,
as a proud DPS Old Guard member and telemark skier I took a risk and ordered my first non-Alchemist/non-pure pair of W100RP Tour skis (184cm) during this summer’s DPS Dreamtime – bindings will be 22Designs Lynx NTN and I’ll use QuiverKiller inserts (as I’ve used in all our other 9 pairs of DPS skis). It will be interesting to see how durable set this will be for me (183cm/90kg) and my aggressive telemark skiing style.

A Norwegian ski manufacturer Moonlight Mountain Gear offers also extremely lightweight skis 1000g –> https://www.moonlightmountaingear.com/products/eagle-carbon-race

If you’re wondering can light skis perform and are they durable enough I’m suggesting to take a look of their skis 😉 Those skis are made also for telemark skiing (no matter are you using MMG’s telemark binding or for example Meidjo bindings) and those skis perform extremely well.

My new W100RP Tour skis haven’t arrived yet… I’m hoping they will arrive shortly since skiing season will start in 6 weeks 🙂

Brent Coe October 21, 2019 - 12:21 pm

Just to clarify, and I’m going by the specs on dpsskis.com here but could be wrong, I think the Powderworks 100 RP Tour has the RP geometry with more banana-like rocker and a 15m radius. In the review, you mentioned you were stoked on the Wailer 100 with less banana rocker which was more of a tool for moving precisely through terrain. I feel the same, but it sounds like you are referring to the Powderworks 100 C2 ski, which is the orange ski in your other photos with the centerline stripe graphic and it has a 19m radius and less rocker. DPS has 3 skis on the market at 100mm: Alchemist Wailer 100 RP (15m, yellow), Powderworks 100 RP Tour (15m, dark blue, foam core), and Powderworks 100 C2 (19m, orange, 2019 year, Alchemist core). All are probably awesome (I’m an unashamed fan of DPS Alchemist skis). I have some Cassiar 95 Alchemist (C2, 19m) skis that I love, mostly because for an all mountain ski they have a lot of authority in the tail and great carving engagement, unlike my old Pure Wailer 99s which had a super loose tail that made me nervous on steep icy snow. Not to say the new 100 RP Tours will have such a loose tail, I haven’t skied the newer Alchemist 99s or 100 RPs so I don’t know how much the tail has been lowered but I think it has a little bit anyway. I’m willing to bet they won’t have as much tail or carving authority as the C2 shaped 100 but probably better at surfing and pivoting.

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