Expert Review: DPS Pagoda 106 C2 Skis · 2022
Photos courtesy of Hannah Hunsaker
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.
My take
The DPS Pagoda 106 C2 is a great ski for the advanced skier to take on the whole mountain. This ski offers the stiffness and stability of a ski meant for an experienced skier.
About the gear
- Model: 2022 DPS Pagoda 106 C2
- Size: 171
About me
- Height: 5’6”
- Weight: 150lbs
- Experience: 25 years of snowboarding/skiing
Test conditions
- When I bought these: November 2021
- Days tested: 40ish
- Mount position: Slightly forward from center
- Boots: 2021 Technica Cochise 130 Flex
- Boot Size: 25.5
- Bindings: 2022** **Duke PT 16 Alpine Touring Binding
- Where I’ve used it: New England, Intermountain West
- Terrain: Groomers, corn, powder, spring snow, ice
How they perform
What I was looking for
As a retired ski racer, I was looking for a pair of skis that could both satisfy my desire to rip the groomers and take on the rest of the mountain. This was my first non-race ski purchase in a while, so I was looking for something exciting.
Why I chose this gear
I chose to go with DPS based on recommendations from friends. DPS was started in Utah and is manufactured in Salt Lake City; I was born and raised in Utah, so shopping locally was a significant incentive. Based on consumer reviews, I considered comparable models from Blizzard and Nordica but ultimately decided to go with the local brand.
A wonderful day in the mountains of New Hampshire!
What I love about them
- Turns and Groomers: The turn radius allows for great turn performance at both higher and lower speeds. I have been impressed with the turning ability of these skis and have had a great time ripping the groomers.
- Trees: The radius allows for quick and snappy turns in the trees. There is flexibility to make both large and small turns in all different types of trees.
- Moguls: The radius and flex of the ski allow for ease of navigation through moguls.
- Backcountry: The skis are great for short to medium-length tours. They offer both the lightweight of a touring ski and the quality of a strong resort ski. This allows for some pretty incredible turns out in the backcountry.
- Durability: These skis have proven to be extremely durable. They look close to brand new after a full season and have proven tough in a variety of conditions.
- Ease of Turn Initiation: While these skis are not pure carving skis, the construction allows for easy turn initiation in various conditions and different types of terrain.
- Stability at High Speeds: Even with a bit of a wider profile, these skis hold an edge really well at high speeds and feel stable underfoot in all types of snow conditions.
- Versatility: I have tried these skis in just about every condition and have very few complaints. They are fun wherever I want to take them.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Edge hold: These are not an all-mountain carving ski and are not marketed as such. This is probably not the best choice if one is looking for a ski for pure carving.
- Powder: The skis float really well in the powder and soft snow. The rocker-camber shape allows for just enough float to shred over every piece of terrain. These are not the widest skis, so if someone is looking for a pure powder ski, they will be better off with a wider ski.
- Weight: These skis are fairly lightweight for little to no sacrifice of performance. They are not light enough for long tours and are meant for shorter tours.
- Carving: These are not pure carving skis, so they do not have the strength to hold on to the super hard snow. But they can still make some awesome arcs in the softer snow.
- Flotation: These are not the widest skis, so they suffer some in the flotation department. However, I have had a lot of fun shredding powder on these and don’t mind the small lack of flotation.
Favorite moment with this gear
My favorite moment was taking my setup to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. It is a boot pack-up for the most part, so getting to the top is a little extra rewarding. This was the first time I had made the trip with a good pair of skis, and it made the ski down one of the best runs of my life.
Value for the money vs. other options
These are definitely on the expensive side as they are made in the United States. However, for the little extra money, one gets a great ski made by a small, local company. If one is not willing to spend the money, the Blizzard Rustler 10 is a comparable model that is still a great ski but will save a few hundred dollars.
Final verdict
I am still so excited every day I get to put on the DPS Pagoda C2. These skis unlock amazing potential in our beautiful mountains.
