Review: Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024
By Ski Expert
Leo Cocchiara
Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024
$419.97
$699.95
40% off
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.3/5
The Dynastar M-Free 99 is an all-mountain ski that delivers superior powder performance due to its 99mm underfoot width, tip and tail rocker, and balanced dimensions. Despite its weight, it offers stability at high speeds, a playful personality, and excellent turn ease. It might not excel in carving, but its durability and versatility make it a reliable choice for advanced skiers seeking a "quiver killer." Its core features polyurethane for a springy response, making it suitable for diverse skiing styles and conditions.
Ideal for
- Versatile to a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions
- Has great float in powder for a 99mm underfoot ski
- Really durable
Not ideal for
- Isn't a top choice for carving
- Isn't designed to stick exclusively to groomers
- Feels a little heavier than some other models in its class
Flotation
It's really easy to get caught in the trap of using waist width, in this case, 99mm underfoot, to judge how well a ski will float in powder. While that...Read more
High Speed Stability
I got to ski the M-Free 99s this past year in diverse conditions that gave me a strong feel for their capabilities. One of the first things I will always...Read more
Carving
Carving is a very specific discipline in skiing that one can do exceptionally well on skis constructed for it. Skiers who have developed a strong enough carving technique can make...Read more
Playfulness
The Dynastar M-Free 99 does a great job of incorporating a playful personality into an all-mountain ski without losing the necessary backbone a hard charger like myself needs. The polyurethane...Read more
Durability
When someone does as many on-snow demos as I do, I look for how well the topsheets and sidewalls of the skis hold up to fellow pros putting them through...Read more
Turn Ease
The Dynastar M-Free has a great shape, a generous rocker in the tip and tail, and a strong camber underfoot. This shaped profile offers a really easy turn initiation and...Read more
Versatility
Not everyone wants or needs 3-4 pairs of skis to make the most of every day on the mountain. The Dynastar M-Free 99 is a great choice for the person...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis
Leo Cocchiara The Dynastar M-Free 99 nails what I look for in an all-mountain ski. It's perfect for that high intermediate, advanced, and expert skier who wants a ski that has no limits inbounds. It has a great personality that's surfy, poppy, and playful while still having plenty of power to charge down a steep, tackle technical trees, and attack the moguls. It's been really fun in the park as well for freestyle skiing. The tips and tails have nice springy flexibility, and the PU dampener soaks up big landings comfortably. It wouldn't be my top pick for laying down crisp carving turns, but it handles a groomer with plenty of enthusiasm.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Ski type | All Mountain, Freeride |
| Skill level | Expert, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Flotation
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. It's really easy to get caught in the trap of using waist width, in this case, 99mm underfoot, to judge how well a ski will float in powder. While that number is certainly one of the biggest factors, it fails to consider how important shape is in determining how well it stays on top of the surface of soft snow. The generous rocker in the tip and tail of these skis gives exactly the right personality for optimal powder performance in an all-mountain ski, and the dimensions are well proportioned for it as well.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. I got to ski the M-Free 99s this past year in diverse conditions that gave me a strong feel for their capabilities. One of the first things I will always do when demoing a ski is point it straight down the steepest run I can find and see how well it will hold the line before I need to reign them in. The Dynastar had no lack of stability underfoot, and the dampness of them made them particularly confident in variable conditions. They do have a bit of an exaggerated tail rocker, though, which keeps the back a bit looser than one might want for a really icy slope.
Carving
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. Carving is a very specific discipline in skiing that one can do exceptionally well on skis constructed for it. Skiers who have developed a strong enough carving technique can make a carving turn with just about anything—these included. However, the freestyle intended shape of them won't excel at carving.
Playfulness
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The Dynastar M-Free 99 does a great job of incorporating a playful personality into an all-mountain ski without losing the necessary backbone a hard charger like myself needs. The polyurethane in the core gives it a noticeable springiness, the shape is swishy and fun, and the camber gives a solid snappy response to my energy. Still, I never feel like I sacrifice stability for its playfulness. The heaviness of it would be a consideration, though, for those looking to throw a lot of spins and big air in their skiing.
Durability
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. When someone does as many on-snow demos as I do, I look for how well the topsheets and sidewalls of the skis hold up to fellow pros putting them through the paces lap after lap. The Dynastar M-Free 99s still looked brand spanking new after my peers and I used and abused them all day long. They also have a great feeling of sturdiness underfoot; I would feel comfortable running through rugged conditions without fear that they would fail me.
Turn Ease
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The Dynastar M-Free has a great shape, a generous rocker in the tip and tail, and a strong camber underfoot. This shaped profile offers a really easy turn initiation and release, with a nice stable hold through the turn that can sometimes get lost when a ski needs more backbone. It's not the lightest ski, though; it takes some experience and strength to wield it well. A lighter-weight skier might have to muscle it a bit.
Versatility
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. Not everyone wants or needs 3-4 pairs of skis to make the most of every day on the mountain. The Dynastar M-Free 99 is a great choice for the person looking for one ski to perform anywhere on the resort, in any conditions, especially in the West. It can handle groomers, moguls, trees, powder, and hardpack, with a balanced personality between hard-charging and playful. It's hard not to have a good day on them and to find something they can't do well.
FAQs
Why did you choose this product?
Leo Cocchiara This ski has a diverse personality in the sense that it will happily charge down a groomer, spring the moguls, swish through tight tree stands, float in fresh powder, and lay down some freestyle in the terrain park. Very few options on the market will offer such well-balanced versatility at such a high level of performance.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Leo Cocchiara The Dynastar M-Free 99's value lies in its versatility. There's really nothing on the resort that one could possibly find that the M-Free wouldn't be able to tackle. If someone's looking for a quiver-killing jack of all trades that will give them a good experience no matter the day, this just might be it.
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara The Dynastar M-Free 99 has polyurethane in the core, giving it a noticeable springiness that I enjoyed playing with. It gave a nice responsiveness to the ski, which otherwise feels pretty damp.
