Review: Dynastar M-Cross 78 Skis + XP11 Bindings · 2024
By Ski Expert
Leo Cocchiara
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.0/5
The Dynastar M-Cross 78 Skis + XP11 Bindings are ideal for beginners and intermediates seeking a ski to grow with. The progressive tip rocker ensures easy turn initiation and exceptional flotation in fresh snow, enhancing the overall skiing experience. The skis offer a playful and forgiving ride, making fundamental techniques enjoyable. They are durable and provide high-speed stability suitable for green and blue runs, but they may reach their limits at very high speeds and are not designed for terrain park use. This ski setup is a valuable investment for those progressing beyond groomed terrain, offering great versatility and performance.
Ideal for
- Beginners and intermediates looking for a progressive ski to develop with
- Rocker tip makes for easy turn initiation and exceptional float
- Included XP11 binding offers great value and performance
Not ideal for
- Will find its limits at very high speeds
- Not for the terrain park
Flotation
It's hard not to get excited about a powder day, no matter one's skier level. Skiers sticking to the greens and blues no longer have to be at a disadvantage...Read more
Turn Ease
Dynastar understands the assignment. Beginner and intermediate skiers looking for easy turning confidence in any situation will appreciate how these skis make more variable terrain more approachable. The way the...Read more
Playfulness
The Dynastar M-Cross 78 brings a sense of playfulness in how the swishy tips float through anything along their path, with an exciting capacity for acceleration and a quick reaction...Read more
Durability
The durability is apparent in every aspect of the ski with the textured topsheets that are resistant to chipping, further protected by the metal tip guard. And I can't forget...Read more
High Speed Stability
I can really use the energy from each turn to maintain a stable and confident speed, ideal for getting the most out of the harder greens and blues. Advanced skiers...Read more
Carving
What really sets carving apart from just simply turning is getting the ski up on edge, maintaining the pressure throughout the turn, and transitioning smoothly into the next one. The...Read more
Versatility
There are no limits on where on the mountain it can go terrain-wise; it mostly shows how fast and aggressively it can tackle it. While it's intended to stay primarily...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Leo Cocchiara
About the ski gear
- Model: Dynastar M-Cross 78 Skis + XP11 Bindings · 2025
Test conditions
- Where I used them: I tested these in early fall and early spring conditions in Loveland, CO, and Solitude, UT.
- How many times I've used it: 4
Expert Reviews of the Dynastar M-Cross 78 Skis + XP11 Bindings
Leo Cocchiara Due to its progressive shape, the Dynastar M-Cross 78 stands out this season as an excellent offering for beginners and intermediates to expand their horizons. The generous rocker tips deliver catch-free turn initiation in all conditions and terrains, making the transition into moguls and powder much more accessible. The XP11 GripWalk compatible bindings pack value and performance, making this a great option for the first-time ski buyer looking to push beyond the groomers.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Includes bindings | Yes |
| Model year | 2025 |
| Ski type | All Mountain |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate |
Review Ratings
Flotation
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. It's hard not to get excited about a powder day, no matter one's skier level. Skiers sticking to the greens and blues no longer have to be at a disadvantage because the Dynastar M-Cross 78's tip rocker and just under 80mm waist with eagerly rises to the top in a fresh 2-6" of snow.
Turn Ease
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. Dynastar understands the assignment. Beginner and intermediate skiers looking for easy turning confidence in any situation will appreciate how these skis make more variable terrain more approachable. The way the tip rocker progressively rises away from the snow makes changes in direction smooth and catch-free, even when conditions aren't consistent.
Playfulness
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The Dynastar M-Cross 78 brings a sense of playfulness in how the swishy tips float through anything along their path, with an exciting capacity for acceleration and a quick reaction time for carving and changes in direction. It really brings the fun into the fundamentals and encourages exploration of natural terrain features.
Durability
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The durability is apparent in every aspect of the ski with the textured topsheets that are resistant to chipping, further protected by the metal tip guard. And I can't forget the XP11 bindings made by Look. They are more than capable of standing up to demanding skiing.
High Speed Stability
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. I can really use the energy from each turn to maintain a stable and confident speed, ideal for getting the most out of the harder greens and blues. Advanced skiers will find their speed limit fairly quickly.
Carving
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. What really sets carving apart from just simply turning is getting the ski up on edge, maintaining the pressure throughout the turn, and transitioning smoothly into the next one. The 78mm waist width makes that edge-to-edge transition really quick and easy; the well-defined camber and tail shape play nicely to keep the skier confidently locked into the turn and provide a nice responsive boost into the next one.
Versatility
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. There are no limits on where on the mountain it can go terrain-wise; it mostly shows how fast and aggressively it can tackle it. While it's intended to stay primarily on the groomers, it gives just the right amount of surface area and shape to take those first turns off-piste confidently.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara I love that these skis allow beginners and low-level intermediates to level up quickly. The progressive shape makes pushing beyond the groomed terrain more accessible than ever.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Leo Cocchiara Two things really elevate the value of this ski in my eyes. First is the progressive tip rocker, which brings a higher-end shape profile than most beginner skis in its class, improving its all-mountain performance. The second is the XP11 bindings, which raise the bar compared to the 9-10 DIN basic options found on many system skis.
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