THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - DYNASTAR M-FREE 99

DYNASTAR M-FREE 99
Category: Freeride
Lengths: 171, 179, 185
Dimensions: 128/99/120
Radius: 17m @ 179
MSRP: $749
More info: dynastar.com

“I don’t believe in the concept of a one-ski quiver, but Dynastar’s M-Free 99 comes damn close. It not only did everything, it kicked ass while doing it. Dynastar really pulled out all the stops to make this one of the most versatile skis in its class. The pow slashing, tapered, early-rise tip and tail with a full twin-tip made it a fun ski in almost any condition. The fiberglass (instead of metal) that surrounds the poplar core lightens the ski, and its swing weight, and gives it a more forgiving flex overall, while keeping the tail snappy. But the magic really happens underfoot, thanks to a beefy vertical sidewall that provides a substantial platform I could really slam around—like, really hard. On the hardpack, the M-Free 99 liked to fall into a comfortable, stable and large-radius turn. It’s a ski that inspires confidence at speed—so turn it up to 11. Heavier and highly aggressive skiers may find the tail a touch on the soft side, but if you’re looking to send multi-story drops into bottomless pow, a bigger ski would be more suitable.” –Dylan Strelioff

Reviewer’s Rating: On Piste: 8/10 • Off Piste: 9/10
Average Rating: On Piste: 8.5/10 • Off Piste: 8.5/10

REVIEWER BIO:

Dylan Strelioff
Age: 40 / Height: 5’9” / Weight: 165 lbs / Occupation: Rope Access Welder
A rope access welder and longtime purveyor of revelry in Rossland, Dylan Strelioff has been hard charging Red Mountain Resort for over 30 years and has a technical background to boot as a former Level 3 ski instructor and freeski coach at the resort. His favourite type of terrain is steeps and trees (the steeper the better), and while he’s not a huge fan of the park, he loves natural airs (the bigger the better), railing groomers (the faster the better) and chasing soft snow as often as possible in the backcountry. Strelioff’s preferred weapon of choice is a more traditional and directional ski in the neighbourhood of 90 to 100 millimetres underfoot with a less pronounced shape, slight-to-moderate early rise in the tip and tail, regular camber and stiff tails.