Ski: 2018-2019 Cassiar F94, 185 cm
Available Lengths: 165, 171, 178, 185, 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 183.5 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1931 & 1932 grams
Stated Dimensions: 133-94-113 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 132.6 -93.8-112.1 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (191 cm): 20 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 57 mm / 35 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: ~3 mm
Core: Bamboo/Poplar + Carbon Stringers + Fiberglass Laminate
Base: “High Graphite World Cup Race Base”
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.05 cm from center; 82.7 cm from tail
Intro
For the 18/19 season, DPS is introducing the Cassiar 94 in both their “Alchemist” and “Foundation” construction, and for the women, there is the Uschi 94, also available in both the Alchemist and Foundation construction.
We’ve been getting time on the Foundation Cassiar 94 and the Alchemist Uschi 94, and we’ll be weighing in on those skis soon. But for now, let’s get to what DPS is saying about the Cassiar F94, go over some measured specs, and show some rocker pics.
Here’s what DPS has to say about the ski:
“Carving is accessible with the Cassiar 94, but if one wants to give more focus toward those shallow storms, or being on the perfect ski a day or two after a storm — days where you mix in a good dose of crud and supportive, soft snow. The Foundation choice will feel damper, smoother, and more forgiving than the Alchemist, yet also less reactive and energetic.”
First of all, props to DPS for a clear, straightforward, product description that … actually seems to try to describe the product, not just present a bunch of poorly-written hyperbole. The rest of the ski industry should take note.
In our full review we’ll get to whether or not we think these claims are true, but what I appreciate here is the specificity and not-over-the-top nature of the description.
Shape / Rocker Profile
The shape and rocker profile of the Cassiar F94 reminds us of a ski we like quite a bit, the Nordica Enforcer 93. Here our measured tip-to-tail numbers for the rocker / camber profiles of the two skis (both in the 185 cm versions):
- Nordica Enforcer 93, 185 cm: 59 mm / 4-5 mm / 18 mm
- DPS Cassiar F94, 185 cm: 57 mm / ~3 mm / 35 mm
And here are our measured dimensions for both skis
- Nordica Enforcer 93, 185 cm: 127-92-113 mm
- DPS Cassiar F94, 185 cm: 132.6-93.8-112.1 mm
And really the most significant difference in specs between these two skis is that, when lined up next to each other (and while it’s only a couple millimeters), the Cassiar 94 has noticeably less traditional camber underfoot than the Nordica Enforcer 93.
Flex Pattern
Handflexing the ski, here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Cassiar F94:
Tips: 6
Shovels: 7-8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-9
Underfoot: 9.5
Behind Heel Piece: 9
Tails: 8-7.5
This flex pattern feels nice. It is by no means burly (the 187 cm Rossignol Experience 94 Ti feels much stiffer overall), and we’re curious to see how accessible, how forgiving, and just how strong this ski feels on snow.
And for the record, just like its shape, the Cassiar F94’s flex pattern is quite similar to the Enforcer 93, with the Cassiar F94 having a very slightly softer tip and a slightly stiffer tail.
Weight
Like most DPS skis, the Cassiar F94 is coming in at a fairly low weight for its size, and this is one of the major differences between it and many of the other skis in this class.
For reference, here are some of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for a few notable skis:
1585 & 1586 Head Kore 93, 180 cm
1686 & 1725 Renoun Endurance 98, 184 cm
1894 & 1980 Black Crows Daemon, 183.6 cm
1931 & 1932 DPS Foundation Cassiar 94, 185 cm
1921 & 1968 Head Kore 99, 189 cm
1943 & 1968 Liberty VMT 92, 186 cm
1966 & 1973 Liberty Origin 96, 187 cm (18/19)
2024 & 2029 Salomon QST 99, 188 cm
2049 & 2065 Volkl Mantra M5, 177 cm
2054 & 2059 ON3P Wrenegade 98, 184 cm
2062 & 2063 Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, 187 cm
2114 & 2133 Nordica Enforcer 93, 185 cm
2124 & 2137 Blizzard Bonafide, 180 cm
2344 & 2367 J Skis Masterblaster, 187 cm
2373 & 2397 Head Monster 98, 184 cm
Some Things We’re Curious About
DPS calls the Cassiar 94 and “accessible” carver, but then moves away from talking about carving altogether. So we’re curious to see (1) how well this ski does carve — and we’re equally curious to see (2) how comfortable the Cassiar 94 feels off-piste and on-piste, (3) how substantial it feels in variable conditions, and (4) how well it works in 6-12” of pow.
Furthermore, we’re extremely interested to see how it compares to the 187 cm Rossignol Experience 94, the new 187 cm Atomic Vantage 97, and the 185 cm Nordica Enforcer 93.
Bottom Line (For Now)
We’re already getting time on this new ski from DPS, and we’ll be posting a Flash Review on the Cassiar F94 shortly.
But in the meantime, let us know what questions you’d like to see us address in our full review.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
Would be curious to know you thoughts on this being an option for big BC steeps in the spring.
Tip shape and tip rocker profile look very promising. I like the wailer 99 F in a 184 quite a bit – it is not bad as an inbounds ski, but it’s shape is more soft snow oriented imo, though it is only 99 under foot (it’s a wailer in the end). But this new cassiar 94 shape looks fantastic for an inbounds allmountain ski. I am currently sitting in an appartment in Hintertux, Austria, and tomorrow is the last day of the trip. After having read your flash review, I want a pair of these green shred sticks right NOW!!!
I’ve really come to love my Enforcer 93s in the exact conditions DPS describes what this ski is used for: shallow storms (less than double digits, I’d say) and 1-2 days after a big storm when the snow is still nice, soft and plentiful, but slightly cut up and depending on how deep/when the last storm was, firm underneath. I find that these are the predominate conditions I ski in (live in Park City), and for those reasons, my Enforcer 93 is my daily driver. Very interested to hear how this ski compares. I think a ski with comparable dimensions to the Enforcer 93 is the ideal middle ski in a 3 ski quiver (carver, mid 90s, mid 100s) or the low end in a 2 ski quiver (mid 90s + mid 100s).
what is the difference between the Cassier and the foundation F99? I am a two ski quiver guy. Currently, I have the original stiff Volkl Kendo (88 under foot) and the old Rossignol Squad 7’s from 2013/2014 (120 under foot) pre honeycomb tech. I am looking to swap both pair out and am looking for a stiff carver that can still handle trees/moguls. I am 6’1 175 and ski out of Telluride/Jackson. Aggressive skier that stays inbounds but looks for technical lines and takes straight air off of features smaller than 15ft. My Kendo’s are 170 (prob too small) and my squads are 190. Do you recommend the F99 or the cassier 94?