2012-2013 DPS Yvette 112RP Pure, 178cm
Dimensions (mm): 141-112-128
Actual Tip-to-Tail Length (Straight Tape Pull): 176.9cm
Turn Radius: 15-18m
Tip rocker: 435mm
Tail rocker: 355mm
Weight per Ski: 3.75 lbs.
Boots / Bindings: Lange RS 110 SC / Marker (DIN at 7)
Mount Location: Factory recommended
Days Skied: 10
Test Locations: Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, and Bridger Bowl, Montana; Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Eldora, and Breckenridge, Colorado
DPS’s widest women’s ski, the Yvette, is actually the same as the men’s Wailer 112 RP—wide shovel, a 112mm waist, and an exaggerated tip rocker—just with a different (and great looking) top sheet.
At first glance, the wide waist and 435mm tip rocker of the Yvette makes the ski seem like a dedicated powder ski. However, its traditional camber underfoot and DPS Paddle Tech Geometry have made this ski more versatile than it may look.
Groomers (Soft)
Due to a lack of snow in Summit County earlier this season, my first few days on the Yvette were limited to groomed trails. To my pleasant surprise, these skis ripped on on-piste conditions, in part thanks to the Yvette’s flex.
When hand flexing the Yvette, it was apparent that different sections of the ski vary in stiffness: the ski is stiff both underfoot and in the tail, relative to its much softer shovel. This soft flex in the shovel combined with the ski’s tip rocker eases turn initiation tremendously.
With just the slightest roll of my ankle and light forward pressure on the front of my boot, the tip of the Yvette engaged almost effortlessly. As Jonathan Ellsworth pointed out in his Wailer 112RP review, the lightweight construction makes these skis incredibly easy to turn. And because of the traditional camber underfoot, the Yvette retains this responsiveness throughout the turn and proves to be a natural carver. Reminiscent of my ski racing years, I found myself arcing short-radius slalom turns run after run.
The Paddle Tech Geometry, which is DPS’s blend of rocker and variable sidecut, was most noticeable here, as it allowed me either to engage the ski and rip short-radius turns, or sit back and let the ski make more gradual, sweeping turns.
But because the Yvette was so easy to initiate the turn, I was hesitant to pressure the ski too much at the top, fearful that it would either hook or wash out at the bottom. Fortunately, the stiffer tail prevented both of these outcomes. Skiing in a forward and more aggressive position, the ski held throughout the turn, transitioning smoothly to the next.
With a little more confidence in the ski’s ability to hold an edge, I pointed the Yvette down the fall line and made larger-radius turns. This was enjoyable on moderately steep slopes, but as the terrain steepened and I gained speed, the tail began to wash out. By smearing the top of the turn, and therefore scrubbing speed, I was able to regain control.
Though DPS’s Paddle Tech Geometry gives the ski a greater range of turn radii, the Yvette performs exceptionally well when making tighter arcs.
Groomers (Icy)
As the snow became icier, the Yvette became more difficult to control, especially at higher speeds. I was able to initiate the turn, no problem. But right at the apex, the skis began to chatter a lot. Feeling out of control, I had to slow down and skid my turns for the remainder of the run.
By comparison, the 178cm, 106mm-underfoot Volkl Kiku, which has a full wood core, provides greater stability and control when maintaining a clear arc on icy hardpack. The lightweight, carbon-nano construction of the Yvette certainly has its advantages (greater responsiveness and lower swing weight), but it lacks dampness. The Yvette may be a versatile ski, but it seemed to struggle most when trying to arc on icy slopes at high speeds.