Thanks Ryan for this (and other very good reviews – this is the best review site).
Just one question, have you skied on High Mountain version of Cham 107 and if you have how did you find that ski (in general or in comparison to regual Cham 107)?
Many thanks in advance!
VK
VK,
We only had the regular Cham 107 with us in Las Lenas. The High Mountain version shares the same sidecut and rocker profiles as the regular Cham 107, but has a lighter, softer wood core for touring.
We will be sure to let you know if we have a chance to compare the two this season.
Hey,
Thanks for another great and honest review! Do you know what the running length for the Cham107 190 please?
And if you were to have to choose between the Cochise 185 and the Cham107 190, what would you go for as a one ski quiver? (You’re going to tell me to grab the Bonafide and line up some super fat alongside these is my guess).
Big thanks,
Rup
Ryan, spot on review of the Cham 107 in the 184. I skied them last spring at Crystal Mountain in Washington. Bluebird spring day starting with firm groomers and turning into nice corn both on and off piste as it warmed up. I agree with everything you wrote. One week ago I had the opportunity to ski the 190 version-loved it – much better than the 184. Stevens Pass Washington. Soft grippy groomers, variable soft (boot deep) off piste. On groomers I felt as if I was on a GS race ski, I could turn them short, medium and long, they were stable and confidence inspiring. In the 184 I could get the tail to wash out, the 190 no way, solid and I felt no tip deflection no speed limit,I was laughing it was so much fun. In variable soft chop they were solid and just killed it-crud killer like last years Pro Rider 105. I did get them into some big soft bumps on 7th Heaven and they took some work to get through them, beat me up a bit, they are stiff. Later in the day on Tye Mill I took them into some medium size firm bumps, I was getting knocked around until I assumed a centered stance and Slarved/Pivoted them at slow to moderate speed, it became easy and fun-lesson learned. I really like this ski and am considering replacing my almost new Atomic Rituals for them but; I want to ski the 107 in some fresh pow, then ski the Cochise and lastly move my bindings to the team line on my Rituals before I decide.
This review makes no sense, this ski is nothing if not damp. At your weight, I think you need to size down to 178.
Just wondering if you have any plans of testing the cham 107 High mountain, or the new 2015 cham 117. Thanks
If you’re a strong, traditional type skier (i.e., ex-racer), try moving the bindings on the 184 Cham 107 1 cm back from recommended. I noticed a huge difference in everything from high speed GS to powder. The ski just felt more balanced. I sent quite a few people out on our demos 1 cm back and people seemed to like the feel of the ski better.
Your review for the 2014/15 ski states that you have mounted this ski on the recommended line. Is that the front line or -2cm back line? It is important to clarify this because I have the 2014 ski in a 190cm length originally mounted on the recommended line (the only line marked on that year’s ski) and eventually had it re-mounted 2 cm back from that position after contacting Dynastar and Reine Barkered . The difference is quite noticeable and in fact all of the Dynastar pro free ride guys mount at this spot. I can say that the ski is just as quick but slightly more stable when bombing through crud and crap snow conditions. If you ski with stiff race boots and are a technical skier (ex racer or instructor) and power the ski with plenty of forward pressure then this position is vastly superior to the front line. The ski is stout, stiff in the mid body and tail, and quite damp (becoming livelier at speed -but doesn’t everything!),so a softer fore body allows it to skim up and over pow and crud when your speed is up. For this ski, faster is better, and slower is heavy and quite dead in feeling. The key to finding the best ski for any skier is to demo that ski if possible (in as many conditions as possible) because most of the magazine ski reviews are bullshit and too many buyers look at what some racer or top free rider is using, and that might not be the best criteria for making an informed choice. Gear is not getting any cheaper!!
“Gear is not getting any cheaper!!”
At the $199 ($206 shipped) I just picked up a pair of these for, it actually is… :-)
Just put these away after my first year on them, probably had about 20 days on them if I had to guess, in an extreme variety of snow conditions at multiple ski areas. My first impressions were not good at all, it was a hard pack day and I felt that chatter you talked about. After a few days though, 1 spent teaching a friend to ski where I really got a feel for them and a deep powder day, I realized I’d found the only real weakness of the Cham. They do chatter at high speed. The edge under your foot holds, but the ski bounces and it does make you a little nervous they’re going to give out. I found they were really quick for how big they are, I spent a few days skiing bumps constantly because there just wasn’t powder in February. The float is good, not a true powder ski, but they are still an absolute blast in deep conditions. Overall, I’m really impressed, they just feel fun to ski, and I’m not ever thinking about the skis limitations. While they may not be the ideal ski for the chute I’ve just dropped into, or the mogul field after it, or the groomer back to the lift, or the powder on the next run, they ski any snow type and terrain well. If you plan on flying groomers first, and skiing all terrain second, I’d go a little longer and stiffer. But if it’s the other way around, it’s a ski I would definitely recommend.
Thanks Ryan for this (and other very good reviews – this is the best review site).
Just one question, have you skied on High Mountain version of Cham 107 and if you have how did you find that ski (in general or in comparison to regual Cham 107)?
Many thanks in advance!
VK
VK,
We only had the regular Cham 107 with us in Las Lenas. The High Mountain version shares the same sidecut and rocker profiles as the regular Cham 107, but has a lighter, softer wood core for touring.
We will be sure to let you know if we have a chance to compare the two this season.
Hey,
Thanks for another great and honest review! Do you know what the running length for the Cham107 190 please?
And if you were to have to choose between the Cochise 185 and the Cham107 190, what would you go for as a one ski quiver? (You’re going to tell me to grab the Bonafide and line up some super fat alongside these is my guess).
Big thanks,
Rup
Ryan, spot on review of the Cham 107 in the 184. I skied them last spring at Crystal Mountain in Washington. Bluebird spring day starting with firm groomers and turning into nice corn both on and off piste as it warmed up. I agree with everything you wrote. One week ago I had the opportunity to ski the 190 version-loved it – much better than the 184. Stevens Pass Washington. Soft grippy groomers, variable soft (boot deep) off piste. On groomers I felt as if I was on a GS race ski, I could turn them short, medium and long, they were stable and confidence inspiring. In the 184 I could get the tail to wash out, the 190 no way, solid and I felt no tip deflection no speed limit,I was laughing it was so much fun. In variable soft chop they were solid and just killed it-crud killer like last years Pro Rider 105. I did get them into some big soft bumps on 7th Heaven and they took some work to get through them, beat me up a bit, they are stiff. Later in the day on Tye Mill I took them into some medium size firm bumps, I was getting knocked around until I assumed a centered stance and Slarved/Pivoted them at slow to moderate speed, it became easy and fun-lesson learned. I really like this ski and am considering replacing my almost new Atomic Rituals for them but; I want to ski the 107 in some fresh pow, then ski the Cochise and lastly move my bindings to the team line on my Rituals before I decide.
This review makes no sense, this ski is nothing if not damp. At your weight, I think you need to size down to 178.
Just wondering if you have any plans of testing the cham 107 High mountain, or the new 2015 cham 117. Thanks
If you’re a strong, traditional type skier (i.e., ex-racer), try moving the bindings on the 184 Cham 107 1 cm back from recommended. I noticed a huge difference in everything from high speed GS to powder. The ski just felt more balanced. I sent quite a few people out on our demos 1 cm back and people seemed to like the feel of the ski better.
Your review for the 2014/15 ski states that you have mounted this ski on the recommended line. Is that the front line or -2cm back line? It is important to clarify this because I have the 2014 ski in a 190cm length originally mounted on the recommended line (the only line marked on that year’s ski) and eventually had it re-mounted 2 cm back from that position after contacting Dynastar and Reine Barkered . The difference is quite noticeable and in fact all of the Dynastar pro free ride guys mount at this spot. I can say that the ski is just as quick but slightly more stable when bombing through crud and crap snow conditions. If you ski with stiff race boots and are a technical skier (ex racer or instructor) and power the ski with plenty of forward pressure then this position is vastly superior to the front line. The ski is stout, stiff in the mid body and tail, and quite damp (becoming livelier at speed -but doesn’t everything!),so a softer fore body allows it to skim up and over pow and crud when your speed is up. For this ski, faster is better, and slower is heavy and quite dead in feeling. The key to finding the best ski for any skier is to demo that ski if possible (in as many conditions as possible) because most of the magazine ski reviews are bullshit and too many buyers look at what some racer or top free rider is using, and that might not be the best criteria for making an informed choice. Gear is not getting any cheaper!!
“Gear is not getting any cheaper!!”
At the $199 ($206 shipped) I just picked up a pair of these for, it actually is… :-)
Just put these away after my first year on them, probably had about 20 days on them if I had to guess, in an extreme variety of snow conditions at multiple ski areas. My first impressions were not good at all, it was a hard pack day and I felt that chatter you talked about. After a few days though, 1 spent teaching a friend to ski where I really got a feel for them and a deep powder day, I realized I’d found the only real weakness of the Cham. They do chatter at high speed. The edge under your foot holds, but the ski bounces and it does make you a little nervous they’re going to give out. I found they were really quick for how big they are, I spent a few days skiing bumps constantly because there just wasn’t powder in February. The float is good, not a true powder ski, but they are still an absolute blast in deep conditions. Overall, I’m really impressed, they just feel fun to ski, and I’m not ever thinking about the skis limitations. While they may not be the ideal ski for the chute I’ve just dropped into, or the mogul field after it, or the groomer back to the lift, or the powder on the next run, they ski any snow type and terrain well. If you plan on flying groomers first, and skiing all terrain second, I’d go a little longer and stiffer. But if it’s the other way around, it’s a ski I would definitely recommend.