2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108

Ski: 2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108, 182 cm

Test Location: Crested Butte, Colorado

Days Skied: ~15

Available Lengths: 172, 182, 192 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 181.5 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: 2200 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2170 & 2180 grams

Stated Dimensions: 138-108-128 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 137.6-107.6-127.1 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius (182 cm): 18 meters

Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 73 mm / 53 mm

Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 5 mm

Core: poplar/PU + titanal binding plate + fiberglass laminate

Base: sintered

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -7.75 cm from center; 83.0 cm from tail

 

Ski: 2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108, 192 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 189.7 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: 2250 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2302 & 2342 grams

Stated Dimensions: 138-108-128 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 137.4-107.6-127.5 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius (192 cm): 20 meters

Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 72 mm / 53 mm

Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 9.5 mm

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -8.25 cm / 86.6 cm from tail

Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Mach1 130 MV, Atomic Redster Clubsport 130, Nordica Strider 120, Dalbello Lupo Pro HD, & Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S / Tyrolia AAAttack2 13 AT

[Note: Our review was conducted on the 20/21 M-Free 108, which returns unchanged for 21/22.]

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dynastar M-Free 108 — 20/21–21/22 Top Sheet
Review Navigation:  Specs //  First Look //  Full Review: 182 cm //  Full Review: 192 cm //  Bottom Line //  Rocker Pics

Intro

At the 2020 Outdoor Retailer tradeshow, Dynastar announced an overhaul of their freeride lineup for the 20/21 season. They discontinued the Legend X series and consolidated all of their freeride skis under the “M” moniker, and broke that into three categories:

  • M-Pro: directional, metal-laminate skis with more traditional shapes, rocker profiles, and mount points
  • M-Tour: lightweight skis for backcountry touring
  • M-Free: playful twin-tips with more progressive mount points and more symmetrical shapes

The 19/20 Menace Proto reportedly returned unchanged but with a new graphic and new name, the M-Free 118, and the Menace 98 returned completely unchanged. Oh, and they brought back the Pro Rider (!!!) without any changes to its construction, and that’s now called the M-Pro 105.

For 21/22, the whole “M” collection returns unchanged, though the Menace 98 is being replaced by the new M-Free 99.

We reviewed the M-Pro 99 and posted our review of the 182 cm M-Free 108 last season. This season we also spent time on the 192 cm M-Free 108 and have updated our full review and Deep Dive comparisons. But before we get to that, let’s discuss the design of Dynastar’s playful freeride ski.

Construction

Many of the new skis in the “M” lineup feature a hybrid core made of wood and polyurethane (PU). While we’ve seen brands use PU sidewalls, we haven’t seen many that include this much PU in the core itself. For the M-Free 108, it uses a poplar wood core, PU, a titanal binding plate, and a fiberglass laminate. The M-Pro skis feature a partial titanal layer on top of a poplar / PU core, while the M-Tour skis use a Paulownia core, some PU, and a basalt laminate. The Menace Proto, Menace 98, and Pro Rider return with their regular constructions (i.e., no PU).

Here’s an image of the M-Pro 99’s core, which shows the wood and PU. The M-Free 108 has a similar core, but only features titanal under the bindings, rather than the metal plate extending far beyond the bindings. On an unrelated note, I think the M-Free line has the best graphics I’ve seen from Dynastar in a very long time.

Luke Koppa reviews the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dynastar M-Pro 99 Construction

Shape / Rocker Profile

In short, the M-Free 108 looks like a narrower version of the Menace Proto (which was formerly called the PR-OTO Factory, and will now be called the M-Free 118 … yeah, it’s hard to keep track).

The M-Free 108 has a pretty tapered tip and tail. Its tail is very similar to the Proto’s, while the M-Free 108 has a slightly less pointed tip vs. the Proto. The M-Free 108’s widest points and the tips and tails are still much closer to the middle of the ski than more traditionally shaped skis like the Black Crows CorvusIcelantic Nomad 105, and Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Ti. One thing we were surprised by regarding the Proto was just how loose and pivot-y it felt and we think a lot of that came down to its shape, so that’s something we’re curious about regarding the narrower M-Free 108.

The rocker profile of the M-Free 108 looks extremely similar to the Proto / M-Free 118, but the M-Free 108 actually has slightly deeper rocker lines and slightly higher tip and tail splay. This is interesting since wider skis are usually the ones with deeper rocker lines and more splay, but the difference is fairly subtle.

Compared to other all-mountain freestyle skis, the M-Free 108 has pretty deep rocker lines and a nearly full twin tip. There are some skis like the Moment Wildcat 108 and ON3P Jeffrey 108 that have deeper rocker lines, but the M-Free 108’s rocker profile looks pretty in-line with other freestyle skis in this width. Compared to more directional skis like the BLACKOPS Sender Ti and K2 Mindbender 108Ti, the M-Free 108 has much more tail rocker and tail splay.

Flex Pattern

Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 182 cm M-Free 108:

Tips: 7-7.5
Shovels: 8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8-7

And here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 192 cm M-Free 108:

Tips: 7-8
Shovels: 8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9.5
Tails: 8.5-7

The M-Free 108 is a pretty strong ski with a very “round,” nearly symmetrical flex pattern. Its tips and tails feel about the same, and they’re a bit stronger than average compared to most skis in this class. The flex of the M-Free 108 smoothly ramps up in the middle and it feels quite solid underfoot and around the bindings.

The M-Free 108 isn’t quite as stiff at the ends vs. the ON3P Jeffrey 108 and Woodsman 108, but it’s not super far off. The flex pattern of the M-Free 108 reminds me of the Prior Northwest 110, but the M-Free 108 is a bit stiffer at the ends.

Mount Point

The Proto / M-Free 118 has a pretty traditional mount point of around -9 cm from true center, but the 182 cm M-Free 108 has a slightly more progressive mount point at around -7.7 cm from true center. (Our pair of the 192 cm M-Free 108’s mount point measured just slightly farther back at about -8.2 cm from true center.)

That mount point is not as far forward as some freestyle skis like the Moment Wildcat 108, ON3P Jeffrey 108, and Prior Northwest 110, but it’s more forward than most directional skis. We’ll be playing with the mount point on the M-Free 108 to see how it responds, particularly in regard to if you can ski it centered and / or forward.

2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108, BLISTER

Weight

Like the wider M-Free 118, the M-Free 108 is a pretty hefty ski. Our pair of the 182 cm length is coming in around 2175 grams per ski, which is very heavy (especially when you consider the length). Our pair of the 192 cm M-Free 108 is coming in around 2322 grams per ski.

We loved how damp and planted the Proto / M-Free 118 felt, and we suspect that the M-Free 108 could feel similar, given how heavy it is. We’re also curious to see how heavy its swing weight feels, since it’s very heavy but also has a very tapered shape (which tends to decrease swing weight).

1787 & 1793 Fauna Pioneer, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
1800 & 1824 Luke Koppa’s ROMP 100, 183 cm
1806 & 1862 Armada Tracer 108, 180 cm (19/20–20/21)
1807 & 1840 Atomic Bent Chetler 100, 188 cm (18/19–21/22)
1848 & 1903 Line Sick Day 104, 186 cm (17/18–21/22)
1875 & 1881 Line Sir Francis Bacon, 184 cm (19/20–21/22)
1883 & 1898 Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender, 178 cm (20/21–21/22)
1896 & 1942 K2 Reckoner 102, 184 cm (20/21–21/22)
1947 & 2011 4FRNT Devastator, 186 cm (20/21)
1973 & 1997 Volkl Revolt 104, 188 cm (20/21–21/22)
1976 & 2028 Parlor Cardinal Pro, 182 cm (19/20–20/21)
1985 & 2006 Parlor Cardinal 100, 185 cm (16/17–20/21)
1999 & 2020 Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Ti, 180 cm (20/21–21/22)
2005 & 2035 Liberty Origin 106, 187 cm (19/20–20/21)
2006 & 2065 Head Kore 105, 189 cm (19/20–20/21)
2008 & 2065 Wagner Summit 106, 186 cm (20/21–21/22)
2011 & 2028 Moment Wildcat 108, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2022 & 2046 DPS Foundation Koala 103, 184 cm (21/22)
2046 & 2120 Black Crows Corvus, 188 cm (18/19–20/21)
2049 & 2053 Whitedot Altum 104, 187 cm (19/20–20/21)
2073 & 2074 Season Nexus, 183 cm (20/21)
2079 & 2105 Kastle FX106 HP, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2096 & 2100 Salomon QST 106, 181 cm (19/20–21/22)
2097 & 2113 DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 C2, 189 cm (19/20–20/21)
2101 & 2104 Fischer Ranger 102 FR, 184 cm (18/19–21/22)
2110 & 2119 Moment Wildcat 108, 190 cm (19/20–20/21)
2113 & 2121 Moment Meridian, 187 cm (16/17–20/21)
2111 & 2125 J Skis Vacation, 186 cm (18/19–20/21)
2112 & 2125 4FRNT MSP 107, 187 cm (18/19–20/21)
2116 & 2181 Faction Dictator 3.0, 188 cm (19/20–21/22)
2120 & 2134 Blizzard Rustler 10, 188 cm (19/20–21/22)
2145 & 2167 Sego Big Horn 106, 187 cm (20/21)
2153 & 2184 Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Ti, 187 cm (20/21–21/22)
2165 & 2211 K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 186 cm (19/20–21/22)
2165 & 2219 Icelantic Nomad 105, 191 cm (19/20–20/21)
2170 & 2180 Dynastar M-Free 108, 182 cm (20/21–21/22)
2202 & 2209 Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, 186 cm (19/20–20/21)
2218 & 2244 Volkl Mantra 102, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2232 & 2242 Blizzard Cochise 106, 185 cm (20/21–21/22)
2232 & 2244 ON3P Woodsman 108, 187 cm (19/20)
2233 & 2255 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 186 cm (19/20–21/22)
2241 & 2295 4FRNT Devastator, 184 cm (14/15–18/19)
2283 & 2290 ON3P Wrenegade 108, 189 cm (18/19–19/20)
2295 & 2344 J Skis Hotshot, 183 cm (20/21)
2302 & 2342 Dynastar M-Free 108, 192 cm (20/21–21/22)
2312 & 2386 Prior Husume, 188 cm (17/18–20/21)
2321 & 2335 Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, 189 cm (19/20–21/22)
2325 & 2352 Folsom Blister Pro 104, 186 cm (19/20)
2326 & 2336 Nordica Enforcer 100, 186 cm (20/21–21/22)
2353 & 2360 Volkl Katana 108, 184 cm (20/21–21/22)
2449 & 2493 J Skis Hotshot, 189 cm (20/21)

Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About

(1) On paper, the M-Free 108 shares a lot in common with the wider Dynastar M-Free 118 / Proto, so just how similar will they feel?

(2) On that note, will the M-Free 108 be as damp and surfy / loose as the M-Free 118?

(3) The M-Free 108 is pretty heavy, but it also has a very tapered shape and a lot of rocker. So is this a ski that’s best suited to soft snow, will it feel very / fairly / somewhat stable in rough snow, and how will it fare in very firm, smooth conditions?

(4) How will the M-Free 108 respond to moving the bindings in front of its mount point? Is this a pure freestyle ski, or will directional skiers looking for a more playful feel still get along with it?

(5) Not many skis use a lot of PU in their cores, so will that feel weird on snow? Or maybe it’ll feel better than a more traditional wood core construction?

(6) The M-Free 108 only comes in 172, 182, and 192 cm lengths. Will many skiers be caught between lengths, or will this ski feel versatile enough that people shouldn’t worry about sizing up or down?

Bottom Line (For Now)

Many of us at Blister really like the Dynastar Proto / M-Free 118, and the new M-Free 108 seems like it could be pretty similar. We’ve been spending time on the new ski and Blister Members can check out our Flash Review for our initial on-snow impressions, and then stay tuned for our full review.

Flash Review

Blister Members can now check out our Flash Review of the M-Free 108 for our initial impressions. Become a Blister member now to check out this and all of our Flash Reviews, plus get exclusive deals and discounts on skis, personalized gear recommendations from us, and much more.

2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108, BLISTER

FULL REVIEW: 182 cm Dynastar M-Free 108

We were able to spend a good chunk of time on the new 182 cm M-Free 108 last season at Mt. Crested Butte, and I’m a pretty big fan of the ski. So let’s get into how exactly this playful ski from Dynastar performs in a variety of conditions (and Jonathan Ellsworth will be chiming in, too.)

Powder

Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): If you like to slash and slarve your way through fresh snow, the M-Free 108 is one of the best skis I’ve used in this width.

As I’ll be repeating here, the M-Free 108’s defining characteristic is just how easy it is to throw sideways. Just like the M-Free 118 (formerly called the PR-OTO Factory & Menace Proto), the M-Free 108 requires very little effort to release and slide through a turn, which makes it feel exceptionally surfy in any conditions, and especially pow.

The M-Free 108 & M-Free 118 are interesting since, if you just look at the skis & their specs, they don’t seem like they’d be super loose on snow. They have a lot of camber underfoot and aren’t radically rockered. And yet, getting both of them drifting sideways down the fall line is extremely easy … and extremely fun.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 182 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

While the M-Free 108 is one of the surfiest skis I’ve used that’s this wide, I wouldn’t say it’s best in class if we’re just talking about pure flotation. That’s not to say it’s bad in deep snow, it’s just not a ski that instantly planes above deep snow with the tips constantly staying above the top.

I never experienced any unexpected / weird tip dive on the 182 cm M-Free 108 in the snow I got it in (up to around a foot of fresh), but it’s not a ski that you can drive super hard through the shovels in really deep snow. As someone who tends to ski pretty centered in fresh snow anyway, I think I’d be pretty happy skiing the M-Free 108 on all but the very deepest days. And with that said, I’m guessing that I wouldn’t be upset about having the 192 cm version as my widest ski (182 cm is on the shorter end for me).

So while the M-Free 108 isn’t class-leading in terms of flotation, for most powder days, it’ll still be a lot of fun — especially if your idea of a great day is getting your skis sideways at every opportunity.

Jonathan Ellsworth (5’10”, ~175 lbs / 178 cm, 79 kg): If you gave me a single word to sum up this ski, I would go with “loose” or “surfy.” To me, that is the defining feature of this ski, and I agree with everything that Luke’s just written. And for me personally, the deeper the snow, the more I liked the M-Free 108. This will be a recurring theme throughout this review, but I think the most helpful question for you to consider as you read along is just how loose and surfy do you want your ~108mm-wide ski to be? I’ll say a bit more about this below, but in deep snow and tighter terrain, this ski is a blast. Click in, go surf.

Soft Chop

Luke: In short, I rarely felt held back by the M-Free 108 when skiing in soft, low-density chop.

This is a pretty hefty ski, and it consequently offers very nice suspension. While that’s more noticeable on firmer, rougher snow, it still helps in soft chop — especially given the fairly strong flex pattern of this ski. The M-Free 108 does a good job of blowing through patches of chopped-up snow, especially compared to other freestyle-oriented skis. If you’re looking at other skis in the freestyle category, the M-Free 108 definitely sits on the more stable end.

The main drawback when it comes to the M-Free 108’s stability at speed seems to be its tapered shape and loose feel. As long as the chop is pretty soft and not super dense, I could ski very fast on the M-Free 108 without fearing that the ski would get randomly knocked around. But in heavier, denser chop, the M-Free 108 has a tendency to want to go more sideways than straight. I.e., its tips will get knocked off track if you try to straight-line through dense chop.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 182 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Again, the M-Free 108 is more stable than many ~108mm-wide freestyle skis, but there are also many directional skis in this class — most of which are less tapered than the M-Free 108 — that will track better through chop. But, unlike those more stable, directional skis, the M-Free 108 is ridiculously easy to slash and shed speed, which means I actually feel more comfortable on it vs. those directional skis when skiing fast since I know I can shut things down at a moment’s notice. Plus, the M-Free 108’s swing weight feels very light relative to its actual weight, which makes it really easy to flick around when catching air off every patch of chop.

Jonathan: Yep, just to offer one other perspective here, the M-Free 108 did feel a bit ‘twitchier’ to me in soft chop than I typically prefer. In chop I really prioritize skis that track really well, and as Luke notes, there are more stable skis out there that do this better than the M-Free 108. But for those who tend to find super-stable skis to be too boring / not playful enough the M-Free 108 might fall a bit closer to your sweet spot.

Firm Chop / Crud

Luke: Basically, everything I said above about the M-Free 108 in soft chop applies here, but its suspension and somewhat twitchy feel in rough snow are more exaggerated the more the snow trends toward the “Do I actually want to go skiing today?” end of the spectrum.

The M-Free 108 does a very good job of absorbing impacts. Given that many skis in this class are now pretty light, the suspension / damping of the M-Free 108 stands out in this class, especially compared to most freestyle-oriented skis.

On the other hand, the M-Free 108’s surfy feel becomes more of a liability when trying to ski super fast through super-crappy conditions. It was clear pretty early on that the best approach on the M-Free 108 in really nasty snow is to slip and slide through the rough patches of snow and carry speed through the smoother, more forgiving sections. If I tried to just ski straight through crud on this ski, its tips got knocked around a lot.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

That said, I rarely feel the need to straight-line through crud regardless of what ski I’m on, and the M-Free 108 makes a more controlled, conservative approach to these conditions very easy and predictable. Since throwing — and keeping — this ski sideways is so easy and its suspension is quite good, it makes for a pretty intuitive ride when you’re not looking to rage through rough snow.

I think those coming from freestyle-oriented skis will find the M-Free 108 to feel quite stable in rough snow thanks to its nice suspension, but those coming from less tapered, similarly heavy skis will likely find themselves needing to ski a bit slower when the snow sucks.

Jonathan: 100% agree with this, and it was in firm crud where I personally disliked the M-Free 108 the most. To be clear, this is very much a matter of personal taste, but on inconsistent, firm snow, I don’t want a ski that’s this loose, surfy, or “fun” — I want a bit more stability and precision. And to try to be even more clear, in variable, firm conditions, I also do not want some super-locked-in ski that basically feels like a wide carving ski. Such skis can feel scary in their own right, leaving you feeling stuck in a turn. So most ~108mm-wide skis fall in between “very locked in” and “super loose,” and this review — in conjunction with our Deep Dive — ought to give you a good sense of how loose or locked in this ski is, and whether that might suit you well. But for me, put me in the “too loose” camp for a ski of this width, since I will often be out on a ~108mm-wide ski not just when the conditions are fresh and forgiving and deep, but often when conditions are extremely variable and sometimes weird.

Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain

Luke: The M-Free 108 is super easy in tight spots. All that talk of surfiness applies to any sort of tight terrain, and that’s arguably where it’s the biggest asset.

When I first skied the M-Free 108, there were a few times where I felt the cambered portion of the ski dig in behind my boots when I got backseat, but after lightly detuning the tails, this issue went away. And after that, I could ski the M-Free 108 forward, centered, or even a bit backseat without issue.

I think some beginner skiers might have trouble on the M-Free 108 if they end up backseat very often, but for most other skiers, this ski is very easy to maneuver through tight spots.

As in crud / firm chop, the M-Free 108 is prone to going sideways in rough snow in tight spots, so if you prefer to carve your way through bumps & trees, you’d probably get along better with a more precise, less tapered ski. But if you’re like me and tend to slash (read: hack) your way through tight terrain, the M-Free 108 offers a really nice combo of (1) a super loose & surfy feel, (2) nice suspension, and (3) a big sweet spot.

Groomers

Luke: The M-Free 108 is far from exciting on groomers, but it’s also far from scary. For how easy it is to pivot this ski, it holds an edge quite well, and you can lay it over pretty hard when the groomers are somewhat soft. It definitely does not pull you across the fall line like a ski with less tapered shovels will, but get some speed going, and the M-Free 108 is happy to carve a variety of turn shapes.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 182 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

One thing I noticed with the M-Free 108 is that its carving performance seemed to be a bit more sensitive to the tune than most other skis. While skiing it for the first few days, the M-Free 108’s edge hold felt really good and I was confidently laying it over high on edge at high speeds. As I kept skiing it and slamming it into more rocks, I noticed a quicker degradation in edge hold and general carving performance vs. most of the other skis we tested this past season. Groomers aren’t where the M-Free 108’s excels regardless, but just keep in mind that you might want to be sure to keep it sharp if you plan on skiing it on a lot of firm snow.

Playfulness

Luke: The M-Free 108 is a very playful ski. Its surfy feel is easily the most noticeable aspect of its overall playfulness, but it also has a pretty low swing weight for how heavy it actually is, it’s fairly poppy, you can ski it neutral, and it skis switch very well.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 182 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

The M-Free 108 isn’t super easy to bend / butter, but its tapered shape does make it very forgiving when under- or over-rotating spins, which is nice for someone like me who’s spins rarely end up being exact multiples of 180° or 360…

Mount Point

Luke: The M-Free 108’s recommended mount point measures at -7.75 cm from true center on our pair, and I skied it on that line as well as +1 and +2 cm in front of the line (about -6.7 and -5.7 cm from true center, respectively).

Overall, the ski didn’t feel very different on those different mount points. Moving the bindings resulted in the usual: getting forward made the ski feel more balanced and didn’t let me drive it as much through the shovels, while the opposite was true when I moved them back.

I ended up preferring the M-Free 108 with the bindings 1 cm in front of the line since the ski felt a bit more balanced in the air, and I didn’t feel like I lost any ability to drive the shovels when needed. As I noted above, this ski feels like it has a big sweet spot, so I wouldn’t worry too much if you feel the need to move the bindings a couple cm away from the recommended line.

Length

Luke: I got along quite well with the 182 cm M-Free 108, despite it being a bit shorter than I prefer for a ski of its width. In most conditions, I was very happy with the 182.

That said, I am very curious about the 192 cm length. Given how nice the suspension is on the 182 cm M-Free 108, I think the 192 would offer that but also, potentially, decrease the twitchiness I noticed while skiing the 182 in rough snow. But the 192 is also a pretty long ski, and I’m a bit bummed about the fact that skiers will have to pick between 10 cm length increments for the M-Free 108. It’s a very subjective / selfish point, but I imagine that I’d get along even better with the M-Free 108 in a ~187 cm length. If we’re able to get on the 192 cm M-Free 108 next season, we’ll be sure to update this review.

Jonathan: Yep, my own very selfish and subjective take is the same as Luke’s: for skiing in the often pretty tight and technical terrain of Crested Butte, I would be very interested in this ski in a ~187 length. But yeah, the 192 might still fit the bill, and we’d love to find out.

Who’s It For?

Intermediate through advanced skiers who want a versatile, ~108mm-wide all-mountain ski and who prioritize maneuverability, playfulness, and surfiness.

The main things that make the M-Free 108 stand out from the other skis on the market are (1) how easy it is to pivot and throw sideways and (2) its very nice suspension / damping.

If stability at speed, a very precise feel, or remarkable carving performance are big priorities for you, you’d be better off on a different ski. And less experienced skiers who often end up backseat might be better off on a softer, lighter ski.

But for those who love to slash every windlip or patch of snow and appreciate a ski that does a good job of muting out rough snow, the M-Free 108 is very appealing. It’s not amazing on super firm snow, but apart from that, it feels comfortable in most conditions, and offers a really fun blend of playfulness and a damp feel.

It’d be a solid choice for freestyle skiers who want a ski with a bit more backbone and better suspension than most freestyle skis, or directional skiers who want to try a looser, more playful ski.

Bottom Line — 182 cm M-Free 108

The Dynastar M-Free 108 very much feels like a narrower version of its wider sibling, the M-Free 118 / Proto. The M-Free 108 is a ski that does a good job of absorbing rough snow, while also being exceptionally easy to pivot and slash through any sort of snow — it’s a playful ski that still lets you ski quite hard when you want to.

Deep Dive Comparisons

Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the M-Free 108 to see how it compares to the Dynastar M-Free 118, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Volkl Katana 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Dynastar Pro Rider, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, J Skis Hotshot, Moment Meridian 107, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 106, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 10, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Folsom Primary, Black Crows Atris, & Prior Northwest 110.

2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108, BLISTER

FULL REVIEW: 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108

Last year when we posted our full review of the 182 cm M-Free 108, we left with one big question: what about the 192 cm length? Would it be some big beast of a ski? Or could it possibly offer many of the upsides of the shorter ski, but with fewer of its downsides?

At the Blister Summit, several of us got on the 192 cm M-Free 108, and we’ve continued putting time on the 192 ever since. For many of us, the result was a whole bunch of fun, so let’s dive into this big, but not-so-beastly of a ski:

Powder

Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): Much of what I said about the 182 cm M-Free 108 in terms of performance in fresh snow holds true of the longer length.

The 192 cm length obviously floats a bit better when things get deep, and it’s not quite as ultra-loose and easy to throw sideways as the shorter version. But overall, the two feel very similar. The 192 cm M-Free 108 is still very easy to slash around in fresh snow, and I’d say its level of flotation is about average for a ski with this much tip and tail rocker. Its tips will plane, particularly when you’ve got the speed and room to make bigger turns, but it seems happiest slashing around in the middle of the fresh snow (rather than purely planing on top).

For days with up to around 12” / 30 cm of pow, I’d be perfectly happy on this ski. Consistently deeper than that, and I’d probably want to bump up to the wider M-Free 118.

Dylan Wood (5’11”, 155 lbs / 180 cm, 70 kg): I totally agree with what Luke has said here about the 192 cm M-Free 108.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

I never skied the 182 cm M-Free 108, so I was mostly focused on how the M-Free 108 performs in pow compared to other skis in its class. With that in mind, I’d have to agree that the 192 cm M-Free 108 floated just about as well as its shape would suggest, and I didn’t experience any tip dive when maintaining speed and driving the 192 cm M-Free 108 with a forward stance. However, I enjoyed the ski most when I pointed it downhill and picked up some speed, then throwing it sideways to drum up some face shots.

Soft Chop

Luke: The 192 cm M-Free 108 is certainly fun in pure powder, but soft, chopped-up snow is where this ski really shines.

Long story short: of all the skis I’ve used around this width, I can’t think of many I’d rather be on than the 192 cm M-Free 108 — for how I like to ski.

This isn’t the most stable chop-destroyer, nor the most playful jib stick. But the way it blends traits from those typically opposite ends of the spectrum is why I like it so much in soft chop.

Like the shorter version, the 192 cm M-Free 108 is very easy to release and throw around, whether from a forward, centered, or even slightly backseat stance. So when I see a little patch of untracked snow at the last minute, I can easily blow it all up in my face. But that also helps in higher-consequence scenarios. Coming out of a fast runout after a little drop, I can easily feather the tails of the 192 cm M-Free 108 to shed speed, or throw it fully sideways if I really need to slow down, fast. And the important part for me is that I can do this even if I’m not skiing with great technique and perfectly pressuring the shovels, which is often the case when I’m pushing my limits in soft chop.

While it’s a relatively easy ski to maneuver, the 192 cm M-Free 108 offers the suspension, stiffness, and support through the shovels to encourage me to see how hard I can rally it until I chicken out. Especially if you’re looking at similarly long, more directional options, you can find skis that stay more composed at super high speeds. But especially compared to similarly playful skis, the 192 cm M-Free 108 is at the upper end of the stability spectrum. I feel significantly more comfortable making big, fast turns through fields of chop on this length than I do on the 182 cm.

The 192 certainly isn’t as quick or surfy as the shorter length, but the 192 cm M-Free 108 is still balanced, light, and loose enough to encourage a more playful approach to soft conditions, too. You definitely notice its heft in the air, but it doesn’t feel that awkward (especially mounted in front of its line; more on that later). And if you really lean into it and load it up, it’ll also produce a noticeable amount of pop.

There are certainly better choices if you’re a directional skier and primarily want the most stable, most composed ski for blasting through chop. And there are loads of lighter, quicker, and / or shorter options that make it easier on your legs to make a more casual approach to these conditions. But if you view soft chop as an opportunity to ski as fast as you can while also seeking out every air you can find, the 192 cm M-Free 108 warrants a very good look. It’s become one of my all-time favorite skis for these conditions.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Dylan: I think Luke described best how the 192 cm can be skied in soft chop: teetering on the edge of control without punishing you for it. And for someone like me who likes to tread that line, I really appreciate the balance of chop-blasting stability and a loose, surfy feel that the 192 cm M-Free 108 provides.

The 192 cm M-Free 108 allowed me to ski fast confidently through soft chop. It had the stability and suspension to open things up and ski hard, but when I needed to shed some speed (or possibly avoid hitting Luke who was taking a photo of me), it wasn’t a huge chore to throw this long ski sideways and regain composure.

Jonathan Ellsworth (5’10”, ~175 lbs / 178 cm, 79 kg): Hmmm, I feel like I’m about to that person at the party who, while everyone else is having a great time, is just standing in the corner by himself, keeps checking his watch, and asking his friends if we can finally go home now. So feel free to take my comments with a grain of salt, because I haven’t had the same intense love affair with the 192 cm — or the 182 cm — M-Free 108 that pretty much all of our other reviewers have had, and that multiple people at the Blister Summit also had. So to be clear, I’m the outlier here.

Re: the 182 cm M-Free 108, I stand by what we wrote about it in our Buyer’s Guide, and Luke and I have talked a ton about the ski. What sets it apart is just how loose that ski is for a ~108mm-wide ski. It will be super fun for the right skier … but personally, I’m not looking for my 108mm-wide ski to be quite that loose.

I’ve now got four days on the 192 cm M-Free 108. And my biggest caveat here is that I didn’t get to ski it in very deep powder. My general take here is that the deeper the snow, the more I would like the 192. Also, the deeper the snow, the quicker I would be to reach for the 192 cm M-Free 108 over a lot of skis in this class, since its tip and tail rocker profile are set up to plane nicely and not get stuck in deep snow.

But the shallower and / or firmer the snow, I only found the 192 to be … fine. And I think what might be happening here is that, while I tend to get along quite well with skis that weigh as much as the 192 M-Free 108, I personally want a bit more stability out of those skis. (And for a phenomenal example of what I’m talking about here, see my Flash Review and our upcoming full review of the 194 cm Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad.)
Again, I am very much the outlier here, so you might want to ignore me and listen to Luke and Dylan, since their take on this ski seems to be more inline with the consensus of this ski with a number of really good skiers who are skiing the 192 as their everyday ski here in Crested Butte. Still, my job here is to tell you what I found to be the case, so I’ll keep going here, and I’ll try to help you figure out whether this might be the ski for you.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

One thing is that Luke and Dylan definitely get along better than I do with softer and more playful skis. And so I have a hunch that for them, they like this heavy ski because it still lets them ski in a pretty / fairly / somewhat playful way, while also providing a lot more stability than many of the truly playful skis they dig.

I definitely tend to really like more stable, solid, more “one-dimensional” skis than them … so if I’m going to be skiing something this long and this heavy … I want it to feel really solid, really supportive, and I want to be able to really drive the shovels.

But as you have now heard Luke and Dylan say, this isn’t exactly how they’re describing the 192 (or the 182).

But with all that said, this section is supposed to be talking about how the 192 performs in soft chop. And if you’re adopting more of an upright, centered stance and staying more in the middle of the ski, then the weight and shape of the 192 lends to feel quite stable and good in chop. (And that will be my anticlimactic ending to this section, but I think we should keep it moving.)

Firm Chop / Crud

Luke: Most of what I said about this ski above applies here, though the 192 cm M-Free 108 does require you to dial things back a bit if the snow is really set-up and nasty. Compared to similarly rockered, similarly playful skis in this width, it’s still one of the more damp, more stable options. But it’s not as rock-solid in firm crud as, say, a Volkl Katana 108 or Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad.

Personally, that’s totally fine by me. Because the 192 cm M-Free 108 is still more forgiving and playful than those skis. And if conditions are truly awful, I’m not going to be skiing super fast no matter what ski is under my feet. On anything softer, though, the 192 cm M-Free 108’s blend of suspension, stability, maneuverability, and playfulness makes it a pretty great match for my skiing style.

Dylan: Yep, no surprises here. The 192 cm M-Free 108 is no firm-snow charger. I was able to ski somewhat fast in a controlled manner in firm crud and the M-Free 108 felt relatively smooth and predictable, but it didn’t inspire me to lay over GS turns or test the limits of edge hold. But why should it? It shines in softer conditions.

Jonathan: Please see Dylan’s last sentence.

The biggest thing that I want to stress here is that I think that (1) the tip and tail shape and (2) the tip and tail rocker profile of the M-Free 108 don’t really encourage you to get all over the shovels or the tails in really firm snow. So the more of a balanced skier you are and can stay in the middle of the ski, the more you will get along with this ski, I believe. But I tend to get along better with skis that let me get all over the shovels, but that are also supportive when I fall into the backseat. And I don’t think either of those things are the natural strengths of the M-Free 108.

The solution? Be a better, more balanced skier. Like our friend Rob Dickinson, who immediately bought the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108 after skiing it at the Blister Summit, and who subsequently skied it every day in Crested Butte for the rest of the season. Rob skis hard, skis well, and (annoyingly) seems like he’s never off balance, and he gets along great with this ski. But personally, in firm crud, I’ll take the 194 cm Rossignol Black Ops Sender Squad, or go with something like the 185 cm Blizzard Cochise 106. Because with skis like these, I feel like I get better engagement out of both their tips and their tails, while the M-Free 108 feels a bit more vague up front, and a bit less supportive in the back.

Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain

Luke: One of my biggest questions before getting on the big M-Free 108 was how it would do in Mt. Crested Butte’s steep, tight, and techy terrain. Just looking at the “192 cm” made me a bit hesitant, as I often prefer skis in this category that are in the 184–188 cm range.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Fortunately, the long M-Free 108 isn’t as demanding as I expected. Yes, it has a fairly hefty swing weight. You can’t effortlessly flick it around from your ankles like you can a shorter and / or lighter ski. And yes, its tail will eventually stand you up if you get really far in the backseat.

But overall, for a 192 cm ski that weighs as much as this one does, the M-Free 108 is a pretty easy ski. Again, its tail is easy to release. And while there have been times where its tail dug in and caught me off guard during a few very backseat turns, I’d generally say it’s a fairly forgiving ski. Skiing it with lots of pressure on the shovels or pretty neutral, I was perfectly content on it in all but the tightest, weirdest mogul lines. E.g., I loved it on Mt. CB’s Headwall, Hawk’s Nest, and even Cesspool, but I was a bit less in love on something like Crystal or Silvanite.

If you want maximum maneuverability, definitely go with the shorter length. But if you’re accustomed to fairly long skis, or you just place a higher priority on stability at speed than quickness and maneuverability in tight spots, I think you’ll find the 192 cm M-Free 108 to feel surprisingly manageable.

Dylan: Like Luke, I was a bit nervous about taking the 192 cm M-Free 108 into anything steep, tight, and committing. However, I also found that it isn’t as hard to maneuver in tight spots as its length would suggest.

It definitely takes some extra effort to make hop turns and change directions on the 192 cm M-Free 108, compared to similar skis in shorter lengths. While it felt more forgiving than similarly long directional skis with stiffer tails, it didn’t feel like I was on a much shorter ski. I still had to be on my game and remember how much ski was under my feet.

I also agree with Luke that this ski felt best in smaller moguls and chalky steeps. In big, steep moguls, the 192 cm M-Free 108 was a chore to attempt trough-banging zipper lines on.

Overall, most people shouldn’t shy away from the 192 cm M-Free 108 for skiing tight terrain. If you have some more open steeps with smaller moguls, the 192 cm M-Free 108 shouldn’t feel totally overwhelming. It’s only if you regularly ski big, tight moguls or if you just want something that’s easier to maneuver through tight spots than it is stable in high-speed runouts that I’d size down to the 182 cm M-Free 108.

Jonathan: For skiing really tight terrain and moguls, I wouldn’t mind it if the 192 had a little bit less traditional camber underfoot. This is a bit odd to say, since the 182 feels loose as hell. But the tighter the space, I think reducing the camber on the 192 would make it feel even easier to pivot and slide around. And in my outlier opinion, would line up a bit better with its tip and tail shape.

Groomers

Luke: Like the 182, I’d say the 192 cm M-Free 108 is generally “fine” on piste. Especially with a fresh tune, I’ve been able to lay down big and small carves on this ski at pretty high edge angles. But its shape and rocker profile don’t equate to a ski that pulls you into a turn and encourages you to really push it really hard on piste.

As someone who still wants to have fun and not just “deal with” groomers — basically no matter what ski I’m on — the 192 cm M-Free 108 is still adequate for me. Not the most exciting or engaging by any means, but predictable on firm slopes and pretty fun on easily edge-able ones.

Dylan: Yep, the 192 cm M-Free is pretty average for its class on groomers. If you see groomers as warm-up runs or the yellow brick road back to the chairlift, this shouldn’t be a problem. If laying down high-angle carves and dragging hip on corduroy is regularly the highlight of your day, you should look elsewhere.

Jonathan: Yep.

Playfulness

Luke: I’d definitely call the 192 cm M-Free 108 a “playful” ski, but there are some caveats.

Like the shorter length, the big M-Free 108 is easy to slash around, it feels pretty balanced in the air, it skis switch well, and it’ll produce some energy when you really push it.

On the other hand, it’s not particularly light, there are more balanced skis out there, and it’s fairly strong overall.

So those looking for the quickest ski to spin or the easiest to bend and butter certainly have better choices. But if you’re willing to put in the muscle, the 192 cm M-Free 108 still very much feels like a playful ski that wants to get in the air and throw a few spins or flips. And if you like to do that sort of stuff at high speeds, the 192 cm M-Free 108 makes a very strong case for itself as an all-mountain freestyle ski.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Dylan: The 192 cm M-Free 108 is not a butter stick. I don’t think it would make for a very good park ski, either, perhaps unless it’s for a very tall, heavy person. It was a little more laborious to get this ski to do the tricks and jibs I might do on a shorter, softer ski, but it was possible.

I’d agree with Luke that the 192 cm M-Free 108 felt like it could be skied with a playful style at impressively high speeds. So if you enjoy tricking and jibbing across the mountain but also like to keep your speed up while doing so, the 192 cm M-Free 108 is a solid choice.

Jonathan: Yeah, it’s pretty easy for me to imagine that a heavier and / or really powerful playful skier who is typically overpowering and overwhelming softer and lighter playful skis might find a new favorite ski in the 192 M-Free 108.

Mount Point

Luke: As with the shorter length, I skied the 192 cm on its recommended line (about -8.2 cm from true center), and then I also tried it at around +1.5 cm from that line (equating to about -6.7 cm from true center). Personally, I prefer it mounted at +1.5 cm since the ski feels more balanced, and for me and how I ski, I felt like I didn’t lose any stability or ability to drive the shovels as much as I wanted. If you’re coming from more forward-mounted skis, I think going about +2 cm from recommended makes a lot of sense. If you’re coming from more directional skis, the recommended line will probably be ideal.

Dylan: Mount point is always a “know thyself” thing for me. If you’re someone who likes to ski with a more centered stance and playful style, you’ll probably like this ski most around +2 from recommended (as I did). If you like to drive the shovels of your ski with a forward stance, mounting on the line is great.

Jonathan: FWIW, I only skied the 192 on the recommended line. And it’s not obvious to me (again, given the tip and tail shape and rocker profile of this ski) that moving forward or moving back would have obviously helped me achieve nirvana on this ski.

182 cm M-Free 108 vs. 192 cm M-Free 108

Luke: Overall, these two lengths of the M-Free 108 feel similar. The differences between the two are mostly what you’d expect: the longer one is more stable and more sluggish, while the shorter one is quicker and more maneuverable, but not as stable.

With this particular ski, I think the only slightly abnormal difference is that I haven’t yet felt like the 192 cm M-Free 108 was “too loose” like I did on the 182 cm length. The tips on the 192 just went where I wanted them to, rather than occasionally getting knocked around in variable conditions.

If you’re caught right between lengths on this ski, I wouldn’t hesitate to go longer, particularly if you value higher-speed stability. Or, you could go shorter if you prioritize maneuverability, especially if you’ll primarily be using this ski in trees, bumps, etc.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Dynastar M-Free 108 for Blister
Dylan Wood somehow getting a flip around on the 192 cm Dynastar M-Free 108, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Jonathan: Boy, I’d have to say that the 182 and 192 really haven’t felt very similar to me. We talk a lot at Blister about “family resemblance,” and I can name a couple dozen other skis where two different lengths of the ski felt only subtly different. And given that, I’d say that the 182 vs. 192 M-Free 108 feel more different than similar. The 182 felt really quick and really loose. The 192 doesn’t feel nearly as quick or loose.

But it’s also worth noting that we are normally comparing, say a 184 cm and 190 cm length of a particular ski. Or a 177 cm vs a 183 cm length. We’ve reviewed far fewer skis that have a full 10 cm gap between skis, so that’s probably a big part of the reason why I think we’re seeing less family resemblance than we often do when talking about a given ski in two different lengths.

Who’s It For?

Luke: The 192 cm M-Free 108 is for folks who want a fairly big ski that can be skied quite hard in relatively soft conditions, but that is also quite maneuverable and playful for its size and weight.

I’m sure there will be some folks who prefer a more precise-feeling ski that’s a bit less tapered, less rockered, and / or with a more rearward mount point. If maximum stability is your top priority, check out the “All-Mountain Chargers” section in our Winter Buyer’s Guide. And if you know you prefer a lighter and / or shorter ski, I don’t think the 192 cm M-Free 108 is likely to change your mind — it’s still a pretty big, hefty ski.

But if you like to ski fast, also like the option to ski with a fairly centered stance, and want a ski that feels comfortable in the air, the 192 cm M-Free 108 can be a ton of fun. Once you get used to it, it is a playful ski, but it’s one with the stability, suspension, and stiffness to allow for aggressive, fast skiing in most conditions.

Jonathan: As I wrote in our “Playfulness” section above, “it’s pretty easy for me to imagine that a heavier and / or really powerful playful skier who is typically overpowering and overwhelming softer and lighter playful skis might find a new favorite ski in the 192 M-Free 108.” Luke, you agree with this?

Luke: Yep, an “aggressive playful skier” is who I think will get along best with this ski. And even if you’re not throwing tricks, but just want nice suspension and pretty good stability in a package that lets you ski in a more balanced manner, it also warrants a good look.

Bottom Line

Compared to the shorter length, the 192 cm M-Free 108 still retains a good bit of that ski’s overall personality, but it’s a clear step-above when it comes to stability and composure at high speeds. And for the right skier, that combo is going to be very appealing.

Deep Dive Comparisons

Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the M-Free 108 to see how it compares to the Dynastar M-Free 118, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Volkl Katana 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Dynastar Pro Rider, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, J Skis Hotshot, Moment Meridian 107, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 106, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 10, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Folsom Primary, Black Crows Atris, & Prior Northwest 110.

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22 comments on “2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108”

  1. I’m always looking for a ski to fill the 100mm to 110mm wide slot that seems to always be empty. Of all the new skis in this slot, the Sender 106TI, new Katana, etc, this sticks out as something I might actually like. The weight, copious amounts of rocker, and modern mount point, all lead me to a ski that might work. I’m looking forward to the on show review.

  2. I’m glad to hear that they’re keeping the Pro Rider for another year and making it available in the US. I think that ski still has a lot to offer for a certain type of skier. Race-ski laminate construction really hasn’t changed since that ski was first designed, so there’s no other reason to update it if the shape and profile still work, and IMO they’re timeless. Not trendy, but they work.

    As Jonathan knows I recently obtained a pair from this year’s limited European-market run of 192s (the 19/20 incarnation is the “F-Team Pro Rider”). I’ve now mounted and skied them, and they provide a beautifully supple ride at speed. The Blister review is on the mark when it compares them to Super-G racing skis. I used to freeski on the old yellow Wolf/Blizzard in 213 and then the yellow/black Atomics in 212, and the Pro Rider is the closest modern comparison I can think of. Of course the SGs don’t float nearly as well and are much more demanding and unforgiving overall.

    The year of “Max G-Force skis” rolls on. What’s next, Head Monster 2.0s?

  3. I’m very much looking forward to the on-snow reviews of the MFree 108. I’m in the market for a forgiving 106-112 ski for resort powder days that won’t suck by the time everything is skied off in the afternoon. Crud-busting chops would be nice, too.

    • The 192 lives up to all hype. This ski is a home run for Dynastar. Stable through choppy snow, can make any turn shape on groom. I haven’t found a speed limit yet. Supportive tail and platform for airs. Just a really fun ski.

      • Totally agree – just picked up a pair of 192 after demo… it seems to be a bit different from this review. Played around with mount points, and in various conditions. Can’t find a speed limit. Super poppy, playful. I pushed mount point forward 2cm to get a bit more forgiving feel out of tails. Awesome ski, so pumped.

      • Sweet! We just got on the 192 at the Summit and will be getting a pair of that and the Rossi Blackops Sender Squad for long-term testing soon. Initial impressions of both have been very positive.

        • Are you guys also having issues with bases not beeing woooow? Ive stone ground, misc different roto brushes, lots of heat cycles wax and all the black arts, but I just feel the bases are slower than say mantra 102, even when useing the $$ waxes, its like I’m missing out on 5-10mph on a broad range of snow conditions.

          I honestly feel for just hooning and power the CT 3.0 2021 is a better ski than the m-free 108 after a few days out on both, but the 192 is still quite good especially for going a bit slower and beeing looser.

          Stoke meter was super high for me on this ski, but I’m not 100% sure about it yet, its a good ski for sure, but its less chargy than expected
          For smaller guys than my 6’3 / 240lbs I would say you would have 0 issues controlling it, even in the 192 lengths.

          my pair has a ton of camber, which I like.

          To @luke you really really really really need to get a pair of CT 3.0 2021, its has for me been the most surprising ski out of the 50 something skies I’ve skied of 2021 models.

          • I can’t say I’ve personally noticed the bases being abnormally slow. Granted, CB is generally pretty steep and I usually only notice skis feeling slower than average late in the spring, but even then, I didn’t notice that with our M-Free 108.

            And good to know about the updated CT 3.0, will have to try to test that next season.

  4. Hi BLISTER!
    Great review, thanks! Looking for a touring ski with good downhill performance (off-pist, minimal if any groomers). The lighter the ski the better but it is not priority. How does these Free 108 compare to their Tour 99? Set-up: Salomon Shift and Atomic Hawx XTD 130.
    Filip

  5. So I finally got to ski mine. 6’1″ 170 lbs and own the 182 M-Free 108 mounted with the Pivot 15. I have to say the BLISTER review is spot on. Had interesting conditions to test it on as the snow changed during my trip from Mashed Potato slush to Corn and then about 4 inches of new soft stuff on top. The ski is very playful. Very different ride than skis like the Legend or the Cham HM. What it gives up in the “carving” aspects it far exceeds in playfulness and its ability to tackle all types of conditions. While it did surprisingly well when some hard icy spots entered the picture without question soft and variable snow is where this ski shines. Can some it all up by saying the key word when talking about this ski is fun. Simply put its a really fun ski.

  6. I’m curious how this ski compares to the old Nordica El Capo. It seems like reviewers said similar things about the two skis.

  7. Luke, as an avid Cham / Legend fan, how does this compare to that line? Any recommendations for a Legend replacement? I’m worried the M-Free 108 will not have the stability I am used to.

  8. Hey Blister,
    I am having a bit of a hard time to find the perfect ski for me, since I’m 196cm tall (94kg). I am looking for a ski that can do it all since I only ski about 2 weeks per season. I’m a intermediate/advanced skier and have always skied on piste but really want to get into free riding. I’m looking for a playful ski that does well in powder but isn’t bad on groomers either. At first I thought this was kind of impossible but I think I have found some pretty good options. I would love to hear your thoughts and maybe some suggestions. I have considered the Dynastar M-free 108 in 192cm but I am not sure how it performs on groomers. I think the black crows atris meets all my wants as well but I don’t know if 189,7cm is long enough for my length. My latest find is the Fischer Ranger 102 fr which seems to have good performance as well and is 104 under foot in 192cm. What do you guys think would be the best option for me? I would love to hear from you!

    Greetings from one of the flattest countries in the world, the Netherlands
    Luca

  9. Hey Luke, curious how the Wildcat 108 compares to the M-Free 108. I know the M-Free is heavier, but curious how you’d compare the two considering you have reviewed both? Would you ever put a Pivot cast system setup on the M Free? Or would that be crazy heavy to tour with?

    • Hey Ethan,

      We compared the Wildcat 108 to the M-Free 108 in our Deep Dive article for the M-Free 108. Consider becoming a Blister Member to check it out. You can also see how the 184 and 190 cm Wildcat 108 as well as 182 and 192 cm M-Free 108 compare on the Spectrums page accompanying our All-Mountain Freestyle category in the 22/23 Winter Buyer’s Guide.

      I’d say the issue of weight is mostly personal preference as well as style, priorities, terrain, etc. when it comes to a touring setup. It’s certainly on the heavier side, and I’ve seen people do it, and I’ve seen folks touring with even heavier setups.

  10. Probably no chance I get a reply in a thread this old but here I go…

    Hey blister,

    I am 6’2″ 180lb fairly advanced skier, but not nearly the best skier on the hill by any means. I am currently on a K2 mindbender 108ti 186cm and like it but dont love it. I really like how stable it is and how well it can shut down at speed, but I find myself not loving it in tigher trees or on lower angle tree runs. Up until I rode this ski, I stuggled with skis of this length <182cm. I previously had a rustler 10 in 188cm and it felt so catchy all the time, and I hated it in the bumps.

    Everyone here in the cottonwoods raves about the m-free 108 so I think I want a pair. Im super inbetween getting the 192 or 182. 192 seems enticing but woried it'll give off the same vibes as the k2 I am on. On the contrary the 182 seems wicked fun for tree skiing but Im worried about the stability on more open slopes.

    What I am really looking for is something that is a less demanding than my k2 and a bit more manouverable in the trees and bumps, while still maintaining a decent level of stability. Which size do you think would better fit me?

    • Hey Scott, I’m wondering if you ended up pulling the trigger on one of those two sizes? We’re very similar in stats and background – right down to the experiences with the Mindbenders, ha. Cheers! Dan

    • When comparing the Mfree and Ranger 108s, please I’d like to hear – if possible – your opinions/differences on how they perform when snow is less than ideal… Thank you!

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