Ski Reviews

2019-2020 Dynastar Menace Proto, 189 cm

Reviewer Username: Mark Danielson

Reviewer Height: 6’2″

Reviewer Weight: 205 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Expert

DAYS USED: 30 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe, Alpine Meadows

TEST TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 9/10

FORGIVENESS: 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 9/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 6/10

STABILITY: 9/10

SUSPENSION: 9/10

EDGE HOLD: 6/10

PLAYFULNESS: 8/10

PLAYFULNESS (Open Ended):

A very playful feel for loose drifting, spraying, and slashing — but it doesn’t pivot especially quickly, and it takes a bit of effort to make high-frequency tight turns.

SKI LENGTH: It felt a bit too short (189 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud | Clumpy slush piles

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

Advanced and expert skiers who like stability and suspension at high speeds on rough (but soft) snow, and who also like to release the tail for fun slashes and sprays.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

The Prior Overlord (the fiberglass version) provides an even smoother ride in pretty much every situation. Plus the Overlord is available in a longer length of 193cm for bigger skiers.

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

I did not expect this ski to handle the highest speeds smoothly, but it sure does. It also delivers impressive forgiveness and loose playful maneuverability, all of which make this ski a decent choice for some advanced and expert skiers in areas that get a lot of soft snow days.