Ski Reviews

2021-2022 DPS Pagoda Tour 106 C2, 179 cm

Reviewer Username: Abcdethan

Reviewer Height: 5’9″

Reviewer Weight: 174 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced

DAYS USED: 15 days

TEST LOCATIONS: San Gorgonio Wilderness, San Gabriel Mountains, Selkirk Mountains, Roger’s Pass, Tahoe Backcountry

TEST TERRAIN: Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Trees | Backcountry

TEST CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep) | Firm, off-piste chop or crud

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

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

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 8/10

FORGIVENESS: 6/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 3/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 7/10

STABILITY: 7/10

SUSPENSION: 8/10

EDGE HOLD: 6/10

PLAYFULNESS: 4/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (179 cm length tested)

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

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep)

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

Backcountry skiers who want a light mid fat all-mountain touring ski the ~1500 range and likes to ski directional and fast.

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

My previous ski was the Armada Tracer 108 in a 180cm. Coming in about 200g grams heavier and being torsionally strong with softer tips, it was a fun backcountry ski in untracked powder. From the very first turns I made it was a very intuitive ski.

The pagoda tour by comparison, is not as surfy is and less forgiving. It requires more effort to make turns.

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

This is not a powder ski, but a versatile all-mountain touring ski. It has a stiff flex throughout the tip and tail and is very damp for 1550 grams. It likes to make bigger turns and go fast. It has enough tip and tail rocker to float well in untracked snow. It’s not the ideal tool for refrozen hardpack or windboard on steeper slopes but it gets the job done. Paired with a Plum R170 binding, it disappears on your feet during longer days in the backcountry. I’ve skied it with light touring boots in the 1100g to 1400g, preferring the latter for more control. The Pagoda tour hits the sweet spot for uphill efficiency and downhill performance, punching way above its weight in terms of dampness and stability. If that’s the kind of ski you’re looking for this is an excellent choice. Get the past year’s model on a summer sale.