2021 DPS Alchemist Wailer 110 C2

The 2021 DPS Wailer 110 Alchemist with the C2 shaping is a great choice for skiers looking for a wider, more directional ski for charging through the crud, powder, and manky snows of the world. Less spoony and tapered than the RP style skis, the Wailer 110 has a longer turn radius to go along with its less-aggressive rocker and taper. As a result, this ski operates on a different plane, but not one that's inaccessible for a lot of skiers. Still built with an aspen wood core and two full-sheets of carbon, this ski is no joke, as it has the stiffness and stability to handle higher speeds in adverse conditions. While the 110 might be too wide to really be used as an on-trail carving ski, the softer groomers will be no match for the ski to lay down some clean, round arcs. Hard snow and ice are really the ski's only limitation, but if you're getting a DPS 110, chances are you've got some other skis in your quiver already. At the end of the day, the quality of the materials and the build really make this ski stand out. I wish we had more time to put into these DPS skis, as they're unique and interesting to ski, and we'd like to try them in multiple conditions. But we do what we can.

On the 184, Jeff Neagle found a lot of redeeming qualities for the 110. "The Wailer 110 is my personal preference among this width range in the DPS line. I prefer having the longer turn radius and I think the ski feels a little more stable and more robust than the 112. I tend to ski faster than I probably should, so the 22 m turn radius works a little better for the way I ski. Of course, being a DPS with the Alchemist construction, it still feels pretty darn light and quite maneuverable considering the 22 m radius."

In terms of comparing the ski to others in the DPS lineup, Jeff notes some interesting differences. While the 110 is a C2 shape, the 112 RP certainly behaves differently. It's almost too close in width, but the difference in the taper and rocker makes a hugely different feel. "I do think it's fair to say it's a little more challenging and more fatiguing to ski than the 112, but I think skiers like myself who like the longer turn and extra stability on edge won't mind that at all. More punch-through, charge-through capabilities than the 112. It kind of feels like a mini Koala more than the 112. Still would be a good choice for a touring ski, although that probably goes without saying as just about all of the DPS Alchemist skis would be good choices for touring." And yet another argument for the versatility and light weight performance of the Wailer 110. Some skiers looking for that 50/50 resort to touring ski should certainly give this thing a look.

With the C2 shaping and the wider waist, these skis just motor through anything and everything in front of it. For a 110, they hook up well and hold tight to the end, using every centimeter of that effective edge. Skiers who have the coin to drop on a high-end product will not be disappointed with the Wailer 110.