2021 DPS Alchemist Yvette 112 RP

DPS makes some cool skis. They make unique choices with their shaping, rockering, and choice of materials. It all adds up to the higher price tag, but what they do, they do it better than anyone. The 2021 DPS Yvette 112 is a great choice for powder skiers who are looking to stay on top of the snow, rather than sink in. Some heavier skis like to sink, and there is that faction of skiers out there who like the feeling of being deeper in the snow, but these are not the skis for them. Light, floaty, and spoony, the Yvette 112 loves to stay on top of the snow and make a bunch of turns on it. That's part of the charm-you're using your momentum to stay afloat, much like swimming.

Built with an Aspen wood core, the Yvette gets DPS's Alchemist build consisting of two full-sheets of pre-preg carbon. This carbon material is interesting for a couple of reasons, and while DPS is notoriously tight-lipped about their sourcing and implementation of the laminates, we can infer a few things about it. The coolest thing, I think, is that it never changes. For the life of the ski, the carbon will behave the same way as on day one. This adds value to the ski because it doesn't lose any of its spring or pop like more traditionally built skis. Second, it's just so light and stiff. When you hold a piece of the laminate in your hand, the first thing you notice is that it's impossibly light. That sensation is closely followed by the surprise at how stiff it is. Never bending, never wavering, the carbon laminates are a marvel of modern technology, and not just for skis-this material has applications all over the planet.

The RP shaping is the other very interesting aspect of these skis. At 112 underfoot, the tips and tails have to be altered in order to generate a 15-meter turn radius regardless of length, as that 112 mm waist stays the same regardless of length. As a result, DPS has to be pretty aggressive with their rocker profiles and taper shapes. Deeper lines and a spoonier shape create that shorter radius, but in the longer lengths, it looks a bit strange. That said, the shape of the ski makes for a fantastic skiing experience. In soft snow, you can really bounce. The tips do not sink, and the tapered tails allow you to play and smear and surf with ease. It's a totally and completely unique and interesting way to build a powder ski, and in deeper snow, it really works well. You do have to be aware of it, though, and if you're a fan of faster skiing and straighter lines, the C2 shaping will be a better choice for you. But I loved the way the skis came around at the end of the turn, and the best part is that you don't have to be on it the whole time because they turn so easily.

Skiers looking for a powder ski with a short turn radius and a super-light build will love the DPS Yvette 112. Fun, floaty, and refined, the 112 is a fantastic ski for fresh snow, and while they aren't terribly versatile, they certainly excel in their appropriate department.