2021 Dynastar M-Pro 90 W

The all-new 2021 Dynastar M-Pro 90 W is going to turn some heads this year. After years of the Legend series of skis that were great all-mountain skis with interesting builds and shapes, the higher-ups at Dynastar decided it was time for a change. The men's and women's M-Pro skis are all-new for this year and they follow in that tradition, but in a new and unique way. While the Legend series skis started to bring polyurethane into the mold as far as ski construction, the M-Pro skis take it to a whole new level. The PU material is normally found in a 120-flex alpine ski boot, so it has that plasticky feel to it, but when used in a ski application in addition to a poplar wood core and a partial metal laminate, it really comes to life. The poplar wood core runs the central portion of the ski while the Pu material frames it along the outside. While it has been used in the past, it's nowhere near the extent to which it's used on these new skis. It's always interesting seeing what companies come up with in terms of material usage, and then it's a completely different conversation as to whether it works or not.

So far, in our experience, it works quite well. The skis are incredibly damp and responsive and energetic-a rare combination for an all-mountain ski, usually they can do one or two, but not all three. In addition to the blend of poplar wood and PU material, Dynastar is also using their Rocket Frame Ti metal laminate. This uniquely-shaped layer of metal is almost arrow-like, with a narrow, sharp tip in the forebody of the ski, and widening through the underfoot and into the tail. This allows for a playful feel in the front-good for flotation and swiveling around tight trees. That especially comes in handy with a 90 mm underfoot ski, where the width itself isn't much, but the shaping and build of the forebody and shovel make a big difference in how the ski handles softer and deeper snow. Underfoot and through the tail, that metal increases edge grip and rebound at the end of the carve. Skiers looking for that positive response from the ski will love this setup for sure. It's a party up front and business in the back type of situation that is fantastic for fun-loving all-mountain skiers.

So, does it work? Yes it certainly does. While we weren't able to get any female testers on the M-Pro 90 W, I got to spend some time on the men's version, and totally loved it. For how light they are on your feet (mostly due to the lack of metal in the shovel and tip), the skis performed at a much higher level than I thought we were going to get. They float wider than their width and carve narrower. It's this type of personality in skis that makes for a successful model, and I thought it was a great ski for our variable/firm conditions here in the east. For Vermont skiing, with tight trees and bumps, this shape and build is pretty much ideal.

Intermediates will learn to grow into these skis while advanced and expert skiers will already feel at home on the new M-Pro 90 W. For anyone who's been a fan of the Legend skis in the past and wants a similar feel and personality, this ski is a fantastic choice. We love the versatility of the ~90 mm underfoot skis in general, but especially here in the east.