The midsized Origin 106 from Liberty returns unchanged in all of its glory for 2021. Some lightning bolts on the topsheet for speed, apparently, but that's about it. Skiers who are looking for that eastern pow ski or western one-ski will find themselves right at home on the 106. With the same build as the 96 and 112 but with the profile of the 112, the 106 slides right into the sweet spot. The taper is more similar to the 96, so you're really getting the best of it all in terms of versatility and well-roundedness with the 106. Bamboo and poplar wood provide the backbone of the ski while the carbon strips provide a little boost of strength and snap for laying down some sweet turns. With a 20-meter turn radius at 182, these skis are great at changing up turn shape and style and allowing for smearing and slashing at your heart's content. We had two of our own testers get on the 106 as well as Liberty athlete Carver Butterfield (still can't get over what a great ski name that is).
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber / Rocker
CORE MATERIALS
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Powder, All Mountain, Big Mountain
On the 187, Carver Butterfield finds that middle-ground to be quite appealing. "This is a great all-mountain ski. The Origin 106 excels most in fresh snow; the rocker profile allows you to float on powder and offers a playful ride. Another big advantage of this ski is how light it is. Hop-turns, tight tree skiing, technical chutes, and couloirs are a dream on these skis. Also, these skis are super fun in the park; they are light and skinny enough to spin out of rails and jib just about anything. On groomers, they are alright (heavily rockered skis don't love corduroy). And, they are not the most stable at high speeds in any condition. If you are looking for a full-on charger ski, the Origin 112 is a better option. All in all, these skis are incredible. I use them for mostly backcountry because they are perfect for touring. But they would be a great option for an all-around resort ski as well." Nice to see the touring and backcountry application with these, as that width is a nice spot to be in for both uphill and downhill skiing, as you're usually in powder or deep snow.
On the 182, Jeff Neagle scored 4.5's out of 5 for flotation and playfulness, which both seem right up the ski's alley. "I really enjoy this shape" Jeff notes. "Not too much early taper, so you get long edge contact when the ski's on edge. I didn't find this hurts maneuverability because it has such low swing weight, but it definitely helps with edge grip." In terms of stability, which earned a 4, Jeff states that they're "fairly stable at speed, but I thought the highlight was its fun, energetic, and playful feel off-piste over anything else. Would love to have a pair of these for a light powder day out west. Makes a lot of sense that Liberty is based on Colorado-would make a great Breck/Vail ski." Again, we're seeing that strong mix of characteristics shine through with that mid-range 106 width. Bob St.Pierre skied the 187 and found it to be a good length. Bob scored 4's for flotation, maneuverability, playfulness, versatility, and overall impression. Calling it "totally stable, light, and easy to turn," Bob is clearly another fan of the Goldilocks shape of the 106. "Has a legit tail that likes to be engaged more than slid. A very good combination of flotation and carving performance. Perfect for advanced and expert level skiers who are looking for a pair of snow day skis."
Fun shaping, conditions-appropriate construction, and a playful profile make the 106 a great choice for pure powder and beyond. Whether you're using it in a touring application or as a resort-specific pow ski, the 106 is a fantastic choice with a freeride mentality.
