2022 Liberty Origin 101

The all-new Liberty Origin 101 for 2022 is a really, really fun ski. Splitting the difference between the Origins 96 and 106, the 101 blends the all-mountain usefulness of the 96 and the freeride flotation of the 106 into one great ski. Built much like the other skis, with a new VMT 1.0 core, the 101 has a bamboo and poplar wood core with carbon stringers to boost stiffness and response. In the middle spine of the ski, Liberty installs one vertical metal strut to really take the stability and power of the ski to the next level. This makes the ski smoother, damper, and more rugged for a bit more aggressive skiing, while not leaving the freeride fun behind at all. We got some good time on this ski this year, and all of our testers loved the energy, snap, and playfulness of the ski for sure. At 101 mm underfoot, this ski is capable of floating through the fresh just as well as it can hold an edge on firmer snow. While not competing with other high-test ~100’s like Nordica’s Enforcer, the Origin 101 is blazing its own path forward, and providing something unique and new in the ski world, and that’s kind of a tough thing to do given the overall saturation of the market.

Bob St.Pierre got to ski the 182, and while that was a good length for him to test, he’d likely use the 187 for personal use. Even so, he gave the ski top marks of 5 out of 5 for versatility, playfulness, quickness, and maneuverability. 4’s were given for flotation and overall impression. “You can really feel the difference between this, the 96 and the 106, and having that VMT 1.0 core takes this ski (and the Origin line) to the next level. It definitely blurs the line between all-mountain and freeride ski categories, and I have found that it doesn’t really fit into any category other than fun. The tail is quite engaging, and pulls you through the turn, rebounding you with positive energy into the next. You can smear, skid, and slarve this ski to your heart’s content, and it’s just a whole lot of entertainment the whole way down. I think it’s a bit wide for a one-ski quiver here in the east, but would be a great only ski for western skiing, and since Liberty is based in Colorado, it makes a lot of sense that they’d make a ski like this.” Sounds like a pretty winning format and formula to us for sure.

Also on the 182, Brad Schauerman found the length to be just right. Torsional stiffness and edge hold was Brad’s low score of 3, with all other scores as 4’s shows the high-end and versatile nature of this ski. Right up Brad’s alley, he states that it’s a “Great all-mountain ski for someone truly looking to explore the mountain. These skis hold an edge and carve well but truly excel off the trail and in a variety of snow conditions. Stable at speed and also quick and nimble. Fun ski!” Jeffrey Siegel also found the 182 to be true to size, and states that “So, I really liked this ski, but I think I had so much fun skiing it that I forgot I was supposed to be reviewing it. When I got off the snow, I wasn't sure what to say about it. It was stable, playful…it held an edge well. I want to ski this one again, for sure.” Could we even imagine a higher compliment than that?

The all-new Liberty Origin 101 is a great ski that blurs lines and creates new categories. It doesn’t seem to like to be labeled, and that’s okay, as it stands in one by itself. In reality, it kind of created its own category, and for a more independent ski company like Liberty, that just makes a whole lot of sense. If you’re an advanced and expert skier looking for one ski to handle any and all conditions and terrain at the mountain, the Liberty Origin 101 is a fantastic choice.