2022 Liberty Origin 96

The Liberty Origin 96 gets an upgrade for 2022, and we’re pretty stoked about it. For the past few years, it’s been a staple in the fun-loving all-mountain world, and now it’s taking its skills to the next level. Liberty has beefed up the core in the Origin 96, implementing their new VMT 1.0 technology into the ski. While the V and Evolv series skis have always had the vertical metal struts, the Origin skis have not. Now, the 96 gets the 1.0 treatment, and this includes the addition of one metal strut to the central portion of the ski. It’s a bit of metal, but since they use it in a vertical manner, it really comes to life, offering the Origin 96 a new level of energy and stability that is quite noticeable. As usual, the skis have a blend of bamboo and poplar wood in the core with carbon stringers, but this metal strut really takes the ski to the next level. It retains its fun-factor for sure, but adds quite a bit more snap and energy, as well as power. One of the nice things about the vertical metal is that it has the performance factor of a horizontal laminate but not the weight. When it’s embedded in the core, it feels like part of the ski, rather than a stand-alone layer. Skiers who loved the playfulness and freeride capabilities of this ski in the past will appreciate the new-found abilities of the Origin 96.

On the 176, Benny Wax noted that it’s a little short. He has a few pairs of skis like this and he’s normally in the upper 170’s so it sounds like he feels it skis a bit smaller than true. Benny gave his high scores of 4 out of 5 for stability, flotation, playfulness, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression. 3’s for quickness, maneuverability, and versatility round out his scorecard, and like we’re used to seeing with these all-mountain/freeride mid-90's skis, a lot of average scores are going to be found. Benny states that the Origin 96 “Rules in soft spring snow. Doesn't really care for firm groomers but navigates them responsively!” While the firm groomer is still one of the low points for these more freeridey skis, the addition of the metal does make them slightly more adept and willing. David Wolfgang was on the 182, and states that the length felt right and true. He scored the Origin 96 4’s out of 5 for stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold, with the rest of his scores as 3’s. Like Benny, all 3’s and 4’s is a pretty good place to be for a versatile and playful ski like this. David states that the Origin 96 was “a solid ski, but the tip wasn’t as engaging as I had hoped for. From just behind the shovel, though, the ski was a lot of fun and very versatile.” While not the most assertive in the tip, the Origin 96 does prefer to be in the softer snow due to the shape, so the hookiness of the shovel isn’t really a strength that they’re going for.

Also on the 182, Josh Wolfgang calls it a good length, and he gave top scores of 5 out of 5 for playfulness and versatility. Flotation, stability, quickness, maneuverability, and overall impression all got 4’s so we’re seeing a bit higher of an average score from Josh on this ski versus our other testers. The comments back up the scores: “This ski is a blast. Super playful. Feels stuff when it needs to be but also flexes when it needs to as well. Loves being driven directly into bumps but also loves smearing. Can also get it on edge and carve and can hold an edge. Overall, very impressed with it.” That’s pretty much the perfect way to describe this ski, in that it’s able to be a bunch of different things at the same time.

Skiers who are looking for a playful one-ski quiver will be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Liberty Origin 96. Now with the VMT 1.0 core, the skis get a boost of performance, strength, and power without losing any of the playfulness or freeride heritage. It’s a win-win for all skiers.