All-new for 2024, the Dynastar M-Cross 88 is a crisp turning ski that has both all-mountain and front side chops to it. The trend lately has been moving towards a shorter radius arc with a wider shovel and relatively narrower tail. This M-Cross 88 has that modern shape and a sophisticated build to go along with it. We got a number of days in on this ski this year and found it to be more than capable of high-performance skiing while containing enough versatility to make it fun and engaging in softer snow and in off-piste formats. Dynastar has made a move to the eco-friendly side of the spectrum with M-Cross 88, relying on non-adhesive techniques and more environmentally conscious construction methods. If you can build a ski with a similar or greater performance and save the world at the same time, then so much the better. With an innovative shape, a high-end ceiling, and a green footprint, the 2024 Dynastar M-Cross 88 is a welcome addition to Dynastar’s all-mountain line.

The big thing with this ski is the build, and more specifically, their Hybrid Core 2.0 technique. They use a poplar wood core in this ski, but they do it in a multi-dimensional format. By milling one part of the wood core and joining it with another, Dynastar is able to bond two parts of the core without adding adhesive. This increases the sophistication of the build while keeping the chemicals out of the equation. They end up using poplar wood in three different formats, all with a minimal amount of adhesive. They do use a uni-directional fiberglass laminate on the top, and that does use epoxy, but it’s a necessary way to get the ski to feel like a snappier overall product. The hybrid style of the core uses a polyurethane material along the sides, providing a quiet and smooth feel from tip to tail. This PU material, in this amount, is specific to Dynastar and it gives their skis a totally impressive silent nature to them. On top of the core, Dynastar uses an H-shaped metal laminate whose arms keep the forebody and back end of the ski firmly planted on the snow. In the 176, this leads to a weight of 1800 grams per ski, which is on the light side, especially when considering the amount of on-trail performance that can be gleaned here.

From a shaping perspective, the big deal here is the shovel width at 135 mm. That pairs with a 117 mm tail and the 88 mm waist to generate a 14-meter turn radius, which is pretty darn short. It’s a good thing the shovel has enough torsional stiffness to get it up on edge, and when you do, it feels like the tip is pulling and directing you around the mountain with ease. The tail more follows, rather than takes control, and this is a fun way to go about on-trail skiing. There’s good rebound in the back if you push it, but it’s kinda more fun to let it roll. With a long camber profile and minimal rocker in the tips and tails, this ski has energy built in, allowing it to be loaded and unloaded with a greater sense of confidence. In this sense, you can feel the blend of camber and the H-Shaped metal come together and serve the ski well in a carved turn.

Skiers in the advanced range will find a lot to like here. We skied the 176, and found that it skied a bit longer, which was interesting given the short radius. The long camber has a lot to do with it as it elongates the effective edge and gives the ski a smoother overall feel. Most of us spend most of our time on groomed terrain, so it makes a lot of sense to have a ski that aligns with that application. Given the new build of the Dynastar M-Cross 88, it’s tough to argue against this ski in an all-mountain and front side aspect.