The 2024 Dynastar M-Free 108 returns unchanged for this year, and we think that’s great news because this ski continues to surprise us. When we first got on it a few years back, we actually had a nice 7-8 inches of snow to contend with. The M-Free 108 quickly became one of our favorite skis in softer snow as it blends drifty playfulness with a generous amount of liveliness that makes the 108 feel both wider and narrower at the same time. It’s a weird mix of attributes, for sure, but the experience of the ski cannot be understated. This thing rips turns on groomers, and while we’re not here to sell anyone a 108 as a groomer ski, it’s impossible to deny the fact that this is one of the more fun turning skis at this width out there. The camber in the ski, combined with the unique hybrid core build, creates an energetic, surprisingly grippy, and tremendously satisfying carving experience. While it’s not terribly quick from edge to edge, which is not shocking, it operates confidently when riding the edges and standing on the ski.

The build stands out as one of the cooler parts of the ski, blending a poplar wood core that’s wrapped in fiberglass with extended polyurethane material along the sidewalls to create a mix of energy and silence. This is a great solution for skiers who love the energy of poplar and glass mixed with the smoothness of PU. Dynastar has experimented with PU in the past, placing it in the ski in smaller quantities, but have lately been more fully committed to the greater amount of the material in their skis, and it sure seems to work. The M-Free 108 gets a full sidewall throughout for excellent grip, and that all adds up to a strong ski that carries some weight with it. The 182 weighs in at2200 grams per ski, which is kind of a lot for something without metal, but it feels a lot more agile and maneuverable than the number suggests mainly due to the shape and profile. As a result, skiers get solid underfoot stability mixed properly with drifty and floaty performance in the tips and tails.

In terms of shaping, the ski takes more notes from the existing M-Free 108 and its playful and floaty nature. The stiffness is more pronounced in the M-Tour and while it doesn’t contain the full splay and rocker of the M-Free, it’s still a decent floater especially from the shovel. At 107 mm underfoot in the 179, the ski produces a 20-meter turn radius. This straighter cut is important from an uphill perspective as it keeps the ski on a more efficient path. Additionally, in a downhill format, the longer arc puts more emphasis on the skier and their ability to make drifty and smeary turns mainly since the ultimate goal is to find yourself in deeper and softer snow. In the tip, the rocker is more pronounced while the flat tail allows for better grip from the skin. We get the tail skin notch to nod to the touring aspect of the ski, and the shovel is the progressive part of the profile.

Ever since we’ve skied the M-Free 108, we’ve been big fans. The turning ability of the ski, combined with the floaty overall nature makes it a shining example of a modern freeride ski. While it’s best suited for advanced and expert skiers, it’s still on the accessible side for progressing skiers due to the shorter radius and easier turning capabilities. If an improving advanced skier is looking for a good floater, this one is a great choice for not being too demanding or difficult.