2026 DPS Wailer 100

The 2026 DPS Wailer 100 is actually more of a throwback with a modern twist versus a totally new thing. This is excellent news for DPS traditionalists who loved the RP shaping and innovative construction techniques. The Wailer 100 sets a high bar for maneuverable precision in deep and soft snow. At the same time, skiers who want to take advantage of the short turn radius will love the ski’s ability to carve deep trenches on the groomers and leave clean and round arcs in their wakes. DPS is also making strong moves toward sustainability and local control, featuring bio-related construction materials and for US residents at least, a Made in USA stamp. That carries a price tag, though, but you do get a lot of ski for the money.

DPS has never shied away from innovation. The construction features a hybrid laminate of carbon and fiberglass versus the two full sheets of carbon that we’ve been accustomed to over the years. They also simplify the wood core by using a full poplar core and nothing else. On top and bottom of the core lies their carbon-infused fiberglass laminate that stiffens the ski and provides tons of pop and zest. Holding it all together is DPS’s Super Sap Bio Resin and found along the edges are their Algal sidewalls. They still manage to keep the weight down, with a stated 1880 grams per ski in the 184. Tester Jeff Carpenter notes that “The wailer 100 felt really surfy and highly maneuverable in the soft corn snow but I had trouble controlling it at speed in widely-spaced moguls. I could tell it would be really fun in powder, especially skiing tight trees due to its maneuverability.”

Innovation not only exists in build, but also in shape. In terms of the footprint, the ski’s short radius is the big story here. There aren’t many 100 mm underfoot powder oriented skis with such short arcs to be made. This is the secret sauce, leading to happy skiers who are looking for ultimate mobility and agility without sacrificing flotation. Camden Waller states that “For being skied on some hardback groomers with sections loosening up to corn - which doesn’t seem to be its ideal conditions - I had a lot of fun on this ski! It was easy to move around and had a nice turn shape to it. Defiantly doesn’t want to hold edge on really hard snow, but it also doesn’t feel like it's going to slip out from under you. Would have enjoyed taking the out in some softer snow.”

The 2026 DPS Wailer 100 is actually more of a throwback with a modern twist versus a totally new thing. This is excellent news for DPS traditionalists who loved the RP shaping and innovative construction techniques. The Wailer 100 sets a high bar for maneuverable precision in deep and soft snow. At the same time, skiers who want to take advantage of the short turn radius will love the ski’s ability to carve deep trenches on the groomers and leave clean and round arcs in their wakes. DPS is also making strong moves toward sustainability and local control, featuring bio-related construction materials and for US residents at least, a Made in USA stamp. That carries a price tag, though, but you do get a lot of ski for the money.