The 2027 Dynastar M-Cross 82 with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings sits below the 88 and sharpens the focus toward the trail without going full race. It shares the wider 88's hybrid wood and PU core, H-shaped titanal frame, and pin-tailed shape, but pairs them with a frontside-friendly waist, for a quick, all-mountain carver that is at home on groomers and ready to keep going when the snow starts falling. We paired the M-Cross 82 with the Strive 14 because of this binding’s well known reputation for safety, reliability, and ease of use. Featuring an LDN toe piece that optimizes contact and response, these bindings integrate seamlessly with boots and skis, allowing for a natural flex and balanced stance, making them the perfect choice to pair with this ski.

Why we like it:

Where most skis at this width tend toward a longer turn radius, the 82 keeps things short, so it darts from edge to edge and turns easily at moderate speeds rather than asking you to commit to one big sweeping turn.

Who it's for:

Intermediate and advanced skiers who do the bulk of their skiing on groomers and want energetic carving without expert-level demands. It is a great move up from a rental ski into something more capable, and a smart pick for resort skiers who want one ski tuned for hard snow that still works when it softens.

Highlights:

The 82 takes the M-Cross recipe and tunes it for hard snow. A narrower waist makes it noticeably quicker edge to edge than the 88, and the pin-tailed shape gives every turn a smooth, easy release that is especially welcome at moderate speeds. The H-shaped titanal reinforcement underfoot supplies the damping and edge hold, while a Hybrid Core 2.0 of tri-directional poplar and PU keeps it from feeling dead. An 82 mm waist keeps the footprint trail-focused and sharp. At the core is the three-part heel, which delivers the secure boot retention the Strive line is known for while keeping weight reasonable. Salomon's elastic travel keeps the binding planted through chatter and cut-up snow, so it does not get knocked offline easily. The LDN toe spreads lateral input across an extra-wide pedal for crisp edge-to-edge power transfer, and a sliding toe pedal lets the ski bend underfoot for a more natural flex. The whole assembly rides on a low-profile chassis that drops the stance and centers the skier over the ski. It accepts both standard alpine and GripWalk boot soles, and the binding is TUV certified.

Things to consider:

At this width, the 82 has clear limits in soft snow. If you see real powder days on any regular basis, step up to the M-Cross 88, which keeps the same shape philosophy on a wider, more versatile platform.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Most skiers can stay at their usual length, dropping down for tighter, more energetic turns or holding their normal frontside length for higher groomer speeds.