[Editor’s Note: This ski was released in the 23/24 season and returns unchanged for 24/25.]
A brand new period of DPS.
DPS all the time pioneers new ski shapes and brings new visions to the ski trade. DPS is on an limitless mission to discover the “thriller encountered throughout a slide throughout snow”, and tries to construct the dampest and most secure skis potential. Prioritizing the best high quality supplies (like space-age carbon fiber), building methods (like their wooden lamination), and design improvements. The record is limitless. For the 2023-2024 season, DPS brings in a brand new period of their all-mountain/freeride line: Kaizen. Changing the Pagoda sequence from final yr, Kaizen incorporates design options from through the years and throughout their lineups. So what does Kaizen carry to the desk? We dive into probably the most slim of the brand new set in our DPS Kaizen 100 overview.
DPS Kaizen 100 Overview: Subject Notes
There are three new skis within the new Kaizen assortment; 100, 105, and 112. You’ll discover these waist widths mirror their Pagoda predecessors, however function new builds on the within. DPS makes use of a brand new cut up wooden core. The ash and poplar woods are layered horizontally in a brand new method (impressed by the approach used of their Pagoda skis) to maximise shock-absorbing properties. The carbon fiber sandwich DPS has change into so identified for was redesigned and tweaked from the methods used within the Pagoda Tour skis.
Let’s discuss form. You may discover a DPS calling card lacking within the mannequin title: RP or C2. DPS has ditched that in favor of extra common names, like “directional” and “rocker”. The Kaizen 100 and 112 function the “rockered” form, whereas the 105 options the “directional” form. Regardless of the fashions mirroring their Pagoda and Alchemist ancestors, these shapes are nonetheless tweaked from the originals. The Kaizen 100 retains a lot of what we liked from the RP; with a good flip radius throughout all sizes, a lot of tip taper, and deep rocker and splay within the tip and tail.
I’m 5’8″ and 130lbs and examined the 171cm DPS Kaizen 100 at Loveland Ski Space throughout our Powder7 Ski Check this spring. There have been quite a lot of situations on the mountain, from chalky steeps and agency trails to some mushy snow stashes. This sizing felt good for me for an all-mountain ski, however I believe within the 112 mannequin I might measurement up.
Groomers
At 100mm, the Kaizen 100 ought to in concept be probably the most versatile for snowboarding on path, and it delivers. Possibly it’s the purple shade, however to me, this ski felt like a mix of the previous Pagoda Piste 100 (which featured a beefed-up building and the C2 form) and Pagoda 100 RP on groomed terrain. The Kaizen has the dampness and stability of the Pagoda Piste, with the simple flip initiation and responsiveness of the Pagoda 100 RP. Contemplating the numerous rocker, it felt securely locked into turns and wished to carry a flip effectively. I didn’t discover it wanting to slide or wash out on turns. And whereas the turns felt extra directional than one thing extra really twin tipped, I assumed the tip form saved turns straightforward to provoke. That led to clean and interesting carving.
The groomed trails had been pretty skied up and had some slick patches by the point I acquired on the Kaizen, however the ski stayed predictable and clean driving all through. Due to the tip splay and rocker, I discovered a bit of little bit of tip chatter on really frozen slopes at excessive speeds. I by no means discovered the tip chatter to be unpredictable or distracting. The midfoot of the ski feels strong and reliable.
Not at all is that this a carving ski to tear your quickest GS activates, however on the finish of the day, that’s not its supposed use. It may rip just a few carves again to the raise or scorching laps, however the ski shines in really “all-mountain” terrain across the mountain the place really “carving” is much less of a priority. It rolls over on edge extra simply than another demanding skis on this class, just like the Nordica Enforcer 100 or Volkl Mantra 102.
Bumps and Bushes
I discovered that is the place the DPS Kaizen 100 shines. It’s fast and responsive, even within the largest of bumps. You possibly can really feel the energy-loaded carbon sandwich including liveliness, making zippering bump traces actually, actually enjoyable. However the ski doesn’t really feel unhinged. It’s dialed and refined, popping you on the proper second and never earlier than or after. The dampness of the wooden core and carbon is noticeable when encountering an imperfect patch of snow, and the ski’s predictability is evident right here too.
Like talked about above, this ski nonetheless undoubtedly has a directional form in comparison with extra progressive and twin formed skis, so it prefers a pilot that likes to stress the shovels. However when you’re there, the Kaizen feels straightforward to flick round and lightweight on the ft.
I additionally totally loved this ski in tree runs, the place the snow generally is a bit extra variable. The damp building does the heavy lifting to clean out these inconsistent snow situations. The tight flip radius and deep tip rocker additionally enable for fast turns. When it’s essential rip a quick flip to keep away from an impediment, the ski is correct there together with you. This sort of terrain is the place a 100mm waist feels good—generally mushy the place a much bigger platform is helpful, whereas nonetheless being fast to roll over and navigate tight terrain.
Powder and Blended Snow
The origins of DPS’s tapered and rockered tip form had been designed for elevated float and maneuverability in deep snow. Together with that design on a narrower ski, just like the 100, supplies nice bang in your buck. Whereas it’s not a powder-hunting machine just like the DPS Lotus and even Kaizen 112, the 100 will float on sneaky storm days or on journeys the place just one ski will do the job. It simply will get on high of sentimental snow and stays straightforward to show.
If it’s been just a few days because the recent snow, the Kaizen 100 gained’t cost via chop like one thing heavier, wider, or with much less rocker. It jogged my memory of the Pagoda 112 RP, in that it prefers to playfully skip round much less fascinating snow, somewhat than cost proper via heavier snow. That mentioned, the damp building mentioned above helps to maintain issues predictable underfoot. For folk who wish to take turns and prioritize discovering good snow, you’ll get together with the Kaizen 100 simply high quality.
I’ll word, I liked this ski in steeps. Chalky snow off Over the Rainbow at Loveland felt extraordinarily enjoyable with these skis. The vitality from the carbon made for a vigorous trip on this terrain. The form allowed the ski be straightforward to flick round in steeper terrain. I discover this width to be good in steeper terrain out West. Large sufficient for a secure platform in variable snow situations, whereas fast sufficient to whip round when issues get techy.
Draw back?
DPS describes these skis as “playful”, however I believe most “playful” skiers would hop on this and really feel a bit of out of sync at first. By playful skier, I imply somebody who likes to ski with a centered stance, butter and press, and finds each lip to pop off of in sight. The stiff flex and directional form imply the Kaizen 100 does wish to be skied in a directional method. It prefers a pilot who takes a ahead stance. You don’t must ski dialed as much as stage 10 aggression like on some extra metal-loaded skis, but it surely rewards conventional approach.
Backside Line
I simply checked: I mentioned predictable 5 occasions on this overview. So whereas which will imply that I want a thesaurus, it additionally means this ski is dependable and straightforward to belief even in tight terrain or sticky snow conditions (actually and figuratively). Which is precisely what DPS got down to do, proper? Create the best efficiency skis which might be damp and clean driving regardless of the snow. You’d be hard-pressed to discover a ski that balances play and efficiency in addition to the DPS Kaizen 100.
For those who’re searching for one thing with a bit of extra bend and play, however retains the predictability and flexibility we discuss right here, the model new DPS Wailer 100 might be for you.
I believe the Kaizen 100 fits superior to knowledgeable skiers finest. It’s ultimate for skiers who like a stiffer ski for efficiency on agency and variable snow, and who ski with a ahead stance. However, the place the Kaizen differentiates itself is the fast trip and light-on-the-feet feeling. Preferrred Kaizen 100 skiers are searching for a extra responsive and enjoyable trip than comparably stiff fashions that discover rigidity in heavy steel and heavier wooden cores.
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