DPS Skis 2024: The First Look
Always evolving.
DPS always brings something new to the table year after year. After releasing their latest and greatest technology in the Pagoda Tour last year, this year we get an all new resort collection: Kaizen. Top it off with a brand new Koala, and we’ve got ourselves some fun new skis to try from DPS for 2024.
What’s New
First, a bit of context. This year, DPS drops their “RP” and “C2” nomenclature from their model names. Now, the ski names are simplified and there are general shapes DPS uses, but they have a bit more freedom to tinker with shapes.
Replacing the old (but gold) Pagoda series this year are the new Kaizen skis. The ski selection is slimmer, with a Kaizen 100 and Kaizen 112 that have a more rockered profile, and the Kaizen 105 with a more directional shape. DPS describes the Kaizen 105 as having a longer turn radius, a longer effective edge, and less tip taper all to help it hold an edge and give greater stability in variable snow conditions. The 100 and 112 have deeper rocker lines which ring similar to the old RP shape.
The Kaizen also utilizes an updated core. DPS uses the carbon laminate developed for the Pagoda Tours last season, as well as tweaks to the ash in the wood core with a new glue that improves dampening.
There’s also new news for the Koala freestyle skis: a Golidlocks Koala 111. Slotting between the Koala 103 and Koala 118, the Koala 111 offers a more responsive ride in tight terrain, while floating better and being more stable in choppy conditions.
Other Highlights
The Koala 103 recieved an update to the flex, the core, and rocker profile. The 118 remains unchanged.
No changes to the Pagoda Tours series after an overhaul last season.
The powder machine Lotus 124 and Lotus 117 come back with fresh graphics. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better big powder ski than the Lotus 124, while the 117 packs a punch in a more…reasonably sized package.
