Gear Talk

How to Decode DPS Skis

DPS Skis Overview and Breakdown

[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2018. We’ve updated it with the newest constructions and new skis from DPS.]

DPS builds premium skis across all major categories. From freeride, big-mountain chargers, versatile all-mountain aficionados, to backcountry touring skis at home in the ski mountaineering scene, you can count on DPS to deliver. But, with all their different collections and models (with name changes over time), it can be hard to know what DPS model is right for you. Our brand overview can help you decode the DPS alphabet soup and find the perfect DPS ski for you.

dps pagoda skis
You could choose off of color, but which DPS Pagoda ski is really right for you?

There are three parts to a DPS model: shape, construction, and the waist width. The waist width (how wide the ski is at its narrowest part right under your boots) is that number in the model nameā€”the wider the better for powder and the more narrow options are better on firmer snow. That’s the easy part, now let’s dig into the fun stuff.

Shape

DPS carries four basic shapes in their collection right now: RP, C2, Lotus, and Koala.

RP

You could think of this as “rocker profile” or “resort powder”, but either works. The RP shape hosts deep rocker in both the tip and tail, and a very tapered tip and tail to create a 15m turn radius across all sizes. All of this adds up to a very maneuverable shape that likes to take quick, snappy turns, over long arcing carves.

C2

If you like the sound of those long arcing carves, this is your shape. C2 we think of as “camber squared”, or just think “C” for camber. This shape has the longest effective edge out of the bunch, allowing the ski to really bite into the snow. A flat tail gives this a directional shape and will naturally want to take bigger, more powerful turns. To compare C2 to RP, the turn radii on C2 skis can range from 18-22m.

Lotus

DPS says these skis “embody the quest for the perfect powder turn.” These are all mega-wide powder planks (although this year there is a more manageable, Lotus 117). These skis blend C2 and RP. A straighter shape with less taper than the RP lends itself to longer turns. Elongated rocker allows the ski to float effortlessly and easily pivot in the deepest snow. In other words, these skis are psyched to take big turns in big snow.

Koala

Koalas may be small and adorable, but these Koalas are big-mountain shredding machines. The Koala skis feature a more symmetrical tip and tail rocker shape than DPS’s other shapes. In other words, the Koala is happy to spin around and ride switch whenever you are. There’s a bit more edge contact than the RP skis, so you can feel more secure everywhere from groomers to firm steeps.

Construction

The next piece of the puzzle is the construction. DPS pairs their C2 and RP shape with a variety of constructions ranging from some of the lightest skis in the industry to resort bump bashers.

Pagoda

This is DPS’s hallmark construction, earning them their “world’s most advanced skis” claim. Pagoda replaced the Alchemist construction in 2021, but carries similar features. Like a pagoda, DPS layers a cocktail of woods (paulownia, aspen, and ash) in-between two sheets of carbon. This gives the skis a stiff flex and plenty of rebound from carve to carve. The Pagoda sits in the middle in terms of weight, with a generally light weight ride for the resort. The Lotus skis usually live solidly in this family.

Pagoda Tour

DPS always builds killer light touring skis, their Tour1 construction from several seasons back were rock solid touring skis. DPS updated this construction in 2023 to be around the same weight as the previous year, but with a more damp and smooth riding construction. Using algal tech, the layered wood construction is bound together better, absorbing those unpleasant vibrations like a bear eats bear-berries.

Foundation

Eerily similar to the foundation of a house, these constructions are solid and sturdy. These are the heaviest of the DPS constructions, with a stiff wood core and fiberglass reinforcements. A strip of unidirectional carbon increases the vertical stiffness, too. They blast through chop and crud a bit better, but could feel like a bit more work than Pagoda. The Koala skis live in this family, but you can find the C2 and RP shapes in this construction too (for a lower price point than Pagoda).

And that’s that! You’re now an Expert DPS Decoder. With this info, you can easily figure out if a certain DPS ski is right for you. Do you like playful, quick turns, but deal with a lot of firm or chunky conditions? Think about a Foundation RP ski. Looking for a light swing weight in a softer snow ski but need something to hold up to long, fast turns? A Pagoda C2 or Lotus could be the ticket.

As always, call us here at Powder7 HQ for guidance picking out a pair, or if you just want to chat about skis.

Curious about 2023 DPS skis? Take a look at our DPS brand preview breaking down all the new skis and upgrades to Pagoda Tour.

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