DPS Skis 2023: The First Look
The big news from our friends in Salt Lake? Brand new technology and touring skis. DPS has always held the gold standard in balancing weight and performance, and now, they’ve really outdone themselves.
Better touring skis = better ski tours.
DPS overhauled their ski lineup last season to introduce the new Pagoda constructions across the board. This year, they keep the structure, but bring in a completely new construction for the Pagoda Tours.
New for 2023, DPS introduces their “Third Rail Technology”. DPS adds a “rail” of bio-based algae running through the center of the ski and to the sidewalls. Ultimately, this shaves weight. But the real kicker is how the algal tech integrates the materials inside the ski. DPS says this results in better bonding, increasing the smooth and damp ride we love so much from DPS.
Just like in the regular Pagoda, the Pagoda Tour still features the iconic carbon sandwich. Two thin carbon sheets hug a layered blend of light Paulownia and stiffer Ash wood. In the Pagoda Tours, you’ll also find strips of their aerospace grade foam, to shave some weight off and act as shock absorption. All of this wrapped up in one big algal tech blanket for the best riding touring ski they’ve built to date.
How to Decode DPS Skis
Shopping for DPS skis can be intimidating. Here are the essential tidbits you need to translate their model names as you decide which ski to buy.
Pagoda, Pagoda Tour, and Foundation, refer to ski construction. “Pagoda Tour” are super lightweight builds intended for alpine touring. If you’re doing a mix of both, “Pagoda” strikes the balance in the middle. These are all-mountain/freeride skis light enough to tour on but equally as capable skiing resorts. “Foundation” is DPS’ classic and most traditional resort-ski layup that’s a bit heavier than the others.
RP, C2, Lotus, and Koala refer to ski shape. “RP” skis feature deep rocker lines, lots of taper, and a short turn radius. They are surfy and smeary. “C2” is a more directional chassis built for more aggressive fall-line skiing. “Lotus” is the fat, surf-happy powder shape, and “Koala” rounds out the collection with a resort-centered all-mountain/freestyle approach.
Shop our full selection of 2023 skis
What’s New
A new Pagoda Lotus 117 offers their longer turn radius in a slightly more manageable size compared to the bigger, Lotus 124 that was new last year. you get the awesome flotation found in the RP shaped skis, with a flatter tail and tweaked sidecut for confidence inspiring stability for teeth chattering speed.
Like mentioned above, the Pagoda Tours have been completely revamped. The collection includes a 112 RP, 100 RP, and 90 RP, with a 106 and 94 C2. The 90 RP in particular was tweaked further with a softer flex and more reward mount point for better control when paired with light weight boots and bindings. The 90 RP and 94 C2 make for excellent, ski mountaineering sticks.
Other Highlights
The Pagoda line was trimmed down from two segments: Pagoda and Pagoda Piste, to simply Pagoda. The construction of the skis haven’t changed from previous models.
The Foundation series stays completely unchanged, including their “performance freestyle” Koala shape. Folks at the shop continue to eat up the Koala 103 as a do-everything-all-the-time pair of skis.
Get the inside scoop on all the new 2023 skis and gear
