Review: Dynastar M-Pro 98 W

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For the skier who wants to rip groomers at a variety of speeds and still feel in control and supported in variable conditions, look no further than the Dynastar M-Pro 98 W. The widest of the women’s skis in Dynastar’s updated M-Pro line, the 98 W handles well in all different snow conditions. The directional, rockered build also helps make up for what they lack in underfoot width in deeper snow, making them a nimble companion for aggressive all-mountain exploration.

In a nutshell:

• Stated Weight: 1700 g per ski
• Stated Dimensions: 133 / 98 / 122 mm
• Stated Sidecut: 15 m

Shape, Construction, and Length

In comparison to older models of the ski, the updated M-Pro 98 W showcases a more modern tail shape and profile. A shorter turn radius than previous models also makes the ski a bit less demanding and easier to arc turns on at lower speeds. The wood & polyurethane construction that make up Dynastar’s Hybrid Core 2.0 construction is unchanged between the M-Pro and M-Pro W lines. The M-Pro 98 W comes in an impressive size range from 154cm-178cm, with a traditional mount point that some testers noted was best moved up a few centimeters from recommended.

Where does the Dynastar M-Pro 98 W shine?

Even with its very pronounced tip rocker, the M-Pro 98 W cuts through bumps and crud at high speeds and remains easily maneuverable. Testers noted that the same tip shape also inspired confidence when skiing a longer-length model of the ski. While the directional shape and rocker profile might make it more attractive to hard charging skiers wanting to ride big-mountain terrain, once the ski was at speed, the stiffness allowed all testers to feel confident. “My favorite part about these skis was how in control I felt on them even when I was skiing fast,” said one tester.

Testers were also exceptionally impressed with the ski’s performance on groomers, reporting that it was easy to put on edge and drive at lower speeds but stayed in control at high speeds. “It's a good ski for big turns at lower speeds. It's very easy to put on edge and drive,” said another tester.

Where does the Dynastar M-Pro 98 W make some compromises?

While the rocker profile of the ski certainly had its advantages, testers found the tip of the ski to be much softer than the rest of the ski underfoot. As a result, the tip of the ski tended to collapse as testers drove into it in turns. Despite the short turn radius, some testers found the ski difficult to turn in tighter trees but the stability in cruddy snow almost made up for it. The underfoot stiffness of the ski also made some testers feel as though they lacked a certain amount of playfulness that other, similar skis retained.

“These skis require an aggressive skier in order to control them. The turn radius is not super good for tight trees but they charge through crud with ease. It took me a while to get used to them but once I let the skis run a bit it was much nicer to ski on them. Speed is your friend on these guys,” said one tester.

What would a perfect day on the Dynastar Pro M-98 W look like?

It’s been a couple days since that 5-inch refill, but it’s stayed cold enough to keep the snow good, but not cold enough to form ice chunks. You’ve been wanting to go check off some bigger lift or gate-accessed terrain that requires speed and control to ski, and is big enough for you to really open it up, but not so big it never gets skied. Whatever the run you’re in search of is, you also need stable conditions for it so you’re not looking for super deep pow, but rather good chalk and some dust on top. Once you’re there, the Dynastar Pro M-98 W’s lets you open it up and rip GS style turns down whatever big mountain face your heart desires.