Dynafit Manaslu Review

I've had the chance to ski alot of skis over the past few years, everything from World Cup downhill skis to insane powder boards like the Movement Fly Swatters.  The Dynafit Manaslu's are skis for the hard charging skier who tours a lot. 


We started our day out touring out in deep snow conditions.  We had just received what the Whistler was calling 30cm of fresh snow, but was more like 60-80cm in the backcountry, what good days in the mountains are made of.  Skinning out and up, it wasn't hard to notice that this ski was super light, and that it was unbelievably easy to move.  Because of it's weight, my speed was immediately faster, as it vastly improved my cadence which was a treat with a fat ski on my feet.  The real beauty of the weight didn't come into play until it was my turn to break trail.  It effortlessly plowed through thigh deep snow on the up hill, on always came out on the surface due to its extra long shovel, making it way easier to climb faster. Even the pivot point of the toe piece was in the right place, allowing the ski to balance when hanging at the peak of a kick turn, without the heel dropping or catching. 

On arrival to the top of the run, after easily doing a race transition which was made possible by the Dynafit tip loop system on their speedskins, we were ready to get some sweet turns in.  Race transitions, where you  can take your skins off without taking off your skis, and usually ripping from the front rather than the back is way faster than taking your time and taking your skis off.  The beauty of this is it keeps you moving and shaves a lot of time of your travel time.  The Manaslus, and all Dynafit skis, have this shovel slit which accepts the speedskin rubber tip attachment allowing you race transition just like a pair of rando skis. 

With the avalanche danger high, we chose a suitable line and dropped in to bottomless powder and faceshots.  The skis were unbelievable.  They loved being pushed hard, and pivoted with ease, the 23cm long shovels bowing up and out of the powder beautifully.  It's nice to find a ski that you can open your turns up and go fast but yet still feel stable.

Trees, alpine, meadows, anything you throw at these skis they will happily tear it up.  The long tip is beneficial on the climb up, and the ski down, and really is a defining feature on this ski.  Every detail is flawlessly designed.  The 187cm was as stable as a 190cm team ski, and as easy to flick around as a 175cm touring ski, making all kinds of terrain fun to ski.  If you want something fat, but something that tours inconcievably well, this is it.  I'm going out for more turns on it, because of these reasons, while my other skis sit at home gathering dust.
(photo left:  Ty Petrusic wishing he had some Manaslu's) 

Dynafit Manaslu 187cm 
Dimensions:  124-95-109
Weight:  1525g (no binding)