2023 DPS Pagoda 100

The 2023 DPS Pagoda 100 is one of the most well-rounded and highest-regarded skis in the lineup. Built with the Pagoda construction and the RP shaping, this ski is a short-turner that loves to be on edge but in a fun-loving way. It’s an interesting split between skis that have to carve shorter turns like slalom skis and those that can, but also can do other stuff as well. The Pagoda 100 falls into the latter category. Built with a blend of ash, aspen, and paulownia, the Pagoda 100 gets the DPS carbon treatment with two full-sheets on top and bottom of the core. This sophisticated and high-end construction makes a lot of sense, and the engineers at DPS do a great job at making the ski both approachable as well as strong and stable. The RP shaping bestows a 15-meter turn radius upon the ski, regardless of length, so it affects the taper shape and rocker profile of the ski rather dramatically. The longer the ski, the greater the rocker, and therefore the better the flotation. At 100 mm underfoot, I’m not sure there are many better pure floaters out there, especially not for this level of on-trail performance as well.

Brad Moskowitz skied the 171, and felt that it skied short, so he’d recommend sizing up for sure. He gave it top scores of 5 out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness with 4’s for overall impression, versatility, forgiveness, and flotation. Brad points out that the 100 RP is “Even lighter than the Pagoda C2 106, this ski mimics the revolutionary shape of the Wailer with an ultralight build and craving for backcountry terrain. The RP 100 wants to play all day: smearing, slarving and carving turns with a good dose of energy and stability that one would only expect from the classic (yet radical) DPS shape. Skis shorter, so you can definitely size up, which will make the most of this ski when the snow gets deep and steep! Really quick edge to edge, but not the best tool for high-speed groomer laps in firm snow conditions.” I’d guess the length has something to do with Brad experiencing a loss of stability with the ski.

David Carter was also on the 171, and like Brad, noted that it felt a bit short. He scored it 4’s out of 5 for flotation and playfulness with 3’s running the rest of the scoreboard. David notes that “This ski plowed well through some of the heavy snow but I didn’t find it to be very lively and responsive overall.” These DPS skis do seem to have more of a polarizing effect than many other brands, and that’s okay—something can’t be great for everyone, and that’s why different skis exist and keep us in the job. Dave Hatoff liked his 171, scoring it all 4’s across the board, which is a great place to be for an all-mountain ski. He states that it’s a “Great one ski quiver! All mountain versatility. Groomers, bumps and pow. Lightweight!” That range and spread of scores and attributes definitely puts the Pagoda 100 in a nice light.

With an interesting build and innovative shaping, the DPS Pagoda 100 is a great choice for skiers looking for one ski to do it all. It carves on trail like more of a front side ski and floats through the pow like a much wider freeride board. The carbon and quality of the ski are right up there with the best of them out there, and we’re pretty stoked for that.