2023 Dynastar E-Pro 99 W

The 2023 Dynastar E-Pro 99 W gets a bit of a facelift and name change, but remains the same structurally for the upcoming season. This is one of those skis that we wish got more press, but for one reason or another, it keeps flying under the radar. There’s no reason for this, though, as the E-Pro 99 makes for one of the most well-rounded and high-performance skis in its category. Built with a poplar wood core with polyurethane on the sides, the hybrid nature of the ski brings a totally different and unique feel to the equation. The PU material goes a long way in silencing and quieting the ski without taking any energy away from the wood core. On top, the skis get Dynastar’s Rocket Frame titanal laminate that is narrow and central in the forebody, full-width underfoot, and remaining wide through the tail, but not full-width. This allows skiers to put their own mark on the entry of the turn with a very strong kick and finish at the end. In the 170 cm length, the skis generate an 18-meter radius, which is on the long side, and that has a lot to do with the lack of taper in the shovel. It’s a pretty straight cut, and that makes a lot of sense for advanced and expert skiers who are looking for something to drive, rather than being driven around on.

On the 162, Kristi Brown noted that she “was surprised that this short of a ski was so strong and confident.” She’s normally on a longer ski, so it’s nice to hear that the E-Pro 99 has the build to handle an experienced skier like Kristi. She gave it 5’s out of 5 for overall impression, forgiveness, and playfulness. 4’s went for versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. Kristi notes that the “Dynastar 99 is a pleasure treasure gem of a ski. Light weight and snappy ~ easy personality to make friends and just ski. Nice subtle graphics with the inlaid flowers giving a little pop.” Kristi’s feedback definitely mirrors the overall trend of the E-Pro, in that we feel that it’s a hidden treasure.

Louise Lintilhac was also on the 162, and she noted it was true to size. Louise gave it 4’s out of 5 for forgiveness and stability, with 3’s running the rest of the scorecard. Louise notes that “This ski lacked playfulness and was slow to get on edge. There’s a decent amount of tip rocker which kept it afloat but with a smaller effective edge, it felt sketchy and twitchy at speed despite its desire to go straight.” While she noted it was true to size, I’m guessing that the 170 might have lined up better with Louise’s style.

The good people at Dynastar have a good product on their hands here with the E-Pro 99. It’s totally versatile and a whole lot of fun, in addition to having a well-rounded nature and a high-performance ceiling. The innovative shaping, unique construction, and longer profile in the shovel combine to make a strong and capable ski that excels in multiple applications.