2023 Dynastar Speed 4×4 763

For 2023, we get a similar ski to last year, with a slightly different name and graphic. The 4x4 82 is now 4x4 763, and should reduce a bit of confusion between the outgoing 82/82 Pro split. The 963 is the Pro, while the 763 is the regular. The main difference is the wood core and lack of metal in the 763. Built with a hybrid core consisting of paulownia wood and polyurethane material, these skis have a wonderful blend of lightweight agility and stable and quiet performance. The PU does a great job knocking down any unwanted vibrations, and it gives the ski a unique and interesting feel to it that no other ski company really has. In the 179, this 82-mm waisted ski produces a 16-meter turn radius, so it’s right on the long side of short, or on the short side of long, however you want to look at it. It makes clean and round turns for sure, and with the mid-range waist width, it blurs the line between front side and all-mountain, and that’s definitely the point with these 4x4 763’s.

Dana Allen skied the 179, and noted that it felt short for him and his 5’10” frame. He’d size up to the 185 if given the choice. As such, he scored the ski top marks of 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness, edge hold, quickness, and maneuverability. Overall impression, forgiveness, and stability all got 4’s while flotation and versatility were in the 3-range. Dana notes that “If you are a big fan of short to medium radius turns, this ski is great. Got a bit Squirrely and Chattery at longer radius turns at higher speeds. It felt like a slalom stick.” That 16-meter turn radius with all that camber can definitely come around on a skier. My guess is that Dana would have gotten a few more GS vibes out of the 185 for sure.

Marcus Shakun also found his 179 to be short, and that’s not too surprising, given that he’s got about six inches on Dana in the height department. Definitely should dial up a 185 for Marcus as well next time. Not a whole lot of craziness on Marcus’ scorecard, with 3’s running the board from beginning to end. Strictly average, and that’s okay. There are a whole lot of skiers out there who fit into that exact category and need a ski for that application. Marcus states that the 4x4 763 is best for an “Intermediate to advanced skier. It was too short for me which seemed like I just overpowered the ski. Longer would most likely help. The ski isn’t overly stiff, so the forgiveness is there for when you’re not on the groomers. On firmer snow it was ok, but it didn’t like to be locked into the turn.” Again, we’re seeing these implications of average-ness which leads to a huge range of skiers and skier types, so Dynastar at least has that large demographic covered.

The Speed 4x4 763 has a lot to offer a lot of skiers. It’s got the mid-range width and build to make it appealing for skiers who spend most of their time on groomed terrain, but who also want a slightly wider-bodied option for off-trail adventure. It wasn’t that long ago that a ski with an 82-mm waist would be considered fat, so there’s some flotation and soft snow performance to be had here for sure.