2023 Liberty Origin 112

The 2023 Liberty Origin 112 got the VMT 1.0 treatment last year just like all the other Origin skis for this year, adding a new element of power and stability to the most playful and floaty Origin in the line. Built with a bamboo and poplar wood core, the 112 also gets a couple of carbon stringers to stiffen the flex and make the ski stand up to more rigorous skiing. And then the good stuff comes in. By adding a vertical metal strut to the middle of the ski, it really boosts the performance of the 112 to the next level. This is a good thing, and while it increases the level of stability and power of the ski, it also doesn’t take anything away from the playfulness and freeride flotation of the 112. There’s a lot to like about a ski this wide with such a rockered and rounded shape, that when that metal strip is added to it, it really takes the ski’s ability and performance to a whole new level. Better suited for deep, fresh, and soft snow, the Origin 112 prefers to play, surf, smear, and slarve on top of the snow rather than digging deep trenches in it, and we wouldn’t really want it any other way. If you can find a way to get these skis in their intended environment, you aren’t likely to find anything better out there in the world.

Ryan Daniel was on the 184, and he noted that it felt short, especially for a powder ski. In addition, Ryan is normally found making amazing carved turns on groomers given his race background, so it’s great to see a skier like him get on these freeride and powder-oriented skis to see what he has to say about them. Flotation, playfulness, forgiveness, and overall impression all earned the coveted 5 out of 5, while all other categories earned 4’s, showing the consistent high end of the 112, even though it’s on the wide side. Ryan states that the Origin 112 is a “Super-fun playful ski that likes to carve and smear equally. Bring me in the park, ski me backwards, the Origin 112 skis can do it all.” Great compliments coming from Ryan here, who’s seeing some versatility and more all-mountain capabilities in this ski, and while that’s certainly appreciated, our guess is that he’d have similar things to say when the ski gets in the pow as well.

Also on the 184, Bob St.Pierre noted its shortness: “I’d really like to be on the big one (192) in deep snow. I think the rocker impacts the length of the ski in this model, and since it’s intended to be in softer snow, I want more surface area in general.” Bob gave top marks of 5 out of 5 for flotation, quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, and forgiveness. 4’s went for overall impression and versatility. It’s not often we see such high scores for versatility in such a wide ski, and part of that is the new build, while another part is that it’s all relative. “For a 112, this thing rips some amazing turns. Very versatile in terms of turn shape and style, and while I wouldn’t want to ski this exclusively on groomers, it wasn’t half-bad on them either. Nice feel to it, like the other Bamboo skis in Liberty’s line, so that’s a big plus—very quiet and smooth as a result. This would make a great powder ski for us here in Vermont and New England, and I’m sure western skiers and those who live in snowy areas would love to use this almost every day.” 112 is a bit wide for the east, save for a very few days, but even then, we deal with a lot of tracked-out snow, and 112 gets pretty wide pretty quick around here.

Advanced and expert skiers who are looking for something on the fat end of their quiver will love the playfulness and freeride nature of the Liberty Origin 112. It has the freestyle flair of wanting to be a smeary and surfy ski with some tricks built in, as well as being more of the all-mountain ski that you know you want for when the snow gods are uncooperative.