2025 Dynastar E-Cross 88

With last year’s introduction to the Dynastar E-Cross 88, we saw a plethora of all-mountain skiers gravitate to this ski for its crisp carving capabilities and sophisticated build, proving its worth and reason for a 2025 return. The 2024 remake featured a new mold with unique construction attributes and shaping characteristics, and after leaving such a strong impression, the E-Cross 88 is back, unchanged and offering the same high level of versatility, predictability and fun-loving energy. Sitting amidst a relatively crowded category of ~90 mm waist width skis but thanks to Dynastar’s modern shape, combined with a short turn radius and impressively smooth feel, this ski manages to stand out in a big way.

The big thing that we see here as far as sophistication in the build is Dynastar’s Hybrid Core 2.0 technique. Filtering into most of their performance line of skis, it incorporates poplar wood but in a multi-dimensional format. Through this layering process, two layers of the core are fused together through force, eliminating the need for adhesive. This not only increases the sustainability of the ski but it greatly enhances instant rebound and feedback. Combining polyurethane along the sides provides an impressive level of dampness and smoothness from tip to tail, absorbing any unwanted vibrations. On top of the core, Dynastar uses an H-shaped metal laminate which places emphasis along the edges of the ski, enhancing edge grip and power to allow for exceptionally clean, sharp carving capabilities. With a silent nature and lively pep, groomer performance is off the charts while still leaving plenty of room for off-piste exploration. Tester Heidi Noonan experienced the E-Cross 88 in a variety of conditions and found it to perform well everywhere, saying the intended terrain for it was “all mountain as it is versatile in powder, bumps and hard pack.”

From a shaping perspective, the most noticeable characteristic that separates this ski from the rest is the tip shape. In the 167 cm length, the width of the shovel is 134 mm, which pairs with a 116 mm tail width and 87 mm waist width. This is a significant size for the front of a ski of this width and has a lot to do with the performance. Contributing to easy turn initiation and good flotation, it also boasts decent torsional stiffness which allows you to get up on edge and pulls you into a turn with ease. Combined with a long camber profile and minimal tip and tail rocker, which accentuates a long effective edge and impeccable edge grip, the overall shape is ideal for all-mountain carving purposes with enough agility to experience the bumps and trees as well.

Advanced level skiers will find a lot to love about the Dynastar E-Cross 88. In an all-mountain, frontside capacity, between the new refined build and uniquely versatile shape, performance is substantial and predictable.