GEAR SPOTLIGHT!
Gear Spotlight 2: Dynastar M-Free 108
The Dynastar M-Free 108 has been one of my favorite skis this year because of how versatile it continues to be. At 108mm underfoot, it’s wide enough to float and surf around on storm days and when it gets chopped up after lunch, it bashes through crud with confidence.
The camber underfoot gives it great pop and energy out of turns, while the rockered tips and tails keep it playful and easy to smear. Add in the long tapered shape and 18m turning radius, and it’s surprisingly fun carving groomers too.
Dynastar updated it with the Hybrid Core 2.0, which makes the ski noticeably more stable. I sized up to the new 185cm (from the old 182cm) and love how solid it feels. And with sizes now going all the way down to 162cm, smaller skiers can get in on the fun as well.
If you’re looking for a wider ski that you can ski all day, the M-Free 108 should be on your radar.
Gear Spotlight 2: Look Pivot 2.0
The Look Pivot has been one of my favorite bindings for a long time. This year, Look is introducing the Pivot 2.0, which keeps the classic turntable heel but adds more elasticity so you stay locked in when you’re pushing hard, but it still releases when you need it.
Skiers are on bigger and wider skis than ever, and Look answered with a wider platform that matches today’s designs. I especially like the updated brake sizing, now including a 105mm option, which means there’s a Pivot width for just about every ski out there.
Another reason I keep coming back to Pivots is how low they sit on the ski. With less hardware and stack height, you feel more connected, the ski flexes the way the engineers designed it to, without extra metal getting in the way. It gives you a smoother, more natural ride that really lets the ski come alive.
If you want a binding that’s as reliable as it gets, but also lets you feel your ski the way it was meant to be skied, the Pivot 2.0 is a great choice. And they come in some of the coolest colors out there!