Products catalogue
2024

DPS Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 94

The historic Pagoda range — the Salt Lake City-based manufacturer’s most touring-oriented lineup — has been completely renewed for the 2024/25 season

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In brief
Suitable for
Ski touring
Not suitable for
Bulletproof
Also suitable for
Big verticals, a few turns on the slopes
The most versatile and probably the Pagoda best suited to our latitudes with a significant upgrade: the carbon has been replaced by a carbon fiber and flax composite

The range starts with a few dimension upgrades (with the 106 mm being substituted by the 105). Beside it on the ski rack are models with waists of 90 mm, 94 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm and 112 mm. A closer look reveals significant changes to the structure. The construction is similar to that already used, with a double laminate enclosing the wood core, but with two significant updates: the carbon has been replaced by a carbon fiber and flax composite (CFL - Carbon Flex Laminate) and Paulownia wood core. The Paulownia/Ash/aerospace-grade foam structure has been dropped. The manufacturer states that the new laminate reduces torsional rigidity without compromising the reactivity of the carbon and material durability. The introduction of the new models has also been an opportunity to make the entire lineup more sustainable, with the use of part plant-based resins and sidewall materials.

The traditional DPS subdivision remains unchanged, with construction varying every two models. The 90, 100 e 112 have a more accentuated rocker (45% - edge contact length 55%) and radius 15 meters, while the 94 and 105 feature a more traditional construction, albeit not identical, with the 94 having a smaller rocker (25/35%) and larger radius of 17/19.5 and 18 meters respectively. With these details in mind, it is in fact the last two models that lend themselves most to being the one quiver choice in this lineup, while for different reasons, the 90, 100 and 112 reveal themselves to be more specialist in nature. We had the opportunity to try out the entire lineup in December 2023 at Lech am Arlberg in Austria in perfect conditions: straight after fresh snow, with a snowpack depth of nearly two meters. So almost what you might call American conditions, though the Pagoda lineup is the U.S. manufacturer’s most Euro-oriented in their range. Our theories proved to be pretty much on the money. The Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 94 in particular turned out to be the most versatile, and probably the best suited to our latitudes, though the 100 and 105 mm models also revealed a few pleasant surprises, albeit for different reasons. For this reason, we’ve decided to focus our first impressions on the 94, whilst also describing the character and details of its one smaller and two larger siblings.

«The tip floats well without needing to back seat»

Marco Eydallin

Without doubt the construction, with a somewhat modest rocker and limited (though not too limited) waist width, play an important part in the feel of the new Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 94, in keeping with the tradition of this model. Edge contact of 65-75% of total length ensures adequate edge hold in the different snow conditions likely to be encountered across the mountain and it performs well inbounds too — providing conditions are not too hard underfoot because the structure at the tip and tail and general setup don’t favor hard, icy conditions. This ski really comes into its own not-too-deep fresh powder (although it should be said that the tip floats well without needing to back seat), but it performs well also in crud as well as spring corn. The general skiing position lends itself towards a take it easy and have fun approach. Even in the crust the ski performs admirably, which is why it could be considered a ski for all conditions and long ascents thanks to its reduced weight. The relative rigidity of the structure delivers a smooth skiing experience, while the carbon ensures a good dose of reactiveness, whilst taking the edge off the skittishness that can plague some full carbon structures and transmitting controlled feedback. Long- and medium-radius turns are fun, with easy entry and exit to turns. Enjoyable to carve, even with long radius turns, providing one doesn’t overdo it, as it hasn’t been designed for high speed charging. What skier type? Progressing and intermediate skiers will get the most out of this ski, as will advanced skiers seeking an easy, undemanding tool that allows for trouble-free all-day touring.

 

product

«Rather than the waist width, the main difference between this ski and its 90-mm sibling is the construction. The Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 90 features a rather pronounced rocker in relation to its width — a factor which makes it very easy and intuitive to turn, especially for entry-level skiers»

The ski almost seems to turn by itself. The flipside is that it has a very high tip and reduced edge contact, which doesn’t help in icy conditions, requiring a very central skiing position and a very low cruising speed (along with tight turns). Stick to these rules and you’ll find this an enjoyable tool with an undoubtedly playful character — much like the entire range — albeit with certain limitations to where it performs best. Its weight and dimensions make it ideal for long days and significant vertical, and all in all it would make a great entry-level ski for those venturing into the backcountry for the first time up to intermediate level. The Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 100 is a ski specifically engineered for ideal conditions: fresh powder. A playful all-mountain ski that’s also at home twisting through trees and plowing through chop. Superbly reactive, easy to handle, fun and with easy turn initiation thanks to its 15-meter radius and wide variety of turn shapes it allows. This is not a big mountain tool, but a ski to please all skill levels from entry level through to advanced. 

And the Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 105? Together with the Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 94, this is the ski we found to be most playful due to its versatility, which in certain situations (read inbounds) is better than its smaller sibling. Construction wise, it sits between the 94 and 100, with slightly less rocker (40%) and larger radius, much like the 94. It’s a well-made tool that’s hugely enjoyable carving big lines on open slopes, as well as allowing for faster charging than the other skis in the Pagoda lineup. It’s naturally at home in powder, but also holds its own in tracked out conditions, spring corn and hardpack (within reason). Compared to the 100, it does struggle in tight terrain (not inbounds) — a factor that those with less-than-perfect technique will notice, where decisive control is required. Ideally suited to skiers at intermediate level and above. Finally, like all the skis in the Pagoda lineup, with rocker at both tip and tail, they don’t require any particular changes to technique for those used to resort skiing

Technical specifications

lenghts
157 / 165 / 171 / 178 / 185 cm
weight
1.340 g (178 cm)
sidecut radius
17 - 19,5 m
sidecut
131-94-110 mm
recommended use
backcountry; freetouring; classic ski touring
handling
skier
materials
carbon fiber/flax, Paulownia wood
tested undefined
Skis
Tour
Ambin
Farinel
Width Center: 90 mm
Weight: 1.430 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Armada
Locator 96
Width Center: 96 mm
Weight: 1.350 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Atomic
Backland 95
Width Center: 95 mm
Weight: 1.370 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Black Crows
Camox Freebird
Width Center: 95 mm
Weight: 1.475 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Dynafit
Radical 97
Width Center: 97 mm
Weight: 1.550 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Elan
Ripstick Tour 94
Width Center: 94 mm
Weight: 1.490 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Faction
Agent 2
Width Center: 96 mm
Weight: 1.550 g
tested undefined
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Tour
Kästle
TX 93
Width Center: 93 mm
Weight: 1.335 g
SMART
tested undefined
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Tour
Salomon
MTN 96 Carbon
Width Center: 96 mm
Weight: 1.380 g
tested undefined
Skis
Tour
Scott
Pure Tour 100
Width Center: 98 mm
Weight: 1.480 g

The Brand

DPS
Founded in 2005 by Stephan Drake and Peter Turner, it is based in Salt Lake City, in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. DPS stands for Drake PowderworkS and the market debut came with the Lotus 136, the first sidecut full rocker. In 2015, the Ultralight Tour1 construction designed for freetouring was introduced. The mission leaves no room for doubt: "DPS was founded with the idea of fusing innovative materials with advanced shapes so that those who live and breathe the sport of skiing have the best equipment to foster a deep connection with the mountains." All skis are made in the U.S. (the company claims to be the largest ski manufacturer in the U.S.), and full carbon products built after July 1, 2022 have a lifetime warranty, subject to product registration.
On-snow performance
HARD / PACKED
POWDER
WIND-BLOWN / CRUST
DAMP / WET
Best for
Powder
Recommended level
Best for
Intermediate
Trip purpose
Summit
Line
Slope
Best for
Slope
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