While Dynafit skis have usually been quite clearly either ascent or descent-oriented, the manufacturer is entering new territory for winter 2014/2015. With the Denali, a new ski touring model is coming onto the market, which should impress with both ease of ascent and high downhill performance.
The Denali ski was developed in collaboration with the International Mountain Guides Association and had to undergo a special test in May last year. Some mountain guides went on a special kind of ski expedition and tested the ski on an ascent of "Denali" (6,194 m above sea level) in Alaska. We were also able to test the model (but not in Alaska, unfortunately).
First impression
As with the two models "Cho Oyu" and "Nanga Parbat", the geometry of the ski at the tip is somewhat unusual. The skin attachment system is well thought out and enables quick skinning and skinning. The design is simple, but still appealing. The weight is particularly impressive.
When you hold the Denali in your hand for the first time, you quickly realize that this ski was built for long ascents with lots of vertical meters. With a test length of 184 cm and dimensions of 132-99-117 mm, it weighs just 1390 grams according to the manufacturer. The "Denali" has a micro sidewall construction, which is intended to give it additional stability. It also has a rocker at the tip and tail so that it is still easy to turn even in difficult and narrow terrain.
Tester and material
As ski tests are always subjective, here are a few details about the tester. I am 178 cm tall and weigh around 70 kilograms. A Dynafit Radical FT was fitted as a binding. I also have between five and ten kilograms of equipment in my backpack. I'm normally out and about with a heavy freeride setup. Currently a Völkl One, 186 cm long and a Marker Duke binding. I would describe myself more as a leisurely skier. Nevertheless, I still cover more than 1000 meters of altitude even with a heavy setup.
Practical test in Norway
I was able to test the "Denali" on around 15 days in almost all conditions. Despite my initial reservations, it performed well in powder as well as in the worst slush. With its 99 mm under the binding and the wide shovel, it floats relatively well and is therefore easy to control in powder. Thanks to the tip and tail rocker, the ski is very easy to turn and can be skied very playfully.
The ski was particularly impressive in Norway, where the conditions were not particularly good last season and we were surprised with a lot of broken snow. Despite its lightweight construction, it was relatively stable in tough conditions, especially compared to other lightweight models. The good edge grip should also be mentioned for the width and lightness, presumably the construction with the micro sidewalls pays off here. At high speeds, however, the ski does flutter a little.
Despite the good downhill performance, the Denali's great strength lies in the ascent. Not only does the very light ski naturally conserve energy on the ascent, but skinning up and down with the Speedskin Denali skin is almost a pleasure and goes really quickly. As the skin is firmly attached right up to the tip of the ski thanks to the matching tensioning system, no snow gets between the skin and the ski.
Often, of course, the question of durability also arises with particularly light material. After 15 days of freeriding, it is of course impossible to make a definitive statement on this, but so far the ski has held up just as well as any other model.
Conclusion
The Denali is a ski designed especially for long tours and expeditions with demanding descents. Despite its lightweight construction, it performs well on downhill runs in all types of snow. The ski is ideal for those who want to have fun on the descent and still complete long ascents with ease.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Extremely light
+ Skin attachment at the tip
+ Good ascent properties
+ Wide range of use
- Unstable at high speeds
- Sidecut takes some getting used to
- High price
Details
Dimensions:
(168 cm) 130 - 97 - 115
(176 cm) 131 - 98 - 116
(184 cm) 132 - 99 - 117
(193 cm) 133 - 100 - 118
Weight per pair :
(168 cm) 1,190g
(176 cm) 1,290g
(184 cm) 1,390g
(193 cm) 1,490g
