What you shouldn't actually do in a test report...; I will do anyway: by simply quoting the manufacturer to introduce the test: "Whitedot's flagship powder ski is a versatile and reliable friend in the mountains.
First impression and design
Apart from the fact that I expect a little more from friends in terms of interpersonal values, a thick (128 mm waist width), reliable (even in rough and demanding conditions), profound (especially there it shows its strengths) and fun (in all respects) friendship has developed over time.
First impression and design
There is not much to write about the design of Whitedot. The white dots are now known across many borders and the simple design speaks for a focus on the essentials. As soon as you lift the ski up for the first time, it becomes clear that it is no lightweight - but that was not to be expected with these dimensions. Even weighed, each ski weighs around 2300 grams. As is typical for Whitedot, the ends of the skis are very angular and the widest point is offset quite far towards the center of the ski. For a powder ski, the Redeemer is quite stiff after the first flexing, whereby there is a difference between tip and tail (slightly softer) and under the binding (quite stiff).
Test conditions, binding, comments on the tester
The ski was tested in all conventional conditions in the last two winters - but mainly, of course, when it had snowed a lot. However, a number of descents were also completed in wind-compressed old snow and ploughed standard variants. The test skier is 180 cm tall, weighs 80 kg and is a sporty skier. I've always preferred heavy skis, which perhaps benefits the Redeemer a little in my assessment. The test ski was fitted with a Dynafit Radical in the recommended freeride position. The ski has been skied on around 30 days so far and has also been used for plenty of tours from 0 to 1200 vertical meters. Always with the 2014/2015 Black Diamond Factor as a ski boot.
Wide, wider, widest
In the conditions for which this ski was developed, it works really well. Due to the rather central mounting, you often get the feeling that the nose is about to dive away, but this hasn't happened once - despite a deliberately massive forward load. There are significantly wider skis that have less float than the Redeemer. The positive side effect of the centered mounting in combination with the tip/tail rocker is very high agility despite its length. Especially in fast, narrow passages or in the forest, the Redeemer offers much more maneuverability than you would expect at first glance. However, it should be noted that the Redeemer likes and needs speed. Slow turns in narrow terrain often feel rather sluggish, whereas with a little speed you can play very well between drifted turns and changing direction through edge hold; the handling comes quite close to a ski with reverse sidecut. The shorter version (180 cm) probably doesn't need such high speeds in order to initiate turns harmoniously.
In slightly harder snow, the Redeemer doesn't give way even when the edges are loaded more heavily and provides plenty of rebound for the next turn thanks to its flex. It works just as reliably in ploughed-up terrain, where it certainly benefits from its weight. The same applies here: speed brings safety. Above a certain speed, the Redeemer plows through any unevenness and with every km/h this becomes even more intense. If you can attribute smoothness to a ski, then it's the Redeemer. As long as the edge can still dig into the snow, it handles very well even on steeper terrain. It can even be placed on the edge on the piste, but it really isn't made for that.
Conclusion
The Whitedot Redeemer is definitely not a one-ski quiver, but you shouldn't expect it to be. It's almost unbeatable in its main discipline - in deep, fresh new snow - and only a few other skis of this width can hold a candle to it. The flotation is gigantic and the tip of the ski can hardly be lowered under the snow. The rather stiff area under the binding with its weight provides a lot of reliability in rough, rutted terrain. Despite its weight, it is suitable for short to medium-length tours and once you have made your first turn in fresh white snow, you know that it was worth it! Despite its clear focus, it is a very versatile deep snow ski. Let's hope our friendship lasts a long time!
Advantages & disadvantages
+ Agility
+ Very good control
+ Very good float
+ Variable range of use
- Weight
Details
Test version: Whitedot Redeemer in 190 cm
RRP: 696.- Euro
Lengths: 180 / 190
Dimensions: 138 - 142 / 128 / 132 - 128
Radius: 21.5 / 27.0 m
Effective edge: 900 / 1000 mm Weight: no manufacturer specifications; weighed approx. 2300 grams per ski Camber: 0 mm Edge Angle: 1 Base / 87 Sidewall Sidewalls: ABS Base: 1.2 mm ISO 7200 High Speed Precision Sintered, Die-cut Core: Full Tip - Tail Poplar / Ash Laminate Edge: 1.9 mm hardened Steel, 360 pre-bent Wrap-Around Topsheet: ISO Foil, Screen Printed & Twice Lacquered Construction: Tri-Axle Fibre Glass / Carbon Fibre Kevlar Stringers / Dry Weave Binding Retention Plate / Rubber Foil Dampening Tape
Further information from the manufacturer can be found here.
