I chose the ski at the beginning of the season because my old all-round weapon remained in Kyrgyzstan and will hopefully spend a long retirement there. I wasn't looking for real monster dumping days or gimmicks on the slopes, but rather an everyday ski suitable for touring. I mounted a Dynafit Beast 14 on it (separate test). So much in advance, the ski covers my set goal relatively well. However, after a few days on the wood and in various conditions, I also noticed some weaknesses.
Test
The Cham 97 is available in lengths of 166, 172, 178 and 184 (my length) cm. This is also a small point of criticism, the ski could be a little longer for me (1.87-1.89 m) in order to have the necessary stability for faster turns (I am 1.86 m tall and weigh approx. 85 kg). But in the steep couloirs around Chamonix, the birthplace of the ski, you probably won't need the extra centimeters. Larger models (190 cm) are only available in the wider brothers Cham 107 and Cham 117. According to the manufacturer, the radius is 15 meters for all lengths. As the weight of the ski (2.3 kg/ski) is of secondary importance to me and the downhill performance is what counts most, I opted for the "more stable" version. For all touring freaks, there is a high-mountain version that weighs 1.8 kilograms (per ski).
I first became friends with the ski on the piste (grippy), where it impressed me with its amazing precision and maneuverability. For me, the "fluttering" nose only takes some getting used to when skiing faster on the piste, but this is difficult to change with a rocker tip. Once you get used to it and the edge has been sharpened, it carves beautifully and can also be turned short. On very hard or icy slopes, the fun is naturally limited. In general, however, the ski is suitable for more than just crossing the piste from one powder spot to another.
But now to the Cham 97's actual field of activity and my main area of use. In powder, the rocker shovel provides plenty of lift, which is additionally supported by the pintail, and the whole thing works even at a moderate speed. This gives the ski good maneuverability even off-piste. The sand-width construction (wood core, fiberglass, titanal coatings) makes the ski smooth-running, even in rough terrain, but only up to a certain speed. For high-speed turns as well as for rougher maneuvers, the ski is too short and also a little too unstable for me.
Conclusion
Here little has changed since my short test. With the Cham 97, Dynastar has succeeded in creating an easy-going all-rounder with a focus on off-piste. This could not be said of the "older" freeride collection from Dynastar, these were reserved for a smaller user group, namely the friends of the crowbar (...I loved them). The Cham 97 is not the first choice for high-speed turns and really deep days (that's where I fall back on its stubborn, older and wider brother). However, it is suitable for all-round use and is robustly built, so it can handle the occasional rock contact quite well without immediately losing its edge. A ski for anyone looking for an all-rounder that is still suitable for touring in terms of weight. Thanks to its wide range of uses, it covers most needs.
Advantages & disadvantages
+ All-rounder, wide range of use
+ robust construction
+ super float in powder for the width
- could be offered a few centimetres larger (therefore also unstable in my case when skiing faster)
Details
Test version: Dynastar Cham 97 in 184 cm (test person: 186, 85 kg)
Lengths: 166, 172, 178, 184
Dimension: 133-97-113
Radius: 15 meters
Weight: 2.3 kg/ski
RRP: 579.99 EUR
Hereis the manufacturer's website with more information
