Dynastar fans...

[CMCM]

I'm curious about the Dynastar Exclusive Legend....the purple one. I know there are some Dynastar fans here...

This ski struck me as extremely thin and light....how does it perform? It is sold without bindings.....and doesn't even have a binding base on it. The guy at the ski shop said Dynastar gets overlooked for several reasons...including a real low profile on advertising, and most shops don't even demo them. I'm wondering if the ski can be at all affected by NOT having the binding platform....you're screwing the binding into the ski itself, so could that affect performance?

Anyhow, I'm intrigued by this ski and hope someone here can fill me in about it. I presume it's not an advanced or stiff ski....

I consider myself a solid intermediate, my preference is groomers green and blue, I'm not a speed demon....but I'm hoping to get a second pair of skis to improve further on....not sure what I need to do that, whether it's get a stiffer ski, longer ski or what.

Anyhow, I keep hearing little snippets of good things about Dynastars, but never find a lot of detail or first hand experience with them.

 

[CMCM]

I forgot to mention, I'm 5'7", about 145 lbs., probably a level 6 or 7 skier. Currently skiing Nordica Serenity at 150, probably need to go a bit longer, although I'm comfortable on th3 150's. I don't know what a longer length would do for me...

 

[jaydog]

I had last year's Exclusive Legend. I'm 5'5", 130lbs, and the 158cm worked well for me at the upper intermediate/lower advanced level. The 165 would probably work for me at the advanced level. I would say the ski is right on the edge of being advanced, depending on what size you ski it in.

The EL is light and somewhat stiff. Not super stiff, yet not super-easy to flex either. It has some really good women-specific features, and it really helped me stay in the front seat. It's very versatile, and can handle a variety of conditions. If you ski groomers only and never venture off, then you should look at the Exclusive Fluid. The EL is more of a free-ride, off-piste ski. While it does well on groomers, that not its strength.

A longer length will give you more stability at speed, which translates as you not getting tossed around as much at higher speeds. And yes, I think you should try a longer ski.

 

[Severine]

Not personally familiar with this Dynastar ski, but I can say I've been very happy with my Dynastar Marie Martinod pro model TTs - and I just picked up a pair of Roxy Joyriders, which are basically Dynastar as well. I wouldn't be worried about the lack of a system binding. System bindings are not required. Most bindings were mounted right on the skis up until the recent favor (or not, in some cases-you'll find varying views on that) of the system.

As for length, if you feel you can go longer, do it. You can grow into a longer ski; but a ski that's too short will have a shorter life in your quiver. I am 195 lbs 5'5" , a 6-7 level skier. I started out on 140cm, moved up to 154cm at the beginning of the season, and skied most of the season on 165cm TTs (I specify that they're twin tips because they ski shorter than stated length). The Roxy Joyriders I just bought are 162cm. I know, that makes your decision about as clear as mud, eh?

These are the ones you're looking at, right?
https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Dynastar-Exclusive-Legend-Womens-17815.asp

If those are the ones, I can also vouch for that site as I bought my Joyriders from them. Great service.

Good luck! I know I probably wasn't all that helpful but at least you know you're not the only Dynastar fan on here. :D

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I demo'd it last month in a 158 and LOVED IT. Oh my. It was neck-and-neck with the K2 Lotta Luv for fun factor. Difference, IMHO: slightly more responsive at lower speeds, a little more willing to deal with highly varying conditions (pow to tracked to crud to hardpack). Here is a good link that explains why Dynastar manufactured it as a flat ski:
https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Dynastar-Exclusive-Legend-Womens-17815.asp

This also is the best price I've seen around, for the '08 model.

Paired up with the Look Nova Exclusive binding (which has a riser built in to it), you should get the performance out of it that you need without compromising its off-piste capabilities. Also sold at same online merchant.

My stats are same height, about 10+ more #, skill level around 7, skiing a long, long time. I am a huge Dynastar fan.

Bottom line: it had a very wide range of capability - will cruise easy if that's your style, can pour it on when/if needed. I loved it and would buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[CMCM]

How about other Dynastars? Like the Carve and the Active....I think the Carve has a VERY narrow waist, while the Active less so...maybe 64 for the Carve, 68 for the other one....I'm thinking one of these might be better than the Legend since I'm inclined strictly towards groomers right now, and I don't see myself going off piste for a long time, if ever.

 

[oragejuice]

It's an awesome ski, but I was on it right after being on a much more solid Volkl, and I wouldn't buy them. You mentioned that you thought it was super light and had a low profile, I thought it skiied well for how 'flimsy' (to me...) it felt, but I could definately tell. It was harder to edge, I think it was just way too soft. I was told that the Powder version is a fantastic ski.... You might try that out, if you want something a little stiffer, which was what I was looking for.

 

[oragejuice]

PS. I just saw your last post. So scratch the EL Powder, it will be too wide.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

A quick correction - didn't read your stats, I'm about 20# lighter than you. Re the Active: here's some good info:
https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Dynastar-Exclusive-Active-Womens-17812.asp
I regrettably do not know much about this ski, but I like its dimensions, with a very versatile 70 waist.

IMO, the lightness of this line (Exclusive) scarcely affects its performance. I wish you could demo - this is truly the only way to know if the ski is the right one for you. I frankly have never skied a Dynastar I didn't like - 22 years and counting...and in every type of condition from a foot of fresh to super-hardpack/boilerplate. Torsional rigidity is a big factor in the ski's adeptness as much or more than actual stiffness and weight.

 

[CMCM]

I frankly have never skied a Dynastar I didn't like - 22 years and counting...and in every type of condition from a foot of fresh to super-hardpack/boilerplate. Torsional rigidity is a big factor in the ski's adeptness as much or more than actual stiffness and weight.

Is there anything that characterizes Dynastars as a ski compared to other brands? Lightness I suppose....how about their edging capability.....I want something that edges well. As for your comment about torsional rigidity....how do you determine that....are some skis better with this than others?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I guess it's just a "feel" - they definitely are NOT "noodly" - though some models want to be turning more than others. Edging, no problem. I thought the Legend was extremely versatile - moreso than the K2 Lotta Luv, which I demo'd back to back with the E Legend in identical multiple runs, through a variety of conditions, from untracked to hard pack. The Lottas were great fun, and I loved them, but I found the Legends to be a little quicker in the transition between conditions without as much work from me. They also made that transition at lower speeds, where the Lottas didn't kick into performance gear unless I was moving. Believe me, I'd gladly settle for either ski, but the Legend was the winner, by a hair (I ski fairly fast). Just more versatile, IMO. Don't be afraid of length in a Dynastar, either. 158 was the shortest (demo) I'd ever skied. Currently skiing on 2 different (older) models, 165 and 162, and I'm only 125#.