Review: Dynastar Exclusive Legend Powder

[MaineSkiLady]

Model: Dynastar Exclusive Legend Powder (2007)

Sidecut: 121-85-104
(mine: 165 cm)

Manufacturer's Description of the Dynastar Exclusive Legend Powder:

"For excellent women skiers dreaming of freedom and nature, they want stability and high performance on every adventure."

**********
a/k/a “The Green Hornets”
(let me tell you, these skis are....well....BRIGHT)
Okay, after staring at them since June, when I got a crazy deal, it was finally time to inaugurate them last Thursday.
OMG, can you say FUN?
It was leftover 6", so heavily tracked/skied out, but pockets remained for those willing to “seek!”
But OF COURSE they sing and dance in the untracked!
My concern: will they hold it on what’s beneath (the hardpack to downright ice)?
YES!
I was amazed.
Fabulous rebound, happiest in medium to long radius turns, but more than capable of short-radius due to absurdly light weight (another one of those hold-between-thumb-and forefinger-skis – honest)
Did a quick switch-out with DH on Saturday, he didn’t even reset my low DIN, took them into a VERY narrow, bumped up former t-bar line. Although he could “feel” the slightly forward mount (this is a WS ski), he really enjoyed the maneuverability of this ski as well as the rebound.

Mine are a 165, and this length affords them the ability to really hold the hard stuff with minimal complaints (I’m something of a flyweight). BKH and I did a solid ice-to-hardpack run on double-black Skidder at Sugarloaf on Sunday. They held it.

In a word: YAHOO.
Lightweights, THIS is a ski worth taking for a ride! (specs unchanged for the last 3 seasons -- guess it's working out?)

 

[dartmoorskier]

Could I ask if you demo'd the 'exclusive legend' and if so, what you thought of it?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Demo'd it (Feb), bought it (Mar), love it (that's the EL's in the avatar pic) -- wonderfully light, very versatile---was looking for low-mid-fat (these are 75) that would do powder "light," crud, bumps, ice and quick turning in trees. Met all those expectations and more.

Got the EL Powders (85) for the heavier, deeper (ha, rare here) stuff -- longer at 165 than my EL's at 158, so they require me to be a bit more "on" and carry more speed.

My favorite thing about the EL's: their low-speed ability. In a lot of all-mountain skis that I demo'd, they required (at my 125# weight) that I get moving in order to perform (might have been too stiff for my body weight? ). I don't always want to be cooking it, esp in bumps, where I'm slow and methodical.

Mounted with the matching bindings (Powders have the Look Nova), these are the lightest weight skis (both models) I have ever owned in 35 years as a skier. I can literally carry them between thumb and forefinger. I'd have never believed the performance, based on this weight, if I hadn't demo'd first.

 

[michpc]

MSL, do you have the same year in the regular ELs? The bright orange ones? It's too bad, I absolutely cannot stand the current Dynstar floral topsheet.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

No, mine are the '08 - white with some purple/lavender - bit more understated. Someone here (oragejuice??) was selling orange '07 EL's last season, and I bought mine before I even saw her post (not sure if she sold them ). Agree re the '09 graphics. Ick. Hunt around if this is what you want: 08, even some 07s, are available online. No difference in ski specs.

 

[Nativecoskier]

Michpc,

I actually bought the orange EL's a month or so ago for $60 brand spankin' new on ebay. There are a couple ski dealers trying to unload them. Awesome carver! I have to agree that the newer graphics are a bit too fem, so I was more willing to purchase the older ones, especially since they haven't changed the specs much, if at all.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

$60??!!

But---- YOU got The Deal! Way to go!
(wow, and I check eBay frequently too...hmmm...sure missed THAT one)

 

[oragejuice]

No, mine are the '08 - white with some purple/lavender - bit more understated. Someone here (oragejuice??) was selling orange '07 EL's last season, and I bought mine before I even saw her post (not sure if she sold them ). Agree re the '09 graphics. Ick. Hunt around if this is what you want: 08, even some 07s, are available online. No difference in ski specs.

Nope, not me. I thought about the ELpowder, but I'm really really glad I waited and got Auras.

 

[michpc]

Michpc,

I actually bought the orange EL's a month or so ago for $60 brand spankin' new on ebay. There are a couple ski dealers trying to unload them. Awesome carver! I have to agree that the newer graphics are a bit too fem, so I was more willing to purchase the older ones, especially since they haven't changed the specs much, if at all.

Holy crap, what a DEAL!

 

[skiso]

I have a "new" pair of the unisex Dynastar Legends 4800 (2005/06 model purchased last spring) that have a sidecut similar to the EL.
They float and turn beautifully in 12-15" powder and are extremely responsive in bumps and harder snow. Very fun skis!

(I think the orange EL's from 2006/07 might still be available through Sierra Trading Post...)

 

[MaineSkiLady]

(I think the orange EL's from 2006/07 might still be available through Sierra Trading Post...)

Just checked. Yes.
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/0,75625_Dynastar-Exclusive-Legend-Alpine-Skis-For-Women.html
357, however, isn't that great of a price. I got mine last March, 08 model for 279 at SierraSkis. (neither includes bindings)

ETA: really glad to find some Dynastar fans here! Lots of Volkl hoopla, not too much about some of the other truly good skis out there.