DPS Wailer 100 Review

DPS launched its "Will & Testament" warranty program in 2023. Special to this warranty program is that the skis' warranty can be transferred to new owners (provided the original owner purchased directly from DPS Skis or an authorized DPS Skis dealer and completed the registration process). Of course, there is a list of limitations and exclusions, so be sure to read carefully. DPS also includes Phantom Glide, an eco-friendly base treatment that's intended as a permanent solution to waxing skis. While those two features may not entirely compensate for the exorbitant price tag, they certainly help.

Stability at Speed

A damp woodcore, plus two full-length sheets of carbon fiber, helps the Wailer 100 feel stable at all but the highest speeds. At nine pounds per pair, our testers could ski most slopes with utmost confidence. However, with a 40% rocker profile, we also noticed some tip flap at high speed, especially on firm surfaces.

Due to the distinct yet gradual rise of the forebody of the Wailer 100, the tips lose contact with the snow earlier than those of other skis we tested. It was during medium to large-radius carves at high speeds, in particular, where the tips felt the most nervous.

Carving Ability

Traditionally, the best carving skis are packed with 70% or more camber, with a narrow waist width for quick response edge to edge. This ski breaks that mold with DPS's thoughtful blend of a carbon-fiberglass laminate over a blended wood core, which delivers a consistent and satisfying snap while carving on the firmest surfaces. Despite its relatively wide waist width and more pronounced rocker profile, our testers noted that the Wailer 100 intuitively cuts a progressive carve.

Despite a listed turn radius of 15 meters, it felt like we could adjust the radius based on speed and edge angle, which is ideal for a versatile ski. One tester commented that the Wailer 100 retained its playfulness even while carving. “It was easy to break out of a carve, into a skid, and back into a carve.”

Powder Performance

DPS is renowned for crafting exceptional powder skis – the Wailer 100 is no exception. Our lighter and smaller testers preferred this ski for powder skiing because of its noticeably lighter swing. This was peculiar because on paper, the Wailer 100 is at least 1/3 of a pound heavier than those other directly comparable skis.

The shovel on the Wailer 100 is gradually tapered with a distinct shape. The tip profile – which flares out to 133 mm – greatly helped our testers plane through powder. While smaller testers noted that it was easy to flex this ski gradually, regardless of turn shape, heavier testers didn't have the same experience.

Crud Performance

The Wailer 100 didn't get knocked around like some of the other playful skis we tested. We believe one way DPS achieves a stable platform, despite the lightweight feeling of this ski, is by placing specific binding reinforcement zones just under the polyamide topsheet. These appear as slightly raised bumps and help create a more reliable connection between your binding and the ski.

Some of our testers commented that the tail felt “long” in some of the more challenging snow conditions they encountered. Even as the lighter-weight Wailer 100 lost some torsional composure in refrozen snow, our testers noted that slow, precise leg movements promoted consistency through their turns.

Terrain Playfulness

Everyone on our team admired the Wailer 100's ability to do exactly what they wanted, when they wanted. We attribute this to a careful blend of materials and dimensions. Notably, DPS chose not to use titanal, in favor of a carbon fiber and fiberglass wrap, which adds a liveliness to this ski that's missing from others that incorporate metal.

Listed at nine pounds per pair, this ski is near the average weight in our review. Despite the specifications on paper, our notes tell a totally different story. Everyone on our team commented on how “light” this ski felt underfoot. The carbon fiber wrap does an excellent job of absorbing terrain, while the blended woodcore that provides that “satisfying snap” while carving makes undulations and side hits all the more enticing.

Bumps

The Wailer 100 earns a surprisingly respectable score for mogul skiing, thanks to its predictable flex pattern and vibration dampening. The tapered shovels pivoted quickly on the backside of bumps, while the rockered profile gradually absorbed every hit.

Compared to the more narrow skis in our lineup, testers certainly noted that the relatively wide, 100-millimeter waist width of the Wailer 100 made it more difficult to navigate particularly narrow ruts. In these instances, they could feel the skis nudge into each other, requiring some significant effort to maintain their balance.

Should You Buy the DPS Wailer 100?

The Wailer 100 is a strong contender for a versatile all-mountain ski. Its dependability in a variety of snow conditions and playfulness across various terrain make this not only a solid ski but a fun one. We particularly recommend the Wailer 100 for smaller or lighter-weight, advanced to expert skiers who like longer skis, but want one with a lighter swing weight. DPS's commitment to construction quality is evident in this ski's exceptional performance, as well as in its price tag. If you can afford it, you're sure to love the Wailer 100.

What Other Skis Should You Consider?