Down CountDown Carbon 104 L — Review

The Down CountDown Carbon 104 L is a modern light‑freeride/all‑mountain ski with a strong touring lean. At 104 mm underfoot, a long turn radius (23–25 m) and a playful freeride rocker, it targets skiers who want one setup for powder, mixed off‑piste, and long days on skins — without giving up downhill confidence. The 24/25 update (thicker base, stronger edges, carbon + flax) clearly boosts durability and damping.

On‑snow performance

• Powder & soft snow: The low, elliptical tip planes quickly; the nearly‑flat tail tracks true and holds speed in longer turns. Float is solid for 104 mm, if not “fat‑ski” buoyant. The shortened camber line adds a surfy, slash‑friendly feel.
• Windbuff & soft chop: Remarkably composed for the weight; flax and rubber damping smooth out chatter. Not a bulldozer like heavier metal skis (e.g., Blizzard Hustle 10), but far from twitchy.
• Firm snow & groomers: The long radius prefers medium‑to‑long arcs. Edge hold is respectable for the category; the carbon layup feels crisp. On truly icy days, its light build shows more than resort‑oriented chargers (e.g., QST 106).
• Bumps & trees: Low weight and a non‑hooky tail make quick pivots feasible. Stay centered — the near‑flat tail is supportive but less forgiving if you get in the back seat than a full twin.
• Skintrack & touring: At roughly 1685–1860 g per ski (181/187), it climbs efficiently without being ultralight. The titanal/rubber binding plate is confidence‑inspiring with hybrid/frame bindings; the 1.8 mm base and 2.2 mm edges are great for season‑long abuse and easy tuning.

Who is it for?

Skiers who want one ski to cover light freeride, touring, and all‑mountain duty. If you like open terrain and medium‑to‑long turns but still want something playful and easy to steer, this fits. If your priority is blasting heavy chop at max speed, a heavier, metal‑laminate resort ski may be better.

Comparisons

• Armada Locator 104: Lighter and quicker on the skintrack; less damping and stability in rough snow than the CountDown Carbon 104 L.
• Salomon QST Echo 106: Slightly wider and very versatile; the Down is straighter (bigger radius) and feels more directional at speed.
• Blizzard Hustle 10: Heavier and stronger on‑piste and in crud; the Down climbs and pivots more easily.
• DPS Pagoda Tour 106 C2: Lighter and very refined, but pricier; Down counters with thicker base/edges and daily‑driver durability.

Sizing & mount

• Lengths: 181 cm or 187 cm. Choose 181 for tighter trees/steeps or lighter riders; 187 for more stability, open faces, and longer arcs.
• Mount: Start on the recommended line. Go +1 cm for added play/pivot, or −1 cm for maximum composure and a more directional stance.

Pros

• Balanced weight‑to‑stability for a 104 mm light‑freeride ski.
• Thicker 1.8 mm base and 2.2 mm edges: durable and tunable for high‑use seasons.
• Flax and rubber tame vibration; carbon adds pop and precision.
• Bombproof binding platform (titanal/rubber) suits hybrid/full alpine bindings.

Cons

• Long radius not ideal for short, snappy turns on hardpack.
• Less plow‑through power in heavy crud than heavier metal skis.
• Only two lengths (181/187) may limit very short or very tall skiers.
• Factory weight is listed per pair — easy to misread in comparisons.

Specs and what they mean

• Rocker profile (freeride rocker, camber underfoot, low elliptical tip, near‑flat tail): Quick planing and playful feel with solid edge hold and drive underfoot; directional control from the supportive tail.
• Dimensions (128‑104‑120 mm): 104 mm waist blends float with edge‑to‑edge quickness; slightly narrower tail keeps stability without being hooky.
• Radius (23 m @181, 25 m @187): Prefers medium‑to‑long turns; calmer at speed, less nervy in variable snow.
• Weight (≈1685 g @181, ≈1860 g @187 per ski): Light enough to tour, stout enough to descend confidently; not a bulldozer like heavier resort skis.
• Construction (paulownia core, triax glass, 50K Sigratex carbon, flax, titanal/rubber insert, 1.8 mm sintered base, 2.2 mm edges): Mix of low weight, damping, and durability; stable binding platform; fast, thicker‑cut base and robust edges.
• Lengths (181, 187 cm): Simple choice — shorter for agility/ups, longer for stability/float.

Key takeaways

• Balanced climb/descend package: light enough for big days, composed enough for rough snow.
• Long radius, directional character: loves room and speed more than short‑turn carving.
• 24/25 durability bump: thicker base, stronger edges, better damping.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is the Down CountDown Carbon 104 L for?
A: Skiers seeking one ski for light freeride, touring, and all‑mountain. It favors medium‑to‑long turns and open terrain, with enough playfulness for trees and powder.

Q: How does it differ from the non‑L version?
A: The “L” uses a lighter paulownia core for lower weight and a crisper feel—great for touring. The standard version is typically heavier and more damp for resort charging.

Q: Is it a true daily driver?
A: Yes for mixed off‑piste/piste use, provided you don’t expect short‑turn carving on ice. For frequent hard‑ice days, a heavier, metal‑laminate ski will feel more planted.

Q: Are the published weights per ski or per pair?
A: Down typically lists pair weights. Rough per‑ski numbers are ≈1685 g (181) and ≈1860 g (187). For exact figures, weigh your pair or check third‑party measurements.