Down CountDown Carbon 114 L — Review

The Down CountDown Carbon 114 L is a lightweight, directional freeride ski that manages to feel calm and confidence-inspiring where many carbon-heavy tour boards get chattery. At 114 mm underfoot with hybrid rocker-camber and a nearly flat tail, it’s built for powder and chop, yet still holds a respectable edge when you need to link clean arcs back to the lift. The 24/25 updates—thicker bases/edges and a Titanal zone underfoot—materially improve durability and binding retention.

On-snow performance

Powder: The 5-point shape and low, elliptical tip generate easy float and a surfy feel without diving. It pivots well in trees but prefers smooth, supported slashes over super-buttery tricks.
Tracked and variable snow: Tri-ax glass + 50K carbon plus rubber damping deliver notable composure in windbuff and resort chop. The longer stated radii (23–27 m) encourage medium-to-big turns and stability at speed.
Firm snow: For a 114-mm platform, edge hold is solid thanks to the underfoot camber and true sandwich layup. It won’t replace a carver, but it’s more precise and predictable than most ultra-light touring shapes.

Touring and weight

The L build uses a full-length paulownia core to keep mass down without sacrificing too much damping. It climbs efficiently for its width, and on the descent it feels substantially less nervous than many featherweight couloir sticks. Note: manufacturer-listed weights are 4086 g (189) and 3770 g (182) without stating per ski or per pair—many brands list per pair, but confirm if you’re counting grams for bindings/skins.

Construction and durability (24/25)

1.8 mm sintered bases and 2.2 mm double-annealed edges add real-world durability over prior builds.
A 605 mm x 0.5 mm Titanal reinforcement underfoot steadies the platform for landings, compressions, and higher edge loads.
SUPERSAP epoxy and rubber layers help knock down high-frequency vibration; the ski feels calmer than the weight class suggests.

Who it’s for (and not for)

For: Directional freeriders who split time between lifts and tours, want legit float and stability, and value lower swing weight for kick turns and tight trees.
Not for: Park/switch-heavy riding (nearly flat tail), or skiers who prioritize short-radius carving on hardpack.

Comparisons

DPS Pagoda Tour 112 RP: Lighter and more pivoty in tight spaces, but less damp and composed at speed than the Down 114 L.
Black Crows Ferox Freebird (110): Better for big vert touring due to weight; Down is calmer and more confidence-inspiring in chop.
Armada ARV 116 JJ: Looser and more playful for butters; Down is more directional and stable when the snow gets rough.
K2 Mindbender 116C: Heavier resort bias with stronger groomer bite; the Down is significantly lighter and more tour-friendly.

Key takeaways

Damped for the weight: carbon + rubber yield rare composure in chop for a touring-leaning build.
Directional confidence: supportive tail and longer radius reward speed and clean lines.
24/25 durability bump: thicker bases/edges and Titanal underfoot are meaningful upgrades.
Trade-offs: not a switch/park tool; still a 114-mm ski on ice days.

Specs and what they mean

Rocker profile (freeride/hybrid): Low tip rocker + underfoot camber + flat-ish tail—float in soft snow with real edge hold on firmer groomers.
Tip width (138 mm): Broad shovel for planing and smooth turn initiation in deep snow.
Waist (114 mm): Powder-oriented platform—stable in chop, less lively edge-to-edge on very hardpack.
Tail (130 mm): Supportive, directional finish for stability exiting turns and in landings.
Radius (23/25/27 m): Prefers medium-to-long arcs and speed; not a short-radius carver.
Lengths (196/189/182): Size up for stability in open terrain; size down for trees and kick turns.
Weight (listed): 4086 g (189), 3770 g (182), per ski/pair unspecified—verify for touring calculations.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Down CountDown Carbon 114 L too wide for daily driving?
A: In powder-forward regions, 114 mm can be a viable daily freeride width. In hard-snow climates, a 100–106 mm ski will be more versatile day to day.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Start near your height. Go 189/196 if you ski fast in open terrain and want maximum stability; choose 182 for tighter trees, couloirs, or lighter, more agile touring setups.

Q: Is the listed weight per ski or per pair?
A: The product page doesn’t specify. Many comparisons quote per pair; confirm with Down or your retailer if exact numbers matter for skins/bindings.

Verdict

The CountDown Carbon 114 L hits a sweet spot: legitimately light for tours, yet impressively calm and confidence-inspiring when the snow is tracked or wind-affected. With the 24/25 durability and underfoot stability updates, it’s an excellent one-ski powder tool for riders splitting time between lifts and the backcountry.