DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 — Review

The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 is a lightweight backcountry touring ski built for skiers who want to cover ground efficiently on the way up and still enjoy a stable, playful ride on the way down. With a 105 mm waist it sits in the sweet spot for all-round touring, offering a touch more float than the narrower CFL 100 while keeping weight low. At 1440 g per ski in the 179 cm length, it is genuinely light for a ski of this width, which pays off over long climbs and multi-hour tours.

The defining trait here is balance. DPS built the CFL 105 to be a smooth, stable big-line tourer that still feels lively when you point it downhill, and the slightly longer 18 m turn radius reinforces that intent. It is a ski that rewards flowing, medium-to-large turns over ridgelines and open faces rather than one that lives for tight, twitchy slalom lines.

On the descent the Pagoda Tour CFL 105 feels smooth and composed. The generous tip and tail rocker combined with camber underfoot gives it easy float in soft snow and a clean, predictable release out of turns. The 105 mm waist and mild pintail taper let it stay afloat in fresh snow without feeling cumbersome when the terrain firms up.

The 18 m radius makes it a natural at medium and long-radius turns, carrying speed confidently across variable snow. It holds a line on firmer patches and transitions between turn shapes without protest. Because it is a light ski, it rewards a centered, dynamic stance and gives up a little of the plow-through damping you would get from a heavier metal-laminate ski when the snow gets chopped up or wind-affected. Ski it with intent and it stays lively and engaging top to bottom.

The heart of the ski is DPS's CFL layup — a Carbon-and-Flax Laminate over a superlight Paulownia wood core. The flax fibers add natural damping to the carbon, taking some of the nervous edge off a pure-carbon build without adding the weight of metal. A full-wrap sidewall improves edge grip and durability, and the world-cup base holds wax well and glides cleanly.

The CFL 105 comes in 155, 163, 171, 179 and 184 cm. Sidecut runs 131/105/115 at 155, 132/105/116 at 163, 133/105/117 at 171, 134/105/118 at 179 and 135/105/119 at 184 mm. The turn radius stays at 18 m across every length. Weights per ski are 1265 g (155), 1325 g (163), 1385 g (171), 1440 g (179) and 1520 g (184), keeping the whole size run firmly in lightweight touring territory.

This ski suits committed tourers who want one width to handle the majority of their big-line and all-round backcountry days. If you value efficient climbing and a smooth, stable descent over maximum downhill muscle, the CFL 105 fits.

Against the Head Crux 105 pro, another light carbon touring all-rounder, the DPS leans on flax for a slightly calmer feel. The Nordica Santa ana 104 unlimited is a lighter freeride-touring crossover with a more downhill-focused character, while the Armada Locator 104 is a dedicated touring ski of similar width worth cross-shopping.

Within the family, the DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 100 is narrower and quicker edge-to-edge for firmer, more technical terrain, and the DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 112 adds width and float for deeper days.

Pros

• Genuinely light for its width, rewarding long climbs and multi-hour tours.
• Flax-and-carbon layup adds natural damping without metal weight.
• Easy float from generous rocker and the 105 mm waist.
• Smooth, stable, lively feel on big lines and open faces.

Cons

• The light build gives up some damping and stability in chop and wind-affected snow.
• The 18 m radius feels less snappy in tight trees and technical terrain.
• Premium price relative to heavier all-round touring skis.

Verdict: The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 is a well-balanced lightweight touring ski that climbs efficiently and rewards flowing, medium-to-large turns on the descent. Its carbon-and-flax construction delivers a smooth yet lively ride with easy float, making it a strong choice for skiers chasing big lines who don't want to fight their gear on the way up. Accept its light-build limits in chop and its longer radius in tight terrain, and it is an excellent all-round backcountry tourer.