DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 112 — Review

The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 112 is the wide, powder-oriented tourer of the CFL line, a ski built for earning deep days in the backcountry. With a 112 mm waist it delivers serious float, yet it stays remarkably light at 1560 g per ski in the 178 cm length, so it skins efficiently on long approaches. What sets it apart from most fat touring skis is its unusually short 15 m turn radius, which keeps it lively and maneuverable in tight trees rather than feeling like a straight-lined float platform. It is a ski designed to open up big terrain without punishing you on the way up.

In deep snow the Pagoda Tour CFL 112 is in its element. The 112 mm waist paired with a generous tip rocker gives it easy, effortless flotation, letting the tips ride up and plane through variable powder. The short 15 m radius means it pivots and slashes readily, so tight, technical descents and tree runs feel natural rather than a fight. The Paulownia core and carbon-flax layup make it feel light and quick underfoot, easy to swing from turn to turn and to hop over obstacles. The flax in the laminate adds a layer of natural damping that takes some of the nervous chatter out of the carbon, giving a smoother ride than pure-carbon builds of similar weight. On firmer or wind-affected snow it remains capable, though as with any ultralight ski of this width it rewards a centered, active stance over brute-force speed.

The heart of the ski is DPS's CFL construction, a Carbon-and-Flax Laminate wrapped over a superlight Paulownia wood core. Flax fibers are woven in alongside the carbon to add natural damping without the weight penalty of metal, so the ski stays quiet without sacrificing its low mass. A full-wrap polyurethane sidewall protects the edges and adds durability, and a reinforced mount plate gives a secure, confident binding interface. The profile combines a generous tip rocker for float, a moderate tail rocker for release and maneuverability, and camber underfoot for grip and energy. Across the range the turn radius stays at a short 15 m for every length. Weights run from 1390 g at 158 cm up to 1720 g at 189 cm, with the 178 coming in at 1560 g. Sidecut widens progressively, from 138/112/122 mm at 158 up to 141/112/129 mm at 189.

This ski is for the backcountry skier who prioritizes float and efficiency and who spends most of their time chasing soft snow. If deep days, tree skiing, and long tours are your priority, the Pagoda Tour CFL 112 delivers. Compared with the Armada Locator 112, a dedicated wide touring ski, the DPS leans on flax damping and its short radius for a more maneuverable feel. The Black Diamond Helio Carbon 115 is another light carbon powder tourer worth cross-shopping, while the Atomic Backland 109 is a slightly narrower, more versatile backcountry all-rounder. Within DPS, the DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 is the narrower, more all-round option, and the DPS Lotus Tour 117 goes wider still for the deepest days.

Pros

• Excellent float from the 112 mm waist in deep, soft snow.
• Remarkably light at 1560 g in the 178 for efficient skinning.
• Short 15 m radius keeps it maneuverable in tight trees.
• Flax damping smooths out the ride versus pure-carbon builds.
• Reinforced mount plate and full-wrap sidewall add durability.

Cons

• The 112 mm waist is overkill for hardpack and spring corn tours.
• The light build feels less planted than heavy resort skis at speed.
• Premium price positions it at the top of the touring market.

Verdict: The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 112 is a purpose-built deep-day powder tourer that balances big float with genuinely low weight and, unusually, a short radius that keeps it playful in the trees. It is not the ski for hardpack laps or mile-eating speed, and it commands a premium price, but for skiers whose backcountry days revolve around soft snow it is a compelling, efficient, and maneuverable choice.