DPS Wailer 90 — Review

The DPS Wailer 90 is the narrowest, most frontside-oriented member of the Wailer line: a directional, carbon-built all-mountain ski aimed at skiers who spend most of their day on groomers and firm snow. With a 90 mm waist, a 119 / 90 / 106 mm sidecut at 179 cm and a short 15 m turn radius, it is set up to be quick edge-to-edge and eager to carve. At roughly 1800 g per ski at 179 cm it is genuinely light, which shapes much of its personality on the hill.

It comes in 157, 165, 171, 179 and 184 cm, covering a broad range of heights and skiing styles from spirited intermediates to strong directional skiers who want a lively daily driver.

The defining trait is agility. That 15 m radius makes the Wailer 90 exceptionally quick and carve-happy, snapping from turn to turn on piste and holding a clean line on firm snow. The rocker/camber/rocker profile, with roughly 40% tip-and-tail rocker and 60% effective edge, keeps the ski maneuverable at slower speeds while the camber underfoot supplies grip through the arc.

The carbon build gives it an energetic, rebounding feel: it loads and releases quickly, rewarding an active skier who drives the shovel and works the ski turn to turn. The light weight makes it effortless to swing and pivot in tight terrain, on bumps and in trees. It is happiest as a directional carver rather than a speed-limit charger.

The Wailer 90 is built around a poplar wood core with carbon-fiber stringers and carbon laminate on the top and bottom, which is the source of its light weight and lively, energetic character. DPS uses its Super Sap bio-resin and algal-based sidewalls, and the ski runs steel edges. The rocker/camber/rocker profile pairs about 40% tip and tail rocker with 60% effective edge for a blend of quickness and on-edge grip. Verified geometry at 179 cm is 119 / 90 / 106 mm with a 15 m radius; lengths run 157, 165, 171, 179 and 184 cm.

This is a ski for the piste-focused skier who wants a light, snappy carver with just enough width to handle the odd soft patch. It is the least powder-oriented Wailer, so if you want more all-mountain float, the wider DPS Wailer 100 is the more versatile sibling.

Against the class, the Head Kore 88 Ti is a comparably light metal-topped all-mountain reference that trades some of the DPS's carbon liveliness for added damping. The K2 Mindbender 89Ti, with its Titanal Y-beam, is more directional and burly, while the Volkl Mantra 88 is a heavier, metal frontside ski that favours stability at speed over easy quickness.

Pros

• Very quick edge-to-edge thanks to the short 15 m radius.
• Light and energetic carbon build that is easy to swing and pivot.
• Carve-happy grip on piste and firm snow.
• Directional shape that rewards an active, forward-driving skier.

Cons

• Narrow 90 mm waist limits float in deeper, softer snow.
• Carbon layup is less damp than metal skis for heavy chargers at speed.
• Directional, not a park or freestyle ski.

Verdict: The DPS Wailer 90 is a light, lively frontside carver for skiers who live on groomers and firm snow and value quickness over stability at the limit. Choose it if a snappy, energetic daily driver appeals; look to a wider ski if deep-snow float is a priority.