M cross 80 review

Overview

The M-Cross 80 is the middle Xpress model of Dynastar's M-Cross all-mountain line for 26/27, sitting between the entry-level M-Cross 78 and the Konect-plated M-Cross 82. Dynastar describes it as a ski that "merges the adventurous spirit of a freeride ski with the controlled carving of a piste ski", aimed at intermediate to expert skiers who spend most of their time on wide groomers but want to explore new terrain. The numbers: 124-80-110 mm in every length, a radius of 10 m at 148 cm rising to 15 m at 178 cm, and a sandwich full-sidewall construction around the Hybrid Core 2.0. It ships as a system ski with the Look Xpress 11 GW B83 binding; 26/27 brings new mountain-motif graphics, the construction carries over.

On-snow performance

We compared the spec sheet with the M-Cross 78 and the differences are small but telling: the 80 keeps the same 124 mm tip and 110 mm tail, so the 2 mm extra in the waist slightly straightens the sidecut and, in Dynastar's words, favours stability when the snow turns soft or chopped. The short 10–13 m radius in the 148–164 cm lengths should still make it an easy ski to turn, and the low, progressive Directional Rocker is designed for quick turn entry and some float at the edge of the piste. The full sidewall, the H-Tech centre reinforcement and the stiffer Xpress 11 binding suggest a more solid platform than the 78 for skiers who already carve, and the 1.45–1.65 kg per ski build keeps it nimble in bumps and trees. The limits are the same as for every 80 mm all-mountain ski: it is not a damp high-speed carver on ice, and real powder days ask for something wider.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Hybrid Core 2.0 — bi-directional poplar (alternating wood grain) combined with polyurethane, made in France according to Dynastar.
• Construction: sandwich with full-length vertical sidewalls, Minicap tip and 3D topsheet.
• Reinforcement: H-Tech concentrated in the centre of the ski, fiberglass and a titanal layer listed on the spec sheet.
• Sidecut: Adaptiv Power sidecut, a smoother transition between the waist and the tip/tail shapes.
• Profile: Directional Rocker — progressive, low tip and tail rocker, classic camber underfoot.
• Binding: Look Xpress 11 GW B83 Black, DIN 3.5–11, 73–83 mm brake, 720 g per binding, tool-free adjustment for 260–385 mm soles, alpine (ISO 5355 A) and GripWalk (ISO 23223 A) compatible.
• Dimensions: 124-80-110 mm in all lengths; radius 10 m (148), 12 m (156), 13 m (164), 14 m (172), 15 m (178).
• Weight: 1,450 / 1,500 / 1,550 / 1,600 / 1,650 g per ski from 148 to 178 cm (Dynastar's 26/27 catalogue, listed per pair and halved).

Who it's for & comparisons

The M-Cross 80 is for intermediate and advanced skiers who want one ski for the whole resort: carved turns on groomers first, soft snow at the side of the piste second, with a binding already mounted and a DIN range that covers most adults. Within the line, the Dynastar M cross 82 is the step up with a Konect plate and NX 12 binding for stronger skiers, while the M-Cross 78 Xpress is the softer entry model; the women's Dynastar E cross 82 covers the same idea in 150–175 cm. Outside Dynastar, the Volkl Peregrine 80 is the more piste-serious 80 mm alternative with a full titanal frame, the Rossignol Experience 80 carbon is the lighter, softer option from the same French group, and the Elan Wingman 78 c is the closest system-ski cross-shop at 78 mm.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Short radius in the popular lengths with a bit more stability than the 78 in soft snow.
• Full-sidewall sandwich with H-Tech for predictable edge grip.
• Xpress 11 binding included, DIN 3.5–11, tool-free adjustment, GripWalk ready.
• Light per-ski weight for easy pivoting in bumps and trees.

Cons

• Not a damp, high-speed carver on hard, icy pistes.
• 80 mm underfoot still limits real powder performance.
• System binding cannot be swapped and the DIN tops out at 11.
• Only 2 mm separates it from the cheaper M-Cross 78, so the price step needs justifying.

Verdict: The M-Cross 80 is the sensible middle of Dynastar's Xpress all-mountain range: the same easy sidecut as the 78 with a touch more width and a stronger binding for skiers who already carve. If most of your days are on hard groomers, look at the Peregrine 80; if you are still learning, the 78 is enough.