Hagan Ultra 89 — Review

The Hagan Ultra 89 is the wide end of Hagan's Ultra series — a full-carbon, fast-and-light touring ski built around an 89 mm waist. Where the rest of the Ultra line leans skimo-narrow, the 89 keeps genuine soft-snow width while staying remarkably light: roughly 1130 g per ski in 170 cm. A Caruba (paulownia) core, a full carbon layer and a Race Rocker profile make it a big-day and spring-mission tool for skiers who prize uphill efficiency but still want to enjoy the descent.

Race Rocker — early tip rise over camber underfoot — keeps the Ultra 89 predictable on firm spring snow and refrozen skin tracks, where much of its life plays out. The 89 mm platform holds an edge on icy traverses and floats meaningfully more than a skimo ski when the snow softens. Skinning is cheap: the low mass means each step costs little, and the ski is easy to kick-turn and manage on steep skin tracks. On the descent it rewards a light, centred, efficient style — smear it, feather turns, let the width do the floating. Push it hard through heavy chop at speed and the ultralight carbon build gets deflected and feels less damp than a heavier ski; ride it as a fast-and-light tourer and it flatters.

The Ultra 89 pairs a Caruba (paulownia) core with a full carbon layer for stiffness at minimal weight, wrapped in a 3D cap with carbon and fiberglass reinforcement. A Titanal and fiberglass binding reinforcement stiffens the mounting zone and holds inserts securely, while an ABS semi-sidewall adds edge bite underfoot without the weight of a full sidewall. Edges are steel and the base is a sintered touring base for glide and wax hold. Profile is Race Rocker. Per-length sidecut and radius: 154 = 123/89/106 mm, 15 m, 1080 g; 162 = 124/89/107 mm, 16 m, 1110 g; 170 = 125/89/108 mm, 18 m, 1130 g; 178 = 127/89/109 mm, 20 m, 1160 g. Available in 154, 162, 170 and 178 cm.

The Ultra 89 is for the efficiency-minded tourer who wants one ski for big vertical days and spring corn missions but still wants an 89 mm platform for soft-snow descents. Cross-shop it against the Dynafit Blacklight 88, a comparable ultralight carbon tourer, the Atomic Backland 85 if you'll take a touch less width for a slightly more forgiving flex, and the Armada Locator 88 as another light 88 mm option. Within Hagan's own range, drop to the Hagan Ultra 65 for a pure skimo race ski, or step to the more all-mountain Hagan Core 84 if you want a slightly burlier daily tourer.

Pros

• Very low weight — around 1130 g at 170 cm — for cheap, efficient skinning.
• Full carbon layer delivers stiffness and snap without penalty in grams.
• Genuine 89 mm width floats and smears far better than skimo-narrow skis.
• Titanal binding reinforcement gives a secure, confidence-inspiring mounting zone.
• Race Rocker keeps it predictable on firm spring snow and skin tracks.

Cons

• The ultralight carbon build gets deflected in heavy chop and is less damp than heavier skis.
• Rewards a light, efficient touring style over hard charging.
• Premium price for a niche fast-and-light ski.

Verdict: The Hagan Ultra 89 nails a hard brief: near-skimo weight with real 89 mm soft-snow width. For the tourer chasing vertical who still wants to enjoy the down on corn and soft spring snow, it's a compelling big-day and spring-mission ski — provided you ride it with the light, efficient style it rewards rather than charging it like a heavier freeride tourer.