Dobermann multipista 80 dc review

Overview

Dobermann Multipista 80 DC is the name this ski goes by in North America; in Europe Nordica sells the same 80 mm ski as the Nordica Multipista dc 80 ti fdt. It is the wider of the two Multipista models — Ski Essentials describes it as the Multipista 74 with an extra 6 mm of width and a slightly more all-mountain lean. North American retailers list four lengths, 170, 175, 180 and 185 cm, while Nordica's European range adds 160 and 165 cm. In Nordica's own words it is a ski for people who want one pair that "can do everything, and do it well".

On-snow performance

The extra width is what defines it. Compared with the 74 mm Multipista, the 80 mm waist gives more support when the groomers turn soft and cut up in the afternoon, at the cost of a little quickness from edge to edge. The sidecut mixes shapes: Nordica's Multi Radius Sidecut borrows slalom geometry for the tip and tail and giant-slalom geometry for the middle, so the ski should bite early in the turn and then settle down. In the North American lengths the radius runs from 15 m (170 cm) to 17 m (185 cm) — medium turns rather than short swings. Nordica lists a full-camber profile; Ski Essentials' write-up mentions slight rocker in the tips and tails, so expect the ends to release a little more easily than on a pure race ski.

Construction & specs explained

Nordica calls the build Energy Ti DC: two wood cores stacked on top of each other, with a layer of Titanal and Nordica's Pulse Core elastomer between them, to absorb vibration and keep the ride smooth. The materials list reads Performance Wood + Metal + Pulse Core + Sidewall, with factory edge angles of 0.9° base and 87.5° side. It is a system ski: in Europe it comes on the FDT Race Plate N with a TPX 12 FDT binding (DIN 4–12). Per length, from Nordica's data (pair weights halved):

• 170 cm: 125-80-103 mm, 15 m, 1730 g per ski
• 175 cm: 125-80-103 mm, 16 m, 1830 g per ski
• 180 cm: 126-80-104 mm, 16.5 m, 1930 g per ski
• 185 cm: 127-80-105 mm, 17 m, 2030 g per ski

Who it's for & comparisons

Good skiers who ride mostly on piste in mixed conditions and want a damp metal ski that does not punish them when the snow gets choppy. If you live in Europe, look for it as the Nordica Multipista dc 80 ti fdt — same ski, two extra short lengths. The Nordica Multipista dc 74 ti fdt is the narrower, quicker sibling for skiers who stay on hard groomers. The Nordica Steadfast 80 dc fdt is a softer all-mountain alternative without a metal layer in Nordica's material list, and the Rossignol Experience 80 carbon is another 80 mm piste-oriented option.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 80 mm waist gives more support in soft, cut-up snow than the 74.
• Energy Ti DC with Titanal and Pulse Core for a smooth, damp ride.
• Multi Radius Sidecut for an early grip and a calm finish to the turn.
• Four North American lengths from 170 to 185 cm.

Cons

• System ski with a fixed plate and binding; no touring use.
• Slower from edge to edge than the 74 mm Multipista.
• Shortest North American length is 170 cm; smaller skiers need the EU version.
• Too narrow and cambered for real off-piste days.

Verdict: The North American version of Nordica's 80 mm Multipista: a damp, metal piste ski with more all-mountain support than the 74 — choose it if your groomers rarely stay perfect all day.