Van Deer Freeride 108 — Review

The Van Deer Freeride 108 is Marcel Hirscher's wide-waisted freeride ski for big-mountain terrain — the widest ski in Van Deer's lineup. Verified sidecut is 148-108-130 mm across all four lengths (164, 172, 180, 188 cm) with per-length radii of 16, 17, 18 and 19 m. Weights per single ski range from 1785 to 2140 g — remarkably light for a 108 mm freeride with double Titanal + carbon construction. Construction is a beech-paulownia wood core reinforced with double Titanal and carbon layers, full ABS sidewalls, race edges, surfy tip rocker and Marcel's genuine race room finish.

At 108 mm underfoot with a beech-paulownia core (paulownia lightens the beech-heavy build) and double Titanal + carbon, the Freeride 108 delivers strong stability at speed in a lighter-than-expected package (1785-2140 g). The surfy tip rocker and 108 mm waist float in powder while the race-tech construction keeps chatter down in tracked chop. The 16-19 m radius progression is unusually short for a 108 mm freeride — this ski turns tighter than the segment norm at all lengths. Off piste it excels; on piste the wide waist and short radii allow surprising agility for a big-mountain shape.

Core: beech-paulownia wood — beech for damping, paulownia for weight reduction — reinforced with double Titanal + carbon layers, full ABS sidewalls, race edges, race base with genuine race room finish. Constant 148-108-130 mm sidecut across all four lengths with radii progressing 16/17/18/19 m at 164/172/180/188 cm. Weights 1785/1930/2030/2140 g. Surfy tip rocker with camber underfoot.

Compared to the Head Kore 106 Ti the Freeride 108 is 2 mm wider and lighter (2140 vs ~2200 g at 188 cm) with double Titanal instead of Kore's carbon-driven build. Against the K2 Mindbender 111 it is 3 mm narrower and significantly lighter (2140 vs 2075 g at similar lengths). Compared to the Van Deer Freeride 98 it is 10 mm wider and more powder-first.

Pros

• Verified full spec data across all four lengths.
• Remarkably light (1785-2140 g) for a 108 mm double-Titanal + carbon build.
• Beech-paulownia core balances damping and weight.
• Race-tuned finish from Marcel Hirscher's own race room.

Cons

• Wide 108 mm waist limits piste-only use to tedious carving.
• Short 16-19 m radius atypical for 108 mm freeride — expect a distinct feel.
• Not built for touring — resort-oriented weight and construction.
• Premium boutique pricing.

Verdict: A remarkably light 108 mm big-mountain freeride ski with Marcel Hirscher's race-tech DNA. Best for advanced-to-expert skiers who see real powder and want a ski that also handles piste with unusual agility for the segment.