Van Deer Freeride 98 — Review

The Van Deer Freeride 98 is Marcel Hirscher's mid-fat all-mountain freeride ski — the piste-friendly member of Van Deer's small freeride line. Verified sidecut is 138-98-120 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 1775 to 2230 g. Construction is a beech-poplar wood core reinforced with double Titanal and carbon layers, full ABS sidewalls, race edges and a surfy tip rocker.

At 98 mm underfoot with double Titanal + carbon and a surfy tip rocker, the Freeride 98 balances Van Deer's race-tech edge grip on piste with genuine off-piste versatility. Weights of 1775-2230 g are moderate for the segment. The 16-19 m radius progression allows medium-radius carves on groomers while the wider waist and tip rocker deliver float in soft snow. Well-suited to advanced skiers who mix piste and off-piste terrain.

Core: beech-poplar wood with double Titanal + carbon layers — a heavier, damper build than the freeride norm — plus full ABS sidewalls, race edges and race base. Constant 138-98-120 mm sidecut across all four lengths with radii progressing 16/17/18/19 m at 164/172/180/188 cm. Weights 1775/1920/2045/2230 g. Surfy tip rocker with camber underfoot.

Compared to the Head Kore 94 Ti the Freeride 98 is 4 mm wider and heavier with more damping — closer to Van Deer's race pedigree than a pure carbon build. Against the K2 Mindbender 96 it is similarly sized but with double-Titanal + carbon reinforcement rather than K2's Titanal I-Beam. Compared to the Van Deer Freeride 108 it is 10 mm narrower and more piste-friendly.

Pros

• Verified full spec data across all four lengths.
• Double Titanal + carbon construction delivers race-quality edge grip in an all-mountain shape.
• Constant 138-98-120 mm sidecut with per-length radii from 16 to 19 m.
• Beech-poplar core with surfy tip rocker balances damping and playfulness.

Cons

• 98 mm waist limits float in deep powder versus wider freeride shapes.
• Heavier than lightweight all-mountain 96s (up to 2230 g at 188 cm).
• Not built for touring — resort-oriented weight.
• Premium boutique pricing.

Verdict: A race-tech 98 mm all-mountain freeride ski from Marcel Hirscher's Van Deer line for advanced skiers who mix piste and off-piste and want race construction quality in a versatile shape.