Van Deer H power 78 — Review

The Van Deer H-Power 78 is the versatile all-terrain piste ski in Marcel Hirscher's H-Power Series, sitting between the pure-piste H-Power 68 and the all-mountain H-Power 89. Verified sidecut is 122-78-107 mm across all five lengths (159, 167, 175, 183, 191 cm) with per-length radius progression from 12.5 m at 159 cm to 20.5 m at 191 cm. Weights per single ski range from 1950 g (159 cm) to 2440 g (191 cm). Construction is an ash-poplar wood core with two layers of Titanal, full ABS sidewalls, race base and race edges.

At 78 mm underfoot with two layers of Titanal and per-length radii from 12.5 to 20.5 m, the H-Power 78 delivers strong race-quality edge grip on hard snow with more all-round versatility than the H-Power 68. Shorter lengths favor short-to-medium carves; 183 and 191 cm offer long-arc stability. The 78 mm waist and cambered profile hold an edge in firm off-piste crud but limit float in soft snow. Off piste it is more capable than the 68 but still resort-oriented.

Core: ash-poplar wood with two layers of Titanal — the same premium race construction as the rest of the H-Power line — plus full ABS sidewalls, race base and race edges. Sidecut is 122-78-107 mm across all five lengths, with a per-length radius progression from 12.5 m (159 cm) via 14.5, 16.5, 18.5 to 20.5 m (191 cm). Five lengths cover 159 through 191 cm.

Compared to the Van Deer H power 68 the H-Power 78 is 10 mm wider with more off-piste range. Against the Augment AM 88 it is narrower and more piste-focused. Compared to the Volkl Mantra 88 it is narrower and closer to a piste specialist than an all-mountain daily driver.

Pros

• Verified full spec data across all five lengths.
• Two layers of Titanal deliver race-quality edge grip.
• Constant 122-78-107 mm sidecut with per-length radius from 12.5 to 20.5 m.
• Marcel Hirscher-designed with World Cup construction pedigree.

Cons

• 78 mm waist limits real off-piste versatility.
• Stiff race-adjacent flex requires strong technique.
• Weights past 2400 g at 183-191 cm demand strong fitness.
• Premium boutique pricing.

Verdict: A race-tech 78 mm piste-focused all-mountain ski that broadens the H-Power 68's edge grip with more length range and off-piste capability. Best for advanced-to-expert skiers who mix piste and firm off-piste.