Dynastar's freeride offering for 2015-16 has been re-designed and the Cham 2.0 97 is born again.
It's the slimmest ski in the Cham range that also includes the 107 and 117, and it's also the most versatile - with the ability to carve smooth turns on groomed slopes and hit the off-piste on command.
The Cham has always demanded a strong skier with good technique to get the most out of them, but whilst the new version is aimed at experts, they are more forgiving and easier to ski on.
This has made them more fun to ride.
The big changes include a lighter Paulownia wood core, new tip profile that improves their turn initiation, longer progressive freeride rocker tip and rockered tail. They have kept a traditional camber with 5 point sidecut, meaning piste performance is still high, but they feel so much more responsive.
These changes have created a more balanced ski - they are lively in both long and short turns, edge grip is very good and they feel smooth and both high and low speeds. There's no suggestion that anything has been taken away, whatever they have done has worked.
Perhaps the new Cham 97 will suit a more subtle, playful skier - something which might not have worked before, we always felt they were best on a heavier, aggressive rider.
Conclusion - a good all round freeride ski and a real contender for that one ski wonder for expert freeride skiers looking for real all mountain versatility.
