If you’ve ever watched DPS athlete Dash Longe ski, or maybe we should just say fly, you’ll click with the shape of the Koala 118 immediately. Longe shaped the ski for the cliffs of Snowbird—his home hill—and the surrounding backcountry. This means it’s engineered for a ton of snow and it’s stiff enough to handle the massive landings that LCC is known for. The Koala 118 doesn’t share much in common with the ultralight DPS skis that you’re used to—it’s heavy, stiff and wants to charge like a bat out of hell. That said, it’s surfy too, and ready to slay copious amounts of Wasatch snow. If you’re not afraid of a pow ski with a little—or a lot—of backbone, this could be the ski for you.

FREESKIER tester thoughts:

“A DPS that wants to go faster and harder than the rest of its lineup. Fun at high speeds and blasting sketchy lines.”

“DPS blew me away this year. The Koala 118 is playful and stable with a plenty of charge.”

Explore the 2022 FREESKIER Buyer’s Guide