The widest of the women’s skis in Dynastar’s updated M Pro line, the 98 W handles well in all different snow conditions. The skis’ directional, rockered build also helps make up for what they lack in underfoot width in deeper snow, making them a nimble companion for aggressive all-mountain exploration. They feel like they kind of have the front half of an MFree 99 but with a slightly flatter more powerful tail, and a tighter turn radius.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The M-Pro 98 was a solid groomer performer, with the tip rocker making for easy turn initiation and the less rockered tail giving a little more oomph on the exit of turns compared with skis in the M-Free line. In comparison to older models of the ski, the updated M-Pro 98 W showcases a more modern tail shape and profile. A shorter turn radius than previous models also makes the ski a bit less demanding and easier to arc turns on at lower speeds. The ski’s performance on groomers was a standout feature, with testers reporting that it was easy to put on edge and drive at lower speeds but stayed in control at high speeds.
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
Even with its very pronounced tip rocker, the M Pro 98 W cuts through bumps and crud at high speeds and remains easily maneuverable. Like the MFree 99, it floats far better in pow than it possibly should too. Smaller testers noted that the same tip shape also inspired confidence when skiing a longer-length model of the ski, these are a ski you can size up to get more float. While the directional shape and rocker profile might make it more attractive to hard-charging skiers wanting to ride big-mountain terrain, once the ski was at speed, it was easy enough to ski. It's not quite as intuitive as the MFree 99 but it's easier to ski than previous versions.
"My favorite part about these skis was how in control I felt on them even when I was skiing fast. They cut through the crud and bumps at high speed easily. They feel like a super solid ski even with how rockered the tip is. Speed is your friend on these guys." - Rylee Hackler
Park & Jibbing:
Our testers much preferred the MPro with the mount point bumped forward a few cm. That bump forward gives the skis a much more playful feel. However, the underfoot stiffness of the ski did lead lighter skiers to feel it lacked a little energy when popping and jibbing. If you want to jib and you can rock a 171, then you're frankly better off going with the MFree 99 than these, as they just feel more playful. And that's an issue for the MPro 98W in general. It isn't so much more powerful or stable than the MFree 99 that it justifies what you give up in terms of fun.
Who's it for?
For the skier who wants to rip groomers at a variety of speeds and still feel in control and supported in variable conditions, look no further than the Dynastar M Pro 98 W. If you’ve been wanting to go check off some bigger lift or gate-accessed terrain that requires speed and control to ski then these are a good companion. It's narrow enough to handle the east coast and wide enough to be a one-ski quiver in moderately snowy places. Out west, it'd probably be the narrower of a two-ski quiver, a ski that inspires confidence even in conditions that don’t.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The M-Pro 98 was a solid groomer performer, with the tip rocker making for easy turn initiation and the less rockered tail giving a little more oomph on the exit of turns compared with skis in the M-Free line. In comparison to older models of the ski, the updated M-Pro 98 W showcases a more modern tail shape and profile. A shorter turn radius than previous models also makes the ski a bit less demanding and easier to arc turns on at lower speeds. The ski’s performance on groomers was a standout feature, with testers reporting that it was easy to put on edge and drive at lower speeds but stayed in control at high speeds.
Skier: Rylee Hackler. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
Even with its very pronounced tip rocker, the M Pro 98 W cuts through bumps and crud at high speeds and remains easily maneuverable. Like the MFree 99, it floats far better in pow than it possibly should too. Smaller testers noted that the same tip shape also inspired confidence when skiing a longer-length model of the ski, these are a ski you can size up to get more float. While the directional shape and rocker profile might make it more attractive to hard-charging skiers wanting to ride big-mountain terrain, once the ski was at speed, it was easy enough to ski. It's not quite as intuitive as the MFree 99 but it's easier to ski than previous versions.
Skier: Lisa Cormier. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
"My favorite part about these skis was how in control I felt on them even when I was skiing fast. They cut through the crud and bumps at high speed easily. They feel like a super solid ski even with how rockered the tip is. Speed is your friend on these guys." - Rylee Hackler
Skier: Rylee Hackler. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Park & Jibbing:
Our testers much preferred the MPro with the mount point bumped forward a few cm. That bump forward gives the skis a much more playful feel. However, the underfoot stiffness of the ski did lead lighter skiers to feel it lacked a little energy when popping and jibbing. If you want to jib and you can rock a 171, then you're frankly better off going with the MFree 99 than these, as they just feel more playful. And that's an issue for the MPro 98W in general. It isn't so much more powerful or stable than the MFree 99 that it justifies what you give up in terms of fun.
Who's it for?
For the skier who wants to rip groomers at a variety of speeds and still feel in control and supported in variable conditions, look no further than the Dynastar M Pro 98 W. If you’ve been wanting to go check off some bigger lift or gate-accessed terrain that requires speed and control to ski then these are a good companion. It's narrow enough to handle the east coast and wide enough to be a one-ski quiver in moderately snowy places. Out west, it'd probably be the narrower of a two-ski quiver, a ski that inspires confidence even in conditions that don’t.
