My first day on my DPS Lotus 138 skis

**Kai** · 03-22-2008, 09:19 PM

I got to try out my new powder rig today.

It's a pair of DPS Lotus 138 skis. (202cm long, Flex 2)
They are mounted with Dynafits (Vertical ST, mounted on the line)

I was skiing with my Garmont Axon boots. I've skied the Axons before in the resort, but today was my first use of the Axons in the backcountry. Axon performance on the downhill was excellent, but I knew that already from my resort use. They toured quite well too, which was a bit of a surprise. They fore-aft flex in walking mode is excellent, and the boots were comfortable for steep skinning.

We skied Mayflower gulch, near Copper Mountain. There was some fresh powder; from 3 to 7 inches depending on where we were skiing.

I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with these skis. First off, they don't weigh as much as I thought that they would. Total weight of the pair including the Dynafit bindings is 10 lbs, 14.8 ounces. That's less than my other dedicated powder rig, a pair of 185cm Pocket Rockets and Fritschi Diamers that weighs in at 13 pounds, 4 ounces, and about the same weight as my first AT rig ever, a set of 195cm Ramer Grand Tours, mounted with Salewa bindings (10 pounds, 3 ounces)

So, they aren't all that porky, which is good, because I did a fair amount of yo-yo-ing today and climbing a lot. Even with the heavy Axon boots (9 pounds, 6.8 ounces) and full coverage skins, the uphill wasn't bad.

So, how did they ski? Well, I have to say that I was pretty impressed. "Effortless" is the best way to describe their performance on soft snow. I kind of felt like I was floating instead of skiing. Steep, long lines were a lot of fun, and I skied them in better style than I'm used to. I'm not normally the guy that anyone watches and says "that guy is a good skier" but these skis really brought my soft snow technique up a notch. I only wish I had bought these skis sooner, as I can tell they would have been even more of a blast on the earlier season trips with knee deep powder.

The really interesting thing is how easy they are to turn. Given their length, I figured that they would be great at long, sweeping turns, but I expected that they would be unwieldy in short turns. I need not have worried. They are remarkably agile, and tree skiing was not a problem. I wouldn't say that they are as turnable as my Pocket Rockets, but they are definitely a maneuverable ski, which is pretty remarkable given their 202cm length.

The skis do have some drawbacks. Performance on ice is not good, and on the way out, it was a bit of a challenge negotiating the iced out track to the cars with the skis slapping around underfoot. That's really not what these skis are made for, however, and there was enough control to get by even if it wasn't fun.

My biggest complaint is that the skis lack a tail notch for skins. When I use these skis, 9 out of 10 times I will be in the backcountry. The design of these skis seems ideal for backcountry use. So why no tail notch? I've already dug into the top sheet at the tail with my skin attachment hook. I wish the designers had thought to put in a tail notch.

**marshalolson** · 03-23-2008, 08:21 AM

ENJOY MAN!

**robnow** · 03-23-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Kai

So why no tail notch? I've already dug into the top sheet at the tail with my skin attachment hook. I wish the designers had thought to put in a tail notch.

I haven't toured on mine so I can't really say but wouldn't a small piece of duct tape remedy this and get the clip to stay.

**Kai** · 03-23-2008, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by robnow

I haven't toured on mine so I can't really say but wouldn't a small piece of duct tape remedy this and get the clip to stay.

I was thinking the same thing. I may actually try gluing a small, thin piece of rubber on the top sheet as a more permanent fix.

**lemon boy** · 03-24-2008, 08:15 AM

skate board grip tape.

**The Suit** · 03-24-2008, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Kai

So why no tail notch? I've already dug into the top sheet at the tail with my skin attachment hook. I wish the designers had thought to put in a tail notch.

Hippy.

I'll have to try the grip tape idea.

**snoop** · 03-28-2008, 01:11 AM

Stoked to hear your enjoying that setup. I have been touring on lotus 138's in a 192cm with dynafit vertical ft's for the last couple of months and have been blown away at how much fun they are to tour on! My other touring setups haven't been touched since I tried these and this setup was supposed to be for deep and short tours only.

**verbier61** · 03-28-2008, 03:27 AM

now that you have known the drug, you'll become quickly addicted. be careful...

**Kya** · 03-28-2008, 08:25 AM

Mmmmm Drift Peak.

**Kai** · 03-28-2008, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by snoop

Stoked to hear your enjoying that setup. I have been touring on lotus 138's in a 192cm with dynafit vertical ft's for the last couple of months and have been blown away at how much fun they are to tour on! My other touring setups haven't been touched since I tried these and this setup was supposed to be for deep and short tours only.

Yes, I'm headed for a 4 day tour in the Tetons in a couple of weeks, and I've been flirting with the idea of bringing the 138's instead of my ultralight Goodes.

**snoop** · 03-28-2008, 12:23 PM

You and I are like minded. I'm headed for a hut trip in Colorado in a week and have exactly the same issue down to the exact same ski choice, that being the lotus 138's or my Goode 95's. I'm finding that I love the lotus for variable conditions, such as breakable crust and heavy wet spring snow and obviously any pow conditions. If it's rock solid than I prefer the Goodes otherwise I would rather be on the Lotus 138. Let me know what you decide to go with.

**JoeStrummer** · 03-28-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kai

Yes, I'm headed for a 4 day tour in the Tetons in a couple of weeks, and I've been flirting with the idea of bringing the 138's instead of my ultralight Goodes.

If you do that tour on the Lotuses (Loti?) I will carry your pack for our next 5 ice climbs! I'm sure it's a fine ski judging by the number of fans around here but it ain't no ski mountaineering ski!

**Kai** · 03-28-2008, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by snoop

You and I are like minded. I'm headed for a hut trip in Colorado in a week and have exactly the same issue down to the exact same ski choice, that being the lotus 138's or my Goode 95's. I'm finding that I love the lotus for variable conditions, such as breakable crust and heavy wet spring snow and obviously any pow conditions. If it's rock solid than I prefer the Goodes otherwise I would rather be on the Lotus 138. Let me know what you decide to go with.

I think if I were going hut to hut with a lighter pack, I'd probably lean towards the Lotus. Depends on where you are going, however. The snow here is really variable depending on where you are at. I skied perfect powder last week near Vail, and was on rather challenging ice/sastrugi/windslab/suncrust on James Peak on Wednesday, so it's hard to say what you'll run into.

For my Teton trip, I'll likely do the rational thing and bring the Goodes (even though I'd like to see someone else carrying my pack on my next climbing trip.) We'll be camping, and I will be carrying overnight gear and food for several days, so I should probably save weight where I can. The Goodes shave almost 6 pounds off my feet, which is hard to pass up when you're looking at a lot of uphill with a pack on your back.

**Nordic75** · 04-01-2008, 06:43 AM

Kai:
what size is your Garmont Axon's? and what size streetshoe do you normally use?
I am trying to order a pair, but is thoroughly confused by Garmonts Mondopoint system (which seems to differ from other manufacturers).