Reviews You Can Rely On

Dynastar Legend W 96 Review

A very capable ski in a variety of environments, but missing the energy of its predecessor, the Cham
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Dynastar Legend W 96 Review
Credit: Dynastar
Price:  $750 List
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Manufacturer:   Dynastar
By Renee McCormack ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 24, 2018
58
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Stability at Speed - 20% 7.0
  • Carving - 20% 5.0
  • Crud - 20% 7.0
  • Powder - 20% 5.0
  • Playfulness - 15% 5.0
  • Bumps - 5% 5.0

Our Verdict

We had very high hopes for the Dynastar Legend W96, after falling completely head-over-heels for their precursors, the Chams, a few years ago. Sadly, they didn't provide the joy we felt while ripping on the originals, but the Legends are still a respectable ski. They thrive in powder, soft snow, crud, and even bumps; when it comes to on-piste carving, edge hold, and stability, they fall somewhat short. They are nowhere near as sprightly and fun as the Chams, but maybe it's unfair to compare them to their older sister.
REASONS TO BUY
Great in soft snow
Tight turn radius
Good in chop
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks the finesse and liveliness of older Dynastars
New Graphics

Dynastar freshened up the topsheets for the Legend this season; the updated graphics are pictured above. The construction of the ski itself remains unchanged.

October 2019

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Dynastar Legends have so much going for them. It's just a shame they have to live in the shadow of such a favorite and thrilling ski, the Cham. If we hadn't found ourselves constantly comparing them, we almost certainly would have rated them higher.

Performance Comparison


dynastar legend w 96 - we found the legends to be a competent ski that can take ripping...
We found the Legends to be a competent ski that can take ripping ladies all over the mountain.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Stability at Speed


The Legends fall towards the middle of the bunch in this category, with decent edge hold in the steeps, but some floppy tip fluttering on high-speed groomer turns as well as in the crud. While they perform better in this arena than the Icelantic Oracle 88s, they don't feel quite as secure as either the Blizzard Black Pearl 98s or the Rossignol Soul 7HD Ws.

dynastar legend w 96 - the legends held their own at speed, with minimal tip flapping and...
The Legends held their own at speed, with minimal tip flapping and mostly good edge hold.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Carving


The Legends have a 14m turn radius at the 171cm length, giving them quite the tight curvature regarding turn shape. They are, however, surprisingly happy to make big swooping pow turns, but back on the groomers, they can be convinced to make nearly a slalom-style arc when you bend them. With a heap of rocker at the front, leaving the skiable edge feeling shorter, some of our taller testers felt they might even enjoy the 178cm ski more.

dynastar legend w 96 - we found that the legends were fun to carve on, but occasionally...
We found that the Legends were fun to carve on, but occasionally skidded out. In addition, their turn radius felt not to be quite as tight as stated on the ski, at 14m.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Powder


The shape of these skis makes them a perfect powder machine, but again, a longer length than you might normally ski is recommended, especially if you're considering them to be a powder ski with benefits. The beautiful rockered spatula at the tips kept us tearing across the surface of the soft snow, feeling invincible.

dynastar legend w 96 - the legends were total legends in the pow, but if you plan to ski a...
The Legends were total legends in the pow, but if you plan to ski a lot of it, go a size up to account for the big rocker on the fronts.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Crud


The Legends were legendary in the crud, zinging from slick glacial ice into wind-scoured sastrugi without hesitation and without bucking their rider. Even when driven through grabby breakable crust, the Legends were stiff enough to cut through and continue in the desired direction. Some testers did feel a bit of kickback from the saggy tips ricocheting through chunky conditions, but most were surprised by the self-assurance they felt in awkward snow.

dynastar legend w 96 - we loved how secure we felt in the crud, not getting bucked around...
We loved how secure we felt in the crud, not getting bucked around by varying terrain.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Playfulness


This is the sphere in which we missed the old Dynastar Chams and their liveliness. The Legends were powerful, but not playful. We yearned for the Chams and their sprightly rebound, as well as their love of flight. The Legends would rather stick to the ground and plow through things, rather than hopping over them.

dynastar legend w 96 - the legends can be coerced into airborne revelries, but they don't...
The Legends can be coerced into airborne revelries, but they don't take flight naturally like the Chams did.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Bumps


Very enjoyable and resourceful in the bumps, the Legends are happy to smear and pivot their way around moguls and trees alike. We loved their quickness to turn and lack of lag time between edges, despite their 96mm waist. Earlier, we recommended a longer length in this ski for those planning on mostly making fresh tracks on them; if you're expecting to take them to Mary Jane at Winter Park, however, stick to your normal ski length.

dynastar legend w 96 - because they love to make a short turn, the dynastars did well in...
Because they love to make a short turn, the Dynastars did well in bumpy terrain.
Credit: Scott Rokis

Value


With a moderate price tag, these skis fall in the middle of the pack concerning cost. Full vertical sidewalls bring strength and lasting durability to the ski. For something cheaper and nearly as adaptable, check out our Best Buy, the Icelandic Oracle 88.

Conclusion


The Legends are well rounded and capable, just like their predecessor, the Chams. However, we just didn't adore them like we did their older sister. They lack the pure energy and pizzazz that we felt in every moment on the Chams.

Renee McCormack