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PTO Review
We skied them. Here's how they stack up.
These skis span 2 categories (Carving, All-Mountain). Scores reflect each ski's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
H-Power 68 — piste skiers who want world cup edge hold without the punishment of a real race ski. H-Power 78 — skiers who spend most of the day on piste but keep drifting off it - groomers into fresh snow, a few side hits, cut-up afternoon snow - and who want race feel without committing to a race ski. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all skis on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | H-Power 68 | H-Power 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 9🏆 | 8 |
| Park | 1🏆 | 1🏆 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 4🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 4 | 5🏆 |
| Stability | 8🏆 | 8🏆 |
| Powder | 1 | 3🏆 |
Piste skiers who want World Cup edge hold without the punishment of a real race ski. It rewards a strong intermediate who is learning to drive a ski through the turn, and it does not run out of ceiling when a good carver leans on it. Best matched with someone who will choose the length by turn shape rather than by height.
Beginners: this is a firm, race-derived carver, not a forgiving first ski - it wants to be driven. Anyone who wants to leave the groomers: at 68 mm on a stiff build it does not float, and a published on-snow test put it flatly - it doesn't lift and it's too stiff - so soft snow and mixed terrain belong to the wider H-Power 89, or to a Freeride ski. Racers chasing maximum rebound: the H-Power 68 trades relaunch for steerability, and that trade is the whole point of it; the SL, GS and PRO are the skis that do not make it. And anyone hunting a single ski for the whole mountain should keep looking - this one is a groomer specialist and does not pretend otherwise.
Skiers who spend most of the day on piste but keep drifting off it - groomers into fresh snow, a few side hits, cut-up afternoon snow - and who want race feel without committing to a race ski. An ambitious intermediate has room to grow into it; a skier who already carves well still finds ceiling above them. Pick the length by turn shape: 159 or 167 cm for quick, tight arcs, 175 or 183 cm for speed and space.
Beginners: the H-Power 78 is firm and race-derived, and it will not make the turn for you. If you never leave the hardpack, do not buy it - the narrower H-Power 68 grips harder and changes edge quicker, and you would be paying for ten millimetres you never use. If you chase deep snow or spend real time off-piste, 78 mm is not enough ski; go to the H-Power 89 or the Freeride line. And a racer chasing maximum rebound should buy an actual race ski - the SL, the GS or the PRO - not the friendly middle of the H-Power line.
The H-Power 68 is best for piste skiers who want world cup edge hold without the punishment of a real race ski. The H-Power 78 is best for skiers who spend most of the day on piste but keep drifting off it - groomers into fresh snow, a few side hits, cut-up. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The Van Deer H-Power 68 scores highest in Stability at 8/10, making it the strongest all-mountain option. It handles groomers, chop, and variable conditions without losing composure, so it's the best single-ski choice for skiers who want one pair for the whole mountain.
The Van Deer H-Power 68 leads in Carving with a PTO score of 9/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The Van Deer H-Power 78 is the most forgiving option with a Forgiveness score of 5/10. It doesn't punish imperfect technique, making it the easiest ski to progress on among these.
Not sure? Ask us.