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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.
SL — advanced-to-expert skiers who live on hard snow and want a genuine slalom ski for short, quick turns - one that is damped at the interface rather than built as stiff as possible. 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 | SL | H-Power 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 10🏆 | 8 |
| Park | 1🏆 | 1🏆 |
| Playfulness | 2 | 4🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 2 | 5🏆 |
| Stability | 7 | 8🏆 |
| Powder | 1 | 3🏆 |
Advanced-to-expert skiers who live on hard snow and want a genuine slalom ski for short, quick turns - one that is damped at the interface rather than built as stiff as possible. It suits the recreational racer and the gate-day skier who wants one sensible binding instead of a race quiver, and anyone who would rather buy a ski that is already on its plate and already tuned than assemble a setup.
Beginners and intermediates: a 12.5 m slalom build is demanding no matter how the catalogue frames it, and 'now everyone can' is a marketing line, not an ability rating. Anyone who leaves the groomer should not buy this ski at all - 67.5 mm on a race construction has no float in soft snow; the H-Power 89 or the Freeride line is that ski. Skiers who want a long, fast, big-radius arc are on the wrong tool: the SL stops at 165 cm and 12.5 m, and the PRO and the GS skis are where the big arc lives. And a serious racer who wants the full race setup wants the SL WORLD CUP, with the stiffer INTERFACE plate and the race bindings - up to a COMP 30 - that the SL does not list.
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 SL is best for advanced-to-expert skiers who live on hard snow and want a genuine slalom ski for short, quick turns - one that is. 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 78 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 SL leads in Carving with a PTO score of 10/10. 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.