DPS Kaizen 112

The DPS Kaizen 112 is a full-carbon powder ski built around DPS's Split Core — a poplar upper layer bonded horizontally to a denser ash lower layer, wrapped in aerospace-grade carbon laminates on both faces. No titanal, no metal: the damping comes from the split core's bi-density bond, and the carbon provides the stiffness and snap. With 112 mm underfoot, roughly 45% rocker in the tip and tail, and only 55% effective edge, it planes early and pivots easily — a ski that drifts and slashes more than it carves. The 15 m turn radius at 178 cm keeps things maneuverable, and the lowered tail rocker gives enough edge contact to make groomed laps between storm cycles functional. DPS ships it with a factory-applied Phantom Glide base, so it is ready to ski out of the box — flat, no binding included.

This ski suits advanced and expert skiers who ski powder and soft snow as a priority, and who want something light and pivoty rather than stiff and locked-in. If hard snow, ice, or groomed runs make up a significant part of your skiing, the Kaizen 112 will leave you looking for grip that is not there — reviewer testing consistently marks edge hold in firm conditions as a weak point. Intermediates should stay away entirely. Skiers who want DPS's carbon construction but need a ski that holds a firmer edge should look at the Kaizen 105, which runs a directional shape with a longer effective edge and handles mixed conditions with considerably more composure. One note: this is the Kaizen 112's last model year — DPS is replacing it with the Lotus 112 for 2026/27, so if you want this specific ski, this is the time.