- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Posts
- 1,202
Ron:Size tested: 185
Location tested: Loveland, CO
Conditions tested in: Soft groomers, 6-8” powder, crud, moguls, trees
This is a fun, snappy, energetic and versatile ski. The deep rocker lines of the M-Free require going up in length. This ski is on the softer side, but it is a poppy, fun ski that lighter weight, less aggressive skiers can really enjoy. Despite its dimensions and profile, this ski can be tipped on edge for quick edge-to-edge turns (faster than you think) and skied flat in moderately deep powder. I skied this on both tracked out variable snow and fresh and found it to be a lot of fun.
- Who is it for: Lighter weight skiers who want a fun soft snow ski.
- Who is it not for: heavier skiers or more aggressive skiers will overpower this ski.
- Insider tip: Don’t be afraid to size up.
- One thing I would change: Beef up the core.
Philpug: This is one of the skis that caught me by surprise because playful resort powder skis usually don’t raise my temps; typically I would lean toward the M-Free 99’s brother, the M-Pro 99. The M-Free 99 is no tweenager or park rat’s party ski -- although it will do that juuust fine, the M-Free has more of the M-Pro DNA than I expected. In fact, I actually preferred the M-Free over the M-Pro, 99 to 99. Sure, the M-Free has the typical tip and tail flap that you expect from a ski with this much rise, but you shouldn't be looking at your tips and tails anyway; you really do not feel the flap at all. I think it is the slightly shorter turn radius that is steering me to the Free over the Pro.
Long term update (12/25/21): Oh boy oh boy. I had intended to take out the M/Free 99 the day before at Mt. Rose but with the amount of weather that blew in quickly, the lifts shut down so it endup staying in the ski sack. So, today, the M/Free 99 was the bride and not the bridemaid. Snow is abound here in Tahoe but it is not the Utah light that will wisp away with a breath, this is a lot heavier. It is amazing how well a 99 can handle a lot of snow especially with it is a bit denser and the M/Free 99 was able to float, cut and carve all over Mt. Rose in the deep, steep and trees yet still handle the flats on the way back to the lift without undo pressure on the knees and ankles that a ski 10% wider can create.
- Insider tip: Err on the long side.
This ski isn't made to drive and a centered stance is all that is necessary to work it well. On the return groomers covered by a couple of inches of fresh the Free is super fun and playful. Swoosh, carve, slarve, switch, what ever is your pleasure. The ski definitely liked to go over, not through, the many wind ripples I encountered on the groomers with the long tip pulling a little more into the turn then letting go on the other side. It felt similar to a boat hitting waves at an oblique angle.
At 185, and a short running surface, it is still pretty stable at cruising speeds. A longer option would be a good addition for bigger skiers but, alas, it's not. I'm still not sold on the counter top marble look but when it's covered in snow, who cares?
- Awards
- Who is it for?
- Free thinkers. Yes, that quip is too easy, but someone who is open enough to realize Pros can be Free.
- Who is it not for?
- These ski short, so with a 185 being the longest, bigger skiers will need to either step up to the M-Free 108 or, more on the power side, the M-Pro.
- Skier ability
-
- Advanced
- Expert
- Ski category
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- All Mountain
- Powder
- Ski attributes
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- Moguls
- Off Piste
- Trees
- Segment
-
- Men
Specifications
- Available sizes
- 171, 179, 185
- Dimensions
- 128-99-120
- Radius
- 17m@179cm
- Rocker profile
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- Camber with tip and tail rocker
- Size Scaling
-
- None
- Construction design
-
- New graphics
- Binding options
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- Flat