A glow-stick + rave inspired top sheet on Moment’s Deathwish Tour 104. And there’s more—a triple camber, rockered twin tip tail.
Moment Deathwish Tour 104
The lift-served skiing world has been in on the secret for quite some time now—we are playing catch up in the human-powered skiing realm. The secret here is the rise of “small” domestic ski manufacturers designing and producing innovative and excellent skis that are often much better suited to the North American ski experience than those from large European factories.
The lagging of the touring world on this matter has less to do with an unwillingness to change or accept new products in the space. In a world with fast-changing technology and products, we are good at this. Moreover, a lack of viable touring options from these domestic manufacturers slowed the uptake of these brands in the touring world. Over the last ~5-10 years, this narrative has shifted, and there are a handful of companies making enticing touring skis with unique designs and weights that will be deemed acceptable by most of the THR community. Moment is a leader in this space, “the biggest little ski company” opened an impressive new factory last year. Despite their small-time roots, they produce and sell a significant quantity of resort and touring-oriented skis.
The Moment Deathwish Tour 104 present and accounted for.
For my first foray into Moment’s touring lineup, I opted to try out the new Deathwish Tour 104. With its respectable weight and unique geometry, I was intrigued by the versatility and the nearly universal praise the Deathwish line receives. The Deathwish line’s most noteworthy and unique attribute is the “triple camber,” which is essentially a camber profile with two pockets (bumps) in front of and behind the foot. With an otherwise quite rockered tip and rockered twin tip tail, the triple camber adds some serious edge grip to an otherwise powder-oriented design.
Despite my ever-growing and evolving quiver, versatility is an important aspect of ski performance–especially for bigger ski tours where you may encounter a wide variety of conditions over the course of a day. I’ve never struggled to find skis that handle firm/2D snow or boot-top powder well, but finding a ski that can handle steep, firm snow while still being fun and playful in deeper powder or variable snow is tough. With its triple camber magic, the Deathwish seems to have a lot of potential to fulfill this tricky role that is often full of compromise. Word on the street is that triple camber is also a godsend on firm skin tracks–which has extra appeal given my recent affections for flat/reverse camber skis.
The Deathwish Tour 104’s triple camber is self-evident, with the middle 2/3s of the ski revealing the triple camber. Photo: Moment
I went for the 179 cm length, which is probably on the short side for general use, given my 6’1″ frame. However, I generally enjoy the maneuverability of shorter skis for more technical skiing. After a few outings, my nerves about the rockered/twin-tipped ski feeling too short feel unfounded. The tails feel solid and quite “locked in” when carving, especially relative to their rockered appearance. Combined with the 21m radius and a bit of taper, the Deathwish handled variable and specifically breakable crust respectably. I’m excited to get out in the high peaks and put them to the test throughout this winter season.
I mounted my Deathwish Tour 104s with the Ski Trab Titan Vario.1 at the recommended -6cm line. I have a few days skiing them with my Technica Zero G Peaks. I will try them out with the Atomic Backland XTD that I have been testing, but the Peak feels generally adequate for driving this relatively progressive ski in most conditions.
Specs
Available lengths (cm): 164, 174, 179 [tested], 184, 190
Weight: 1655g/ski (verified)
Side cut (mm): 132-104-124
Turn radius (m): 21m [179cm]
Mount Point (cm from center): -6
Core: Paulownia/beech
Build Comments: full ABS sidewall, “lowfat layup” of carbon and fiberglass, 2.2mm Euro Edge (thick)
Shape: Medium long sidecut with minimal tip and tail taper, long tip rocker, triple camber, rockered twin tip tail
Cosmetics: Textured topsheet with an artistic graphic, the concave twin tip steals the show, aesthetically
Similar Models: Line Vision 108, 4FRNT Raven
Price: $859.00
So happy to have a touring focused review site again, much needed! Thanks and keep it up!
Been wondering about the Moment skis for touring with their more centered mount and twin tip shape. Lots use them out here in the Sierra so will be interested in your full review.
I’ve probably skied this bad boy 20 days so far this season and I’ve come away impressed. One of the more nimble, versatile, and predictable skis I’ve spent time on. I’m a big fan. Everywhere from breakable crust to icy and variable. Good stuff!