Review: Moment Deathwish Tour 104

A surfy playful ski like the DWT 104 at home in the alpine and not such a heavy load (1655g/ski) for those focused on the descent.

Whew, after years of lusting and dreaming of a set of Moment Sierra Tours (the women’s 104 waist-triple camber touring ski that preceded the Deathwish Tour 104), not only did Moment release a Deathwish Tour 104 (DWT 104) for winter 23/24, but I was able to get a pair for review. Moment’s Deathwish Tour…

Response

Alex Hatcher

September 24, 2024

I skied these skis ~30 days this past season and enjoyed them quite a bit. A lot of what I experienced was very similar to what Gavin has described, so I’ll try not to reiterate too much.

These skis are a blast, particularly with an emphasis on versatility. They’ve become my daily driver in WA, particularly because they’re so good in bad snow. All types of crusts, buffs, layers, and pockets of funky snow were ignored. I wouldn’t really notice how bad the snow was until I watched my partners on directional skis wobbling through rain crusts. Sure, they’re fun in soft snow-but all (ok, fine, *most) modern skis are.

The DWT 104 are definitely a stiff ski underfoot (less so in the rockered tip/tails), and as I was adjusting my stance to ski more centered, I frequently felt myself hooking and getting caught up in the triple camber pocket. The same pockets that help grab firm snow were a little grabby in the initial feeling out period. Once I developed a feel for the ski and the stance I never had an issue with the camper profile or grabbiness again. There is an adjustment period-but after that you’re set up well to carve, slash, and drive in a handful of different turn shapes.

Considering steep and firm applications: the edge hold is good, and never left me wanting more. However there is also noticeably less effective edge- as noted they ski short. I skied crusty 45 degree lines with these skis without concern, but I’m not sure it’s the ski I’d reach for if I expected firm conditions. I feel that the best characteristic of this ski for steep skiing is its nimbleness due to the shape and mount point. One can engage jump turns from a much more conservative, and more tempered stance. The DWT 104 is happy to flip with an intentional twitch of the hips. Jump turns on these skis require much less commitment than directional skis for the same level of control-something I’ve really enjoyed.

My biggest complaint: rockered tails are an adjustment, and a challenge for me-I feel like most of Moment’s clientele is likely using brakes on their touring bindings, so they’re not facing the risk of a runaway ski as frequently when stabbed in the snow.

I think the “tight/loose” thing which others on the internet, and Gavin, refer to feels fairly legit. This ski can be driven from a forward stance or a centered stance. It’s not a one trick pony.

I switched to this ski looking for something with more playfulness and horsepower than traditional directional BC skis, without sacrificing too much edge hold for steeper fresh-snow objectives. I haven’t been disappointed yet. I’ll reach for a different ski going up a volcano or if I’m travelling for a committing objective-but for most of my skiing at home I’m stoked to be on the DWT 104.