Just like SkiTrab’s new ski offerings for 2020/21 season, Hagan has a couple of exciting new models coming out for this winter as well, especially for those of us that love ski mountaineering and ski touring above all.
Hagan goes back almost 100 years and it had been one of the first to manufacture specialized touring skis but then “took a break” from leading the way. However, over the last 10 years the company has been making a strong comeback with skis that deliver an excellent ski mountaineering and touring experience.
Boost Series – For Fun Powder Skiing and Freeride
Hagan calls its freeride line “Boost” and the ski we want to point you to here is Boost 99, with a 410mm rocker in the front and 200mm at the back.
As the name suggests, the ski is 99mm under foot yet floats and keeps stable at higher speeds equally as well as a slightly wider ski. We have skied it twice so far and liked how it predictably flexed and behaved overall.
While the Boost 99 is mostly build for fun on the down, Hagan kept to its ski mountaineering roots and managed to hold the weight at 1500g for 178cm (131-99-116). Not the very lightest on the market but with a wood core and even a titanal plate insert. The ski comes in 168, 178 and 188 lengths.
Ultra Series – For True Ski Mountaineering
Introduced only a few years ago, the “Ultra” line is where Hagan shines. We have skied the Ultra 82 model the last two winters and really like them – read our review here.
The Ultra line is aimed at advanced skiers that often get after technical descents. Weight is kept on the lighter side yet the skis still feature a wood core which helps a lot to smooth out the ride for otherwise fairly stiff skis.
Ultra 87 is a brand new ski that evolved from the 82 model, but by prolonging the tip rocker (300mm) and adding a tail rocker (120mm) the ski will perform better in deeper soft snow. The ski weighs 1120g at 162cm and measures 121-87-107.
Based on feedback after 2 years, the Ultra 82 has been updated for this season with some small changes in its structure and new more durable top sheet, similar to other skis in this line. The ski weighs 1070g at 164cm and measures 117-82-102 with a 250mm tip rocker. No tail rocker which makes it nicely stiff and fun for challenging snow or more extreme terrain.
Ultra 77 is build for fast & light oriented ski mountaineering but still offers a great tool for technical downhills. It comes at 950g for 163cm length (112-77-99) and has a slightly different structure than the two models above. It features a 250mm tip rocker like the Ultra 82.
Then there is Ultra 65 which obviously is a ski build for skimo racing. Again, not trying to be the lightest on the market, Hagan updated this ski with many features based on the experience from the 82 and 77 models. Super solid downhill performance coming out of a 700g for a 161cm ski (97-65-80).
Core – For All Mountain Ski Touring
In the Core series, we want to point you at the Core 89 model but also check out the Core 84 and Core 84 Lite models.
If you don’t need a specifically powder oriented ski, and want something more forgiving for the downhills than the stiffer Ultra series, then you might like the Core 89. But don’t worry, this ski might be something you will prefer in a resort as well.
The weight is slightly higher, 1280g at 170cm, than the Ultra line but its 89mm waist makes it more suitable all year round – from deeper soft snow to spring skiing. The ski also features a generous tip (320mm) and tail rockers (120mm) that will make it easier to turn for intermediate skiers.
There is more from Hagan so check out their website but the above models are what we are most excited about.
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