J Ski Masterblaster vs. Dynastar Cham/Legend

Everyone here will tell you to get j skis in addition to making fun of you for riding soul 7s. I bid thee farewell and good luck.

oldprospectorI am looking to get a mid-90s All Mountain ski to complement my Rossi Soul 7s. I have narrowed my consideration set to the J Ski Masterblaster 96 and the Dynastar Cham 97 2.0 (found a new pair from the last run of that ski before it became the Legends).

https://jskis.com/collections/predator-collection/products/predator
https://www.evo.com/outlet/skis/dynastar-cham-20-97

Does anyone on this forum have a strong opinion about either ski or a comparison between them? Given J's direct to consumer sales model, I haven't been able to find much info online. Thanks!

Male
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 130 - 140 lbs.
Experience: Advanced intermediate/expert
Home resorts: Tahoe
Additional: My Soul 7s are 172s and sometimes feel like they ski just a little long in trees/moguls.

Thanks for considering the J Masterblaster skis. Since we sell direct to consumer, we actually are really focused on providing info you need online and you can start by checking out any of the 115 customer reviews on the Masterblaster here: https://jskis.com/collections/masterblaster/products/river#reviews

Also we offer Live Chat on our website 13 hours a day, 7 days a week. 9am - 10pm est so feel free to go on there and talk it up or give us a call or email at info@jskis.com.

You can also use our Ski Finder to narrow down your options here: https://jskis.com/pages/ski-finder

thanks for considering my J skis!

BigPurpleSkiSuitEveryone here will tell you to get j skis in addition to making fun of you for riding soul 7s. I bid thee farewell and good luck.

Thanks for the reply. Jokes deserved, though I did buy them the first year that they were out so they weren't yet the most common ski on the mountain. Think that a 168cm is too long in the Js for me at 5' 6"?

Nah, if you're advanced expert itll be just fine, just takes some adjusting

oldprospectorThanks for the reply. Jokes deserved, though I did buy them the first year that they were out so they weren't yet the most common ski on the mountain. Think that a 168cm is too long in the Js for me at 5' 6"?

Id back up a step and have you explain why you've narrowed it down to these two skis - kinda different skis honestly. What are you looking for? What kind of conditions, what sorts of terrain, what type of skier are you, what do you feel your Soul 7's lack, etc.

BigPurpleSkiSuitNah, if you're advanced expert itll be just fine, just takes some adjusting

I'm advanced intermediate/expert (been skiing ~12 days a year for the last 7 seasons) and some 172s (even my Souls) feel long. Feedback that I'm getting is that the MBs ski a little shorter than listed height, however, so I think that I might be OK. If you know/think differently though, please let me know. Thanks again for all of the help! I sincerely appreciate it.

oldprospectorI'm advanced intermediate/expert (been skiing ~12 days a year for the last 7 seasons) and some 172s (even my Souls) feel long. Feedback that I'm getting is that the MBs ski a little shorter than listed height, however, so I think that I might be OK. If you know/think differently though, please let me know. Thanks again for all of the help! I sincerely appreciate it.

I've never skied them so I don't know, I'd say take advantage of what Jason (Jlev) just offered you, and see what he thinks. Keep in mind the guy has more than 20 years of ski building experience, so for all purposes, he's basically a god who's still willing to communicate with his disciples.

I've only ever heard bad things about the Cham 97.
Some other skis that might be worth a look in that area:
4frnt MSP
Black Crows Camox
Armada invictus 99
There are a bunch come to think of it.

BigPurpleSkiSuitI've never skied them so I don't know, I'd say take advantage of what Jason (Jlev) just offered you, and see what he thinks. Keep in mind the guy has more than 20 years of ski building experience, so for all purposes, he's basically a god who's still willing to communicate with his disciples.

Good guidance. I have appreciated the interactions that I've had with J and Jason's team so far. Incredible service, which I really respect. Thanks for taking the time to help me out!

mystery3I've only ever heard bad things about the Cham 97.
Some other skis that might be worth a look in that area:
4frnt MSP
Black Crows Camox
Armada invictus 99
There are a bunch come to think of it.

Thanks, I'll check those out! Familiar with Black Crows and I like them, but they don't carry my size in most models unfortunately.

The Dynastar Legend 96 is a much improved ski over the Cham 97 which isn’t a great ski honestly. Sucked on harder snow and not a fun ski. The MasterBlaster would be a fun ski with a backbone and a great ski for you in the 168cm length.

Another ski that works great everywhere and has a touch of freestyle fun mixed with hard snow carver is the Blizzard Rustler 9 in 164cm. Less rocker than your Soul 7 skis and metal underfoot so it skis longer. Kills hardpack and fun in soft snow. Got a pair myself this year for a daily driver.

I'll echo most of the comments above, and here's my take:

First, it might be worth checking out the "All-Mountain More Stable" section in this buyer's guide. We talk about the Masterblaster in there, and then also talk about the Dynastar Legend X96, which is a similar shape to the Cham 97 2.0, though I haven't skied the Cham version so I'll defer to the comment above about that ski. And here's a full review of the Masterblaster for more info on that ski.

Based on my time on the Masterblaster, I'm confident that it will be significantly more stable than the Cham. The Masterblaster is also surprisingly forgiving for how stable it is, and it's pretty easy to slide around in tight spots, trees, etc.

If you stick to slower speeds and prioritize slow-speed maneuverability over high-speed stability, the Cham might be a better option — the Cham is a lighter and it has a dramatically tapered shape that should make it feel light and nimble. But I'd imagine that the Masterblaster will be the more versatile ski, especially when the snow is firm and rough. I could happily ski the Masterblaster every day when there's less than ~6" of fresh snow. It's an awesome ski.

patagonialukeI'll echo most of the comments above, and here's my take:

First, it might be worth checking out the "All-Mountain More Stable" section in this buyer's guide. We talk about the Masterblaster in there, and then also talk about the Dynastar Legend X96, which is a similar shape to the Cham 97 2.0, though I haven't skied the Cham version so I'll defer to the comment above about that ski. And here's a full review of the Masterblaster for more info on that ski.

Based on my time on the Masterblaster, I'm confident that it will be significantly more stable than the Cham. The Masterblaster is also surprisingly forgiving for how stable it is, and it's pretty easy to slide around in tight spots, trees, etc.

If you stick to slower speeds and prioritize slow-speed maneuverability over high-speed stability, the Cham might be a better option — the Cham is a lighter and it has a dramatically tapered shape that should make it feel light and nimble. But I'd imagine that the Masterblaster will be the more versatile ski, especially when the snow is firm and rough. I could happily ski the Masterblaster every day when there's less than ~6" of fresh snow. It's an awesome ski.

Thanks, Luke! I really appreciate the first-hand perspective on the ski. Glad to hear that they've worked out well for you. Based on what I'm hearing I think that the tradeoff between maneuverability and stability is likely worth it for the J MBs over the Cham. Thanks again.

oldprospectorThanks for the reply. Jokes deserved, though I did buy them the first year that they were out so they weren't yet the most common ski on the mountain. Think that a 168cm is too long in the Js for me at 5' 6"?

That length or longer is probably about right. You should see if there is any way you can ski more days/ year too. 12 days a year might feel like a lot if that's the most you get out. I did that for years and I felt like I was getting good but IME I was totally surprised at how much more I progressed the first spring that I bought a spring pass and actually skied a lot.