ProView – Hagan Ski Boost 105

I received the Boost 105 in early May, just in time for the last bit of powder skiing in the Sierra. After chasing conditions on the East Side for a bit, I brought the Boost 105 north on a ski trip through the Cascades, where I could test its prowess from ice to slushy mank and everything in between. Though many people might find a 105 underfoot ski a bit overkill for spring skiing (along with the heavier boot), I usually prefer a wider ski to surmount taller surface textures with less edge angle. As I traveled north and the volcanoes got bigger and farther, the Boost 105 felt appropriate for the job.

About the Ski

I skied the Hagan Boost 105 in 185, measuring exactly 185cm with a straight tape. The skis weighed 1656g per ski on average in that length, lighter than the Black Crows Navis Freebird (1775g) or the Dynafit Tigard 107 (1745g) and a bit heavier than the Atomic Backland 109 (1555g) or the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 104 (1530g). They feature an anti-snow topsheet that is notably sleek, aiding in the svelte appearance.

They have a bit of camber, around 2mm, and a decent amount of rocker in the tip and tail. I didn’t measure the rocker, but Hagan states that it is 300mm in the tip and 175mm in the tail, which seems accurate. The rocker line is fairly deep in the tip and a bit more abrupt in the tail. The tip has a good amount of taper, featuring a bit of a blocked-off spoon shape, whereas the tail has very little taper. The stated dimensions are 133/105/124, which change depending on length to preserve the characteristics between sizes. The mount point on the 185 is 9cm behind the chord center. 

The flex is stiff (8/10) in the middle of the ski, continuing into the tail behind the binding. Toward the contact point and back, the tails get a bit softer but are mid-stiff (7/10). The front of the ski is a bit softer, especially forward of the drawn-back contact point, where they get notably flexy (6/10).

About the Skier

I am 5’10’’ (178cm) and 150 lbs (68kg). I come from a background in ski racing at Tahoe’s lesser-known Homewood Ski Resort. I found my way into freeride skiing once I started skiing at Palisades Tahoe, and now live in Mammoth Lakes, California, where I’m most often seeking sheltered snow in steep places. My go-to ski would typically be the Black Crows Corvus, Dynafit Free 97, or Atomic Bent Chetler 120, making the Hagan Boost 105 a bit lighter than most of my touring quiver. That said, I do partake in some Skimo racing, so light skis are not unfamiliar to me. The boot I used while testing was the Scarpa 4 Quattro Pro, and the binding was the Hagan Core 12.

First Impressions

The Boost 105 is still in my mind, a light ski, and my greatest concern when I first got them on snow was that they might feel a bit chattery. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded as I found they handled the dust on crust conditions well and didn’t get pushed around too much by the frozen chunder hiding under the surface. The softer flex paired with a long taper in the tip helped bring the ski up and over soft snow and surface variabilities with ease. Once I got them on groomers, I was surprised at how fun they were to carve as well. Though the stated radius on the 185 is 23 meters, it was easy to bend the shovels into a tighter GS turn, and just as fun to let the tails drift and throw snow.

Big Vert, Bigger Fun

After a short stint of powder skiing to get to know them, I took the Boost 105 up to the Cascades, where my partner and I skied over 50,000 vertical feet from Waka-nunee-Tuki-wuki (Mount Shasta) to Koma Kulshan (Mount Baker). I had even packed another set of slightly narrower skis and never wanted to use them, as it struck me that I was having a lot more fun on a wider ski.

The Boost 105 is torsionally stiff from the middle to the tail, encouraging confidence when skiing from the frozen peaks of Pahto (Mt. Adams) or Takhoma (Mt. Rainier). Lower down, when the snow turned to deep mush, the long sidecut and long rocker lines made drifting turns over sun cups and penitentes easy as the Boost 105 was happy to hold a slash as long as the fall line would allow it. When the corn was exceptionally smooth, I tried to see if the Boost 105 had a speed limit, but I wasn’t bold enough to find it despite arcing only a few turns down a 1,500’ face. 

Who They’re For

The Boost 105 was generally easy to get along with, though I do think those with less time on lighter skis might find them a bit nervous. I was never really disappointed or unable to ski the way I wanted to. The only thing that took some time to get used to was the wider tail. Many modern touring skis, especially on the wider side, feature a more tapered tail and subtle shape. The Boost 105, however, stays wide all the way back to the tail. At first, I felt that the tail could be a bit less forgiving if I got backseat, but as I found the balance point, I found the tail supportive and super fun. Truth be told, I like when skis have some quirks, as they often provide a second modality, opening another tactic for skiing different conditions. In this case, I found the tail allowed me to finish turns with more energy and boost off of wind lips and rollers. It was also nice when skiing with a heavier pack full of glacier gear over runnels and sun cups. 

The Boost 105 is a good point of intersection for anyone who wants a mid-width touring ski. When reflecting on who the Boost 105 is for, I came to the conclusion that they are an especially good option for two groups.

1. Freeride skiers looking for a mission-oriented lightweight ski that doesn’t sacrifice downhill fun, and
   
2. Lightweight-oriented tourers who realize they want more ski on the descent.
   

If you feel like that covers a lot of skiers, you’re right.

Friendliness to the Earth

Hagan states that they take sustainability seriously, and they have taken many steps to ensure it’s more than just talk. With the brand starting in 1924, they developed a local supply chain based around their factory in the Austrian Alps, where most of that supply chain still exists. Their bindings are made in the Italian ATK Factory, where modern CNC machinery and heat recapture decrease waste. Their boots are made in the Italian Roxa Factory, which uses 3D printing to minimise wasted plastics. The rest of their products, like skins and poles, are made in Austria. They have partnered with POW (Protect Our Winters) as a financial contributor and as a communication partner, aiding in education and outreach for environmental causes

The Hagan factory uses “bio-wood chips” instead of oil to heat their ski presses. This heat remains in a closed circuit, which is then used to heat 50 buildings, ensuring little energy is wasted. Their skis leave the factory with a 100% organic paraffin-free eco wax that Hagan sells. The skis also come with a 5-year warranty promising good durability, which is maybe one of the biggest tenets of sustainability in ski design. They’re also made with recycled and recyclable materials, though they do not offer any take-back programs. 

The Final Word

The Boost 105 is Hagan’s widest ski and is a good option for a lightweight powder ski; however, it is more versatile than its spot in Hagan’s line would make it seem. The Boost 105 found its home in my quiver as a do-it-all ski for big days that felt at home from soft variable snow to perfect corn and even icy steeps. Whether you’re a freeskier looking to lighten the load or a ski mountaineer looking for more fun on the way down, the Boost 105 is an easy bet for a good time. 

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