DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 vs. Renoun Citadel 107 Review

The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 has carved out a massive following over the last few years. Designed to balance touring efficiency with downhill performance, it has become a go-to choice for skiers who prioritize lightweight gear but don’t want to sacrifice too much fun on the descent. On the other side of the equation, the Vermont-based ski company Renoun has steadily built a reputation for innovation and tech-forward designs. Their flagship freeride touring ski, the Citadel 107, has become the answer for skiers who want lightweight performance without losing stability, dampness, or confidence when the snow and terrain get tricky.

Both skis are highly capable, but they approach the uphill/downhill balance in very different ways. Below, we’ll break down how they compare in the areas that matter most.

The Citadel 107 sets itself apart thanks to Renoun's patented VibeStop™. This is the only ski tech on the market that dynamically adapts to changing snow conditions, automatically reducing vibration when the ski encounters rough or variable terrain. The result is a remarkably damp and confidence-inspiring ride—even at high speeds, in chop, or on firm groomers.

The DPS Pagoda Tour 105 is stable for its weight, but its carbon-laminate construction feels lighter and more reactive rather than planted. This can be an advantage on the uphill or for quick, nimble skiing, but when conditions get choppy or speeds pick up, it won’t feel as confidence-inducing as the Citadel. In other words: DPS feels “lively stable,” while Renoun feels “damp stable.”

Despite being the more stable ski, the Citadel 107 doesn’t ski like a dead plank. Thanks to its tuned flex pattern and how VibeStop™ takes the edge off chatter, it maintains a surprising playful character in softer snow. You can smear turns, bounce through trees, or open up down a chute without feeling punished.

The DPS Pagoda Tour 105, on the other hand, is purpose-built for touring efficiency. It’s still playful—especially in deeper snow or when making quick slashes—but its design leans more toward precision and lightweight responsiveness rather than buttery, surfy fun. If your definition of playfulness means “energy and pop from a lightweight ski,” DPS wins. If your definition means “versatility to play around without losing confidence,” Citadel takes the crown.

The Citadel 107 is surprisingly quick for a 107 mm-waisted ski. Renoun’s construction allows for fast, precise edge-to-edge transitions, and the stiffer tail provides excellent bite when you need to hold a line. On groomers or firmer snow, it won’t feel like a narrow carving ski, but it’s far more confidence-inspiring than most powder-oriented touring skis.

The DPS Pagoda Tour 105, with its slightly narrower waist and lightweight carbon build, is also agile. However, that lightness can make it feel twitchier at speed. Quick turns on the skin track or in tight trees are where the DPS shines, while the Citadel feels more composed when those same turns happen on harder or rougher snow.

This is where the Citadel really separates itself. Many lightweight skis compromise downhill performance, but the Citadel feels just as capable in-bounds as it does out. It handles groomers, chopped-up snow, steep couloirs, or even a powder day at the resort without skipping a beat. Its 30% tip rocker, cambered midsection, and stiffer tail provide an ideal blend of float, edge hold, and control.

The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 is versatile within its design intention: it excels in the backcountry, where lightweight uphill efficiency and predictability on the descent are priorities. But compared directly to the Citadel, it feels more specialized. It’s the better pure “ski mountaineering” tool, while the Citadel is the stronger one-ski-quiver option for skiers who split their time between resort freeride and big backcountry objectives.

For deep days, the Citadel 107 is a standout. At 107 mm underfoot, with generous rocker and a relatively stiff, directional tail, it surfs and floats effortlessly in untracked powder. The tail adds drive and control in steeper, more technical lines, making it feel powerful and confidence-boosting.

The DPS Pagoda Tour 105 also performs well in powder, and its lighter build means it’s easy to throw around for playful, slashy turns. However, compared to the Citadel, it sacrifices some of that damp, planted confidence—especially when transitioning from blower powder to heavier chop or variable conditions.

If your ideal powder ski is manueverable and featherweight, DPS delivers. If you want a ski that feels powerful, surfy, and consistent no matter how the snow changes, the Citadel 107 is the clear choice.

At the 184 cm length, the Renoun Citadel 107 weighs 1,732 g per ski, while the DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 comes in at 1,643 g per ski. That’s a difference of only 89 g per ski (178 g for the pair) — less than half a water bottle.

On paper, that’s a nearly negligible weight gain, except in the context of long-distance ski touring or ski mountaineering where every gram matters and the downhill experience is unimportant. But the payoff is significant: those extra grams in the Citadel’s construction (largely due to Renoun’s VibeStop™ technology and reinforced layup) translate to noticeably greater stability, dampness, and edge hold.

In practical terms, the DPS is still the better choice if your absolute priority is uphill efficiency on long tours or multi-day objectives. But for skiers who want a touring ski that also skis like a freeride tool in-bounds, the Citadel manages to deliver an entirely different level of downhill confidence for a nearly imperceptible weight increase.

In short: less than 200 grams buys you a ski that feels like it belongs in two categories at once. (and keep almost $700 in your wallet)

Both skis are excellent, but they serve different types of skiers.

The DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 is an incredible touring-focused ski. It’s lightweight, efficient on the uphill, and fun to slash around on the downhill—especially in consistent snow. But it’s not designed to be the most stable or damp option when conditions get rough.

The Renoun Citadel 107, by contrast, feels like a full-on freeride ski that just happens to tour really well. Thanks to VibeStop™ and its versatile shape, it delivers confidence across every condition you’ll encounter—from bottomless powder to firm resort groomers. If you want one ski to truly do it all without compromise, the Citadel 107 is the more well-rounded, modern answer.

The Citadel 107 is best for skiers who:

• Ski a lot of powder but need a ski that doesn’t fall apart on firm or variable snow.
  
  

• Want one ski for both resort freeride and backcountry missions.
  
  

• Value reduced vibration and fatigue (important for long days or aggressive skiing).
  
  

• Prefer a directional ski with a supportive tail and strong edge hold.
  
  

• Like the idea of a lightweight freeride ski but don’t want to compromise stability.

Renoun Skis Reviews team has over a decade of ski design and manufacturing experience, and decades of combined ski-industry experience ranging from certified PSIA ski instructors to shop technicians, racers, and coaches. We also have a deep passion for and love of all things skiing. The team utilizes this experience to provide unparalleled reviews that dive deep to help guide your purchase for just about any ski-related item and help inform you of any ski-focused tips and tricks about maintenance, on-hill performance, and even the best places to enjoy your Après-Ski. Through written and video content, the Renoun Skis Reviews team is here to help inform you on all things ski-related.

Our team curates recommendations based on an intensive research and review process and leverages our unique expertise in the industry. A product must be exceptional in quality and have unique features to qualify for consideration in our review process. For all tips and tricks, all advice is based on on-hill and ski manufacturing knowledge, as well as intensive research to ensure accuracy and help skiers like you stay informed.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at info@renoun.com.