We were almost at treeline when we ducked into a nook to transition. The sound of skins ripping off of skis and splitboards punctuated the howling wind. Snow wasn’t falling on us so much as swirling all around. We’d been breaking trail from the parking lot to McNamara Hut, and then up to Bald Peak for some powder turns before sunset.
My Romp Osos had been light on my feet through the hike in. And now I was about to ride them in the ski’s favorite condition: backcountry powder. The playful, poppy freestyle ski couldn’t be better suited for a day like this.
I’d skied Romp’s original Osos, testing them for GearJunkie in 2022. I liked their capacity to charge the mountain and maintain stability at speed. But their relatively long turn radius (23m on the 185 length) made them harder to maneuver in tight terrain. And they certainly weren’t the most playful model in Romp’s handcrafted lineup.
But over the 2022/23 ski season, the brand completely redesigned the Oso and released it in December 2023. Romp wanted to keep that hard-charging character it had achieved in the previous version. But now, it claims, the Oso is livelier and more playful than ever.
The 2024 Romp Oso 105s arrived in mid-December, and I mounted them with a pair of Marker Cruise AT bindings. They accompanied me on several hut trips, numerous backcountry day trips, and even a few resort days in between. Romp bills this ski as the “decisive executive for the rugged unknown.” I put that title to the test over 2½ months of hard use and great skiing.
In short: The 2024 Romp Oso 105 is more playful than previous versions of the ski. But it can still confidently tackle steep and rugged terrain. They are easy on the uphill and fun in most backcountry conditions. With added tip rocker and tail taper, the skis are nimble and easy to maneuver when things get tight. And while they’re prone to chatter in chop and chunder, for most conditions in the backcountry and resort, these are very capable and fun skis.
- Lengths: 172, 180, 188 cm
- Dimensions: 138-105-128mm (at 180 cm)
- Sidecut: 19 m (at 180 cm)
- Weight: 1,991 g (at 180 cm)
- Core: Ash/aspen
Pros
- Light on the uphill, low swing-weight during turns
- Playful rocker/camber profile
- Nimble in tight terrain
- Easy to maneuver on steeps
Cons
- Gets chattery at high speeds on choppy snow
- Doesn't edge as hard as its predecessor
Romp Oso 105 Review
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Romp Oso 106: At the Resort
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On Groomers and Packed Snow
In Bumps and Trees
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In the Steeps
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Powder vs. Chop and Ice?
Romp Oso 105: In the Backcountry
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Room for Improvement
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Oso 106 Review: The Final Word
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