2023 4FRNT MSP 107 Review
It’s built for deep snow, but you’d be surprised by its versatility
Brand: 4FRNT
Model: MSP 107
Overall Ranking: #10
Overall Score: 6.66 / 10
Specs
Tip / Waist / Tail (mm)
138-107-128
Lengths (cm)
175, 181, 187
Gender
Unisex
Level
Intermediate to Expert
Strengths
Versatility (#10), Flotation (#8)
Weaknesses
Responsiveness (#17), Forgiveness (#16)
Stability at Speed
6.5 / 10
Quickness / Maneuverability
6.38 / 10
Playfulness
6.63 / 10
Forgiveness
6.13 / 10
Hard Snow Performance
6.38 / 10
Crud Performance
6.5 / 10
Versatility
6.63 / 10
Responsiveness
5.88 / 10
Flotation
7.25 / 10
The 4FRNT MSP 107 allows skiers to push their limits in any conditions all over the hill. Strong expert skiers can tap into the MSP’s Titanal laminate and poplar core construction to enjoy a snappy rebound from turn to turn. Less aggressive skiers may not find the ski as playful or energetic, but they’ll appreciate the damp and smooth ride courtesy of this heavier construction. Tester Tommy Flitton, who coaches freeski teams at Snowbird and Alta, described the MSP 107 as “dependable and very intuitive” and noted that it’s “easy to ski and would be a great fit for anyone.” That intuitive nature is due to a well-designed sidecut and rocker profile that East Coast-based tester Chad Jacob said encourages “easy edge grab and a smooth turn shape that can vary.”
Read more: Can Wider All-Mountain Skis Hack it Back East? Our Gear Experts Weigh In
The user-friendliness of the MSP 107 allows you to focus on exploring the mountain, from groomers to moguls to crud in the trees. Testers were so impressed by this ski’s versatility that they gave it high scores in that skill category and across the board in Crud Performance, Hard-Snow Integrity, and Flotation.
Though 4FRNT is traditionally known as a new school ski brand, the MSP 107 isn’t overly jibby or playful. Some testers found it to feel a little heavy and demanding, requiring some strength to coerce it into skiing with a more playful style. While tester Chad Jacob, a race coach from New York, thought the MSP 107 was best suited to “expert skiers who have a forward stance and drive their knees forward.” Those types of skiers, he said, would find the MSP 107 to be an “enjoyable nimble ski that initiates with ease and holds strong.”
Learn more: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Ski Tester
This ski’s one significant shortcoming is in the Stability at Speed department. Though some testers felt you could push the MSPs pretty far, it does have a speed limit. Moderate speeds maximize the ski performance where you can get a feel for the ski’s energy and nimble nature. Surprisingly, this ski is maneuverable at 107mm underfoot since such wide skis can be slow and lumbering, but the MSP 107 is easy to pivot in bumps and tight trees.
“It’s capable in tight terrain, but it truly belongs in big open terrain,” noted Colorado-based tester, Jon Sexauer. Tester Renee Cernichiari, also from Colorado, took it further and said this ski is most at home in the steep and deep.
It’s important to note that while the MSP 107 skews toward aggressive skiers who charge in wide-open terrain and soft snow more often than not, it’s also a ski that’s approachable enough for intermediates and even can help those skiers level up. It’s not often you come across a fully capable ski in big mountain terrain that is also accessible to less experienced skiers who are just starting to explore off-piste. This ski may sometimes feel a little heavy, but it’s predictable, easy to turn and get on edge, and the tails release you out of a turn instead of locking you in.
A self-proclaimed gear nerd when it comes to skis and mountain bikes, Jon Sexauer grew up skiing in Northern California, spending the majority of his time getting loose and sendy in terrain parks. He now lives in Colorado and calls Copper Mountain his home hill. Though he still gravitates towards playful and wide all-mountain skis, he’s developed a more open mind when it comes to skis since joining SKI’s official gear test crew five seasons ago. These days, you’ll find him ripping around Copper on his trusty Nordica Enforcer 100s.