Zag UBAC 95 review 2019
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The UBAC 95 from ZAG hasn't changed much compared with the model we tested last year.
The ski is light underfoot, maneuverable, and very easy to pivot. It is fun and does what you ask as long as you don't go too fast.
Performance is good off-piste. The testers were particularly impressed by its ability to float and pivot in powder: “A really fun ski in powder."
On the other hand, when you go faster, the ski begins to show its limitations. Its soft flex and large tip rocker impair stability. The UBAC 95 finds it hard to lock into the turn and lacks longitudinal stability so the tips sometimes come into contact with one another. The lack of stiffness also reduces grip and performance in variable snow and crud.
The weight published by the manufacturer (1,405 kg for the 184 cm length) is one of the lightest in this review.
The UBAC 95 is a very good ski for touring or for skiers trying powder for the first time. Experienced freeriders will probably prefer skis designed more for performance.
Review: Pros
- Very accessible
- Enjoyable up to moderate speeds
- Light and easy to maneuver
- Easy to pivot
Review: Cons
- A soft ski, especially in the tip
- Mediocre performance
- Lacks stability
- Not so happy in chopped-up snow
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.7 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 10.7 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 9.3 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 9.3 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 11.7 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.7 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.7 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 11.3 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 11.2 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.5 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.8 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.8 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 10.0 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 11.3 |
| Any ground comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 11.3 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
Approved by Chamonix guides, the Ubac 95 is one of the great freeride touring skis!
Totally reinvented and the result of long hours of work in our ZAG Lab, the Ubac 95's already great features have been improved. It performs even better and is more stable in all snow conditions. It is still extremely “skiable” due to its 5-point shape and short radius. Do we even need to mention its weight?
Features of the UBAC 95
| Brand : | Zag |
| Model : | UBAC 95 |
| Year : | 2019 |
| Family : | Freeride touring |
| Size tested : | 184 cm |
| Tip size : | 130 mm |
| Waist size : | 96 mm |
| Tail size : | 117 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 19 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2018