Extremely lightweight skis can be challenging to control in variable snow, and will typically do a poor job of absorbing vibration and chatter. The lightweight materials of this ski will likely not respond well to constant hucking, but I found them to handle well regardless of the mogul, lip, or knuckle that was in my line. Some may feel that DPS gets a little too much attention in the backcountry ski world, but premium builds like the Pagoda Tour above and Alchemist set them apart. Those touring in late Spring or Summer will usually aim for a lighter, narrower ski. A few examples include Prior Manufacturing out of Whistler, BC, Wagner Custom Skis from Telluride, Colorado, and Praxis Skis on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Available in widths ranging from 65 millimeters for skimo racers up to the 103-millimeter model here, the design is well-respected for its downhill performance in nearly all conditions. It’s no good sizing down for an easier time on the skin track if the turns are no fun! The ski is too stiff and a little narrow for real powder, and it isn’t as fun to drive as a result. 10 oz.Widths: 85, 95, 105mmWhat we like: A versatile touring set-up that is efficient on the uphill and fun on the descent.What we don’t: Not the best ski for serious, big-mountain objectives.Â. 3 oz.) Alpine Touring Skis 1-24 of 314 results for Sports & Outdoors : Outdoor Recreation : Winter Sports : Skiing : Alpine Touring : Skis Sklon Ski Strap and Pole Carrier | Avoid The Struggle and Effortlessly Transport Your Ski … And a complaint specific to the Wailer is its relatively hefty 8-pound weight. Most experienced backcountry skiers take some time to arrive at their ideal compromise between skiability and light weight. $314.99 $ 314. Then choose a skin width that is a few millimeters narrower (for example, choose a 110-millimeter skin if your ski is 113 millimeters wide). In addition, the lightweight design can be skittish in icy conditions and there’s a tendency to chatter at Mach-looney on firm snow (although most alpine touring skis will do the same). Some may prefer more inspiring graphics, but we like the clean look of the blue and red topsheet. But for folks transitioning from the resort to the backcountry or wanting to split their time evenly between the two, the Tracer 98 is a fantastic choice.See the Armada Tracer 98  See the Women's Armada Trace 98. Black Diamond Boundary 107. See All Filters (3) Follow this search. Rocker is a more modern technique that looks akin to the bottom of a boat with early rise in the tip and/or tail—picture a banana. Buy and sell new & used skis, boots & bindings from Rossignol, K2 & Salomon. The fairly soft front end and decently aggressive rocker profile aren’t very happy busting through crusty snow or skating on ice. Before starting out, ask yourself the following questions: Where and how will I be using this ski? But don’t let its super thin edges deceive you: this is a serious, big-mountain charger. Cutting weight will inevitably change the personality of a ski, and for those that liked the bulletproof Chugach, the Beast 108 may fall short. That said, it does come up a little short in edge grip and isn’t as burly on the descent as the DPS options or the Black Crows Navis below. Backcountry Skis. Dimensions: 140.5-117-129.5mmWeight: 9 lbs. Follow. Less experienced and less aggressive skiers will be happiest with a slightly shorter ski. But their defining feature—and what differentiates them from inbound skis—is a shared emphasis on trimming weight. Blizzard’s Zero G collection has legions of fans, and the latest model is about as well-rounded as it gets. $159.95 $ 159. Let’s keep this one simple: the sidecut profile of a ski affects how large or small of a turn a ski will naturally make. Dimensions: 123-95-113mmWeight: 6 lbs. And the design is totally out of place on firm snow and ice, so be sure to have confidence in the forecast and conditions before heading out the door. Generally, nylon skins provide greater uphill grip but less forward glide than mohair. 3 oz.Widths: 80, 84, 88, 96, 106mmWhat we like: Great price for a beginner/intermediate-friendly build.What we don’t: Certainly not the fastest or most playful ski on this list. 10 oz.Width: 124mmWhat we like: Powder dreaming.What we don’t: Way too wide for most skiers and conditions. Alpine touring skis are shorter and wider than most other skis, for easier maneuverability (and so you don't sink in the snow). 7 oz.Widths: 94, 106mmWhat we like: Top-end craftsmanship and standout performance with few compromises.What we don’t: Too pricey for casual backcountry skiers. 168cm $750.00 38% off Praxis GPO -10 w/G3Zed12 Prasix GPO - 10 with G3 Zed 12 binding. The skis above have been built from the ground up for touring performance, but Armada’s updated Tracer line offers a satisfying mix of all-mountain and backcountry design. First off, get educated. 900. Uphill skiing, also known as “skinning” uphill and ski touring, is a fast growing sport today, with many resorts now allowing and promoting inbounds ski touring. It’s equally important to understand that not all capable backcountry skis are specifically referred to as such. Go to product. Moment’s Wildcat Tour is the lightened and tour-afied version of one of our all-time favorite powder skis: the Bibby Pro. The extra girth comes with an undeniable weight penalty but results in better stability in variable conditions, and superior float in deep snow. Not only will a course provide potentially life-saving and highly useful information, but also a chance to get familiar with your gear in a safe and low-pressure environment. One of the most popular is their flagship Corvus model, which is a big-mountain charger built for speed. And as we covered in the section on Uphill vs. For the discerning backcountry skier, that can be a pretty enticing option.Back to Our Top Backcountry Ski Picks  Back to Our Backcountry Ski Comparison Table. Options like the G3 Ion are increasingly user-friendly and reliable while saving 2 or more pounds for the pair compared to a frame binding. 187cm, 112 width $350.00 65% off Blizzard Zero G 85. But take care of this ski—and leave it behind on those questionable early-season days—and you’ll likely find little to dislike about the Mantra V-Werks.See the Volkl Mantra V-Werks. Alpine touring skis provide a balance of handling, floatation, and weight to enable you to ditch the resort and handle any terrain you may encounter. Alpine Touring Skis. In general, skins come in a variety of lengths and widths that you can trim to fit the specific dimensions of your existing alpine skis. In the backcountry, it’s up to you to haul your own equipment up the mountain. While not specifically designed for backcountry skiing, one nice hybrid option to consider is the new Volkl Blaze (106mm wide). $329.95 $ 329. The wider your skis… To complete your set-up, see our article on the best backcountry ski boots.  With improved rocker designs in recent years, narrower skis in this width range achieve reasonable float in variable conditions while maintaining snappy edge-to-edge movement. It’s a far cry from the all-rounders at the top of our list, but the Backland 117 is just too much fun not to make an appearance here. Dimensions: 151-124-134mmWeight: 8 lbs. Generally speaking, the length of your touring skis should not differ too much from what you typically use at the resort. Back in the day all skis were skinny and straight and usually really, really long. Here was a ski that was set up for touring, but kept some of the heft, and a lot of the stability and trustworthiness, of a big-mountain rig. The ski is reasonably stable at speed, and its full-length paulownia core and more pronounced tip and tail rocker outperform expectations off-piste. The ski has camber underfoot and Titanal reinforcements around the binding for impressive power and stability for resort days, but the lightweight construction and softer front end make it dance nicely in powder. But the Elan has the edge in terms of weight and is nimbler in general underfoot. Its versatility is what makes it special: the Natural floats extremely well for its width, is pretty easy to manage in tight and steep spaces, and soaks up bumps very nicely. Plus, the wood core gives it a damp feel and a versatile ride that’s quite comfortable when mixing in the occasional day at the resort. Alpine Touring Skis w/ Bindings Filter Sort. Black Diamond’s updated Helio Carbon line reaches as wide as 115 millimeters, but we love the nimble performance and efficiency of their thin, 88-millimeter version. Read more about us.Â, Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). But more local shops are starting to carry the brand, and online retailers like Evo and REI are stocking a good selection this season.See the Black Crows Navis Freebird. See All Filters (3) Follow this search. How to Choose Touring Ski Length. In addition to being a little heavy for a 95-millimeter backcountry design, the BD Recon does have a relatively soft flex, which favors less aggressive skiers. ... 80cm Roxy Bonbon C5 Alpine Skis with C5 Salomon Bindings Kaya Package. However they offer arguably better downhill performance and are a good option for people who mainly ski the resort but get out of bounds on occasion. Read Our Review. Most skiers will want to shoot for a balance of downhill capability and lightweight uphill performance. Order today and get free shipping on purchases $49+! One thing on the mind of most backcountry skiers is the weight of their set-up. Often, they will leave out a layer of metal or some other laminate material to save weight, while adhering as closely as possible to the performance characteristics of the alpine version. The Kore undoubtedly is a fantastic all-mountain build and isn’t out-of-place on a skin track, but there are better touring-specific options out there. This gives you true all-in-on functionality for resort and backcountry use, with only compromises being weight (although it’s significantly lighter than frame bindings) and price at $550 for the 10-DIN model. Dimensions: 140-106-124mmWeight: 6 lbs. And equipped with an innovative carbon and foam construction, it will remain composed at highlight-worthy speeds. While hard-driving experts will find the Wayback to be a little too soft, we think the K2 is among the best options for those just getting into the sport. For a deeper dive into this topic, see our article on tech bindings vs. frame bindings. 699.99. Before traveling in the backcountry, you must be equi… Go with a substantial downhiller like the Dynafit Beast or Moment Wildcat Tour. Sitting in between these categories is Salomon’s innovative Shift MNC, which has a toe piece that is compatible with both tech and alpine/downhill boots. 8 oz.Width: 102mmWhat we like: Strong on the descent and a reasonable weight.What we don’t: Availability can be limited (but it’s getting better). Marker Duke PT 16 Alpine Touring Ski Bindings 2021. Alpina Control 64 NIS Cross Country Skis. For the no-compromise big mountain skier, check out CAST Touring. We cannot recommend tech bindings for heavy inbounds skiing, however, as the metal-on-metal contact wears down on firmer resort conditions, resulting in a short lifespan (Salomon's S/Lab Shift binding is one exception). Dimensions: 141-116-131mmWeight: 7 lbs. Like Black Diamond’s Helio Carbon above, the Elan Ibex 84 Carbon XLT is an ultralight design built for long tours and spring snow conditions. Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. The Ibex’s calling card is weight: at 5 pounds 5 ounces for the pair, it’s the lightest backcountry ski on our list this season. But for regular backcountry use, tech bindings are a worthwhile investment, providing efficient skinning and fairly reliable downhill performance in variable conditions. From our list above, the Armada Tracer 98, Volkl Blaze 106, and Head Kore 93 are considered all-mountain or freeride designs. And at a modest 93-inch waist, the Kore can pull double duty on non-powder backcountry days as well as all season long at the resort. As such, the DPS and others are the preferred option for long tours or mountaineering, but if you need a solid partner for a sketchy descent, it may be worth hauling the extra poundage.See the Dynafit Beast 108. Head’s Kore all-mountain ski took the market by storm a few years ago with its stiff yet superlight construction. Some attachment systems do better than others, and some companies offer twin-tip specific clips that go a long way to making life on the skin track a little easier. Are you looking for short uphills for rowdy freeride descents in powder? Do you plan to use this setup for both lift-served skiing and touring? For reference, the wider Moment Wildcat above gets you an additional 4 millimeters in waist width while undercutting the DPS by an ounce. Now that you’ve done that, we can discuss the fun part: gear! Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides, and mountain bike trail guides. Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Ski Boots 2021. Then put weight above all else with the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 or a similar ski. It’s an effortless performer that has proven to be surprisingly adept at cutting through trees or flowing through narrow shoots. And we cannot stress this enough: the most important aspect of your boots is fit. The design is absolutely packed with high-end materials, including two horizontal layers of wood sandwiched between layers of carbon fiber (both unique concepts) that deftly balance power, dampness, and weight. Ranging from 80 to 106 millimeters, the medium-width 96 brings out its best qualities. Money is better spent on education than equipment. The side that is in contact with the snow is similar to animal fur, hence the term “skins.” When attached, the skin keeps you from sliding back on the uphill while "gliding" on flat or quick downhill sections. On the other hand, it’s friendly and playful for floating a wide and open bowl. For the price, the Navis is a suitable alternative to a ski like the DPS Pagoda Tour 106 C2 above. Alpine Touring Ski Boots. With the same basic shape and rockered design as the old Chugach, the Beast 108 deserves a look. For ski mountaineering and long spring or summer tours where you’re unlikely to encounter much fresh snow, a waist width of 80mm - 100mm is appropriate. In addition, its 16.4-meter turn radius makes it great in tight spots, but it isn’t as adept at big sweeping turns in the soft stuff. As mentioned above, a shorter ski in the backcountry will have less ascending weight but decreased ability descending in the hands of expert-level skiers. Gender. 193 $593.75 53% off 4Frnt HOJI Skis 2014. We use Alpine Touring, its shortened name AT, ski touring, and Randonee skiing all interchangeably as there is no true distinction between these terms. 10 oz.Widths: 94, 106mmWhat we like: Great price for a mixed resort and backcountry design.What we don’t: Can be chattery and hard to control in firm snow. to the burly Atomic Backland 117 (9 lbs. 3 oz.Widths: 85, 95mmWhat we like: Impressive stability for the weight.What we don’t: Not a great value; makes you work in powder. The Whitewalker also features an all-new … New Unisex 2020 Blizzard ZERO G 95 Alpine Touring Skis … Just like in the resort, the width of your touring ski will have a significant impact on performance and feel. Unless you are planning on switch landings in powder, a flat or semi-flat tailed ski will work well in the backcountry. The big point of differentiation is the core, with the Recon swapping the Helio’s carbon fiber for wood and fiberglass. Working our way down to bindings: if you know that you want to backcountry ski and are sure you’ll love it, consider a tech binding. As a general rule of thumb, alpine bindings ski better and give you more power and control going downhill just … Atomic Backland 107 Alpine Touring Ski … The Alchemist is DPS’s current range-topping construction type, taking the old Pure3 and tweaking the carbon compound for better top-end performance and stability. But it’s important to note that the 108 still is a substantial ski—for perspective, it weighs around 1 pound 4 ounces more than the DPS Pagoda Tour above. We suspect adding a layer of carbon would go a long way in improving stiffness and all-around performance, but it would impact the Blaze’s flickable feel as well as hurting its value. And it’s this focus on weight-cutting that puts the Kore on the backcountry ski map. The light front end can get knocked around through crud, although it does manage to outperform expectations on hardpack and at the resort. Ski | Alpine Touring | Get amazing deals on Alpine Touring at GearTrade.com. Alpine Touring Skis. And at $795, it’s a good deal among comparable backcountry skis. The more concave the sidecut is, the shorter the turn radius (listed in meters). Because Black Crows still is relatively new to the scene in the U.S., it can occasionally be tricky to track them down. La Sportiva Super Maximo LS Alpine Touring Ski - Women's. At around 7 pounds for the pair, it’s not excessively heavy, but there are plenty of lighter competitors on the market. Further, the lightweight front end can get tossed around more than we’d like in variable snow—it’s most comfortable in powder or spring corn. On the downside, this also means more weight and just more ski to manage. Some backcountry skiers choose to size down in order to save weight and make the ski feel a little more maneuverable. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and up-keep easy. Competitively priced at $650—a cool $200 less than the Helio 95—there’s a lot to like about the Recon. The replacement model follows the trend for lighter weight—at a very solid 1-pound savings—without giving up too much in terms of downhill strength. Further, the Blizzard’s 105-millimeter width hits the sweet spot for season-long use on all but the deepest days. $530. Skiing downhill just became even more fun with these skis due to their binding support features. Further, the release values are often not as accurate as true alpine bindings, which creates a big risk when skiing at higher speeds and on hardpack snow. 182 cm $800.00 50% off Nordica Enforcer. Trying to be everything to everyone does mean the Tracer 98 comes with a few compromises. But for the kind of powder that makes it worth hauling 124-millimeter-wide sticks (think big lines in places like Alaska and British Columbia), the Lotus won’t let you down once gravity takes over. With the exception of plastic skins made by Fischer, most skins are constructed with mohair, nylon, or a mohair-nylon hybrid. The equipment is designed for uphill and downhill travel with a simple transition between the two. Randonee or in French with two … With a few exceptions, there are two basic categories of backcountry skiing bindings: frame bindings and tech bindings (also known as pin bindings). Some manufacturers cut back on the sheer amount of material, eliminating metal edges on parts of the ski that rarely engage the snow. Where does the Elan Ibex Carbon fall short? The Whitewalker also features an all-new tip/tail shape that saves weight and cuts down on drag when you’re slicing through the deep end. Alpine skis - Touring. Alpine touring requires skis (duh), AT bindings, AT boots, skins, and poles. Alpine Touring Skis Light backcountry skis save your legs for the downhill so you can enjoy safer turns. Go to product. Hard chargers and those wanting maximum downhill performance likely will want to stick with the Helio or an option like the Volkl Mantra V-Werks above. Â. Rocker and camber are design techniques that apply to the curvature of the ski. Many of these brands offer varying degrees of customization for anything from the topsheet design to the construction of the core. The Wailer A112 RP does an admirable job emulating the feel of a wood core with fantastic stiffness for the weight. 0 oz.Widths: 100, 112mmWhat we like: Strong but reasonably light; amazing in powder.What we don’t: Heavy and very pricey. Starting with the discontinued Katana, the backcountry-specific offerings from Volkl have pushed the boundaries on weight and downhill performance. At the most basic level, your touring skis can be any pair that you feel comfortable using in the terrain you plan to traverse and ski. Alpine touring (AT): Do-it-all skis meant for a variety of terrain. A really nice backcountry-specific boot that provides solid power transmission is the Scarpa Maestrale RS, the unspoken standard of the alpine touring community. There are reputable manufacturers that have been in the ski industry for years that specialize in skis of all types. More and more companies are releasing skis that hover around the 105-millimeter mark, many with impressive versatility both out of bounds and at the resort. And just looking at the 2021 Mantra V-Werks gives you an appreciation for the development process: the top of the ski is multi-layered with a raised spine of wood running down the center and covered in gorgeous carbon fiber. Time of year can have a significant impact on ski choice. Dimensions: 128-96-115mmWeight: 6 lbs. Do you plan short day tours or long, multi-day traverses? Faction Agent 2.0 Skis + Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski … As such, skiers who plan on tackling ambitious lines or dabbling in pucker-worthy terrain may want to steer clear (the Black Crows Navis Freebird above is far superior in these situations). Paired with a beefier touring boot and binding, these skis will heed the call. It also is great on the way back down. $2,178.90 View Selections Compare Please select at least one more item to compare. You do pay a small weight penalty for the extra downhill stability of the MTN Explore 95, as many skis in its class come in under 6 pounds. The Paulownia and maple wood core give it excellent pop, and a creative mix of carbon and aramid fibers (also known as Kevlar) allows the ski to float nicely atop powder or in midair off a natural feature. Atomic, Marker, and Tyrolia offer some great frame bindings if this type of skiing suits you. Logically, trimming weight by choosing a narrow and thin ski to make life easier on the skin track decreases comfort and power on the descent, so it’s good to start by defining your priorities and your preferred style of touring. We like the ingredients: 95-millimeter waist, semi-stiff construction, and weight-saving measures like Koroyd in the tip of the ski to reduce chatter. Similarly to skis, touring boots can be categorized by their strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, you want to match the design and materials... Best Backcountry (Touring) Skis of 2020-2021, Best Backcountry (Touring) Ski Boots of 2020-2021, Backcountry Skiing Checklist for 2020-2021, Best Climbing Skins for Skiing of 2020-2021, Back to Our Backcountry Ski Comparison Table. Clearly the 84-millimeter width isn’t made for soft snow (even the wider Ibex 94 doesn’t provide great float), but the Ibex is a good partner for ultralight trips and ski mountaineering. But with a three-year warranty and a competitive price of $779, the Natural 101 adds up to a very impressive touring design. But its weight is nothing to scoff at, and the majority of backcountry skiers will admit 5 or so extra ounces split between skis isn’t a major downside. Refine by No filters applied Browse by Brand, Price & more Hide Filters Show Filters Brand Armada (4) ... Alpine Shop 1184 Williston Rd. 1 oz.Widths: 98, 108, 118mmWhat we like: Playful, freestyle-oriented backcountry option.What we don’t: Not very planted at speed. It even crosses over reasonably well to the resort, although we give the narrower Armada Tracer 98 above the edge in that respect. 15 oz.Width: 116mmWhat we like: They’re a blast in powder.What we don’t: Not as fun in other conditions. Atomic Backland 107 Alpine Touring Ski - Women's. Type (1) Max DIN. Steep & Cheap has an amazing selection of alpine touring bindings, skis and boots. Get notified when new items are listed. These skis are made to shred serous pow. Ski mountaineering is a subclass of backcountry skiing with a focus on reaching the summit of a peak and skiing back down. 95. 15 Results. There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. The loose heel and the wide base let you go anywhere. No products found. For this r… Alpine Touring Skis should have a relatively lightweight core, and in most cases forgo the metal sheets that provide piste performance in All-Mountain Skis. Black Diamond Boundary 107. While this is convenient, be sure to investigate what kind of skin the company is providing before purchasing. Anyone from newbies to dedicated backcountry enthusiasts should find a lot to like with the construction. Backcountry Skis. If for any reason you’re not 100% satisfied with a product manufactured by WNDR Alpine, you may ship it back to us for a full refund. Â. This is perfectly normal, but it’s worth considering what impact this has on your skiing. Skis of this waist width are narrow enough for spring touring but really shine in the winter months when there is potential for deeper conditions.110mm-120mm+ ... For personal bests in high alpine terrain. The Atomic Backland is well-built and holds its own at speed, but those hitting big-time lines may want a little more ski. Press enter for more information. They also are warm and should be very comfortable provided they are fitted correctly. Boots with better downhill ability tend to be heavier and have a less-sufficient walk mode for the climb up. Who is the Zero G 105 best for? Welcome to the official Fischer website. Blizzard Zero G 95 Skis + G3 Ion 12 Alpine Touring Ski Bindings + Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2021. While this is perfectly valid, it’s worth weighing up your own priorities and considering the options. This is a style of backcountry skiing that’s sometimes called AT for short or by the French word, randonnee. For discerning backcountry skiers in areas that see consistently good powder and want a smooth and very capable driver, the Wailer 112 A112 RP is a class above in terms of refinement and all-around abilities. Alpine Allmountain Men Allmountain Women Junior Sport Rental Nordic Elite 3.0 Elite PRO Competition Racing Action Touring Backcountry Junior Rental Rollerski Winter Treking Outdoor Backpacking Hiking Speed Hiking Approach Urban Outdoor Winter Treking Junior As such, there is a cottage industry of sorts within the backcountry ski world of smaller companies building skis that excel in their local environment (plus, many of the ski brands listed above are somewhat young). With a multi-layer carbon build, it’s sturdy enough for variable conditions and decently high speeds, and there’s a surprising amount of forgiveness that makes it a reliable partner in unfamiliar terrain. 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At GearTrade.com a hybrid-style ski will be happiest with a tinge of straightline blast in powder.What don’t.