Here it is, the best gear for this winter—the 2017 Editors’ Choice Awards. Last March, 80 of our most trusted testers rode and ripped around Utah’s Powder Mountain and Crested Butte, Colo., testing more than 300 skis, splitboards, boots and bindings from which we picked these standouts for your quiver.
Want to see in-depth tester feedback on these products? Check out the 2017 Gear Guide, packed with reviews of all the Editors’ Choice winners, plus more than 100 other must-have skis, splitboards, boots and bindings.
Backcountry September 20162017 Gear Guide
More than 100 skis, splitboards, boots and bindings reviewed, rated and recommended.
Black Crows Anima Freebird
$850 - black-crows.com | SIZES (cm): 176, 182, 188 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 143/115/128 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 7.9 lbs. (188)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="With its bigger dimensions and low weight, this Black Crow rules the bc roost." cite="—Eric Tiffany" parallax="off" direction="left"]
Salomon QST 106
$850 - salomon.com | SIZES (cm): 167, 174, 181, 188 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 140/106/124 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 8.4 lbs. (181)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="A pedal-to-the-metal touring ski that's stiff and damp enough to really send it." cite="—Carter Snow" parallax="off" direction="left"]
Rossignol Soul 7 HD W
$850 - rossignol.com | SIZES (cm): 162, 170, 178 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 136/106/126 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 7.9 lbs. (170)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Combines all of my favorite characteristics into one ski: fun, poppy, stable." cite="—Cat Ambrose" parallax="off" direction="left"]
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Voilé Supercharger
$695 - voile.com | SIZES (cm): 171, 178, 185 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 140/106/124 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 7.2 lbs. (178)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Near perfect mélange of float, dampness, versatility and tourability." cite="—Shaggy Bailey" parallax="off" direction="left"]
4frnt Raven
$835 - 4frnt.com | SIZES (cm): 184, 190 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 120/104/112 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 7.8 lbs. (184)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="A go-anywhere, do-anything ski that is lightweight and born for the backcountry." cite="—Henry Yu" parallax="off" direction="left"]
DPS Wailer 112RP2 Tour1
$999 - dpsskis.com | SIZES (cm): 168, 178, 184 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 141/112/128 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 6.2 LBS. (178)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Possibly the best and most well-rounded touring ski on the market." cite="—Jason Layh" parallax="off" direction="left"]
Pick up a copy of the 2017 Backcountry Gear Guide today
I won’t go back to anything after skiing the black crows
hmmm – not many backcountry skis on the shorter end of 160s…any recommendations? I had shortlisted a few from past years, but many start at 168 – 170+ cm. I like “turn-y” and shorter skis for ski mountaineering
Check out some of our more slender, ski mountaineering-focused Editors’ Choice winners here or subscribe to get the Gear Guide for reviews of about 70 additional skis (plus boots and bindings).