Our test runs the spectrum from skinny skimo skis to purebred pow slayers. The result is a robust selection of touring skis, boots and bindings that fill every niche: from your first touring ski to the perfect setup for that 50-mile traverse to the best combo for big-mountain sends. This selection of skis features only planks with a 110-millimeter waist width and up. To see our full gear guide in its original, glossy print form, click here.
Each ski, split, boot and binding is tested by roughly seven testers, each of whom takes the product out for at least three lift-access runs and/or a tour. An item that performs well in its intended category is a Gear Guide Select. A product that performs well beyond its intended category earns an Editors’ Choice (EC).
Editors’ Choice
DPS Koala Tour 111
Lightweight Freeride
Weight: 3,260g (184) | Dimensions: 139/111/127 | Lengths: 176, 184, 189 | Price: $1,795 | dpsskis.com
“The Koala Tour is the perfect ski to take on a walk,” said a patroller. “Turn the downhill into your own Bob Ross as you paint pretty pictures down the mountain.”
In this touring model, DPS started with the Koala 111 and flattened the camber pocket, essentially pre-flexing the ski for better soft-snow performance without sacrificing surface area for skin-to-snow contact on the ascent. “The zero camber with little sidecut and big tip and tail rocker makes for a super forgiving and playful ride,” explained a career patroller and one of our most veteran testers. “It offers the ability to be extra creative for those rowdy backcountry lines.” Additionally, heavy rocker and minimal sidecut led the Koala Tour to average almost perfect scores in powder, turn initiation and playfulness.
The gut of the ski is transposed from DPS’s Pagoda Tour. A paulownia core is sandwiched between two full sheets of carbon woven with organic cellulose fibers at 45-degree angles that provide damping and torsional stability. “Extremely light, very responsive and predictable,” explained a 6’4” tester who rated the Koala Tour as best in shorter-radius turns. “Surprisingly damp and stable through frozen slush.” The Koala Tour also features World Cup race bases and comes with Phantom Wax, which DPS claims increases longevity and durability.
Testers found few drawbacks to the Koala Tour, although some squabbled over hard-snow performance, which testers rated an average of 4/7. “They excel in consistent, soft-snow conditions,” said our veteran patroller. “Outside of that, they’re prone to acting like a toddler having a tantrum.”
“A perfect choice for trips where one day you might skin 4,000 feet with a descent that begins with large-faceted champagne powder and finishes in knee-deep, knee-destroying slush.” —Mike Lewis
Where to buy
DPS Koala Tour 111
J Skis The Best Friend
Weight: 4,000g (184) | Dimensions: 140/118/129 | Lengths: 177, 184, 191 | Price: $919 | jskis.com
“Looks intimidating, but skis well,” said a tester of J’s asymmetrical ski. In powder, symmetrical skis often turn on different planes: The outside ski sinks deeper than the inside ski. To fix that, The Best Friend features minimal sidecut on the inside edges, meaning better float. “A dedicated powder ski with unique technology that keeps your skis floating with more synchrony than other brands and shapes,” summed up a patroller. Interior construction mirrors that of its Explore Collection brethren: aspen core, four-way fiberglass, carbon fiber stringers, full-height sidewalls, plus steel edges and a lightweight base. Though designed for the deep, “I pointed these skis straight down a bumpy field of hard-packed crud and let gravity take the wheel, with me along for the ride, frequently finding myself in awe of how truly damp this ski is,” said a hard charger. The main drawbacks were that “you can only use two edges,” per an Eden, Utah, local.
TL;DR: Pow days are better with friends like these skis. Count on them for float and fun, but not a long tour through diverse conditions.
Where to buy
J Skis The Best Friend
DPS Powderworks Lotus Tour 117
Weight: 3,218g (178) | Dimensions: 138/117/125 | Lengths: 171, 178, 185 | Price: $1,795 | dpsskis.com
“Full carbon makes this light underfoot, absorbs shock reasonably well and has plenty of flex to load turns in deep pow,” explained an impressed rookie. Damping cellulose fiber is woven at 45-degree angles through two layers of carbon, which sandwich a paulownia core, a construction lifted from DPS’s touring-specific Pagoda line. Unsurprisingly, testers still rated the Lotus Tour 117 as a powder specialist. “A nice, fat, lightweight pow ski that’ll ski surfy, but like longboard surfing,” said a ski bum, adding that these skis make long, slow turns down the fall line. Minimal camber, ample tip rocker, narrow tails and little sidecut meant testers unanimously agreed this ski is best in long-radius turns. “This war pig is large and mean,” said a ski patroller. “Keep them in soft conditions,” he added. “Don’t force them into other situations, and you’ll be plenty satisfied with their performance.”
TL;DR: A surfy powder ski for days when the storm totals are pushing double overhead, with the bonus of being light enough for long days deep into the backcountry.
Where to buy
DPS Powderworks Lotus Tour 117
Salomon S/LAB QST X
Weight: 3,800g (184) | Dimensions: 140/116/127 | Lengths: 178, 184, 192 | Price: $1,050 | salomon.com
Testers recommend doing a few extra squats before picking up the S/LAB QST X. “Stable and fast, but need some work to really enjoy the turn,” said a thunder-thighed tester, referencing the massive 24-meter turning radius and the stiffening strip of flax/carbon above the karuba and poplar core. Despite being nearly flat underfoot, the low rocker profile, titanal mounting plate and full sandwich sidewalls allowed a 6’4” tester to rail turns on hardpack when pressing through the front of the boot. The weight didn’t lend itself to long tours, but the damping cork tip earned a 5.5/7 in crud and a 6/7 in powder. “These took any ridiculous line I threw at them but skied turns well, too,” said a 200-pound former ski racer. Small testers struggled to engage the ski. “It was hard to pull off a short turn without sacrificing the arc and acceleration,” explained a short, retired racer.
TL;DR: Hit the gym and don’t skimp on the protein powder. This is the big-line dream ski for the strong-legged and straight-lining enthusiasts.
Where to buy
Salomon S/LAB QST X
Black Diamond Equipment Impulse Ti 112
Weight: 4,060g (181) | Dimensions: 139/112/126 | Lengths: 181, 186, 191 | Price: $1,200 | blackdiamondequipment.com
“Advanced and expert skiers will hop on this ski and feel stable ripping huge GS turns on most snow types and cliffs and hopping through deep pow,” said an internationally certified guide. The widest of the Impulse Ti line, the 112 earned a 6.5/7 in soft snow due to increased taper in the tip and tail, while long, gradual tip rocker added float and easy turn initiation. Full sidewalls and a long camber pocket bite into the snow for said GS-turning prowess. In the core, poplar is inset with beech stringers and overlaid with fiberglass and a titanal sheet to foster stability and stiffness. “The midweight provides downhill stability while keeping the pow manageable,” a first-year tester explained. He also noted, “The edges hold quite well on hardpack.” The guide recommended sizing up, given the extended rocker, and a couple other testers noted that the heavy weight made this ski best for strong, powerful skiers.
TL;DR: A purpose-built pow ski that more than holds its own in mixed conditions and is just as happy as a resort/touring crossover as it is on aggressive freeride lines.
Where to buy
Black Diamond Equipment Impulse Ti 112
Armada Locator 112
Weight: 3,150g (180) | Dimensions: 136/112/128 | Lengths: 166, 173, 180, 187 | Price: $1,050 | armadasnow.com
First and foremost, the Locator 112 is a lightweight powder ski. But, these fat skis excelled in the unexpected. “Perhaps the most stable and dampest of the test,” said a petite tester from Colorado after scoring these a 6/7 in crud and 5/7 on hardpack. A 6’3” East Coaster seconded the thought, calling the Locator 112s “lightweight, damp and versatile on hardpack and great in all snow conditions.” Both keyed in on the consistent, even flex, which stems from carbon stringers set in karuba running along a long, low camber pocket. The tail stays stiff and has just a smidge of rocker, but the early rise tip softens for better forgiveness. For extra bite underfoot, there’s a titanal binding mount and full sidewalls. While the Locator 112 is best suited for medium- to long-radius turns, testers rejoiced at this ski’s nimbleness, with one saying, “The early tip rise makes this ski very maneuverable for its length.” Across the board, testers comfortably sized up.
TL;DR: This lightweight fat ski thrives on powder but can also handle crud, hardpack, corn or any other conditions like a champ.
Where to buy
Armada Locator 112
Atomic Bent 110
Weight: 3,500g (180) | Dimensions: 133/110/124 | Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188 | Price: $970 | atomic.com
“The no-brainer pick for that deep backcountry day or full week in Japan,” said a longtime tester. But don’t pigeonhole these planks: They averaged a 5/7 for dampness, responsiveness and versatility. Performance is driven by the poplar core, equally rockered tip and tail with HRZN 3D tech in both ends, a touch of camber underfoot and full-but-rounded sidewalls. “Though a wide ski, I found them to change directions quickly when needed and hold edges in fast GS turns,” said a Colorado-based guide. “Stable through crud turns,” added a tall PNW ripper. A svelte collegiate Nordic racer countered his claim, saying, “Performance is lacking in hardpack, crud or anything too frozen.” Though she added, “Less skiddy/slidey/chattery than previous generations of Bents that I’ve tried. They were responsive and eager to please.” With all the rocker, testers agreed to size up, and most recommended the 110s for sidecountry due to their weight.
TL;DR: Run these through the full pantry—powder, sugar, even corn—they butter through it all with ease.
Where to buy
Related posts: