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 106-109-millimeter waist width. Click here for 110-millimeter-plus ski reviews. 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
Blizzard Canvas 108
Precision and Pop
Weight: 3,580g (180) | Dimensions: 139/108/127 | Lengths: 168, 174, 180, 186, 192 | Price: $800 | blizzard-tecnica.com
Just looking at the new Canvas, it’s clear this is a huge departure from Blizzard’s race-forward identity. On top of an abstract topsheet, the Canvas is a twin tip. While jibbers delighted in skiing backward, our contingent of former ski racers still found themselves making high-edge-angle arcs in a variety of conditions.
According to Blizzard, the design was predominantly driven by their athlete team wanting something playful and light enough to tour on. Testers agreed that was delivered. In addition to having both a rockered tip and tail, the Canvas’s poplar and paulownia core adds pop while cutting weight. Testers scored playfulness on average 6.5/7 and some keyed in on the sub-4,000-grams-per-pair weight. “Somehow light enough to spend a lot of the day going uphill,” said a PNW volcano addict. “I’d ski this inbounds or out.”
There’s still a long camber pocket underfoot, carbon and glass fibers are inset as stringers with extra carbon in the tip and tail, and a sandwich-style sidewall gives extra stability, meaning our racers were putting the Canvas on edge through long- and medium-radius turns. “Super tail rocker, super wide, but will still carve,” said a D1, East Coast ski racer. One of her former teammates added, “The arc the ski generated was smooth and powerful, guiding the skier down the fall line.” Both the racers and the freeskiers agreed that, unlike many other powder twin tips, the Canvas needs to be driven: “It was built for aggressive, front-of-the-boot skiing,” said a hardcore freeskier.
“Bumps became hits rather than obstacles, it popped through unforgiving patches without tossing me, and I could lay into the rail on a groomer.” —Corey Spies
Where to buy
Blizzard Canvas 108
Editors’ Choice
Nordica Unleashed 106 CA
Jack of Trades, Master of Fun
Weight: 3,729g (185) | Dimensions: 138.5/106/127.5 | Lengths: 152, 157, 164, 171, 178, 185 | Price: $750 | nordica.com
Marie Kondo said to keep what sparks joy, and testers found that spark in the Unleashed 106 CA. “I could see the colorful pattern at the tip of the skis and had immediate bursts of happiness,” said an aesthetically inclined tester. “The Unleashed remains one of the most stable, playful and fun to ski in all conditions pair of sticks in the test,” added a Park City ski patroller.
Unlike the frontcountry-focused Unleashed, the CA doesn’t have an additional strip of metal, only carbon stringers, which sacrifices some edge hold for about 50 grams of weight savings. “With momentum, their smooth, even flex from tip to tail comes to life, accelerating the fun factor the more aggressively they’re driven,” said a longtime tester, mentioning that at slower speeds they’re sluggish to get on edge. Full ABS sidewalls extend underfoot, and where they stop, the poplar core extends into a tapered tip. The medley helped the Unleashed score a 5.5/7 in both crud and on hardpack, with testers deeming long-radius turns best. One relaxed tester said, “I felt totally at ease straight-lining through chunky afternoon scraps.” Another keyed in on the ample tip and tail rocker, saying, “The rocker of this ski made it feel much shorter and nimbler on firmer snow.”
While the CA model is lightened, it’s not light. One tester suggested pairing with hybrid bindings and four-buckle boots, while another summarized, “Its ability to perform highly outside of its designated use makes this ski a great option for those looking for a true one-ski quiver.”
“Hold onto your reins: The Unleashed CA 106s are big dogs for big days. Crud-busting machines that mandate a focused commander intent on shredding hard.” —Marla Bailey
Where to buy
Nordica Unleashed 106 CA
Editors’ Choice
Salomon S/LAB QST Echo
All Business, All the Time
Weight: 3,520g (181) | Dimensions: 139/106/126 | Lengths: 157, 165, 173, 181, 189 | Price: $1,050 | salomon.com
“One-ski quiver” might be the most overused phrase in all of ski reviews. But, when two out of three editors pack this as their only ski for multiweek trips, the hype might be justified.
The QST Echo balances weight with performance by tweaking tech from its heavier linemate, the S/LAB QST 106. Instead of a metal mounting plate, karuba stringers are inlaid underfoot in the poplar core for weight savings, screw retention and stiffness. Basalt stringers run above the wood, and a layer of fiberglass sits beneath it for further stiffening. The vertical sidewalls are made from recycled materials and play well with a long, low camber pocket that ends in a rockered tip. The flatter tail also has an inset for skin clips. Where the Echo’s construction really shines is in the damping cork and plastic in the tip and tail. “The ski was stable and damp thanks to its cork-dampened core, and it carved confidently in long-radius, high-speed turns on corn,” said a tester.
The Echo scored a 6/7 in deep snow and crud, though a mulleted Montanan noted, “Not a ton of energy and fairly sluggish edge to edge.” Two-buckle boot lovers found themselves with too much ski and shied away from the gram count, but those rocking a 120-plus-flex agreed with an East Coaster who said, “These punch well above their weight class.” After dragging these around the globe, one of our editors summarized, “They’re still snappy enough for perfect hop turns in steep terrain. This is a ski that you can trust in consequential couloirs and then vibe with on the powdery egress.”
“Let these bad boys take you for a wild ride. They feel responsive in the turns, predictable edge to edge and chew up whatever questionable conditions you find yourself in.” —Gavin Cooper
Where to buy
Salomon S/LAB QST Echo
Atomic Backland 109
Weight: 3,080g (184) | Dimensions: 135/109/124 | Lengths: 176, 184, 189 | Price: $1,030 | atomic.com
A longtime Front Range local said, “This ski seems built perfectly for touring deep powder.” Every other tester echoed the sentiment. The Backland 109 floats well thanks to its wide waist and rockered tip outfitted with Atomic’s lightweight, surface-area-increasing HRZN 3D tech. A karuba core interwoven with poplar and sandwiched by fiberglass led one freerider to call these planks “noticeably light.” Full sidewalls, camber underfoot and a sidecut that favors medium-radius arcs made for “super responsive and easy-to-shape turns,” according to a local Utahn. Unsurprisingly, the 109s fell short in crud and hard snow. “I got thrown around in the bumps, and they did not absorb well,” said our freerider. For their intended, softer conditions, a veteran tester considered these “the perfect package for long hikes and powder.” He added, “Pin bindings and a slipper will do for this easy-going ski.”
TL;DR: A lightweight powder hound with an insatiable appetite for the deep and ready to provide a trusty, no-frills ride.
Where to buy
Atomic Backland 109
Atomic Backland 108 W
Weight: 2,620g (167) | Dimensions: 132/108.5/121 | Lengths: 158, 167, 176 | Price: $1,030 | atomic.com
“A happy medium between responsiveness and smooth damping,” said a veteran tester. The 108 W features the same construction as its siblings—poplar and karuba core, sandwiched by fiberglass—but in a smaller size run and with shifted layups and wood amounts aimed at small skiers. A gently rockered tail and a wide, rockered tip made these “ski shorter than their length implies,” per a veteran. The camber pocket underfoot and full sidewalls “give you secure edge hold despite the wider width, making these suitable for a wide range of conditions,” added a PhD student who found the 108s preferred medium- to long-radius turns. These shined brightest in pow, but still earned a 4.5/7 on crud and only slightly lower on hardpack. “A true switch hitter: 50/50 backcountry/resort,” added another tester. “For someone looking for an approachable powder ski to add to their quiver,” said a collegiate Nordic racer.
TL;DR: For those who want to rip pow laps with good friends all day long, these will gladly carry you uphill or throughout the resort.
Where to buy
Atomic Backland 108 W
Armada Whitewalker 108
Weight: 3,500g (180) | Dimensions: 134/108/129 | Lengths: 168, 174, 180, 186 | Price: $1,000 | armadasnow.com
Sammy Carlson’s Whitewalker 116 is a cult classic. But not everyone wants to ski—or tour on—a 116. Enter the Whitewalker 108. Like the 116, the 108 stays light with carbon stringers running through a karuba core. An OG tester called them “fairly stiff,” though Armada softened the tip and tail, which are tapered, rockered and have a 3D, beveled shape. Metal edges end early, allowing for Carlson’s infamous butters. The Whitewalker earned a 5/7 for playfulness and a 6/7 for powder, and, thanks to the few millimeters of camber, groomer performance was a 4.5/7. “While initiation was sluggish, I found it held and tracked better than expected midturn,” said a tester who cut his teeth on East Coast ice. Still, these aren’t for everyone. “Built for the new-age, advanced skier who wants to surf/slash and jib around,” said an old dog, while one of those new-age skiers said, “Ski all over the mountain from the park to groomers to the backcountry.”
TL;DR: The Whitewalker 108 can handle a wider variety of terrain and conditions than the 116, but only if you smear and schralp like Sammy Carlson.
Where to buy
Armada Whitewalker 108
Renoun Citadel 107
Weight: 3,300g (177) | Dimensions: 136/107/124 | Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184, 191 | Price: $999 | renoun.com
Renoun’s calling card is their use of VibeStop, a non-Newtonian polymer that is flexible when softly prodded but stiffens under impact. Four VibeStop stringers run vertically through the Citadel’s aspen core. Testers were split on the effectiveness. A Tahoe local bought in, calling the Citadel “the dampest ski that’s capable of handling all types of conditions.” An East Coast racer disagreed, saying, “A perfect niche ski, but don’t expect crud performance. Keep this ski in the soft stuff.” Testers did find common ground on other aspects: The long sidecut lent itself to long-radius turns; moderate camber and full sidewalls held an edge; the construction leans on the heavy side; and early rise tip rocker makes the Citadel best in powder. “This seems to be a pure powder ski,” an alpinist-turned-skier said. “When left to themselves, they do not turn.” Or, according a 6’ freerider, “A great all-rounder, though heavy for touring.”
TL;DR: A resort-to-touring crossover option for those looking to go straight and fast in powder or heavy chop.
Where to buy
Renoun Citadel 107
Ogso Gran Daddy
Weight: 3,350g (186) | Dimensions: 142/106/128 | Lengths: 162, 170, 178, 186 | Price: $968 | ogso-mountain-essentials.com
Thanks to a full carbon jacket and paulownia core, the Ogso Gran Daddy is light for energy-efficient uphills. On the descent, the carbon creates a trusty big-mountain free-touring ski. “Ample tip rocker and dampness throughout promote full confidence in all conditions,” said a longtime tester from the East. Damping comes from a 55-millimeter ABS, double-layered tip to reduce chatter and a TPU heel shock absorber underfoot. “The Gran Daddy goes down as smooth as bourbon whiskey,” said a 6’-plus tester. According to Ogso, a solid camber pocket and an early rise tip balance edge grip and control in variable conditions. Testers backed the claim, awarding an average crud rating of 5/7. “This ski can initiate a turn easily for its size,” said a collegiate racer. The Gran Daddy was rewarded with an average responsiveness score of 5/7. “A perfect ski to tour with in steep and technical terrain,” concluded a 200-pound Vermonter.
TL;DR: The trustworthy company needed for efficient uphills to technical descents, such as its namesake, the Grand Daddy Couloir in Banff, Canada.
Where to buy
Ogso Gran Daddy
Voilé Charger Ace
Weight: 3,182g (178) | Dimensions: 140/106/124 | Lengths: 157, 164, 171, 178, 185 | Price: $995 | voile.com
The meat of Voilé’s Charger Ace comes from a paulownia core inlaid with a maple mounting plate and sandwiched by fiberglass and carbon stringers. “The wood core makes this ski notably light and lively,” a racer said. “Built for as much vertical powder as you can fit in a day.” The denser maple insert works with a moderate camber pocket to increase edge grip. “Primarily a backcountry whip given its lightness,” said our longest-time tester, “but it can really hold an edge on hard snow.” Testers preferred short to medium arcs, despite a claimed 20-meter turning radius, and warned against pushing the ski too hard. The carbon layup and half-capped sidewalls resulted in lower scores on hardpack and in crud, but, in its home environment of Wasatch powder, the Charger Ace provided “a goofy grin on my face and the youthful feeling of fun and joy sweeping over me,” per a young-at-heart tester.
TL;DR: An easy-skiing powder ski that does its job well. Lightweight, floats and can hold an edge on hardpack.
Where to buy
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