This year, we’re mixing things up. We’ve historically organized skis solely based on width, but we’ve realized this approach can ignore a ski’s purpose. So for 2018, we dove into the psyche of our testers—who hammered the slopes of Powder Mountain, Utah for a week in March—to hone in on what skis were best suited to certain pursuits.
Here are our powder touring favorites.
These wide-bodied boards (124 to 104 mm underfoot) balance girth and grams for soft-snow pleasure lap after lap. Rocker is plentiful, as are attributes like playfulness and easy turn initiation. And while the following skis are most at home in deep, consistent conditions, many can hang beyond their comfort zone, too.
Want to see in-depth tester feedback on these products? Buy a copy of the 2018 Gear Guide, packed with reviews of all the Editors’ Choice winners, plus more than 200 other must-have skis, splitboards, boots, bindings, apparel and accessories.
Völkl 100eight
$825 – volkl.com | SIZES (cm): 173, 181, 189 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 141/108/124 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 8.7 lbs. (181)
Bottom Line: “A professional business ski that can tackle any conditions with confidence.” —Mile Kochalka
Romp 110
$1,250 – rompskis.com | SIZES (cm): 173, 183 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 140/110/128 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 6.8 lbs. (183)
Bottom Line: “Turny and airy—lots of camber gives these skis an energetic feel.” —Kris Thomas
G3 SENDr 112
$929 – genuineguidegear.com | SIZES (cm): 174, 181, 188, 195 | DIMENSIONS (mm): 139/112/127 | WEIGHT/PAIR: 7.5 lbs. (181)
I’ve been snowboarding for 20yrs . And now iam looking into the next chaper in my life and that is to get into backcountry tour skiing . I know nothing about really good equipment to get started. Any suggestions on everything you need to start out ?