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 skis from 90-99 millimeters underfoot. To see other ski reviews, click here:
Powder Skis (110+ mm) | Mid-fat skis (109-106 mm) | All Mountain Skis (105-100 mm)
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
Völkl Rise 99 V-Werks
Lightweight Luxury
Weight: 3,280g (178) | Dimensions: 135/99/117 | Lengths: 170, 178, 186 | Price: $1,700 | volkl.com
Völkl’s V-Werks models are their top-of-the-line skis, built for high performance at a high price point. But, according to our testers’ average overall score of 6/7, the Rise 99 V-Werks might be worth it.
After inspecting a raised, 3D ridge that starts behind the Völkl logo on the tip, widens underfoot and then tapers again to the tail, a D1 ski racer exclaimed, “I don’t know what it is, but it fucking works.” To answer her question, it’s a heavier layer of beech and poplar sitting atop the otherwise razor-thin paulownia core. The medley provides a stiffening spine through the tip and tail while increasing binding retention and adding a vertical sidewall underfoot. For further stiffening, the core is wrapped with a carbon jacket. When taken as a whole, the lightweight design is best for “former ski racers looking for a backcountry ski,” per one tester.
A ski guide originally assumed the long, Mantra-inspired camber pocket and low tail were best for low energy carves, but later said, “I was surprisingly ejected out of each turn and into the next and quickly realized how playful these skis were.” “Surprisingly damp and stable at high speeds,” added a hard-charging Seattleite. The Rise 99 V-Werks scored highest in crud and hardpack performance, but, thanks to a wide shovel tip with ample rocker, they were able to hold their own in powder, too. While turn shapes and speeds were also rated with high versatility, a longtime tester said these “reward your input and effort by delivering grin-inducing carves if you’re willing to push them. Can’t be a passenger princess!”
“A fantastic ski for those that want predictability and performance in all conditions and in an impressively lightweight package.” —Will Patton
Where to buy
Völkl Rise 99 V-Werks
Editors’ Choice
Faction La Machine 2
Skintrack Slarving
Weight: 2,780g (177) | Dimensions: 124/99/116 | Lengths: 157, 164, 171, 177, 183 | Price: $899 | factionskis.com
Faction’s La Machine 2 is, true to name: “A real backcountry machine,” per a Wasatch tester. While the La Machine was born as a 126-underfoot, reverse-camber, heli-focused powder ski, Faction has since pared the series down into narrower, touring-specific skis, including this 99-millimeter-waisted La Machine 2.
The La Machine 2 is flat underfoot with extended tip and tail rocker designed for skin grip while maintaining the same no-camber feel as the original 126-millimeter model. “Exceptionally fun on a smooth surface,” said a tester who’s enamored with fully rockered skis. “Let it run, slash or make smaller turns. Fun to hop turn, too.” The La Machine 2 also sheds serious weight compared to its predecessor, thanks to two rigid, full-length carbon sheets sandwiching a lightweight paulownia core. “Carbon is poppy and playful,” reported a 130-pound tester. “Caught air between turns.” He did note the carbon added a “slightly planky feel at times.” However, a full sidewall and 2-millimeter edge meant that the La Machine 2 remained stable enough through chop. As a heavier tester said, “While the ski isn’t truly damp, a full sidewall lends to surprising stability on edge given the ridiculously light swing weight.”
Multiple testers noted the early rise tip made this model feel a touch short, and one tester mentioned the ski “can be overskied when pulled out of its intended, short-to-medium turning radius.” But on the whole, he praised these planks as “a surfy, lightweight spring-skiing assassin that can float through surprise snowstorms and truck along for 10k vertical days.”
“The La Machine 2 packages a slashable, no-camber, freeride mentality and wraps it in energetic carbon for pure backcountry fun.” —Liam McGee
Where to buy
Faction La Machine 2
Editors’ Choice
Blizzard Zero G 96
Old Dog, New Tricks
Weight: 2,620g (178) | Dimensions: 127/96/111 | Lengths: 164, 171, 178, 185 | Price: $850 | blizzard-tecnica.com
When the original Zero G line came out in 2016, the carbon-heavy design was ahead of its time. It’s since graced the Editors’ Choice podium in nearly every Gear Guide, including last year, when the Zero G had what might be the most substantial update in years: a cut in carbon.
There still is carbon in this ski, just less. Instead of a full frame, a few stringers run through fiberglass sheets sandwiching the paulownia core, which is now set with poplar stringers and an ash binding insert. “An excellent refresh on an already well-loved backcountry ski,” raved an uphill enthusiast. “I want this ski on iced-out, sun-cupped volcano summits and long missions into the mountains.”
A multi-radius sidecut includes a long, straight section in the middle of the ski with underfoot camber and a partial sidewall, which one East Coaster found “confidence inspiring in steep, technical terrain.” A Utah ski patroller praised the early rise tips for bringing versatility, saying, “If conditions do turn soft and deep, the tips of the Zero G are just soft enough to keep you afloat.” Overall, testers noted the Zero G 96 is all business. While it scored 6s and 7s (out of 7) in versatility and dampness across all snow conditions, it averaged a 4 in playfulness. “I would have expected a bit more pop and playfulness, but that was somewhat dulled by the stiffness,” said a PNW-based tester. Still, he wanted this in his quiver: “This is a volcano ski for days when you’ll crush a lot of vert, ski ice at the summit and harvest corn.”
“This is the best backcountry ski I’ve ridden. It’s an all-around performer, and I think everyone needs it.” —Moses Lurbur
Where to buy
Blizzard Zero G 96
Faction Agent 2
Weight: 2,980g (177) | Dimensions: 127/96/117 | Lengths: 155, 163, 171, 177, 182, 187 | Price: $849 | factionskis.com
“The rare touring ski that might actually perform as well on resort as off,” said a tester after lapping inbounds and backcountry corn. The Agent comes from the same mold as Faction’s big-mountain Dancer. The elliptical sidecut—tighter in the tip and tail and longer when weighted underfoot—moderate camber profile, full sidewalls and slight tail rocker are all identical to its resort brethren. “Buttery-smooth turn initiation; holds an edge well without any catching in the tips or tails,” explained an aggressive-skiing tester. Vertical carbon stringers are woven with fiberglass through a karuba core. Testers didn’t notice any drawbacks from the lack of grams. “Confidence inspiring through crud for the weight and stable as all hell on edge,” said a small tester. The Agent 2 didn’t top charts in floatation, but otherwise its versatility was a boon. “Fun, predictable, stable,” concluded one pleased tester. “A do-everything ski.”
TL;DR: Genuine versatility. Light enough for a pure pin-binding setup, damp enough to rip resort laps with the playfulness for any new-school skier.
Where to buy
Faction Agent 2
Völkl Rise Beyond 96
Weight: 2,640g (177) | Dimensions: 138/96/119 | Lengths: 156, 163, 170, 177, 184 | Price: $975 | volkl.com
“Forgiving is this ski’s middle name,” said a tester after taking it through variable snow. “Responsive and lightweight yet still powerful and versatile.” The Rise Beyond’s core is beech layered with paulownia, and carbon wraps the rockered tip. The combo provides a “lightweight but stable platform,” said one tester. However, the capped sidewall construction was divisive. Dad-turn-loving testers felt the camber underfoot and flat tail were enough for reliable edge hold on hardpack and through crud. Meanwhile, aggressive skiers looking to push through long-radius turns blamed it for washout and questioned the durability. All agreed that, if you’re looking for mellow turns in cowboy powder, the Rise Beyond will do the trick. “The easy skiing nature and lightness of this ski makes this quite a desirable option for one looking to tour and descend with gentle pleasure,” said a dad who can rip. “Don’t give this ski too much juice. It’ll fold on you.”
TL;DR: A ski that will serve anyone looking for a mellow touring companion. Ideal for beginners, upright stances and those returning to touring post knee surgery.
Where to buy
Völkl Rise Beyond 96
Blizzard Zero G 96 W
Weight: 2,400g (171) | Dimensions: 126/96/110 | Lengths: 157, 164, 171, 178 | Price: $850 | blizzard-tecnica.com
This women’s model has two main tweaks from the EC-winning unisex ski. First, a smaller size run. Second, while the unisex model has carbon stringers that sandwich the wood core, this version is slightly softened by having stringers only along the bottom. Otherwise, they both use the paulownia/poplar core with an ash binding mount and the same multi-radius sidecut, early rise tip and camber profile. Unsurprisingly, this ski was favored by small testers, with one saying, “This ski exceeded expectations. Really damp for the lightweight.” Larger testers were impressed, too. “This ski was damper than I expected, given its weight,” said a 180-pound man. “The moderate camber also afforded this ski an impressive degree of hold.” Testers favored the 96 W for its stability but noted it came at the price of playfulness. A retired D1 racer said, “I overpowered the ski, but this is great for a vast majority.”
TL;DR: While this women’s model was favored by women and smaller testers, anyone looking for a slightly softer, lighter ski than the unisex Zero G 96 should consider this as an option.
Where to buy
Blizzard Zero G 96 W
J Skis The Flight
Weight: 3,180g (176) | Dimensions: 127/95/114 | Lengths: 162, 169, 176, 182, 188 | Price: $849 | jskis.com
“This ski is built for short skin laps up the mountain because of its weight but also all-mountain skiing because of its playfulness,” said a young Vermonter. His friend found the weight less limiting, saying, “These drove super hard while still being feather light.” The Flight features the same aspen core, full-height sidewalls, four-way fiberglass and carbon stringers of its Explore Collection siblings. The twin-tipped construction, 3.5-millimeter camber pocket and heavy sidecut yielded poppy planks, which testers found favored short- to medium-radius turns. “I’m not a park skier, or much of an acrobat on skis, but this ski made me want to be,” said a light and fast tourer from the Cascades. “It begged to lift off and was equally fun back on earth.” Though a fellow Washingtonian said, “Experienced a fair bit of chatter on firm snow and crud, and was thrown around more than I liked in the trees.”
TL;DR: The inspiration you need to get playful on the slopes, the Flight is easy to pop, quick to turn and ready for the whole mountain but will chatter in crud.
Where to buy
J Skis The Flight
Black Diamond Equipment Helio Carbon 95
Weight: 2,800g (176) | Dimensions: 124/95/113 | Lengths: 155, 162, 169, 176, 183 | Price: $1,150 | blackdiamondequipment.com
Unlike its wider, EC-winning brethren, the Helio Carbon 95 features a lightweight paulownia core sandwiched by carbon layers and damping, elastomeric material in the tip and tail. A titanal mounting plate over the camber pocket adds stiffness and screw retention. “This ski is snappy straight out of the gate and easily carved with near-telepathic responsiveness,” said a Tahoe-based cruiser. In soft snow, that snappy turning was a bonus. “The 95s love to carve, with an affinity for the shorter, quicker turns, but are equally capable of opening up,” affirmed another tester who splits her time between AT and tele setups. Moderate rise in the tips, a nearly flat, slightly tapered tail and full sidewalls earned the 95 a 4/7 across snow conditions. Where it fell short was in chunder. Per a tester who’s skied hundreds of skis, “Don’t let your ego buy too long a length or you’ll be having a nonstop convo with your chattering tips in firm conditions.”
TL;DR: An intuitive-turning, ripping ski that will have your back in most any condition. The downside of pure versatility is a lack of high-end performance in any one category.
Where to buy
Black Diamond Equipment Helio Carbon 95
Dynafit Ridge 95
Weight: 2,660g (176) | Dimensions: 129/95/116 | Lengths: 160, 168, 176, 184 | Price: $850 | dynafit.com
“A perfect storm of lightweight, dampness and stability,” said a Vermonter who is one of our most veteran testers. A younger skier agreed, saying, “These skis were light and fun, perfect for pre- and post-season skinning.” The Ridge 95 pairs a light paulownia core with a damp and stiff Titanal Boost (an H-shaped frame of titanal) underfoot, full sidewalls and directional flex. “This ski held a surprisingly good edge on rock-hard corduroy,” said an East Coast transplant living in Utah. “It was chattering enough to make my feet numb, but weirdly (luckily) that didn’t equate to a loss of control.” The Ridge features a long camber pocket, rockered tip, slightly rockered tail and a sidecut which testers found best in short- to medium-radius turns. “Fun in softer conditions,” said an editor who appreciated the tip width and rocker for float. “These skis would be great for a high-mileage grinder,” echoed the transplant.
TL;DR: Light enough to walk all day, this trusty backcountry companion might quake on crud, but she won’t lose her wits, control or edge hold.
Where to buy
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