These narrower skis weigh in at the featherweight level and are great for spring steeps, corn and go-far missions. Channel the goddess Nike and skin like the wind.
Testers’ Choice: DPS Wailer 112 RP2 Tour1
Tester Gregg Davis looks for what he calls “the lightest big skis I can find” in his preferred conditions—fluffy Wasatch pow. He wants the benefits of flotation without sacrificing speed on the up, and he has found the tool for the job.
Testers’ Choice: Dynastar Cham 97 2.0
“The 2.0 is much improved over the 1.0. They are effortless to initiate and incredibly fun turn to turn. This ski held an edge on the boilerplate just as well as it navigated the bony tough spots.”
Category Killers: Telemarker’s Choice
For those of a freeheel persuasion—these four skis were chosen by our testers as standouts in the telemark category.
Category Killers: Killer Value
New skis are fun but can be expensive. With your wallet in mind, we picked five value skis with a lower price tag. VOILÉ V6 $650 – voile.com SIZES: 163, 173, 183, 188 DIMENSIONS: 124/100/109 WEIGHT: 7 lbs. 6 oz. (183) “Possibly the best all-around touring ski on the market. Playful, dare I say loving. This ski, in either the […]
Tech Tip: Sidewalls, Cap or Both?
There are three basic ski constructions: sidewall, cap or hybrid. On a ski built using standard sidewall construction—also called sandwich construction—the space between the ski’s metal edge and topsheet is sealed with a near-vertical “wall” of ABS plastic, which equates to torsional stiffness, durability and improved edge grip. The downsides? Weight and cost.
Testers’ Choice: Atomic Automatic 109
Tester Matt Kiedaisch likes tree lines in the woods of Vermont—but he enjoys letting his skis open up when he gets the chance. He says of his backcountry goals, “I don’t mind climbing, but it’s not why I’m out there. Solid performance on the ride down is what makes me happy.”
Tech Tip: kid ready bindings and skis
There are endless rockered and lightweight ski options for adults, but what’s on the market for youth rippers? Not much, but a few brands offer small big-mountain skis, and there’s a new youth AT binding available.
Category Killers: Middle-weight boots
These backcountry-focused boots balance weight and power for a smooth climb up and stable ride down. Lightweight yet stable, they might not be a one-quiver boot but they come close.
Testers’ Choice: Movement Trust 108
Tester Miles Kochalka loves to be in the woods skiing untracked lines around Smugglers’ Notch, Vt. And if he is not shredding treed lines, he is happy anywhere else with snow, so long as he has skis on his feet. He looks for well-rounded skis and that is what he found in the Movement Trust 108.
