For the second year in a row, the Tracer 108 takes the Editors’ Choice stage, receiving high marks among testers for versatility and playfulness. “Skiing the Tracer 108 is like being a kid in a candy store; you can get whatever you want,” one tester exclaimed. “The question is: what do you want to ski […]
Salomon QST 106 Skis
Salomon’s five-ski QST series has become ubiquitous at resorts and in the backcountry since its 2016 introduction. And while each ski has experienced minor improvements over the last three years, the entire line is overhauled this season to improve versatility and turn initiation. Those updates shone best in the QST 106. “These feel much bigger […]
Blizzard Zero G 105 Skis
Blizzard overhauled nearly everything about their Zero G ski line after three years of hard-skiing, lightweight notoriety. One tester called the redesign of the most substantial offering—narrowed from 108 to 105 mm underfoot—“A welcomed update to Blizzard’s widest touring ski.” “Quicker edge to edge,” one tester said. “Super playful, very predictable, yet responsive.” The updates […]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: STANDOUT OUTLIER SKIS
There is a time and a place for niche taste and from uphill-oriented speedsters to lightweight powder slaying, women’s specific and brawny freeride chargers, these unique standouts will help you with whatever quirky mission you can think of.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SPLITBOARDS
It was a brave new world for splitboard brands at this year’s Backcountry Magazine 2020 Gear Test at Powder Mountain, Utah. Five new companies submitted boards to be tested and reviewed, and three of those newcomers won the coveted Editors’ Choice Award.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: APPAREL
In its third year, the Backcountry Magazine Apparel Test is based on the in-depth reviews from our dedicated team tasked with skinning, sweating and shredding with the upcoming season’s apparel selects.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SKIS 105-108 MM
This year at Powder Mountain Utah, testers gathered for the 2020 Gear Test Week to review 157 pairs of skis. Of those, there was a noticeable abundance of standout mid-fat chargers that boasted waist widths between 108 and 90 mm underfoot—so many, in fact, that we dedicated 15 pages of our September 2020 Gear Guide to this category.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: BOOTS
The story behind many of the boots in this year’s 2020 Gear Guide is one of lightweight chargeability. With two Editors’ Choice-winning boots ringing in at less than 5 lbs. and two more under 6 lbs., speedy uptracks are on tap, but not at the expense of downhill prowess.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SKIS 95-100 MM
This year at Powder Mountain Utah, testers gathered for the 2020 Gear Test Week to review 157 pairs of skis. Of those, there was a noticeable abundance of standout mid-fat chargers that boasted waist widths between 108 and 90 mm underfoot—so many, in fact, that we dedicated 15 pages of our September 2020 Gear Guide to this category.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: BINDINGS
Last year, we saw a quantum leap in binding technology that walked the line between tourability and downhill performance. This year, we’re honing in on that same balance, as presented in options like the Salomon S/LAB SHIFT MNC & Atomic Shift MNC.
