13 Best Back Country Touring Skis

Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, back country touring skis have 2 main jobs, which are getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort and, of course, fun. They’re just as crucial as your other skiing gear, so making sure you have the best backcountry touring skis is very important. Luckily, with the recent boom in the sport’s popularity, there are a plethora of options available on the market. However, choosing a pair out of hundreds of pairs can be exhausting and confusing. Thankfully, we’re here! Below we break down our top picks that are currently available on the market, so go give them a read!

Skiing with your family? Then make sure to check out the 13 best women’s alpine skis and the 13 best ski poles for kids!

Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 Skis

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Those looking for the best backcountry touring skis should take a look at the Black Diamond Helio 88 Skis. These thin, 88mm skis are super lightweight. At just over 5lbs, they’re an ideal partner for those who love skiing for hours. But what surprises us the most is the fact that they can confidently tackle technical terrain! Considering how thin and lightweight they are, that’s actually pretty impressive!

These skis are reasonably stable at speed, and their full-length paulownia core and more pronounced tip and tail rocker outperform expectations off-piste. All told, these skis are well-equipped for anything from dawn patrol laps at a local hill to extended fast-and-light missions. If having a pair of super-duper lightweight skis is your priority, then they’re a great choice.

K2 Wayback 96 Skis

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Unlike some of the best backcountry touring skis on the market, the K2 Wayback 96 Skis decides to keep things simple. These skis are quick to turn, handle chopped-up snow very well, and can take a beating when raked over rocks and other debris. Even better, many skiers consider these back country touring skis very lightweight.

Another thing that we’re sure everyone will love is the price tag. Costing you not more than 700 USD, you’ll have a top-notch option without making compromises in material quality. While hard-driving skiers will find these skis to be a little too soft, we think they’re among the best options for those just getting into the sport.

Volkl Mantra V-Werks Skis

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From all-mountain skis to back country touring skis, Volkl has it all. If you’re looking for the latter, consider buying the Volkl Mantra V-Werks Skis! The top of these skis is multi-layered with a raised spine of wood running down the center and covered in gorgeous carbon fiber. However, don’t let their really thin edges deceive you, as these skis are a serious, big-mountain charger.

These skis’ strong construction and mixed rocker design float, slash, and move with ease through everything from powder to technical terrain. Best in challenging backcountry conditions, we also have to applaud these skis as they manage to outperform expectations on hardpack and at the resort. Overall, we really think these skis are worth everyone’s attention.

Black Diamond Helio Recon 95 Skis

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It’s no secret that many people think that Black Diamond’s Helio series is expensive. But don’t worry, as the Black Diamond Helio Recon 95 Skis are here! Compared to their siblings, these skis are more affordable. Instead of using carbon fiber for the core, they use wood and fiberglass. The downside to the change is about a half-pound of extra weight, but they’re still plenty light for long tours at under 7lbs for the pair.

The good thing is, the wood core can give these skis a damp feel and a versatile ride that’s quite comfortable when mixing in the occasional day at the resort. Apart from that, they also have a relatively soft flex, which favors less aggressive skiers. With their tempting price tag and amazing features, it’s hard not to love these skis.

Black Crows Corvus Freebird Skis

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Just like Black Crow’s skis for East Coast, the Black Crows Corvus Freebird Skis are more expensive than other back country touring skis on this list. Although these agile and lively skis are designed for backcountry, they can also handle resort skiing, which is pretty awesome! The medium classic camber underfoot translates to an energetic feel that makes it easy to initiate turns.

For such a wide pair of skis, we have to say, they sure feature exceptional float and edge-to-edge control. As with most touring skis, the core of these skis has paulownia stringers and Isocore, polyurethane mousse that’s both durable and very stable. Plus, these H-shaped skis are also very lightweight and super easy to maneuver.

Volkl Blaze 94 Skis

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Calling all beginners! Let us show you the Volkl Blaze 94 Skis, a pair of playful and easy-to-use back country touring skis. Aside from crushing a wide range of off-piste conditions, they can also hold their own on resort terrain! Even better, this product comes bundled with a pair of ski bindings, so you don’t have to separately buy another pair!

Since these skis don’t use Titanal in the tip and tail, they feel really lively, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. Instead, they use an elastic rubbery material in the tip and tail for shock absorbency and to combat chatter. Apart from that, they also added their signature 3D radius sidecut, which continuously feels like it was working with you, not against you!

Atomic Backland 107 Skis

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Having the Atomic Backland 107 Skis is like having an ace up your sleeve when leaving the lifts behind. A carbon runner is inserted into the lightweight beech and poplar core to create a stable platform without adding any unwanted weight. With these skis underfoot, you’ll be able to run up the slopes and fly down the powder lines easily.

In untracked deep snow, these skis are reactive, energetic, and have great flotation with their rockered tip and flat tail. As the best backcountry touring skis, they’ll challenge skiers to be on edge and control their lightweight construction in the ruts. Made for those who are looking to progress their skill level and still have a pair of skis that still perform once they’ve mastered them, we really recommend this product.

Volkl Blaze 106 Skis

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The Volkl Blaze 106 Skis are a pair of lightweight skis that will provide all the lift to make every powder day a dream come true. These skis aren’t only playful but also agile and easy to maneuver at the same time. At just 0.3mm thick, these skis also have a binding platform that provides direct power transfer and a fast pressure built-up from one edge to another.

To make these skis fully flexible and agile, Volkl purposely doesn’t include Titanal in the tip and tail. This is super useful, especially in narrow and rough terrains where you’ll need to ski faster. Meanwhile, the 3D radius sidecut will significantly enhance the skis’ liveliness and maneuverability too. Apart from that, we also like the elastic rubbery material on the edges of the tip and tail that acts as a bumper.

HEAD Unisex Kore 93 Skis

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HEAD isn’t just loved for its tennis bags, but it’s also popular because of the skis it produces. Considered by many as the best back country touring skis are the HEAD Unisex Kore 93 Skis. They’re literally so good at everything that they feel like many different skis! First of all, they’re stable and aggressive like race skis when you lean over them on a hardpack. Aside from that, they’re also a competent surfer of powder.

Another thing that makes us love these skis is their agility. They’re quick edge to edge, without feeling shaky, and have enough rocker in the tail that you can adjust your turn radius without ever losing control. Adding the vibration-damping Koroyd beneath the foot and folding ultra-strong graphene into the fiberglass layup, these skis have just the right amount of stiffness and playfulness.

Atomic Backland 117 Skis

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There are plenty of back country touring skis made by Atomic, but the Atomic Backland 117 Skis are on another level. These are fat skis that make everyday conditions extremely fun. On the uphill, they never feel heavy. On the downhill, they punch above their weight class. Plus, the rocker in the tip and tail makes playing in powder about as good as it can be, and the underfoot camber will give you enough grip whenever you need it.

We also like how the full sidewalls add a great amount of durability to these skis. They also give the skis torsional rigidity, which many people will definitely appreciate when you want to carve turns. Meanwhile, the beech and poplar wood core is very responsive. It’s reinforced with a carbon backbone to stiffen up the skis and give them a very aggressive structure.

DPS Skis Pagoda Tour 106 C2 Skis

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There are tons of back country touring skis on the market right now, but the DPS Skis Pagoda Tour 106 C2 Skis are the go-to option for true powder hounds. This beautifully crafted option puts together the brand’s strongest trait, which is being super lightweight! These skis are impressively lightweight for climbing at just over 6lbs, and they have a great shape for smooth operation on the downhills too. These skis are made for soft snow, but they’re also surprisingly versatile because of their 106mm waist.

For some, getting a pair that costs more than 1,000 USD might be a waste of money. However, we think the performance and build quality justify the steep price! The design is absolutely packed with high-end materials, including 2 horizontal layers of wood sandwiched between layers of carbon fiber that deftly balance power, dampness, and weight.

BLIZZARD Zero G 105 Backcountry Touring Lightweight Skis

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Here we have the BLIZZARD Zero G 105 Backcountry Touring Lightweight Skis, a model that’s about as well-rounded as it gets. Tipping the scales at well under 7 lbs for the pair, these skis are lightweight and easy to maneuver on the climbs but also really come to life when you point them downhill. With a multi-layer carbon build, they’re sturdy enough for variable conditions and decently high speeds. We’re also surprised by the amount of forgiveness that makes them a reliable companion in unfamiliar terrain. 

Furthermore, these skis’ 105mm width hits the sweet spot for season-long use on all but the deepest days. If you’re wondering who is these touring skis best for, the answer is anyone! From newbies to dedicated backcountry enthusiasts, most people will find a lot to like with the construction. Don’t wait another day and go purchase these amazing skis now!

Scott Superguide 95 Skis

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The Scott Superguide 95 Skis are one of the best back country touring skis designed to help skiers conquer new summits and have more fun and control on descents. Compared to their previous iterations, this version is more responsive, which is a good thing! Meanwhile, these skis’ longer tip and tail sidecut with less sidecut underfoot will give them a transition zone for smoother carving.   

Despite being very lightweight, these skis are really poppy and lively thanks to their paulownia plus beechwood core and carbon stringers. Furthermore, their 95mm waist is quick on the uphill, nimble, and reliable on the down. The rockered tip has solid float and forgiveness in fresh snow. With everything that they offer, we’re sure all advanced skiers would love to have them!

How To Choose The Best Back Country Touring Skis

Regardless of whether you’re searching for the best downhill skis, the best cross-country touring skis, or the best back country skis, there are some important factors that you should consider before taking out your wallet. Those factors include:

Length

The right ski length depends on several factors, which include your height, weight, and ability. Generally, shorter back country touring skis are easier to control and maneuver compared to longer skis, which makes them ideal for beginners. As for the terrain, shorter skis are better suited for very rugged terrain, especially in the backcountry.

Width

Skis for arcing groomer turns will have a waist between 80 and 90mm. So, most backcountry skiers will opt for something wider and more versatile. Meanwhile, skis with 90 to 105mm waist width will have a good float in soft snow. For powder, you can choose skis with a 105-120mm waist width.  

Core

While experimental construction with carbon fiber and other lightweight materials is prevalent among current backcountry skis, wood cores remain the standard due to their unmatched feel and predictable rebound. There has been a shift, however, to lightweight woods like balsa, paulownia, and poplar from heavier and tougher woods like aspen and maple. To combat stiffness and durability problems from this change, the rest of the ski is often beefed up with carbon, Titanal, or something similar. 

Rocker and camber

Both rocker and camber will affect your skis’ performance greatly. More camber underfoot will help with edge control in steep terrain and increase stability at higher speeds. Meanwhile, the rocker in the tip increases float and the skis’ ability to power through crud and variable conditions. A little rocker in the tail can be helpful when navigating technical sections, allowing the skis to ride backward without difficulty and reducing the risk of catching an edge.

Can you use regular skis for the backcountry?

Technically, you can use any pair of skis for backcountry as long as you have boots and bindings that allow you to lift your heels to walk uphill and lock them back into the bindings for the descent. However, the best backcountry touring skis specifically designed for backcountry use usually feature lighter-weight designs that make hiking uphill drastically easier.