Backcountry skiing is one of the most exciting ways to spend your time in the snow. It allows you to access untouched terrain that other skiers will never reach and always keeps you on your toes. And to handle the demands of the backcountry, you need good skis on your feet.
I founded TheSkiGirl to be a valuable resource for all types of skiers. I have a lot of experience in the backcountry, and I want to share this knowledge with others so they can take advantage of every skiing opportunity available to them.
The Armada Tracer 98 earns my pick for the best backcountry skis of the year. These hit a sweet spot that gives you plenty of performance in big mountain conditions while also coming in a lighter weight that won’t slow you down when touring.
In this post, I’ll provide you with all of the top options for backcountry skis. Whether you just want to drop a gate outside the resort or venture far into the wilderness, there’s an option here for nearly everyone.
Pick a line, and let’s hit it.
Contents
Who Should Get This
If you consider yourself a backcountry skier, you’re going to need backcountry skis. While you might be able to get away with a more traditional alpine setup for easy to access backcountry trips, those won’t help you in more serious or climbing conditions.
The skis listed in this guide will.
If you’re a fan of big-mountain skiing, the backcountry skis listed here will also help you with that pursuit. Backcountry skis are designed to handle deep power, changing conditions, and big snow days in-bounds.
These skis won’t do as well at high speeds on groomed runs, but they can easily handle big, steep, and deep conditions.
Remember, it’s important to get skis that match your ability and skiing style. There is no need to get backcountry skis if you don’t think you’ll be in the backcountry.
Is backcountry skiing hard?
Backcountry skiing is more challenging than most other types of skiing. You don’t use a chair lift to get up the mountain, you use your legs. You will exert yourself much more during a day of backcountry skiing, even if you only make a few runs.
Can you use regular skis for backcountry?
You can technically use any type of ski you want in the backcountry. However, models designed specifically for this style will give you better performance than regular resort skis. They are often lighter and built to handle variable conditions.
What is the lightest backcountry ski?
The Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 are some of the lightest backcountry skis currently on the market and weigh 5 pounds, 15 ounces. There are always new models appearing in this range, and anything at 5.5 pounds or lighter is very light.
How heavy should a backcountry ski be?
This can be a personal preference and depend on your skiing preferences. Generally, backcountry skis should be anywhere from 5.5 to 6.5 pounds. Heavier than that, and they will be challenging to use going uphill.
How long should my backcountry ski be?
You want your backcountry skis to be about as long as any other high-performance model that you might be used to skiing on. A general rule of thumb is to choose a length that comes up to your nose or forehead when standing on the ground.
Can you downhill ski with backcountry skis?
You sure can. All of the models shown here will work just fine at the resort, and you will get the same versatile performance. The biggest difference exists with backcountry bindings, and you don’t really want to use downhill bindings on backcountry skis.
How fast do backcountry skiers go?
It depends on the skier and the type of terrain they are skiing on. A wide-open high-alpine backcountry bowl can allow a skier to reach speeds of 50-60 miles/hr easily. It’s not as fast as groomed trails but is still flying.
Top Picks of Best Backcountry Skis
In this section, you’ll find my picks for the best backcountry skis of the year. Each model is different, but they all will give you strong backcountry performance characteristics.
1. Armada Tracer 98
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: EST all-mountain rocker, lightweight, durable, stable in variable conditions, excellent downhill characteristics.
- Sizes: 164, 172, 180, 188
- Ability Level: Intermediate to advanced
- Cost: $$$
The Armada Tracer 98 is my pick for the best overall option for backcountry skiing. This is a very capable model that delivers everything you want when it comes to performance and fun.
The Tracer 98 is a solid backcountry ski that works for all skiers at all levels. Its design focuses on downhill performance and incorporates a shape that can float on powder and cut through crud on the same line.
It’s stable and solid but is also light enough to not weigh you down in the backcountry. This comes in handy when you want to charge straight uphill to reach an untouched line.
The ski features a hybrid Caruba wood core that adds strength and eliminates excess weight. The excellent downhill characteristics of the ski are made possible by a stiff design and underfoot camber.
These are pretty light skis that can charge hard and tackle just about anything, but they are a bit narrow for deep powder conditions.
==> You can get it on Utah Ski Gear or Outdoor Gear Exchange or MEC.
2. K2 Wayback 88
- Best for: Beginners
- Key features: Fun and easy to ski, affordable, trusted brand, strong construction, durable
- Sizes: 167, 174, 181
- Ability Level: Beginner to advanced </