For the best backcountry skis, you want something that can handle variable conditions. A lightweight ski that can hit deep powdery runs and spring slush with the same level of control is ideal. In this article, we round up the best of the best to get you ready for your next (or first) backcountry adventure. Our top picks include:
Black Crows Camox Freebird Touring Skis
Who Is It For
The Black Crows Camox Freebird is made for backcountry skiers who prioritize playfulness and versatility over sheer power. Ideal for those who want a forgiving yet capable ski, it balances maneuverability and stability, making it perfect for variable terrain and mixed snow conditions.
- Width: 95mm waist
- Profile: Progressive front & rear rocker, classic medium camber
What We Love About It
This ski delivers a smooth, enjoyable ride in all conditions. Its progressive front and rear rocker enhance pivot control and flotation, while the classic camber provides a stable yet nimble feel. The lightweight paulownia core, reinforced with carbon and glass fiber, keeps the ski light on the ascent without sacrificing downhill confidence.
What Others Are Saying About It
Skiers praise its balance between uphill efficiency and downhill fun. As one reviewer, Stéphanie, put it, "These skis are the perfect balance between lightness going up and stiffness going down." Many appreciate its easy-going nature, noting that it’s not the most aggressive ski but offers a fun and forgiving ride.
Price: 1099.95$
Black Crows | Ski
Volkl Rise Beyond 96 Touring Skis
Who Is It For?
The Völkl Rise Beyond 96 is built for backcountry skiers who crave powder but still want a ski that climbs efficiently. With its weight-saving design and 96mm waist, it’s perfect for those who want reliable float on deep days without sacrificing maneuverability on variable terrain.
- Width: 96mm
- Profile: Tip Rocker
What We Love About It
This ski nails the balance between weight and power. The hybrid wood core keeps it light on the ascent, while the carbon tip shovel adds stability for confident descents. The 3D radius sidecut makes wide-open powder turns feel effortless while still allowing for quick pivots in tighter spots. Bonus: the Smart Skin Clip system makes skin attachment a breeze.
What Others Are Saying About It
Skiers love its versatility, calling it a well-rounded touring ski that’s neither too wide nor too light. Matthieu T. summed it up perfectly: “Perfect ski for out East… strikes a perfect balance. I expect a lot of years out of Völkl.” Many appreciate how it handles in various conditions, making it a solid ski for long-term use.
Price: 663.99$
Völkl | Ski
Black Diamond HELIO CARBON 104 SKIS
Who Is It For?
The Black Diamond Helio Carbon 104 Touring Skis are designed for advanced skiers who want to tackle long backcountry missions. Perfect for those who seek deep powder and technical terrain, these skis offer the stability and lightweight build necessary for demanding climbs and descents. Whether you're slicing through fresh powder or navigating mixed conditions, these skis deliver the performance needed for all-day tours.
- Width: 104 mm underfoot, 118 mm tip, 131 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
What We Love About It
This ski nails the balance between weight and power. The pre-preg carbon fiber layup keeps it light on the ascent, while the full-perimeter ABS sidewalls add stability for confident descents. The early rise in the tip and tail helps it float effortlessly in powder, and the engineered wood core ensures durability for the long haul. Plus, the integrated skin-clip tab on the tail protector makes skin attachment a breeze.
What Others Are Saying About It
Skiers love its versatility, calling it a well-rounded touring ski that’s neither too wide nor too light. While there are no reviews yet, many Black Diamond fans appreciate its reliable performance in varied conditions. It's especially loved for big powder days and long backcountry missions, giving skiers the perfect tool for dawn-to-dusk tours.
Price: 959.96$
Black Diamond | Ski
Salomon MTN 96 CARBON Touring Skis
Who It’s For
The Salomon MTN 96 Carbon Touring Ski is perfect for intermediate skiers looking for a reliable and lightweight ski for both uphill and downhill performance. The versatile design of this ski enables smooth climbs and solid descents. Whether you’re new to backcountry skiing or an experienced skier looking for more efficient touring, this ski is built for you.
- Width: 96 mm underfoot, 129 mm tip, 115 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
What We Love About It
This ski strikes the perfect balance between weight and performance. The full Karuba woodcore keeps it light for uphill efficiency, while the carbon construction adds power for confident descents. We love the Cork Damplifier integrated into the tip, which absorbs vibrations and gives you a stable ride—no matter the terrain. Plus, the sustainable materials make it a more environmentally friendly choice.
What Others Are Saying About It
Skiers are thrilled with these ultralight skis and their ability to handle both the climb and the descent with ease. Stéphane D. raves: “Excellent skis for advanced intermediates. It’s very light for ascents and handles descents very well despite its light weight.” Emily also loves the aesthetic, saying: “Very light and high quality. Love the design.”
Price: 899.95$
Salomon | Ski
DPS Skis Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 105 Skis
Who It’s For
The DPS Skis Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 105 Skis are built for experts who demand high performance across all backcountry conditions. If you’re looking to conquer diverse terrain, from soft powder to steep, narrow lines, while maintaining a smooth ride and confidence at high speeds, then these just may be the perfect skis for you.
- Width: 105 mm underfoot, 130 mm tip, 120 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
What We Love About It
These skis offer unparalleled versatility—from agile powder turns to precise, high-speed descents. We love the addition of organic flax fibers to the carbon laminate, which provides exceptional damping and smooths out even the most challenging conditions. The new model shape, reduced rocker, and centered stance enhance control and maneuverability.
What Others Are Saying About It
While there are no reviews yet, the DPS product design team has already declared the Carbon Pagoda Tour CFL 105 their go-to touring ski. It’s become a favorite for its balance of lightness and stability, making it a solid choice for those pushing their backcountry limits.
Price: 1598.40$
DPS Skis | Ski
Atomic Backland 95 Touring Skis
Who It’s For
The Atomic Backland 95 Touring Skis are perfect for advanced to expert skiers who crave versatility. Designed to handle everything from wide-open powder to technical, backcountry terrain, it’s best suited to long days in the mountains. The lightweight, widebody design and agility will help you make the most of every tour and descent.
- Width: 95 mm underfoot, 126.5 mm tip, 115 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber
What We Love About It
This is a stand-out ski for its combination of lightweight construction and solid freeride performance. We love the Carbon Backbone that provides impressive edge grip on descent while keeping the ski light enough for uphill efficiency. The HRZN Tech Tip allows for effortless entry into difficult snow conditions, while the Ultra Light Woodcore ensures comfort during long tours.
What Others Are Saying About It
There aren’t reviews yet, but based on the design and features, this ski is poised to become a top choice for those who value performance variable conditions. Its unique construction and versatility make it a solid investment for serious backcountry frolickers.
Price: 524.99$
Atomic | Ski
Faction La Machine 2 Mini Touring Skis
Who It’s For
Tailored for advanced to expert skiers who love off-piste adventures, the Faction La Machine 2 Mini Touring Skis offer a lightweight experience that doesn’t compromise on performance. Whether you’re tackling fresh powder or sun-baked conditions, this ski is built for playful versatility and long tours.
- Width: 99 mm underfoot, 124 mm tip, 116 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
What We Love About It
The La Machine 2 Mini stands out with its carbon-loaded, featherlight ski construction, making it ideal for long touring days. Its ultra-rockered shape allows for smooth turns and effortless smears across various snow conditions, while the sustainable paulownia wood core provides excellent flex and vibration absorption.
What Others Are Saying About It
While there are no reviews yet, the combination of lightweight carbon fiber, versatile sidecut, and eco-conscious design make the La Machine 2 Mini an exciting choice for backcountry skiers who demand both performance and sustainability.
Price: 879.19$
Faction | Ski
Xalibu Skis Hog's Back Skis
Who Is It For?
The Xalibu Hog’s Back Skis are perfect for advanced freeride skiers looking to conquer steep terrain and deep powder. Inspired by one of Quebec’s most iconic runs, the Grand Couloir, these skis are for those who want both flotation in soft snow and stability when conditions get challenging.
- Width: 140 mm tip, 112 mm waist, 128 mm tail
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
What We Love About It
With its high-performance design, the Hog’s Back excels in deep snow and variable conditions. The rocker profile ensures smooth flotation, while the standard camber offers confidence on firmer snow. The laminated poplar core and triaxial fiber box provide torsional rigidity for stability, and the anti-vibration strips enhance control. Plus, the durable nylon topsheet and stone finish base keep your skis gliding effortlessly for the long haul.
What Others Are Saying About It
Though there are no reviews yet, the Hog’s Back’s strong construction and thoughtful design make it an excellent option for those tackling tough, varied conditions in the backcountry.
Price: 994.99$
Xalibu Skis | Ski
How to Choose Backcountry Skis
Before settling on the best backcountry skis, take a look at the points below, designed to help you on your ski-buying journey.
Ski Size
Sizing your skis is important, and there are some general guidelines to follow. For beginners, you want a ski length that stands vertically from the floor to your chin. Intermediates will want a bit longer, up to about the bridge of your nose or lower forehead. Advanced and expert skiers will want a ski with a vertical length up to the top of their head.
Waist width, or width underfoot, is measured in millimetres across the ski where your bindings are. For a backcountry ski, you want a bit more width than a piste carving ski to deal with variable terrain and conditions. A good range for the best backcountry ski is 92-108.
For additional tips, tricks and advice, visit our article on choosing the right skis.
Ski Profile: Rocker & Camber
Camber is a natural bend in the shape of a ski. It is most obvious when laying a ski down on a flat surface and looking at it from the side. If a ski has a camber, you’ll see that the middle of the ski is elevated.
The purpose of camber is to help maintain edge control while skiing. When you turn, you push down on your skis, which pushes down the camber. When you exit a turn, the pressure is relieved, and with the natural camber, you’ll bounce back up faster and with less energy burned.
Rocker is a camber in reverse. In this scenario, the center of the ski is the lowest to the surface, while the ski bends up at the tip and tail. More rocker and less camber mean your maneuverability increases but your stability at speed and on icy terrain goes down.
The best backcountry skis will usually come in a few varieties. You can have a hybrid rocker profile with camber underfoot. Some backcountry skis have a full rocker with no camber, and some others have rocker up front, camber underfoot and a flatter tail. Keep in mind, your preference may vary depending on your skiing style.
Women’s Specific Touring Skis
As the ski industry advances, more options become available. In the past, women’s skis were usually just men’s skis, but shorter and more colourful. That is now changing.
Women’s specific backcountry ski options have been rapidly increasing. It is now possible to find the best backcountry skis for women that address deficiencies in the historical presentation of women’s specific skis. A lot of skis have unisex applications, so a women’s or men’s specific ski is not always strictly necessary, but it is nice to have a bevy of options to peruse.
Touring vs. Backcountry Skis
These are actually similar concepts with regional differences across the globe. Backcountry skis and touring skis are both used primarily outside of established ski resorts. Backcountry is more US-centric terminology while touring has a European origin.
Since touring and backcountry skiing takes place outside of ski resort boundaries, a lot of considerations have to come into mind to reduce the dangers. If you’re interested in backcountry skiing, please read our backcountry guide for beginners. Be safe out there!
Types of Ski Depending on Location (East vs. West)
Snow conditions change depending on local geography.
The west coast gets pounded with snow, but it’s often heavy because of the high humidity content. Intermountain locations near the Continental Divide benefit from less humidity, which makes the powder that falls lighter and fluffier. Lighter skis operate better in lighter snow.
East Coast skiing is also different, with many locations experiencing a decent amount of ice and firm snow. When the snow does fall, it’s also quite heavy. A ski that has good flotation, good edge control and one that is stable at speed would be a great buy for the east coast.
Compatibility With Other Important Equipment
The best backcountry skis are just one of several components you need to get ready for ski touring. One of the most important elements after you get a ski is backcountry bindings, which you need to mount (or have mounted) on your skis to allow uphill movement. For a detailed review, please read our guide on how to mount ski bindings.
Men’s ski boots or women’s ski boots are also a critical part, and many tech bindings only take tech-compatible boots. Hybrid bindings are a little more forgiving and can accept resort boots. In either scenario, check the compatibility of your boots, bindings and skis before buying a setup that doesn’t fit together well. Climbing skins, which attach to the base of your skis, are another key piece of the puzzle, providing the grip needed for efficient uphill travel on skin tracks.
For more information, visit our article on choosing ski boots.
FAQs
Q: What are touring skis?
A: Touring skis are specialized skis that offer all-mountain capabilities for terrain outside of established resorts.
Q: Can any ski be a touring ski?
A: Theoretically, yes. There is, however, a sweet spot for the best backcountry skis with a width that can handle variable conditions without becoming challenging. Our list represents that range.
Q: Are shorter skis better for touring?
A: It depends on what you're skiing. Shorter skis are better for jumps, tricks, trees and tight areas that demand short turns. Longer, more powerful skis are better suited for medium to wide turns down big mountain faces.
Conclusion
Backcountry skiing is a wonderful experience. It can also feature wildly variable terrain depending on when you go, allowing you to explore mountain vistas. The best backcountry skis in this article reflect the optimal width, powder flotation, edge control, and maneuverability needed to take your craft beyond the resort ropes.
From beginner-friendly models to narrower options, check out our entire curated selection of backcountry and touring skis here.
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