The Best Backcountry Skis of 2023

Best Overall Backcountry Ski

Black Crows Navis Freebird

Specs

Length 167 cm, 173 cm, 179 cm, 185 cm
Weight 1550 g (173 cm)
Dimensions 136/102/116 mm (167 cm), 138/102/118 mm (173 cm), 138/102/119 mm (179 cm), 139/102/120 mm (185 cm)
Turn radius 18 m (167 cm), 19 m (173 cm), 19 m (179 cm), 19 m (185 cm)
Profile Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Construction Semi-Cap, Full-Cap in tip
Core Poplar, paulownia, carbon/fiberglass

Pros

Reliable in all conditions
Skis powder well for its width

Cons

Not as playful as other skis due to its damper nature
Doesn’t deliver short radius turns
Beginners might need to consider other options

If you’re looking for a true jack-of-all-trades, quiver-killer ski, look no further than the Black Crows Navis Freebird ($900). As backcountry skiers we’re always looking for one tool to do it all and do it well, and the Navis does precisely that. Light enough to tour well and keep you going all day on the uphill, reliable enough to handle any type of snow you can throw at them, and fun to ski on the whole spectrum of terrain choices.

The 102 underfoot waist hits the sweet spot between float, maneuverability, and weight. Progressive rocker in the front and long traditional camber underfoot, reinforced with Titanal and fiber, all lend to the solid and predictable nature of the ski.

The Navis punches well above its weight class in terms of downhill ability. Weighing in at 1550 grams per ski, the Navis is towards the lighter end of the spectrum, but doesn’t make much sacrifice in attributes that many light skis lack, like stability at speed. The early rise profile in the tip also allows the ski to float well in powder without too hefty of a construction to haul uphill.

Where most backcountry skis lose points is their performance in less-than-ideal snow conditions, like icy hardpack and breakable crust–that’s when the Navis continues to shine. This is due to the reinforcement of the wood core with fiberglass and carbon, to keep the ski both light and damp, rather than reacting sharply to changes in riding conditions.

If you’re headed out on a ski trip where you may not know what conditions you’ll get, or want a ski that can see you through all of your days of backcountry skiing from mid-winter powder to spring corn missions, the Navis can do it all.

The Navis has a 19-meter turning radius, but due to its stiffness under-boot, we find that it skis a bit longer than that, and tends to prefer big, arcing turns. The ski may not be the best choice for beginners, as it requires an intermediate to strong skier at the helm to really drive the ski to get the most out of its performance. While the construction lends the Navis a reliable, smooth ride, they can occasionally get a little chattery when pushed past the speed limit on firm snow.

As a bonus, we always like the simple and clean monotone graphics of Black Crows, especially with their witty mottos hidden on the sidewall of each model. The Navis quips: “Emporte-moi au bout du monde,” which translates to bring me to the ends of the earth.

We’ve put hundreds of days on different iterations of these skis from deep powder in the southwest Colorado backcountry to long, technical spring missions on Pacific Northwest volcano descents. Of all of the skis we tested, we think that the Navis secures the top of the podium as the best all-around backcountry ski of 2023.

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Best Budget

Völkl Blaze 94

Specs

Length 165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm, 186 cm
Weight 1500 g (172 cm)
Dimensions 134/94/116 mm
Turn radius 25/14/33 m (165 cm), 27/15/37 m (172 cm), 31/17/38 m (179 cm), 39/19/44 m (186 cm)
Profile Tip and tail rocker
Construction Full sidewall
Core Hybrid multilayer (poplar, beech)

Pros

Great ski for backcountry and resort skiing
Good for intermediate skiers and forgiving for beginners
3D sidecut makes for a versatile and intuitive ride

Cons

Not exceptional in hard snow
Less stable at speed than other models tested

The freeride-focused Blaze 94 ($600) is an intuitive, playful, and versatile ski, that can handle both in-bounds riding and backcountry tours. This ski is among the best out there that can rip down corduroy, sneak in a slackcountry lap, or venture into the backcountry when the conditions call.

Beech and poplar make for a lively and lightweight combination, with hardwood under the binding reinforced with a Titanal binding platform
underfoot. The metal plate not only guaranteed we wouldn’t rip out our binding screws when we skied them more aggressively, but it also gave it an extra dose of confidence when we powered into a turn.

The signature 3D radius sidecut continuously felt like it was working with us, not against us, regardless of how we asked it to carve.

The Völkl Blaze 94 felt so easy to operate. Mount it up with a Shift or a Marker Duke PT binding, and it’s a ski that can go everywhere on the mountain, in bounds or out. Even better, it comes in at the lowest price point of any ski listed here, so it’s the ideal option for those first getting into the backcountry and not wanting too much of a price commitment. Pair it with Völkl’s pre-cut skins, and you’ll save yourself a headache.

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Skier Carving With Volkl Blaze 94 — (Photo/Völkl)

Best Freeride Ski for Resort, Sidecountry, and Backcountry

Nordica Men’s Enforcer Unlimited and Women’s Santa Ana

Specs

Length Santa Ana: 158 cm, 165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm ; Enforcer: 165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm, 186 cm, 191 cm
Weight 1560 g (172 cm)
Dimensions Santa Ana: 132-104-121 mm (158 cm), 133-104-122 mm (165 cm), 134-104-123 mm (172 cm), 134.5-104-123.5 mm (179 cm); Enforcer: 134-104-123 mm (172 cm), 134.5-104-123.5 mm (179 cm)
Turn radius Santa Ana: 15.5 m (158 cm), 16 m (165 cm), 16.5 m (172 cm), 17.5 m (179 cm); Enforcer: 18.5 (186 cm), 19.5 (191 cm)
Profile Powder Rocker / Camber
Construction Semi-Cap
Core Paulownia, beech, carbon stringers

Pros

Great ski for both resort and backcountry
Short turning radius makes these great for tight trees and couloirs

Cons

Doesn’t hold an edge well at speed on firm snow
Not the best for stability at speed due to short turning radius
Generally better performance in powder and soft snow

Nordica is one of the longest-standing and most reputable ski makers in the game, and their Nordica Santa Ana and Enforcer line have consistently been among our top picks for resort skis for many years running. We’ve been anticipating the release of the Unlimited series, and they did not disappoint both on the skintrack and the downhill.

Like their resort-specific counterpart, the Nordica Santa Ana Unlimited 104 ($800) is a lively, playful ski that can handle a wide spectrum of conditions. That versatility and balance between charging and quick maneuvering is part of what makes the Santa Ana and Enforcer such great skis for a variety of conditions.

The Enforcer Unlimited 104 ($850) comes in at a slightly higher price point though features the same construction as its counterpart, the women’s-specific Santa Ana, but with different top sheet graphics.

The ski gains stability from its carbon chassis construction, which is several carbon stringers reinforcing the ski, running vertically down the middle. With their “True Tip LT” technology, Nordica lightened up the front of the ski with the aim of making it more playful and maneuverable, for a smoother feel, which it certainly achieves. This also made the ski feel poppier on the uphill. However, the combination of the light weight tip and powder rocker construction make this ski feel significantly shorter than others on the downhill. If you’re between two sizes, we would suggest sizing up.

These skis are incredibly responsive, forgiving, and playful, with a smooth ride and exceptional float in soft snow for the width. The biggest element that we appreciate about these skis is their ability to turn on a dime, which makes them great to ski in the backcountry, especially in tight trees or couloirs where we wanted to make shorter radius turns. Nordica claims that the ski can be ridden however the rider chooses, which we found to be true. You can either drive the ski aggressively or ski it from a very neutral stance, which makes it a solid choice for a variety of skier ability levels.

Compared to Nordica’s Free series of both the Enforcer and Santa Ana, which are Titanal reinforced for much of the ski, the Unlimited series keeps the Titanal just beneath the binding to reduce weight. But, this lack of weight throughout can make this particular construction less inclined to hook up in a hard carve on firm snow.

On the back of the ski, the notch is used to hold the skin in place, as skins easily slipped off of the Free models without a twin tip converter. The notch is also great because it allows the ski to maintain its twin tip tail for more playfulness.

The Enforcer and Santa Ana Unlimited 104 are great sksi for someone first making the leap into the backcountry, or for skiers who want more of a lightweight 50/50 option for resort and sidecountry use.

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Best One-Quiver Backcountry Ski

WNDR Alpine Intention 108

Specs

Length 164 cm, 170 cm, 176 cm, 182 cm, 188 cm, 194 cm
Weight 1700 g (170 cm)
Dimensions 126/93/111 mm (listed for all models)
Turn radius 15.5 m (164 cm), 17 m (170 cm), 18.5 m (176 cm), 20 m (182 cm), 21.5 m (188 cm), 22.5 m (194 cm)
Profile Rocker-Reverse Camber-Rocker (or traditional camber if preferred)
Construction Semi-cap Sidewall
Core Algae, Aspen

Pros

Made sustainably in the USA with recycled materials
Playful and stable ride on the downhill

Cons

One of the heaviest skis tested for its width
A bit wide for bigger missions and steep skiing

WNDR Alpine is relatively new to the backcountry ski scene, with the company coming together and beginning production in 2019. But, their staff and ski shapers bring a wealth of experience and innovation to the table. They’re making waves in the ski industry with their commitment to honoring the environment and their local community while also making some intriguing new skis. We had the chance to put the new Intention 108 ($799) to the test, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite skis from piste to out-of-bounds missions.

The Intention 108 is a new release for this season, which is a slightly slimmed-down and revamped version of last year’s Intention 110. WNDR Alpine offers two options for every ski in their line up, either traditional camber or reverse camber. We opted to test out the reverse camber version. Keep in mind, our impressions are of that ski — comparatively, the traditional camber version is more apt at holding a hard edge in firm snow and carving turns.

In powder and soft snow, these skis are downright fun. Playful, yet damp and stable due to the proprietary algal material used throughout the construction. We haven’t experienced a ski yet that has a core made mostly from algae: It makes for a unique and responsive feel.

Additionally, the ski is laminated and held together with what they call “Bio-based Super Sap,” where most manufacturers use a petroleum-based product. WNDR Alpine uses recycled materials whenever possible, but they’ve found a way for this to not negatively affect the performance of the ski.

The only downfall of the Intention 108 is their relatively heavy weight for a dedicated backcountry ski. We noticed their heftier design on the uphill compared to other skis in the test – but quickly forgot about that on the way down.

In a short time, WNDR Alpine has racked up an impressive resume of environmentally friendly and eco-conscious achievements. It turns out that ski making, like many manufacturing processes, is not often the most sustainable endeavor, and it’s commendable to see a company breaking the mold.

These skis are best for those who prioritize the downhill, and would be great as a 50/50 ski mounted with a hybrid binding.

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Best Backcountry Ski for the Deepest Powder

Atomic Backland 117

Atomic

Specs

Length 177 cm, 184 cm, 191 cm
Weight 1800 g (177 cm)
Dimensions 139.5/117/128.5 mm (177 cm), 140.5/117/129.5 mm (184 cm), 141.5/117/130.5 mm (191 cm)
Turn radius 18 m (177 cm), 19 m (184 cm), 20 m (191 cm)
Profile Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot
Construction Sandwich sidewalls
Core Beech, poplar

Pros

Light on the uphill for width, stable and reliable on the downhill
Versatile for such a wide ski
Amazing float in powder snow

Cons

The fat waist makes it a quiver ski
Doesn’t come in shorter lengths for smaller skiers

For the second year running, the Backland 117 ($800), continues to be our favorite powder-dedicated backcountry ski we’ve ever skied. The Backland 105 has consistently been one of our go-to skis for versatility, playfulness, and a perfect strength-to-weight ratio.

The wider-waisted cousin of the Backland family, the Backland 117 is also a true chameleon. Its versatility shines in a variety of conditions beyond the soft and deep. When the snow reports are measuring in the double digits, we reach for these boards.

A progressive rocker in the tip makes the ski float like a dream, transforming powder skiing into a more effortless experience. Minimized tail rocker helps them perform better on the uphill, with less “slipping out” of the skin track compared to other, more traditionally shaped powder skis. Underfoot traditional camber gives the ski chops and stability when the conditions aren’t as deep as expected, and allows the ski to carve well rather than slide turns.

Especially in the backcountry, it’s rare that we encounter uniform conditions. But this ski still felt reliable and fun in breakable crust, refrozen tracks, and spring corn.

The Backland 117 features a poplar and karuba wood core; the poplar is more flexible and dynamic, which lends a playfulness to the ski, where the karuba helps maintain the stiffness without adding any weight. Additionally, the ski is reinforced with a carbon “backbone” to give additional stiffness. That backbone is a carbon insert that runs the length of the center of the ski, adding structure like a spine, and fiberglass layers act as the rib cage.

The carbon and fiberglass create the ski’s torsional rigidity and stiffness, which we felt – and appreciated – when we wanted to lay them over on firmer snow. This construction reduces chatter in comparison to other skis of similar dimensions, and makes the skis handle like something with a lot more weight.

The Backland 117 includes “Dura Cap” sidewall construction, which means that the sidewall has a rounded cover from topsheet to base to maximize durability. Capped sidewalls are generally favored in backcountry skis, as it makes for a lighter construction overall. The front of the ski has an innovative broad, flat, square nose, adding more surface area for even more float. That added tip width also helps the ski from getting knocked around in chop and helps them really drive through variable snow, a shortcoming of many other light skis. Sometimes, a wider tip without forethought can act like a shovel and provide the opposite effect. Atomic nails the balance here between float and stability.

Despite their wider waist, the Backland 117s feature a medium turning radius that makes them responsive, playful, and maneuverable. Some hardcore freeskiers may notice the lack of a twin-tip and less rise in the tail for switch landings (in comparison to its cousin, the Atomic Bent Chetler). But for the rest of us, those losses create gains for the uphill ability of the ski.

The Backland 117 is perfect for destination backcountry skiers who may want to take a trip to Japan, or those who frequently ski in places like the Wasatch or the Tetons that see frequent deep days that call for a bigger ski to take advantage of all of that powder. It may not be the most ideal for beginner skiers, or those looking for a one-ski quiver for the backcountry.

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Skier Using Atomic Backland 117 — (Photo/**Atomic**)

Best Expert-Level Backcountry Ski

Scott Superguide 95

Specs

Length 162 cm, 170 cm, 178 cm, 184 cm
Weight 1370g (170 cm)
Dimensions 126/93/111 mm (162 cm), 128/94/113 mm (170 cm), 130/95/115 mm (178 cm), 132/96/117 mm (184 cm)
Turn radius 19 m (162 cm), 20 m (170 cm), 21 m (178 cm), 22 m (184 cm)
Profile Pro-Tip Rocker 320
Construction Sandwich sidewall semielliptic
Core Paulownia, beech

Pros

Light on the uphill and tours exceptionally well
Great for jump turns
Tip cutouts for dedicated clip-on skins

Cons

Can be chattery on hardpack
All business, less play
Narrow waist is not the best for powder days

Scott is leading the charge for versatile, light skis with its freeski-inspired Superguide 95 ($850), which is designed to help skiers conquer new summits and have more fun and control on descents.

This backcountry ski is an ultralight performer that can handle big terrain. The low swing weight of this ski makes it ideal for hop turning in steep terrain, snappy kick turns and superior uphill touring feel.

For the newest Superguide, Scott swapped carbon stringers interlaid at a 45-degree angle for straight carbon stringers down the length of the ski, which made them more responsive than previous iterations. The ski was poppy and lively thanks to its paulownia and beechwood core.

Scott added thicker, concave, elliptical sidewalls to help the ski hold better in mixed conditions, and we felt this when laying into a long radius, GS-style turn on the Superguides without slipping out. Longer tip and tail sidecut with less sidecut underfoot gave the ski a longer transition zone for smoother carving.

The Superguide 95 has Scott’s 3D touring sidecut for versatility and maneuverability, which means that it can operate at a variety of different radius turns. Full-length sidewalls gave the ski torsional stability, and the ski’s edges held well in both ice and punchy sugar snow.

The Superguide’s 95 mm waist was quick on the uphill, nimble, and reliable on the down. Although a bit narrow for deep powder days, the rockered tip had solid float and forgiveness in fresh snow. Camber underfoot let us power the ski’s edges when things got firm.

The Superguide 95 are unquestionably light, but after skiing challenging terrain in a mixed bag of conditions, we can report that despite their weight, they held an edge, they didn’t get tossed around, and they never distracted us from the task at hand. As an added bonus, Scott makes pre-trimmed, compatible skins that clip into cutouts in the ski’s tip.

These skis are best for expert skiers looking for a daily driver that can also handle big missions in steep, demanding terrain, and for those that prioritize the uphill. This ski comes in as the lightest of all that we tested, and it’s a solid performer to boot. This would be our ski of choice for a long glacier traverse in the Alps, which is where we mostly put the Superguide through the paces.

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Backcountry Skis - Scott Superguide 95 — (Photo/Scott)

Best of the Rest

Black Crows Ferox Freebird

Black Crows

Specs

Length 170 cm, 176 cm, 181 cm, 186 cm
Weight 3400 g (170cm)
Dimensions 135/110/126 mm (170 cm), 135/110/126 mm (176 cm), 136/110/126 mm (181 cm), 137/110/127 mm (186 cm)
Turn radius 21 m
Profile Rocker-camber-rocker
Construction Half-cap
Core Poplar, paulownia, Isocore

Pros

Super-versatile for such a light ski

Cons

Pricey

With the boom in hybrid bindings in the past few years, we are constantly searching for the single-ski quiver, the one setup that can handle all conditions. The light and fat Ferox Freebird ($1,100) comes darn close to being that ski.

The Ferox is agile and lively. Though it’s designed for backcountry, it can handle resort skiing as well. Medium classic camber underfoot translates to an energetic feel that made it easy to initiate turns. It also seemed to erase irregularities in the snow — we just glided over them — whether the surface was powder or firm.

For a ski with such a wide waist, the Ferox had exceptional float and edge-to-edge control. As with most skis, the secret lies inside. The core of the Ferox has paulownia stringers and Isocore — a polyurethane “mousse” that’s both durable and dimensionally stable.

In this ski, paulownia and Isocore are reinforced with continuous glass fibers. The ski’s 3D shape, which is formed in an “H,” eliminates material and weight from the body of the ski. Then, Black Crows added carbon fiber laminates to give this ski torsional rigidity and consistent flex that almost made it feel like a frontside ski.

The ski has a double rocker for maneuverability. It has a claimed medium turn radius, but when we wanted to, we could turn it on a dime. And whether we were casually cruising or rocketing with an open throttle, the Ferox Freebird was tenaciously stable.

It may not be at the very top of the list, but it’s easily one of the best backcountry skis on the market.

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Skier Transitioning With Black Crows Ferox Freebird — (Photo/**Black Crows**)

Blizzard Zero G 105

Specs

Length 172 cm, 180 cm, 188 cm
Weight 1450 g (172 cm)
Dimensions 132/105/118 mm (172 cm), 133/105/119 mm (180 cm), 134/105/120 mm (188 cm)
Turn radius 20m (172 cm), 23m (180 cm), 24m (188 cm)
Profile Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot
Construction Half-cap [underfoot] ABS sidewalls
Core Paulownia

Pros

Perfect combination of float and performance
Great for firm snow and steep skiing

Cons

Long turning radius prefers to be opened up
Not the best for beginners

Built for long days skinning and skiing far-off lines in prime conditions, the Blizzard Zero G 105 ($850) incorporates the same innovative and advanced construction techniques Blizzard uses in all of its skis, trimmed down into a highly capable, backcountry-specific model.

Blizzard’s Carbon Flipcore technology sandwiches a unidirectional carbon frame into the core of the ski for responsiveness that’s sensitive and energetic. The frame is fused to an ultralight paulownia wood core to hold the frame in place. The frame allows the ski to flex evenly while lending torsional rigidity to hold a carve.

The only downside is with this light construction for its width, it can be prone to chatter at high speeds on hardpack. We’ll take that trade-off for its weight on the uphill. Blizzard also layers bidirectional carbon fiber edge to edge in the binding mount zone to give the ski strength, torsional stability, and the teeth to bite when conditions are firm. It goes without saying that the 105 waist and the rocker at the front of the ski help it float well in powder, too.

We’ve rarely experienced the stability, edge grip, and control that the Blizzard Zero G 105 brings to any descent. This ski is best for those looking to go full throttle on the downhill without compromising on the uphill, and best for those inclined to make bigger, GS-style turns. Like most skis from Blizzard, the Zero G 105 prefers to be driven and is perhaps less forgiving than other skis in the test, best suited to advanced and expert skiers looking for a backcountry specific ski.

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Skier Transitioning With Blizzard Zero G 105 — (Photo/**Blizzard-Tecnica**)

Dynafit Blacklight 80

Dynafit

Specs

Length 151 cm, 158 cm, 165 cm, 172 cm, 178 cm
Weight 3401 g (170cm)
Dimensions 113/77/97 mm (151 cm), 114/78/98 mm (158 cm), 115/79/99 mm (165 cm), 116/80/100 mm (172 cm), 117/81/101 mm (178 cm)
Turn radius 14.5 m (151 cm), 15.5 m (158 cm), 17 m (165 cm), 18.5 m (172 cm), 20 m (178 cm)
Profile Tip and tail rocker
Construction 3D sidewall cap
Core Paulownia speed core

Pros

Ultralight and ultra-fast for skimo racers

Cons

Super-specific skimo race ski not a lot of fun on the downhills

A narrow, performance-oriented, weight-conscious ski made specifically for speed demon ski tourers, the paulownia core, unidirectional carbon-reinforced, ultralight Blacklight 80 ($700) had exceptional uphill grip and better float descending in soft snow than other skis in its class.

Slight rocker in the tip and tail, which is uncommon for this category of skis, made turning easier. The 2022 version has more rigidity for better grip, at least partially thanks to full ABS sidewalls. A full-carbon top layer gave the Blacklight both strength and durability at the lowest possible weight.

Light weight in a skimo ski is particularly important. Weight on a skier’s feet is effectively heavier than weight anywhere else because it’s swing weight. Skin uphill, and you’re continuously moving your ski weight forward from a full stop. Lower total weight reduces swing weight without compromising stability.

If flashing ascents is on your to-do list, add the Blacklight 80 to your quiver. Dynafit says it’s for “fast, passionate ski tourers who seek a lightweight, easy-handling touring ski for technically demanding terrain.” We agree.

In building it, Dynafit tried to cut weight everywhere it could to help skiers move faster. One of those places was not the ski proper but the skin.

By creating an insert in the ski for a dedicated skin, Dynafit shaved grams and also made transition times quicker for skimo racers. The new ski inserts into the ski and anchors with a small pin.

Tip and tail rocker and sidecut are adapted for each ski size, which seems obvious but isn’t standard practice in skimo skis. That kept the effective edge length proportional and gave this ski consistent performance across sizes.

The Blacklight’s base comes with a special race grind that was noticeably fast. If speed is your game, this is one of the best backcountry skis for the job.

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DPS Pagoda Tour 112 RP

Specs

Length 151 cm, 158 cm, 165 cm, 172 cm, 178 cm
Weight 3022 g (178cm)
Dimensions 113/77/97 mm (151 cm), 114/78/98 mm (158 cm), 115/79/99 mm (165 cm), 116/80/100 mm (172 cm), 117/81/101 mm (178 cm)
Turn radius 14.5 m (151 cm), 15.5 m (158 cm), 17 m (165 cm), 18.5 m (172 cm), 20 m (178 cm)
Profile Tip and tail rocker
Construction 3D sidewall cap
Core Paulownia speed core

Pros

Ultralight and ultra-fast for skimo racers

Cons

Super-specific skimo race ski not a lot of fun on the downhills

DPS Pagoda Tour 112 RP ($1,549) is a dreamy powder-boat made for spending long days hunting soft turns, and its unique construction makes for unmatched fun in deep snow.

In step with WNDR Alpine, for 2023 DPS integrated a new material into the ski: algae. The rubber sidewalls were replaced with a proprietary algal material. In a method dubbed Third Rail Technology, they also incorporated a nose-to-tail strip of the algal composite, replacing a former ash wood insert, for greater sustainability.

The successor to DPS Wailer 112, this short-turn-radius ski let us lay down a picture-worthy zipper line of perfectly spaced turns when the day was deep. Performance in this partial twin tip comes from DPS’s unique core construction: Ash and paulownia stringers pair with aerospace-grade foam core to make the ski light for climbing, surfy in powder, and damp when we hit the chunky stuff. The wood and foam are overlaid with a prepreg carbon laminate infused with DPS’s house cocktail of damping additives.

On the other side of that coin, the short radius can occasionally feel “hooky” when trying to open it up or ski more aggressively at high speeds. Objectively, these are not the best skis for fully opening the throttle, but their construction enables an incredibly playful ride in powder.

DPS’s textured polyamide topsheet prevents snow from accumulating on the top sheet, which helps this ski feel even lighter on the uphill. This lightweight construction can be a bit challenging when you need to drive the ski through variable conditions, and it can take a performance hit in breakable crust and holding an edge in firm snow.

To make sure the ski always feels freshly tuned, the Pagoda Tour 112 RP comes pretreated with DPS Phantom 2.0, which bonds to the base of the ski for an always freshly waxed feel, contributing to the buttery-smooth ride.

These skis are a great choice for powder hunters or the eternal optimist that prefers to seek out mostly soft and deep snow. The construction, as mentioned, lends itself to a more playful, surfy style, and may not be the best choice for downhill speed demons prioritizing big turns with freeride style. Similar to the Nordica, we’d suggest sizing up in these skis due to significant tip rocker making the ski feel shorter on the downhill.

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Faction Agent 3.0 for Men & 3.0X 106 for Women

Specs

Length 172 cm, 180 cm, 188 cm
Weight 1680 g (172 cm)
Dimensions 134/106/124 mm
Turn radius 21 m (180 cm)
Profile Early rise, camber underfoot
Construction Half cap
Core Caruba

Pros

Freeride feel
Flat tail for powerful carving
Durable

Cons

Best for soft snow
Not as versatile as some other skis

The Agent 3 ($799) from freeride-focused Faction was fun and maneuverable with a versatile waist width. This is the perfect ski for freeride-focused skiers seeking out fresh turns: perfect for butters, slashes and a perfect center of gravity for cliffs and airs.

To build this ski, Faction wove strips of unidirectional carbon into fiberglass above and below the Agent 3’s wood core to add strength and stiffness with almost no weight penalty. Then it added a Titanal binding plate underfoot to reinforce the light core, secure the binding, and give the underfoot zone the strength for carving on hardpack.

The Agent 3.0 was built with Faction’s elliptical sidecut. It has a longer turn radius underfoot, but a shorter turn radius in the tip and tail, which makes it especially easy to initiate turns and to be quick edge-to-edge in tight trees.

Faction calls the Agent 3’s tail “freeride flat” but it does have slight rocker. The rocker ensured that the ski didn’t hook up in deeper snow. When we needed to slide our turn before we jumped into the next carve, we were in control of how the ski behaved.

In deep snow, the ski had a surfy feel and great flotation. The tapered tip shifts the widest part of the ski closer to the ski center, which makes for a smooth ride even in less-than-perfect conditions. However, this ski is much more at home in pillows and deep glades than in bullet-proof couloirs.

The wraparound topsheet that extends to the ski’s edges in the tip and tail protects the Agent 3 from chips, nicks, and damage, and the extra-thick steel edges help fend off the inevitable knicks and scrapes of backcountry skiing. Together, they give these skis a longer life expectancy.

Many brands soften up their women’s skis and build them for lighter-weight riders. Faction offers a women’s Agent 3 called the 3X, but the only difference is the flashy hot pink topsheet (we’re a big fan) and an additional shorter length at 164.

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Skiers Using Faction Agent Backcountry Skis — (Photo/**Faction Skis**)

Backcountry Skis Comparison Chart

Backcountry Ski	Price	Length	Turn Radius	Profile	Construction
Black Crows Navis Freebird 102	$900	167 cm, 173 cm, 179 cm, 185 cm	18 m (167 cm), 19 m (173 cm), 19 m (179 cm), 19 m (185 cm)	Rocker-Camber-Rocker	Semi-Cap, Full-Cap in tip
Nordica Men’s Enforcer & Women’s Santa Ana	$850-800	SA; 158 cm, 165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm E: 165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm, 186 cm, 191 cm	Santa Ana: 15.5 m (158 cm), 16 m (165 cm), 16.5 m (172 cm), 17.5 m (179 cm); Enforcer: 18.5 (186 cm), 19.5 (191 cm)	Powder Rocker / Camber	Semi-Cap
WNDR Alpine Intention 108	$799	164 cm, 170 cm, 176 cm, 182 cm, 188 cm, 194 cm	15.5 m (164 cm), 17 m (170 cm), 18.5 m (176 cm), 20 m (182 cm), 21.5 m (188 cm), 22.5 m (194 cm)	Rocker-Reverse Camber-Rocker	Semi-cap Sidewall
Scott Superguide 95	$850	162 cm, 170 cm, 178 cm, 184 cm	19 m (162 cm), 20 m (170 cm), 21 m (178 cm), 22 m (184 cm)	Pro-Tip Rocker 320	Sandwich sidewall semielliptic
Atomic Backland 117	$800	177 cm, 184 cm, 191 cm	18 m (177 cm), 19 m (184 cm), 20 m (191 cm)	Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot	Sandwich sidewalls
Völkl Blaze 94	$600	165 cm, 172 cm, 179 cm, 186 cm	25/14/33 m (165 cm), 27/15/37 m (172 cm), 31/17/38 m (179 cm), 39/19/44 m (186 cm)	Tip and tail rocker	Full sidewall
Black Crows Ferox Freebird	$1,100	170 cm, 176 cm, 181 cm, 186 cm	21 m	Rocker-camber-rocker	Half-cap
Blizzard Zero G 105	$850	172 cm, 180 cm, 188 cm	20m (172 cm), 23m (180 cm), 24m (188 cm)	Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot	Half-cap [underfoot] ABS sidewalls
Dynafit Blacklight 80	$700	151 cm, 158 cm, 165 cm, 172 cm, 178 cm	14.5 m (151 cm), 15.5 m (158 cm), 17 m (165 cm), 18.5 m (172 cm), 20 m (178 cm)	Tip and tail rocker	3D sidewall cap
DPS Pagoda Tour 112 RP	$1,549	158 cm, 168 cm, 178 cm, 184 cm	138/112/122 mm (158 cm), 139/112/124 mm (168 cm), 140/112/125 mm (178 cm), 140/112/127 mm (184 cm)	Rocker-camber-rocker	Pagoda (full sidewall)
Faction Agent 3.0 for Men & 3.0X 106 for Women	$799, $749	172 cm, 180 cm, 188 cm	21 m (180 cm)	Early rise, camber underfoot	Half cap

Backcountry Skier Removing Skins from Skis in Mountains — Skins attach to backcountry skis via an adhesive, buckles, straps, or a combo; (photo/Andy Cochrane)

Why You Should Trust Us

Our GearJunkie gear testing team includes a range of skiers from intermediate to experts and professional guides who have spent decades exploring the backcountry and sidecountry across the United States — from the West to East Coast and around the Rocky Mountains.

Among our lead testers, Kaylee Walden is a mountain guide, avalanche educator, and writer based primarily in Southwest Colorado, where she backcountry skis from her front door. Walden spends upwards of 120 days per year on snow, guiding everything from sidecountry skiing in Colorado, to plane-accessed base camp ski expeditions in the Alaska Range and mountaineering ascents of Denali.

Another lead tester, industry veteran, and Vermont-based outdoor journalist Berne Broudy, who has been a writer for nearly 25 years, and is a former professional hiking and bike tour guide.

We’ve put these backcountry skis through the wringer. From glades to steeps, couloirs to low-angle meadows, powder to sastrugi, breakable crust to corn, the Rockies to the Alps and everything in between, we’ve tested these skis to help you make the decision of what to put beneath your feet this upcoming winter. Skis are like snowflakes: No two are the same, which makes finding the right ski both a daunting and exciting process.

These off-piste skis have joined us on sled-accessed high-alpine tube missions, uphill workout sprints, and remote hut tours. Our testers also travel around the U.S. and overseas — including the Italian and French Alps — hike in-bounds at ski resorts, and pursue skimo races.

While testing for the best backcountry skis, we assessed a range of factors including each design’s stiffness, maneuverability, and playfulness as well as the ski’s energy, damping, chatter, weight, shape, edge hold, and turn initiation. The size, width, base, and edge tune also influence how a ski performs. We considered what type of skier and conditions are best for each ski.

We tested skis in a range of snow conditions affected by ice-cold temperatures, blizzards, blustery wind, intense sun, rain, and (of course) powder. Really deep powder.

Beyond our field tests and personal experience, we considered the most popular, innovative, award-winning, and bestselling backcountry skis on the market as well as a broad range of price points and applications to serve a range of skiers.

Salomon Mike Gamble Bootpacking To A Backcountry Ski Line — Lightweight skis are appreciated on the bootpack of high-alpine ascents; (photo/Andy Cochrane)

Avalanche Safety Education

Seek out the proper avalanche safety education before you head into the backcountry. Head out with partners that share your risk tolerance and goals, and seek out experienced mentors. Be sure to carry the proper rescue equipment for each mission and know how to use it well.

Where to start: Sign up for courses that are accredited by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), American Avalanche Institute (AAI), or the American Avalanche Association (A3), which are several of the most credible, historic organizations in the United States that provide standardized backcountry education courses. It’s easiest to choose one organization to complete multiple courses with than to transfer as your education progresses.

The mountains are a beautiful and inherently dangerous place — the hazards of backcountry skiing should not be taken lightly.

Choosing the right skis is a small piece of a large, complex puzzle — as many of you already know, especially if you’ve been out there playing the game.

Backcountry Skis: A Buyer’s Guide

Let your daily goals inform the backcountry ski that you choose.

Alex Quitiquit, senior hardgoods buyer at Backcountry, said, “The first thing a skier needs to do is determine what type of skiing you want to do with the skis you’re buying, which will help you wade through confusing attributes like rocker and turn radius, and find a pair to meet your needs.”

Backcountry skiers must decide if their biggest priority is the uphill, the downhill, or both. If you’re mostly after first tracks, look for something a bit wider to maximize float in powder. A heavier ski will also glide through variable snow and grip on the ice better, but it will likely be slower on the uphill.

If you’re all about fitness or ease on the uphill, a lightweight ski will help you move fast and rack up vertical gain while keeping your legs fresher, but it may not be as stable or fun on the descent. Just remember, you usually sacrifice a bit of uphill or downhill capability depending on your priorities. That said, there are certainly skis that are great “quiver killers.” We cover all of those options in this guide.

Ski Length

Once you know what’s important to you, figure out your ski length. The right ski length depends on your height, weight, and ability.

A 5’10″ 180-pound male should consider a length around 180 cm for a resort-focused freeride powder ski. If you’re a hard-charging expert, you may opt for a ski closer to 190 cm. If you’re a beginner/intermediate, you may opt for a ski in the 170 cm range.

For a newer skier, shorter skis are more fun and manageable because they’re more nimble and easier to turn. Some backcountry tree skiers also prefer shorter skis because they’re more nimble turning.

Waist Width

A ski for arcing groomer turns will have a waist of 80-90 mm. So, most backcountry skiers opt for something wider and more versatile.

Skis with 90-105 mm waist width will have good float in soft snow. They’re best for skiers who spend half their time on more consolidated snow and half their time in soft snow.

Choose a ski with a 105-120 mm waist for powder. If your standard conditions are 6-12 inches of fresh powder, alpine fat skis will give you maximum float.

Opt for a waist above 120, and you’re firmly into the big-mountain powder category for special days when you’ll be skiing 2 feet or more of fresh snow. “Over 120 waist is a dream-day quiver ski,” said Quitiquit. “Don’t expect to take it out all the time.”

Turn Radius

Then, it’s time to consider a ski’s other characteristics and how those match your preferences. A ski’s turn radius is based on the sidecut of a ski: the shape of the curve along either side of its length.

To some degree, all skis have an hourglass shape, but the radius of these curves has a crucial effect on steering, speed, and stability.

Skis that are much wider at the tip and tail than at the waist will have a shorter turning radius. A shorter turning radius is great for quick and nimble movements in the trees and moguls. Anything less than 16 m can be considered a short turning radius.

If you like to carve super-G turns, pick a turn radius over 20 m. If you like to make tight turns, look for a turn radius of 15 m or below. A shorter turn radius will be easier to ski if you’re a beginner or intermediate.

Quitiquit said that the sweet spot for a turn radius is 17-19 m.

Rocker and Camber

These describe the profile of the ski when you’re looking at it from the side. A fully rockered ski will have a shape like a banana and a surfy feel on the snow.

Add camber, which looks like a bow underfoot, and it gives the ski potential energy that you can engage when you pressure into a turn. A cambered ski will let you carve, and it will make quick turns.

Most all-mountain and backcountry skis use a blend of rocker and camber so skiers can have the best of both worlds. Rocker and camber together make a ski easier to turn. A ski with a rocker in the tip and tail won’t get hooked up in chunky snow or deep snow. The upturn allows the ski to float through powder and it offers a more playful, less aggressive feel.

Many skis have a rocker-camber-rocker profile, which makes them good carving and easy turning. Some also have a flat tail, which gives the ski a racier profile for carving longer and more powerful turns without washing out.

Materials

Quitiquit said, “Honing in on materials is the fun part of deciding which ski is your best ski.” Most skis have a wood core, usually beech, poplar, or aspen. Add metal to the construction, and the ski gains bite underfoot, which is key to carving in hardpacked and icy conditions, but it gets notably heavier.

Carbon, whether it’s used as a sheet or in strips called “stringers,” is stiff and light. In a lot of backcountry-focused skis, it’s used as a lighter alternative to metal with a less aggressive feel. Stiff and light carbon gives a ski grip and saves you energy, but it can be more chattery than metal in hard snow.

Quitiquit said that a lot of skiers don’t worry about turn radius and rocker profile once they’ve settled on length and width. For a lot of skiers, how the ski looks trumps some of the finer points of how it skis because the human body is adaptable, and you’ll find your rhythm once you’re on it.

While it’s important to understand what you’re getting, it’s also key to be stoked on your new skis. So, pick the one you’ll be proud of. Because as a Jackson Hole-based ski buyer once told us, “When you look good, you ski good.”

We go more into how the materials fit together in a ski below.

Backcountry Skiers Moving Up A Skin Track — GearJunkie founder Stephen Regenold backcountry skiing in Colorado; (photo/Adrian Ballinger)

Parts of a Ski

High-quality backcountry skis are complex tools that pack lots of technology into a streamlined package. The physical construction of your skis will define your experience using them.

The parts of a ski that have the most significant effect on performance are the core, laminates, sidewalls, and base.

Core and Laminates

The core of a ski is the innermost material and partly determines a ski’s flex and shape. Most backcountry skis feature a wood core made from poplar, aspen, beech, or a combination.

Manufacturers tend to use thinner materials in areas where the ski should be able to flex and thicker materials where the ski needs to be rigid. Around the core, metal and carbon fiber laminates may be added to boost or reduce characteristics such as pop, rigidity, and dampness as needed.

Sidewalls

Sidewalls cover the outer edges of a ski. Generally, sidewalls are made from dense plastic that protects the sides of the precious core layers. In some skis, the top sheet layer may be extended to conceal the edge and serve as the sidewall.

Base

A ski’s base is the surface that comes in direct contact with the snow. There are two kinds of bases: extruded and sintered.

Generally, extruded bases are found on beginner skis due to their low maintenance requirements. Most backcountry skis feature sintered bases. Though this kind of base requires frequent waxing and general maintenance, they’re the best option for consistent long-term performance.

Boot and Binding Compatibility

In order to get the most out of your time in the backcountry, it’s important to carefully select boots and bindings that are a good match for your skis and skillset.

Backcountry Ski Boots

It’s crucial to match your boots to the performance profile of your skis. A soft and flimsy boot paired with a stiff and aggressive ski will diminish the performance potential of both.

Of the many individual pieces of gear in your touring kit, your boots will have the greatest impact on physical comfort. Like skis, touring boots come with strengths and weaknesses.

If you plan to prioritize downhill ability, you’ll likely want well-built and stiff boots that can handle high speed and hard-charging. As a result, downhill-oriented boots are often heavy and offer a limited range of motion while hiking uphill.

If you plan to prioritize uphill efficiency and comfort, you’ll want a relatively lightweight boot that feels dexterous and nimble while in walk mode.

Backcountry Ski Bindings

As for backcountry ski bindings, there are two basic types: tech bindings and frame bindings.

Tech Bindings

Tech bindings are lighter, more efficient, and generally considered to be the gold standard for backcountry skiing.

Very light skis will pair best with a tech binding, which is binding with pins that insert into tech fittings in an alpine touring boot.

The design has a release value but isn’t DIN-certified. And they don’t have as much elastic retention as a hybrid or alpine binding. So, if you hit a bump hard, they’re more likely to release.

While skinning uphill, tech bindings are as good as it gets. The only minor downside of tech bindings is that heavy in-bounds skiing on firm surfaces will wear them out quickly.

Don’t tackle an in-bounds mogul field in tech bindings.

Frame (Hybrid) Bindings

Frame bindings, also called hybrid bindings, are very much like traditional alpine ski bindings, except they’re mounted on a frame that releases at the heel for uphill travel. Compared to tech bindings, frame bindings are heavy, cumbersome, and less efficient while skinning.

However, if you plan to bounce back and forth between backcountry skiing and resort skiing or sidecountry laps, frame bindings may provide the best of both worlds.

A hybrid binding will ski more like an alpine binding. Hybrid bindings have an alpine heel and toe for descents. For ascending, they usually also have tech pins. They’ve heavier, and they’re DIN-certified for predictable release.

Frame bindings are also typically affordable.

Don’t Shy Away From Small Brands

“It’s cool to support the little guy. Every brand is making great skis, and some of the independent brands not only have a cool and interesting look but the construction that can compete with the biggest and best-known brands, which is why more and more people are buying them,” said Quitiquit.

Backcountry Skiers Ascending A Skin Track — Backcountry skiing is full of variable conditions; (photo/Sean McCoy)

FAQ

In many ways, backcountry skis are a hybrid between their downhill and cross-country counterparts. Because backcountry skiing involves both uphill and downhill travel, backcountry skis must be able to perform well in a wide variety of terrain.

Backcountry skis are typically outfitted with tech bindings or frame bindings, which allow skiers to maneuver on flat and uphill terrain. Read more about the two types of backcountry bindings in our buyer’s guide above.

Additionally, backcountry skis use another piece of gear known as skins to prevent them from sliding backward when traveling uphill.

While some downhill skis are compatible with skis and the proper bindings, backcountry-specific skis are definitely your best bet due to their specialized design and lightweight profile.

Most backcountry skis include a waist width between 105 and 120 mm, which is a little wider on average than downhill skis.

Beginner backcountry skiers will want a ski that is properly sized, maneuverable, and progression-oriented. Generally, beginners should avoid skis on the extreme ends of any spectrum. In other words, don’t go for the widest powder ski or the ultralight mountaineering ski, or an aggressive super-stiff ski.

Beginners will benefit from middle-ground do-it-all skis that can be used to experiment, grow, and find your groove in various scenarios.

If you plan to also use your backcountry ski at the resort, we recommend you purchase a versatile ski with the right characteristics to meet your wide-reaching needs. On this list, the Völkl Blaze 94 is a solid entry point that can also be used within bounds.

Of course, safe backcountry skiing is about much more than gear. Before you head out there, you need to be educated on avalanche safety and backcountry hazards.

Generally, backcountry skis are a bit more expensive than downhill skis. With that said, the cost of backcountry skis exists on a broad spectrum. A solid and high-quality pair can be purchased for between $500 and $700.

If you’re looking for high-end and specialized backcountry skis, expect to pay between $700 and $1,500 per pair.