Backcountry Skis

Backcountry skis tend to be a little shorter and a little wider than skis used on groomed runs. They're designed to float through difficult snow and to be relatively easy to control.

Flex

wide-waisted ski

Skis intended for backcountry, alpine touring, or randonée skiing are constructed with variable flex along the length to suit different terrain and styles of skiing. But they maintain torsional rigidity, so they're resistant to twisting and deflection from side to side.

Length

Most people ski lengths of 160 to 190cm. These shorter, wider, and torsionally-rigid skis maintain the same effective surface area and overall stability as longer, narrower boards, so handling isn't compromised. Shorter skis are less affected by difficult snow, are easy to turn, and easy to handle in technical situations.

Waist Size

Ski measurements are given for the width of the ski at the tip (or shovel), waist, and tail. For most ungroomed terrain, a ski with an 80mm or wider waist is a good choice. Wide waists are stable and easy to ski through the range of snow conditions you'll encounter in the backcountry. A wide waist can aid balance when skiing with a big pack. And with the correct boot and binding combo, wide-waisted skis are effective in hard or steep situations.

For fast traverses, ski mountaineering, randonée racing, or 100% groomed runs, a narrower waist will give you maximum edge contact and less drag when you're going fast.

notable sidecut

Sidecut

This describes the shape of a ski. Essentially it's the difference between the width of the tip, waist, and tail. In hard snow, skis with more sidecut tend to turn more easily and feel stable on edge. As snow becomes deeper, softer, or more unpredictable, the advantages of a highly sidecut ski are less evident. Sidecut, particularly wide tail sizes, tends to impact the natural turning radius of a ski in firm or crusty snow, so some skiers prefer a lighter sidecut which lets them edge, sideslip or carve at will. This is particularly true where edge contact is important: steep, icy traverses, ski mountaineering or technical situations where a skier may want to sideslip into a confined chute or difficult entry.

Which Skis Are for Me?

The main considerations for ski selection are snow conditions and the type of terrain you're going to encounter. Your skiing style and the amount of training or technical ability you have will also influence your choices.

Snow Conditions

Hard, Icy or Spring Snow

Flotation isn't really critical in this type of snow, but the ability to put a ski on edge is. Quickness edge to edge, and a reasonable amount of sidecut are important characteristics. A ski with a waist between 68mm and 80mm is good for these surfaces. Wider is OK here, but their flotation and girth aren't really necessary.

Mixed Conditions

Backcountry skiers who spend some time in resorts or access ungroomed areas on packed trails or runs will encounter a variety of conditions. But if your goal is ultimately to ski untracked snow, either powder or heavier snow, it's nice to have some additional flotation. A ski with a waist width between 80mm and 95mm is a reasonable compromise, offering decent performance and edge on hard snow and stability in deep or unpredictable snow. As an added bonus, wider skis provide stability when dealing with windslab or breakable crust.

Soft Snow

If you are lucky enough to live in a soft-snow climate where powder or natural snow is the norm, you may want to choose skis wider than 90mm at the waist. While they compromise hard snow and edge to edge speed, wider skis offer a mix of stability and forgiveness in deep snow, and they can handle inconsistencie or crust as well.

Skier Types

Aspiring

You have just started skiing or are considering trying it for the first time. You're comfortable on low-angle slopes in good conditions. You're interested in advancing your skills and travelling on different types of snow and terrain. You may be considering lessons to enhance your skills.

Your skis have a softer flex. Look for terms such as "forgiving" or "easy to handle" or "friendly" in their descriptions. If you ski harder snow, your skis may have a narrower waist and some sidecut, but if you focus on touring and soft snow, waists over 80mm are better. Consider a shorter length too, the combination of soft, short, and wide makes your skis easier to turn and handle.

Relaxed

You tend to ride around on your skis and don't place too much emphasis on driving or actively steering your boards. You ski at moderate speeds with a variety of turn radii and you enjoy terrain and conditions that are enjoyable rather than technical. If conditions or terrain deteriorate, you have strategies for picking your way down. You enjoy classic, moderate powder skiing in open terrain. You may not be too interested in pursuing technical ski instruction, and your boots are fit for comfort rather than high-performance.

Your skis should be under 80mm if you ski harder snow, so you'll enjoy easy edging and quick turns. If you ski mixed conditions or deeper snow, go with a wider-waist that will give you confidence and stability through changing conditions. In order to make speed control and manoeuvring relatively easy, pick a shorter length and a soft to medium flex. The softer the snow, the softer a ski you can choose.

Technical

You have a strong skiing background which may include some recent instruction or training. You maintain good form and good control over your skis in a variety of conditions and terrain. You may aspire to difficult, technical lines and you have excellent line control and can accurately direct your skis. You can call upon a variety of turn radii and have a repertoire of strategies for maintaining control in challenging conditions. You may have invested some time and money in moulded boots and custom footbeds, performance fitted to your feet.

Your skis have a mid or slightly stiff flex, which gives you some rebound energy turn after turn. (Although softer flexing boards are easier to control in consistently steep and deep conditions.) Owning different skis might be option if you're going ski mountaineering, doing longer traverses, and riding deep powder. You may be interested in using Dynafit compatible bindings and boots to minimize weight and maximize speed and skiing performance.

Freeride

You tend to actively drive your boards using big, stiff alpine touring or alpine boots. You prefer freeride bindings or you use adaptors with regular alpine bindings. You ski at consistently high speeds with a more open turning style on steep terrain. If conditions or terrain deteriorate, you tend to plough straight through difficulties. You enjoy challenging lines involving technical manoeuvers, airs, and obstacles. You may tend to stay closer to resorts and ski technical backcountry terrain available just outside boundaries.

Your skis have a wide waist appropriate for ungroomed or difficult snow. You can use 90mm boards but may be looking at some with waists in the 110mm to 130mm range. You tend to select stiff-flexing skis that give you rebound energy. You might ski 180cm or possibly longer, into the 190-195cm range. Stability at speed is more important than the weight of your equipment.