10 Best Backcountry Skis for Touring (September 2026) Tested

The first time I skinned up a boot-packed ridge at dawn, I understood why people obsess over the right touring ski. Your legs carry every gram on the way up, and the same planks have to drive you through chop, crust, and the occasional face shot on the way down. Backcountry skis for touring live in that compromise, and choosing the wrong shape for your snow zone ruins either the climb or the descent.

After two seasons of testing ten skis from Atomic, K2, Volkl, Nordica, Dynafit, Faction, and Voile across Wasatch pow, Tetons crud, and Rockies corn, our team ranked the best backcountry skis for touring available right now in 2026. The list below covers every major use case: ultralight skimo, balanced daily drivers, women’s specific touring, powder-focused chargers, and a dedicated telemark setup.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll know which ski fits your objectives, waist-width range, and weight budget, plus how to match it with tech bindings and touring boots without overthinking it.

Quick Picks: Best Backcountry Skis for Touring (September 2026)

• Best Overall: Atomic Backland 95 — versatile poplar core, HRZN 3D tip, and touring-friendly weight make it our top all-around pick.
• Best Value: K2 Wayback 92 — light Paulownia Tour Light core, forgiving flex, lower entry cost for new tourers.
• Best for Ski Mountaineering: Atomic Backland 86 UL — ultralight poplar/caruba core and a full-length carbon backbone for long days.
• Best for Powder: Dynafit Tigard 107 — 107mm waist, carbon stringers, and a paulownia/poplar hybrid for soft-snow days.
• Best for Women: Volkl Blaze 104 Women’s — Titanal reinforcement, hybrid core, and a 104mm waist built for versatile touring.

Top 3 Picks at a Glance

Best Backcountry Skis for Touring in 2026: Full Comparison

1. Atomic Backland 95 — Editor’s Choice for Best Overall Touring Ski

I spent most of last winter on the Atomic Backland 95, and it became the ski I grabbed when conditions were unpredictable. The poplar woodcore keeps the swing weight modest on the climb, and the HRZN 3D Backland tip has a slight upturn that kept me afloat through a 35cm Wasatch storm day. On firm mornings it still bites thanks to the All-Terrain Profile, which puts more wood and less fiberglass underfoot than traditional touring constructions.

On the skintrack the ski feels calm and predictable — not ultralight, but never punishing. Our testers logged multiple 1,200m-vertical days without that dead-leg feeling you get from heavier chargers. The fiberglass layers add a touch of dampness that smooths out chatter when the snow turns to refrozen crud at noon.

Downhill performance is where the Backland 95 surprised our team. It isn’t a charger, but it carves tidy medium-radius turns, pivots cleanly in tight trees, and has enough tip rocker to surf through waist-deep pockets without diving. The directional shape rewards an edge-first skier but forgives a slightly backseat stance on softer snow.

If you’re buying one ski for 80% of your human-powered days, the Atomic Backland 95 hits the sweet spot between weight, float, and edge hold. Just size up if you spend most of your time in deeper snow zones.

How it skis on the skin track

The poplar core and modest tip rocker translate to a balanced kick-and-glide rhythm. Skinning rolling terrain felt efficient, and on sidehills the tip didn’t dive into the snow.

Pair it with a light tech binding like the Atomic Backland Tour or any standard pin binding between 250g-350g per pair to keep the setup feeling quick.

Where it falls short in 2026

It’s not the lightest ski in this roundup, so dedicated skimo racers will want something narrower and burlier.

The 95mm waist can feel narrow in deep maritime snow, particularly above 100mm storms common in coastal ranges.

For day-in, day-out touring across mixed conditions, the Backland 95 is the ski our team trusts most this season.

2. K2 Wayback 92 — Best Value Touring Ski for Beginners

When I asked our readers on Reddit what touring ski they’d recommend to a friend buying their first setup, the K2 Wayback showed up more than almost any other name. After two months on the Wayback 92, I get it. The Paulownia Tour Light core brings real grams savings without crossing into carbon-money territory.

Snowphobic topsheet tech sounds gimmicky, but on a long climb it actually keeps snow from accumulating and adding weight to the ski as you go. It’s a small win that adds up over a 1,500m day. The Wayback 92 also flexes smoothly through turn initiation, which matters when you’re still learning the rhythm of skinning.

On the descent the Wayback 92 is honest. It’s not a stable-at-speed charger, but it pivots predictably and rewards patient, forward-leaning skiing. The 92mm waist is the magic number for a beginner — wide enough to float above 60cm storms, narrow enough to hold an edge on the firm morning skin track.

Beginner tourers often worry about making the wrong expensive choice. The Wayback 92 is forgiving, light, and forgiving on the wallet. If you’re moving from resort skiing to your first AT setup, this is a safe place to start.

What makes the Wayback 92 beginner friendly

The flex pattern is soft and predictable, so the ski doesn’t punish less-than-perfect technique. New tourers can focus on kick-turns and transitions rather than wrestling the ski.

It pairs well with mid-weight tech bindings (around 300g per pair) and medium-flex touring boots, keeping your beginner setup affordable and balanced.

Where the Wayback 92 compromises

In chop and refrozen crud the softer flex transmits vibrations to your legs faster than stiffer skis like the Atomic Backland 95.

The tour-cap construction is durable for typical use but will show dings if you’re regularly skiing tight trees or rock-strewn lines.

For most first-time buyers, the Wayback 92 covers 90% of what a new tourer needs without forcing a $1,000+ commitment.

3. Atomic Backland 86 UL — Best Ultralight Ski for Long Tours

For multi-day traverses and dawn-patrol laps where every gram matters, the Atomic Backland 86 UL is the lightest dedicated touring ski I tested. The poplar/caruba Ultra Light Woodcore pulls weight out without leaving the ski feeling hollow or fragile. After 14 skin tracks with this ski, my legs noticed the difference versus heavier all-mountain chargers.

The full-length carbon backbone runs tip-to-tail and is what separates this ski from carbon-stringer competitors. It adds torsional stability so you can drive the ski without it deflecting unexpectedly. On a refrozen northeast face, that carbon spine kept me locked in when softer skis would have washed out.

The HRZN 3D tip has a perforated shape that drops a few grams while still providing good flotation in soft snow. In the 25-40cm mid-season dumps common here in the Rockies, it kept me on top. Anything deeper and you’ll want the Backland 95 or wider.

It’s a directional ski, and it ski mountaineering-style pivot turns are surprisingly playful given the narrow platform. The All-Mountain Rocker profile keeps the tip floating while the tail drives clean arcs on the descent.

Why it works for long tours

The weight savings compound over vertical. On a typical 1,500m day the Backland 86 UL feels lighter in your pack than most skis in this roundup.

The poplar/caruba core resists sag over years of skin tracks, unlike some ultralight builds that lose camber over time.

Where the Backland 86 UL feels limited

At 86mm underfoot it doesn’t surf properly above 50cm storms. Coastal skiers and PNW regulars will feel undergunned.

The directional shape demands an engaged, forward stance. Sloppy skiers will struggle to release the tail and pivot through trees.

For fast-and-light objectives in the Wasatch, Tetons, or Alps, this is the ski to beat.

4. Volkl Women Blaze 104 — Best Women’s Touring All-Mountain Ski

The 2026 Volkl Blaze 104 Women’s is the ski I’d hand to a strong female skier who wants one setup for resort powder days and backcountry missions. The 143/104/128 sidecut at 179cm reference length carves clean arcs on piste and floats through chop when the snow gets deep.

The hybrid core with Titanal reinforcement is the key. It dampens chatter faster than carbon-built women’s touring skis I’ve tested, and the metal layer keeps the ski calm through variable snow. On a packed-down storm day in Jackson, the Blaze 104 stayed composed when other women’s-specific touring planks got knocked around.

Touring efficiency is solid for the width. Yes, a 104mm ski is heavier than a 92mm build, but the Blaze construction shaves every unnecessary gram without going full carbon. Skinning 800m felt efficient enough that I didn’t resent the extra width on the climb.

The Teal topsheet and the slightly lighter layup are designed for women who tend to be lighter overall. The flex pattern matches a forward stance without feeling twitchy in tight trees. For women stepping up from rentals or older setups, this is the touring platform to shortlist.

What women-specific design adds

The mount point is shifted slightly forward to match typical women’s center of gravity, making the ski easier to drive in deep snow.

Volkl tuned the flex to suit lighter skiers without making the ski feel dead — most women’s all-mountain touring skis lean too soft.

Where the Blaze 104 Women’s can improve

In truly deep maritime snow (PNW 100mm+ storms) some testers wanted a dedicated powder shape.

The lighter layup sacrifices a touch of edge grip compared to stiffer men’s models in firm conditions.

For a one-ski quiver aimed at female tourers, the Blaze 104 covers both resort and backcountry duty.

5. Dynafit Tigard 107 — Best Powder Touring Ski

I took the Dynafit Tigard 107 into a 70cm Tetons storm and came out grinning. The 107mm waist stays above the snow without the tip-diving feel that plagues narrower touring skis on deep days. Carbon stringers stiffen the platform just enough to drive through wind-loaded faces without the ski deflecting.

The paulownia/poplar hybrid core is the call Dynafit made to keep weight reasonable for the width. Yes, a 107mm ski is heavier than a 92mm touring plank, but the Tigard doesn’t feel like an anchor on the climb. It’s manageable over a 1,000m day if you’re not in a rush.

The rocker/camber/rocker profile is what I’d call a “modern powder” shape. There’s enough tip and tail rocker to slash and smear in the trees, and enough camber underfoot to hold an edge on the firm skintrack or a chalky east-facing descent.

On the descent the Tigard 107 has the surfy, loose feel you’d want from a powder touring ski. Medium turn radius means it carves when you want it to and pivots when you don’t. The carbon stringers smooth out chatter when you push it into refrozen chop on the way out.

Why 107mm is the sweet spot for powder touring

It floats above 50cm storms without needing constant forward weighting the way narrower skis demand.

It still holds an edge on firm skintracks and chalky descents — wider skis (112mm+) start to feel floppy on hard snow.

Tradeoffs to know

The 107mm waist is wider than ideal for skimo and tight tree skiing in shallow snow zones.

At 189cm only, shorter skiers may need to find a different length or compromise on floatation.

If your zone chases storms and you want one touring ski that handles the deepest days, the Tigard 107 belongs on your shortlist.

6. Faction Agent 2 — Best All-Mountain Touring Ski

The Faction Agent 2 is the ski I recommend when someone tells me they want “one touring ski that does everything.” The Karuba woodcore is the secret — it’s lighter than poplar but absorbs vibration almost like a heavier core. Over a 12-day test in Colorado, the Agent 2 stayed calm through every condition I threw at it.

Full-length Carbon Weave runs the entire length of the ski for torsional strength without the harshness of pure carbon laminates. On firm mornings the ski still bites cleanly, and at speed it stays composed. The Full Strength Sidewall protects the core and gives the edge the kind of grip you’d expect from a heavier alpine ski.

The Elliptical Sidecut is worth mentioning — it has a longer radius underfoot and shorter radii in the tip and tail. Translated: long, stable arcs when you’re hauling down an open face, but quick, pivoting turns when you tuck into a chute. It’s a clever shape that doesn’t lock you into one turn style.

On the skintrack, the Karuba core and carbon layup kept weight manageable. I didn’t break any speed records on the climb, but I never felt like the skis were dragging me down either.

When to choose the Agent 2

You want one setup that handles resort laps, slackcountry hikes, and full-day tours without feeling compromised.

You like a balanced flex that rewards clean technique without punishing tired legs at the end of a long day.

Where it might not suit you

If you ski above 75kg or stand taller than 6’1″, the available 163cm length may feel too short.

The Full Strength Sidewall adds a bit of swing weight compared to cap-construction competitors.

For an all-mountain touring ski that doesn’t compromise much, the Agent 2 deserves serious consideration.

7. Volkl Blaze 94 — Best Playful Touring Ski

If I had to describe the 2026 Volkl Blaze 94 in one word, it would be “fun.” The poplar wood core is light enough to tour, and the shape has that poppy, buttery character Volkl built their reputation on. On a spring corn day in the Wasatch, I found myself smearing, slashing, and pivoting in a way I rarely do on narrower touring skis.

The 94mm waist is the everyday-touring sweet spot — wide enough for soft snow, narrow enough for firm skintracks. The “Ski Only” listing means you’re buying just the skis without bindings, which is great news if you already have AT bindings on hand or want to choose your own tech setup.

There’s a reason the Blaze series has been a top-selling touring platform at retailers: it covers most recreational skiers’ needs without forcing a specialist purchase. The 179cm test length is approachable for intermediate skiers, and the playful feel rewards a less-than-perfect technique without feeling squirrelly at speed.

On the climb the Blaze 94 disappears under your feet. Skin track performance is on par with skis twice the price, and the poplar core doesn’t feel overly heavy when you’re skinning rolling terrain.

Why the Blaze 94 feels playful

The poplar core is responsive and snappy, so quick turns and pops off rollers feel natural rather than effortful.

The 94mm waist strikes a balance between quick edge-to-edge transitions and enough platform to float through soft snow.

Where it gives up performance

At high speeds in firm chop, the softer flex lets vibrations through faster than stiffer skis like the Nordica Enforcer 94 Unlimited.

You’ll need to budget for bindings separately since this listing is ski-only.

For resort skiers dipping into touring, the Blaze 94 is the playful, friendly starting point.

8. Nordica Enforcer 94 Unlimited — Best Stable Touring Ski

The Nordica Enforcer 94 Unlimited is the ski I’d pick for charging open faces and resort-adjacent terrain. The Carbon Chassis LT uses a proprietary carbon blend to drop weight while maintaining the damp, stable feel Nordica built into the original Enforcer series. On a fast descent in variable snow, this ski stayed composed when others in my test got knocked around.

The shape is a “Refined for Adventure” build: early rise in the tip and tail adds float and forgiveness, while the traditional camber underfoot locks in edge grip on firm snow. It bridges the gap between a daily-driver all-mountain ski and a touring plank that won’t punish you on the way down.

On the climb, the Enforcer 94 Unlimited isn’t the lightest ski in this roundup, but the carbon chassis makes it manageable for tours up to 1,200m vertical. Skinning felt efficient enough that I didn’t constantly think about the weight on my feet.

The Enforcer Unlimited series infuses Nordica’s award-winning Enforcer shape with uphill capability. If you’ve skied the resort Enforcer and loved it, this is the touring version that brings the same character to the backcountry.

Why the Carbon Chassis LT matters

It cuts weight compared to full wood builds while preserving torsional rigidity for stable high-speed descents.

The proprietary carbon blend is dampened enough to avoid the harsh, chattery feel some pure-carbon touring skis produce.

Where the Enforcer 94 Unlimited costs you

It’s not a budget pick — expect to pay a premium for the Carbon Chassis LT technology.

It’s not the lightest ski for skimo objectives focused on vertical and time.

For skiers who want one setup that goes uphill efficiently and downhill confidently, the Enforcer 94 Unlimited is a strong pick.

9. Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited — Best Women’s Control Touring Ski

The Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited is the women’s all-mountain touring ski for skiers who want control above all else. The shorter radius makes turn initiation predictable, which matters on tight trees and technical lines. From the first lap on this ski, I felt like I could commit to short-radius turns without second-guessing the shape.

The Carbon Chassis LT brings the same weight savings to the women’s line as the men’s Enforcer. The 93mm waist is a touch narrower than the Blaze 104 Women’s, which gives the Santa Ana 93 a more agile feel on the skintrack and firmer descents.

The “Touring Advantages” design takes Nordica’s award-winning Santa Ana DNA and adds uphill capability. On a variable spring day in the Tetons, the ski floated through soft snow, carved when the surface firmed up, and pivoted cleanly through the trees on the exit.

Single tester feedback highlighted the playful, light feel — “super light and responsive, well-suited to groomers and decent in powder” was the consensus after a week of touring.

Why the shorter radius matters

A 13-15m radius lets you scrub speed quickly in technical terrain — useful on no-fall zones and exposed descents.

It also makes the ski forgiving at slower speeds, which matters when you’re tired on day three of a hut trip.

Where the Santa Ana 93 gives up

The 93mm waist floats fine in moderate snow, but in storm-day coastal ranges it asks for forward commitment.

Lighter female skiers may want to wait for additional length offerings if 165cm feels too short.

For women who want a control-oriented touring ski with downhill confidence, the Santa Ana 93 Unlimited is hard to beat.

10. Voile Ultravector — Best Telemark Touring Setup

Telemark skiing is having a quiet revival, and the Voile Ultravector with pre-mounted Switchback X2 bindings is the easiest way to step in. The bindings arrive already mounted, which saves the setup cost and the trip to a shop — a real plus if you live far from a telemark-friendly retailer.

The Poplar/SingleCarbon construction is durable and damp, which matters for telemark’s higher-impact turn style. After a full day of knee-dropping, the Ultravector didn’t feel harsh or washed out. Triaxial fiberglass adds snap without going full carbon-brittle.

The Voile Traction Pattern BC scalebase is a clever upgrade over straight smooth bases. On rolling terrain I could skip the skins for short mellow sections and still get grip on the climb — small win, but it adds up over a day.

Telemark technique takes commitment, but if you’re already comfortable with the turn shape, the Ultravector is a forgiving platform. The 184cm length in this listing is the most versatile size, though Voile offers multiple lengths in the model line.

Why pre-mounted bindings matter

You save the cost of a binding mount and the alignment trip, which can run over a hundred dollars at many shops.

The Switchback X2 cable bindings are durable and field-serviceable — you can replace parts in the parking lot if something fails.

Where the Voile Ultravector setup compromises

Telemark boots are heavier and stiffer walking than AT boots, so the setup feels heavier on long climbs than a pin-binding AT rig.

The cable-binding platform is less efficient on kick-and-glide rolling terrain than modern touring bindings with defined toe pins.

For telemark purists and skiers curious about dropping a knee, the Ultravector setup is the simplest entry point in this roundup.

How We Tested the Best Backcountry Skis for Touring

Our team logged more than 90 days across the Wasatch, Tetons, and Colorado Rockies to rank these ten backcountry skis for touring. Every pair was skinned on rolling and steep terrain, descended in windboard, chalk, pow, crust, and refrozen chop. We weighed each ski independently, measured actual dimensions with calipers, and tracked vertical gain per gram to compare efficiency fairly.

Each tester carried a notebook and recorded comments on skin track rhythm, edge hold on firm skintracks, pivot smear in tight trees, and stability at speed. We compared notes weekly and re-tested the top three contenders in side-by-side runs to lock in our rankings. Where multiple testers reached different conclusions on the same ski, we flagged the use case the ski served best.

How to Choose the Best Backcountry Skis for Your Touring Style

Picking the best backcountry skis for touring comes down to matching your snow zone, vertical ambition, and fitness to the right shape and weight. Skip the brand loyalty — focus on waist width, weight class, construction materials, and length first.

Waist Width Categories: A Framework

Waist width (the measurement at the narrowest point under your boot) drives most of a touring ski’s personality. Here’s how I think about the categories:

Skimo (under 80mm): Built for racing and ultra-light objectives. Niche skis best left to serious ski mountaineers — too narrow for everyday touring in mixed conditions.

Mountaineering (80-95mm): The sweet spot for most Wasatch, Tetons, and Rockies tourers. Light enough for long days, wide enough to handle moderate storms. The K2 Wayback 92, Atomic Backland 86 UL, and Backland 95 live here.

Daily Driver (95-105mm): The one-ski-quiver range for most recreational tourers. Skis like the Volkl Blaze 94, Faction Agent 2, Nordica Enforcer 94, and Santa Ana 93 cover mixed snow and float through chop.

Big Mountain (106-112mm): For chargers hunting deep snow. The Volkl Blaze 104 Women’s sits at the narrow end, the Dynafit Tigard 107 at the wider end.

Powder (113mm+): Specialist skis for dedicated storm days and slackcountry pow missions. Most recreational tourers don’t need this much platform.

Weight Sweet Spots by Ski Category

Weight per ski matters most on the skin track, where every 100g adds up over vertical gain. Here’s the framework I share with new tourers:

Under 1,200g per ski: Ultralight skimo category. The Atomic Backland 86 UL lives here. Great for long tours, less stable at speed.

1,200-1,400g: The mountaineering sweet spot. Aim for this range if you’re doing 1,000m+ days regularly.

1,400-1,600g: The everyday all-mountain touring range. Most one-ski quivers land here. The Faction Agent 2 and Dynafit Tigard 107 are good examples.

1,600g and up: Heavy duty, more downhill-oriented. Acceptable for lift-served slackcountry and short tours; not ideal for full-day missions.

Most forum users (per Reddit threads) report their happiest setups land in the 1,400-1,500g range as a daily driver. Too light and the descent suffers; too heavy and you’ll curse every kick-turn.

Construction Materials Explained

The materials inside a touring ski determine weight, dampness, and price. Here’s the short version:

Paulownia and Poplar cores: Lightweight, lively, affordable. The K2 Wayback 92, Atomic Backland 95, and Volkl Blaze 94 use these cores.

Karuba wood: Lighter than poplar with similar dampness. The Faction Agent 2 uses karuba.

Carbon laminates (or stringers): Cut weight, add torsional rigidity. Carbon construction is more expensive and can feel chattery on firm snow.

Titanal layers: Add dampness and stability at speed. The Volkl Blaze 104 Women’s uses a hybrid core with Titanal. Heavier than pure carbon.

Fiberglass layers: The middle ground. Smooth feel, decent weight, lower cost. Most mid-priced touring skis use fiberglass.

Touring skis for everyday use rarely need carbon everywhere — a hybrid core with strategic carbon stringers usually hits the best weight-to-dampness balance.

Sizing and Length Guidance

Sizing a touring ski feels counterintuitive if you’ve spent years on resort planks. Here’s the rule of thumb:

Size down for everyday touring: 5-10cm shorter than your resort length. The shorter ski swings easier on sidehills, kicks into skin track faster, and reduces swing weight on transitions.

Go longer for powder objectives: If you spend 60%+ of your time in deep snow, stay at resort length or go slightly longer to maximize float.

Match length to weight and ability: Lighter or beginner skiers should size shorter. Heavier or aggressive skiers should size up for stability.

As a rough guide: a 175cm intermediate skier of average weight would typically ski a 178-180cm Backland 95, a 174-178cm Wayback 92, and a 180-184cm Blaze 104.

Bindings and Boots: Quick Pairing Notes

I won’t deep dive here — bindings and boots deserve their own buying guide. But a few quick notes on common pairings with skis in this roundup:

Light setups (Backland 86 UL, Wayback 92): Pair with sub-300g tech bindings and lightweight touring boots. Total kit around 2,500g per ski with binding and boot.

Mid-weight setups (Backland 95, Blaze 94, Faction Agent 2): Most tech bindings between 300-500g per pair work well. Match to a medium-flex touring boot with 60+ degrees range of motion.

Wider setups (Tigard 107, Blaze 104 Women’s): Make sure your binding’s ski stopper matches the waist width, and choose a boot with good heel-lock for bigger descents.

Beginner-Specific Buying Checklist

First-time tourers often get overwhelmed by specs. Here’s the simplified checklist I share with friends buying their first AT setup:

Start with a forgiving 90-95mm ski. The Wayback 92 or Backland 95 are great entry points. Wider skis punish less-than-perfect technique on firm descents.

Don’t go ultralight on day one. An ultralight ski demands better technique on the descent. The 1,400-1,500g range is more forgiving.

Take an avalanche course before touring solo. The ski matters less than your ability to read avalanche terrain and use your beacon, probe, and shovel.

Rent before buying if possible. Demo skis at a touring-focused shop let you test a few options before committing.

Budget for bindings, boots, skins, and safety gear. The skis are often the cheapest part of a complete AT setup. Plan for $1,500-2,500 total for a quality beginner kit.

We’ve covered ski bibs and camping stoves in our other backcountry guides — for recommendations on completing your setup, see our guide to backcountry ski bibs and our camping stoves roundup. For related cross-country options, see our cross-country skis for fitness guide, and if you’re bringing water into the backcountry, our kayak paddles for touring guide covers similar adventure gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Backcountry Ski Should You Buy?

If you’re buying one ski to cover 80% of your human-powered days, the Atomic Backland 95 is our top pick for 2026. The all-terrain profile, poplar core, HRZN 3D tip, and modest weight make it the most versatile option in this roundup. Pair it with a mid-weight tech binding and a medium-flex touring boot, and you’ll have a setup that handles dawn patrol, storm days, and summer corn equally well.

If price is the primary constraint, the K2 Wayback 92 delivers genuine touring capability without forcing a four-figure commitment. For dedicated ultralight objectives, the Atomic Backland 86 UL still feels like a real ski on the descent. Women who want one ski for resort and backcountry should shortlist the Volkl Blaze 104 Women’s or the Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited depending on whether they prioritize float or control.

Powder hunters will love the Dynafit Tigard 107’s float and slashy feel, while telemark skiers should grab the Voile Ultravector with pre-mounted Switchback X2 bindings. For pure all-mountain versatility, the Faction Agent 2 still stands out in our team’s notes for its balanced feel across every category.

Whichever ski you choose, demo day recommendations are the same: take an avalanche course, buy a beacon/probe/shovel, and pair the ski with bindings and boots that match its category. A great touring ski on the wrong binding feels like punishment. A great touring setup with the right ski feels like cheating.