Skis

With a fresh powder dump in the forecast, we clear our schedule and grab the award-winning Icelantic Maiden 111 Ski. With a resilient core and a tough base, this ski doesn't cower at new terrain and tight tree lines, while the short turn radius and twin tips keep the ride nimble and free, letting us turn on a dime and twist off natural kickers. As we charge down steep lines, the camber underfoot drives power to the edge, keeping our speed controlled.

The latest in the famous Juvy line, the K2 Juvy 4. 5 FDT Large Plate Ski shows why K2 has used that name for over a decade. This combination of a ski and binding thrives on newer skiers who are starting to put in multiple days a week on the slopes. The Duracap construction and composite core offer an easy-to-maneuver lightweight feel that is further bolstered by the short turn radius and forgiving rocker profile.

The latest in the famous Juvy line, the K2 Juvy 4. 5 FDT Large Plate Ski shows why K2 has used that name for over a decade. This combination of a ski and binding thrives on newer skiers who are starting to put in multiple days a week on the slopes. The Duracap construction and composite core offer an easy-to-maneuver lightweight feel that is further bolstered by the short turn radius and forgiving rocker profile.

When we hit the doldrums of winter, and the big faucet in the sky seems to have gone dry for a while, we break out the Black Crows Justis Ski to keep forging ahead through the churned-up snow. This ski adeptly handles bumps, groomers, trees, and off-piste riding to keep us charging through winter and making the most out of the days between storms. The stiffer flex from the titanal laminate and the poplar core rewards bigger lines with precise control and the power to plow through any conditions with ease.

The Helio Carbon collection of backcountry skis consists of Black Diamond's lightest planks for alpine touring, and the Helio Carbon 95 Ski is the most versatile option we go for when it comes to skiing soft and hard snow. A 95mm waist places this ski in the middle of the Helio Carbon collection. Its optimal balance in powder and firmer snow is further complemented by the camber underfoot and early rise rocker that initiates solid edge control down icy couloirs, and then surfs in deep pow. The Helio Carbon is made of light paulownia wood and a pre-preg carbon layup for increased stiffness at the lowest weight possible.

Your destination is only limited by the altitude of the mountains around you, so strap on skis built to soar to new heights with Black Diamond’s Helio Carbon 88. These ultralight carbon fiber skis are built for pursuing high alpine adventures and long-distance tours, thanks to a layup that damps vibrations and holds strong when you point things downhill.

Your destination is only limited by the altitude of the mountains around you, so strap on skis built to soar to new heights with Black Diamond’s Helio Carbon 88. These ultralight carbon fiber skis are built for pursuing high alpine adventures and long-distance tours, thanks to a layup that damps vibrations and holds strong when you point things downhill.

Gone are the days where most backcountry skiers want a super-light setup that sacrifices downhill performance, instead, skiers op for the balance of skis like the Movement Go 98 Ti Ski. This ski balances uphill comfort with alpine-influenced downhill performance to help freetourers and freeriders alike ride the backcountry with confidence. The 98mm waist width and paulownia core create a light and nimble uphill feel that also feels stable and damp on the downhill. Meanwhile, the rocker and camber profile and stiff titanal laminates offers versatile control that used to be reserved for resort skis.

Gone are the days where most backcountry skiers want a super-light setup that sacrifices downhill performance, instead, skiers op for the balance of skis like the Movement Go 98 Ti Ski. This ski balances uphill comfort with alpine-influenced downhill performance to help freetourers and freeriders alike ride the backcountry with confidence. The 98mm waist width and paulownia core create a light and nimble uphill feel that also feels stable and damp on the downhill. Meanwhile, the rocker and camber profile and stiff titanal laminates offers versatile control that used to be reserved for resort skis.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

The Rossignol FT 500 Ski Pole feels light and stiff in your hand as you perfect your kicking and gliding down the cross country track. It's an all-alloy cross country ski pole that provides proper rigidity that won't bend under pressure.

While the skinny skis stick to the track and the wider planks gobble up pow, Dynafit's Free 97 Ski rides whatever looks best that day. Whether we're in it for the uphill or the snowy downhill, the Free 97 Ski has the chops necessary to ride whatever the snow conditions. We like its versatile 97mm waist, powder-friendly rocker, and just enough camber to edge down icy chutes. Like all of Dynafit's gear, the Free 97 boasts an impressive lightness that eases steeper ascents significantly.

With all the features that made Dynafit's Beast a... well, a beast in the backcountry, the Free 107 Ski issues a whole new touring experience for Dynafit. It's certainly light and right and touring far and wide, and a stiffer platform provides a more solid downhill experience. Carbon-laminated poplar and ash keep a sturdy feel as we careen down snowy steeps in search of deep powder stashes and more. Sidewalls increase the ski's torsional rigidity for a sturdy edge-to-edge in narrow chutes and no-fall zones.

For the freedom to go off trail, we click into the Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack/Tour SI Ski. The wood core is light and resilient, while the waxless base delivers reliable grip and glide on the track and in varied snow conditions.

When your day in the snow is going to be more adventuresome than staying the tracks, the Evo OT (off-trail) helps you kick and glide your way through backcountry terrain. The wider shape, at 65mm versus an on-trail ski's 40mm or so, helps it float better across untracked terrain, while the partial metal edges aid confidence on less powdery snow. Rossignol's Positrack waxless base lets you skip the guessing game of temperature and kick wax and enjoy more time skiing. The overall shorter lengths of the Evo OT lend themselves to better maneuverability as you wind through the trees on the way back to the hut.

When your day in the snow is going to be more adventuresome than staying the tracks, the Evo OT (off-trail) helps you kick and glide your way through backcountry terrain. The wider shape, at 65mm versus an on-trail ski's 40mm or so, helps it float better across untracked terrain, while the partial metal edges aid confidence on less powdery snow. Rossignol's Positrack waxless base lets you skip the guessing game of temperature and kick wax and enjoy more time skiing. The overall shorter lengths of the Evo OT lend themselves to better maneuverability as you wind through the trees on the way back to the hut.

Ahh, Chamonix! It's known as the spiritual home of ski mountaineering and rando racing, but it's also the world capital of freeride touring, which is the preferred domain of the Black Crows Corvus Freebird Ski. With a design that's identical to the original Corvus, with the exception of a lighter core, the Freebird's capable of ascending big lines, but it really excels on the way down with its blend of underfoot camber, tip rocker, and powerful laminates. Black Crows built it on a paulownia and poplar wood core, which is light, lively, and energetic. We really like how they also laid it up with layers of multi-directional fiberglass and carbon fiber, giving the ski a stiff and powerful feel …