How to Choose a Backcountry Touring Ski

MountainOps Outdoor Gear

Backcountry Guide

How to Choose a Backcountry Touring Ski

Touring advice from the shop on the Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont

From the MountainOps crew in Stowe, VT · 3 min read

A touring ski has two jobs. It has to be light enough to carry uphill all day and capable enough to ski whatever you find at the top. The right balance depends on where you tour, what snow you usually find and how you like to ski.

The short version

  • Waist width has the biggest effect on how a touring ski feels.
  • For variable New England snow, many tourers land between 85 and 100 mm underfoot.
  • Lighter skis climb better, and a little more weight skis with more stability.
  • Your skis, bindings and boots should be matched to each other.

Waist width

Waist width has the biggest effect on how a ski feels. Narrower touring skis, roughly 80 to 90 millimeters underfoot, are light, quick edge to edge and efficient on firm snow and long approaches. Skis around 90 to 100 millimeters are the most versatile, handling powder, crust and hardpack well. Wider skis over 100 millimeters float best in deep snow but are heavier and slower on firm snow and sidehills. For the variable conditions common in New England, many tourers land in the 85 to 100 millimeter range.

Waist width Strengths Trade-offs
80 to 90 mm Light, quick, great on firm snow and long approaches Less float in deep snow
90 to 100 mm The most versatile in mixed conditions A middle ground on weight
100 mm and up The best float in powder Heavier, slower on firm snow and sidehills

Weight

Lighter skis make climbing easier and kick turns quicker. They usually rely on light wood cores like paulownia and carbon or fiberglass reinforcement. Heavier touring skis, sometimes with metal laminates, are more damp and stable at speed. If you tour often and value efficiency, go lighter. If you want your touring setup to ski hard, a bit more weight pays off.

Length

Touring skis are often chosen slightly shorter than a resort ski because shorter skis are lighter and easier in kick turns and tight trees. Skiers who like speed and big terrain often stay closer to their resort length. Rocker in the tip also makes a ski ski a bit shorter than its measured length.

Rocker and camber

Most touring skis use tip rocker with camber underfoot. The rocker helps the ski float and turn easily in soft snow, and the camber gives edge grip on firm snow and on skin track traverses. More rocker suits deep snow, and more camber suits firm conditions and steeper skiing.

Skin compatibility

Some touring skis have tip and tail notches made for specific skin fittings, which makes skins easy to attach. Any touring ski will work with standard skins, which our shop can cut to fit.

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Shop tip

Not sure about width or length? Ask about demoing a touring ski. Pay the rental for the day and we take it off the price if you buy.

Building the setup

Your ski, binding and boot should match each other. A light ski pairs well with a light tech binding and boot, and a wide freeride touring ski pairs better with a freeride tech binding and a stiffer boot. Read our guide to building your first backcountry ski setup, browse our touring skis, and ask about demoing before you buy.

MountainOps Outdoor Gear

Questions about touring? Ask us online, book a boot fitting or stop by the Big Red Barn at 4081 Mountain Road in Stowe.

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