Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite 26/27

The Spider is the narrowest ski in Fischer's Offtrack range at 62mm, built on the Offtrack Crown fishscale base with a steel edge down both sides and an Xtralite core to keep the weight sensible for the width.

Crown means no wax. The scale pattern grips on the kick and releases on the glide, at any temperature, with nothing asked of you. You give up some glide against a properly waxed ski. Most people never notice, and nearly everyone prefers not thinking about it.

This is the ski for someone who skis tracked trails but keeps wandering off them. At 62mm it still fits most set track, which the wider Offtrack skis do not. If your days are mostly unbroken snow in the woods, the Outback 68 will serve you better.

Nordic lengths run well above your height, and we size by weight as much as height. Bring both numbers and the boots you intend to ski in.

Steel edges hold on an icy Vermont descent in a way a track ski simply cannot, and that is what makes this such a good first backcountry ski.