The best backcountry skis for men and women
Ready to experience the mountains differently? Discover our pick of the 10 best touring skis of the season. Whether you enjoy long ascents or are keen on powder descents, this selection covers every type of skier. Our team has chosen models that combine lightweight construction, performance, versatility and safety, so you can tackle the summits with ease and make the most of the descent, whatever the conditions. Get your bindings and climbing skins ready: it's time to find the ski touring model that suits your playground.
Comparison table
| Ski | Ability level | Waist width (mm) | Gender | Key advantage | Ease of use /5 | Powder /5 | Piste /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzard Zero G 96 | Advanced - Expert | 96 | Men's | The most demanding in the selection | ** | *** | *** |
| Atomic Backland 95 | Advanced - Expert | 96 | Men's | HRZN rocker, +10% surface area at tip and tail | *** | *** | *** |
| Scott Explorair 95 | Advanced - Expert | 95 | Men's | The best powder performer among the expert skis | *** | **** | *** |
| Dynastar M-Tour 94 | Intermediate - Advanced | 94 | Men's | The only men's ski for progressing skiers | *** | *** | *** |
| K2 Wayback 84 | Intermediate - Advanced | 84 | Unisex | The narrowest, with Snophobic anti-snow topsheet | **** | ** | **** |
| Salomon Mtn 96 Carbon | Intermediate - Advanced | 96 | Unisex | The most advanced in environmental terms | *** | **** | *** |
| Faction Agent 2 Blue | Intermediate - Advanced | 96 | Unisex | Karuba core and adaptable turn radius | *** | *** | *** |
| Völkl Rise Above 88 | Intermediate - Advanced | 88 | Unisex | Three turn radii, from narrow couloir to big open turns | **** | *** | **** |
| Black Crows Camox Freebird | Intermediate - Advanced | 97 | Unisex | The widest, and the most at home in deep powder | *** | **** | ** |
| Zag Ubac 95 | Advanced - Expert | 95 | Unisex | The most balanced, at ease on any terrain | *** | *** | *** |
Men's models
Blizzard Zero G 96
The Blizzard Zero G 96 is a men's touring ski that combines all-round touring capability with freeride credentials, offering a compromise between uphill lightness and downhill performance. It is aimed at sustained ascents without sacrificing efficiency in all snow conditions.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the most demanding in the whole selection: it forgives nothing, but gives back everything you put into it, both on the climb and on challenging descents.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced skiers with excellent technical and physical ability, looking for lightweight kit for sustained ascents and a ski that performs in all conditions on the descent.
Key strengths:
Lightweight
Versatility
Stability
Atomic Backland 95
The Atomic Backland 95 is an environmentally friendly men's touring ski, combining uphill lightness with powder performance. Its Light Woodcore lowers the overall weight for both long ascents and descents.
What sets it apart from the rest?
Its HRZN rocker, set perpendicular to the ski, increases tip and tail surface area by 10% without altering swing weight: the tip deflects less and the ski performs much better in tracked and chopped snow.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced skiers with solid technical skills, looking for a lightweight, high-performance touring ski for the best possible powder experience, both uphill and downhill.
Key strengths:
Lightweight
Versatility
Skiability
Scott Explorair 95
The Scott Explorair 95 is a men's touring ski built for all-round ski touring and day-long adventures. Lightweight and efficient on the climb, it still has a strong character on the descent across all types of snow.
What sets it apart from the rest?
Its sandwich construction combines a paulownia/beech core with carbon, fibreglass and titanal reinforcements. It is the only touring ski in the selection for experienced skiers that offers this level of ability in powder.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced skiers with good technical ability, looking for versatility, uphill efficiency and a distinctive feel on the descent across all types of snow.
Key strengths:
Lightweight
Edge grip
Power
Dynastar M-Tour 94
The Dynastar M-Tour 94 is a men's touring and freetouring ski, offering a strong compromise between uphill lightness and downhill stability. Its 94 mm waist provides confidence-inspiring behaviour across varied snow conditions.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the only men's ski in the selection aimed at skiers who are still progressing: friendly without feeling soft, it remains stable and confidence-inspiring as the gradient increases.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced skiers who are still progressing and want a versatile touring ski that is efficient on the ascent and confidence-inspiring on the descent across different types of terrain.
Key strengths:
Versatility
Edge grip
Manoeuvrability
Unisex models
K2 Wayback 84
The K2 Wayback 84 is a unisex touring ski designed for varied terrain, agile and easy to handle. Light on the ascent, it remains capable on the descent for exploring new terrains.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the narrowest in the selection (84 mm) and the only one fitted with Snophobic technology on its topsheet, which prevents snow from sticking: the ski stays light on the uphill.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced skiers, well along in their progression, who want to expand their mountain playground with an all-terrain, easy-to-handle ski.
Key strengths:
Versatility
Lightweight
Manoeuvrability
Salomon Mtn 96 Carbon
The Salomon Mtn 96 Carbon is a unisex touring ski that brings together technical performance, fun and eco-design. Built for alternating ascents and descents, it offers an excellent compromise between uphill lightness and downhill performance.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the most advanced ski in the selection from an environmental standpoint: edges made from 100% recycled ABS, a base with 50% recycled material, and a 77% bio-based topsheet, delivering a 21% lower impact without compromising performance.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced male and female tourers, well into their progression, who alternate ascents and descents in changing conditions and want a reliable, responsive ski.
Key strengths:
Lightweight
Versatility
Environmental responsibility
Faction Agent 2 Blue
The Faction Agent 2 Blue is a unisex touring ski that does it all, from ski touring to downhill fun. Versatile for both skin track days and resort laps, it delivers plenty of performance both uphill and in all snow conditions on the descent.
What sets it apart from the rest?
Its Karuba wood core combined with carbon reinforcements gives it stability and responsiveness in quick direction changes, while the Elliptical Radius Sidecut lets you choose your turn shape: short turns between the trees or long arcs on steep slopes.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced male and female skiers looking to push themselves both on the climb and in the snow they encounter on the descent, without limiting their ambition.
Key strengths:
Versatility
Support
Stability
Völkl Rise Above 88
The Völkl Rise Above 88 is a unisex touring ski, the most versatile model in the brand's Touring range. Its hybrid multilayer wood core and sandwich construction handle both long ascents and descents on varied snow.
What sets it apart from the rest?
Its three-radius sidecut allows it to link short turns in narrow couloirs as easily as big, sweeping turns in open snow, without ever changing skis.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced male and female skiers, already technically confident, who want a ski capable of handling both long climbs and descents on varied snow.
Key strengths:
Versatility
Stability
Lightweight
Black Crows Camox Freebird
The Black Crows Camox Freebird is a versatile unisex touring ski for day outings. Able to climb without dragging you down, it handles the descent across varied terrain, from groomers to off-piste.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the widest in the selection (97 mm): it is also the most at home in deep powder on the descent.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced male and female skiers, already technically confident, who want one tool for climbing and skiing back down on all terrain during day tours.
Key strengths:
Versatility
Lightweight
Stability
Zag Ubac 95
The Zag Ubac 95 is a unisex touring ski that links efficient climbing with challenging descents. Versatile, it remains comfortable across all snow conditions encountered on day tours.
What sets it apart from the rest?
It is the most balanced in the selection: no terrain catches it out, from hardpack to spring snow, with damping that filters vibrations when the pace picks up.
Who is it ideal for?
For experienced, committed and physically strong male and female skiers who can get the most out of a technical backcountry ski both on the climb and in demanding descents.
Key strengths:
Versatile
Stable
Precise
