How light should I go? What kind of binding goes with the ski? Should I just tour with my alpine set up? With a crowded field of backcountry skis to choose from, it can be hard to know what is the right backcountry ski for you. The good news? We asked our experts and staff to put together a list of the best women's backcountry skis right now. Check out the list below to get your ski journey started.
Need some backcountry ski shopping advice?
How light should I go? The golden rule in ski shopping is the lighter you go, the less stable a ski will be at speed or going through variable snow. Figuring out if you want to prioritize efficiency for the uphill or stable skiing on the downhill will help you determine how light to go. Anything under 3000 grams for the pair will fall into the lightweight touring scene, where something around 3500 grams will give you better stability, with a little more weight to tote. 4000 grams will start to feel cumbersome for the up and will feel more resort oriented. Read more about ski weights here. What about bindings? Alpine touring bindings are a great way to save weight, but there are a few different options depending on your use. Read our guide to navigating alpine touring bindings here.
Dimensions: 138/96/119 Weight: 4660 grams
The basics: The Rise Beyond 96 W is Volkl’s version of a dedicated women’s touring ski. It mirrors the construction of the men’s version and combines a sturdy platform and edge-gripping camber with three design flourishes that make it more fun on the descent than your average touring ski. First, 3D Radius Sidecut allows you to easily adjust your turn size and shape. Second, a blend of paulownia and ... learn more
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