The 18 Lightest Backcountry Skis for Men

Shop our full selection of backcountry skis.

Photo by Jake Burchmore, a skier transitions from skins to downhill on one of the lightest backcountry skis

Save weight, get more laps.

Looking for lightweight backcountry skis? You already understand the value of shedding grams. The lightest alpine touring skis dance up the skin track and save your legs for the descent. Some optimize downhill performance more than others, so it's important to figure out where the skis you want to fall on the weight-skiability spectrum. To help you in your search, these are the lightest backcountry skis, ordered by weight per square centimeter.

By what, you ask? We rank these skis using this metric because it compares skis from different brands independent of length and width. A straight-shooting list of skis ranked by scale weight in grams is useful, but it skews the data toward narrower and shorter models. Yes, we are proud to be ski nerds.

Looking for a new pair of lightweight backcountry skis for the ladies? Click here for our list of the lightest backcountry skis for women.

The Lightest Backcountry Skis: Our Picks

1. Kastle Biafo 88 $799.00

Dimensions: 125/88/112
Weight per square cm: 0.140 grams
Weight: 2432 grams @167cm
The basics: Named after the glacier in the Karakoram, the design of BIAFO 88 reflects the unique marbling of the ice cover of this impressive mountain landscape. Besides its outstanding design, BIAFO 88 also scores with the usual excellent downhill performance and minimal weight, thanks to the carbon fiberglass construction and PROGRESSIVE RISE. Perfect for anyone seeking easy ascents and lively, ... learn more

2. Head Crux 99 Pro $849.00

Dimensions: 117/99/132
Weight per square cm: 0.126 grams
Weight: 2472 grams @177cm
The basics: An adventure touring ski, the Crux 99 Pro offers advanced to expert backcountry enthusiasts a versatile companion. LYT Tech offers lightweight maneuverability for the hike up with built-in stability and downhill performance for the ski down. The 99mm waist adds versatility in a variety of snow conditions. HEAD further reduces weight and excess material without sacrificing performance by ... learn more

3. K2 Wayback 106 $769.99

Dimensions: 132/106/121
Weight per square cm: 0.140 grams
Weight: 2920 grams @179cm
The basics: The Wayback 106 has a mid-fat waist and a shape that excels in soft snow making it the clear choice for when it’s deep and weight is a concern. K2 packed some Titanal in the middle of the ski for unmatched downhill performance and stability, while still keeping things light enough for long days on the skin track. Click into the Wayback 106 and you’ll be wondering why you’ve spent so much ... learn more

4. Rossignol Sender Soul 92 $449.99

Dimensions: 122/92/112
Weight per square cm: 0.159 grams
Weight: 2944 grams @176cm
The basics: The new Sender Soul 92 is the ski of choice for anyone who would like to enjoy the sensation of freeride without compromizing the resort experience. Thanks to it's sidewall construction the ski will deliver the right level of grip and performance. It's AirTip will increase the floatation. The 92 underfoot combines with tip & tail rocker is the perfect combo for all mountain freeride ... learn more

5. Dynafit Radical 97 $599.96

Dimensions: 124/96/114
Weight per square cm: 0.164 grams
Weight: 3130 grams @177cm
The basics: The new Radical line offers everything that descent-oriented ski touring hearts desire. 100% poplar wood core combined with our DYNAFIT Carbon Speed stringers that allow a fast setback of the ski, modern new sidecut, a very balanced flex, and a newly developed tip and tail rocker. Radical 97 – for energy-saving climbs and strong downhill performance. ... learn more

6. Elan Ripstick 88 $639.99

Dimensions: 123/87/102
Weight per square cm: 0.171 grams
Weight: 3144 grams @182cm
The basics: If a quick, versatile, frontside performer is on your mind this season, but you don't want too much heft or weight, there's no better option than the updated Elan Ripstick 88. We've long loved the Ripstick 88 for how agile it is�the Amphibio profile and lighter construction allow this ski to ride much more nimble than you'd expect. Compared to many other 88mm skis on the market that are ... learn more

7. Liberty Scope 94 $579.99

Dimensions: 130/94/119
Weight per square cm: 0.162 grams
Weight: 3202 grams @180cm
The basics: On a mission to make all-mountain skiing intuitive and a good time, Liberty launches their all-new Scope series. The Liberty Scope 94 sits in the middle of their lineup, with a nimble and versatile waist width and sidecut for all-mountain skiing. We love this size for skiing all terrain in the West, especially if you spend a balanced amount of time on groomed trails and off-piste terrain. ... learn more

8. Black Crows Octo $669.99

Dimensions: 127/84/114
Weight per square cm: 0.183 grams
Weight: 3250 grams @173cm
The basics: For those breaking into their first pair of skis, the all-new Black Crows Octo is a great choice. Taking inspiration from the popular Mirus Cor, Black Crows gave the Octo all the quick turning and supportive carving you could want, while making it look…less…weird? The Octo get some of the dramatic sidecut but pairs it with a flatter tail to encourage a more traditional carve. With the mega ... learn more

9. Atomic Bent Chetler 120 $569.93

Dimensions: 143/120/134
Weight per square cm: 0.146 grams
Weight: 3332 grams @176cm
The basics: Constantly driving freeride skiing forward, the iconic Atomic Bent Chetler 120 continues to evolve with a new lower-impact design, core and profile that improves float, enhances balance, and boosts playfulness. Based on one of the most revered freeride skis on the mountain, the new Bent Chetler 120 employs next-generation HRZN 3D with a full wrap tip/tail profile for even more playful skiing ... learn more

10. Stockli Stormrider 88 $969.99

Dimensions: 128/88/114
Weight per square cm: 0.187 grams
Weight: 3440 grams @175cm
The basics: The Swiss-made Stockli Stormrider 88 is one of the best all-mountain skis in the world. When we say that, we know different people hold strong opinions on what makes a ski a good “all-mountain” option. That phrase is one of the buzziest terms in the industry! Case in point: While plenty of frontside skiers say 88mm is too wide for an “all-mountain” ski, a slew of other skiers say it’s barely ... learn more

11. Volkl Katana V Werks $1229.95

Dimensions: 143/112/132
Weight per square cm: 0.159 grams
Weight: 3518 grams @177cm
The basics: The Katana V.Werks is an elegant ski built using Volkl's finest construction and manufacturing techniques. It is also a no-holds-barred bruiser of a big mountain ski that does not mess around with slow speeds and wimpy terrain. Volkl uses 3D.Ridge Carbon, an ICE.OFF topsheet, and a full carbon jacket to trim all the fat from this ski leaving a lean mountain crushing machine. The SkinPin in ... learn more

12. Armada Whitewalker 121 $419.99

Dimensions: 141/121/137
Weight per square cm: 0.148 grams
Weight: 3532 grams @183cm
The basics: The 2025 Whitewalker 121 is the ultimate freestyle powder ski for surfing the deepest days. Sammy Carlson is one-of-a-kind, and he needs more than a single unique ski to handle all the creativity he unleashes on the hill. The Whitewalker 121 is the big brother to the original Whitewalker, designed for Sammy’s full-throttle charging. The 121 waist delivers massive float to swivel, slash, and ... learn more

13. Icelantic Pioneer 96 $621.75

Dimensions: 131/96/118
Weight per square cm: 0.175 grams
Weight: 3532 grams @182cm
The basics: The Icelantic Pioneer 96 returns for another season, and we don't have any complaints about that. The Pioneer series features bamboo wood with intricate line work that presents ominous (or inviting, if you are crazy) Rocky Mountain peaks. A true one-ski quiver, the Pioneer can handle everything the mountain throws at you from ice to powder and all the stuff in between. Unlike the freeride ... learn more

14. Dynastar M Pro 94 Ti $489.99

Dimensions: 128/94/118
Weight per square cm: 0.182 grams
Weight: 3534 grams @178cm
The basics: The M Free series gets all the glitz and glam from Dynastar. But if you're a directional skier, the splayed and rockered tail of the M Free might leave some things to be desired. Enter: the redesigned M Pro 94 Ti. Despite sounding like another mid-90s metal laminate ski on the market, the Dynastar M Pro 94 Ti has a distinctly unique feel. Dynastar's Hybrid Core 2.0 builds on their ultra-damp ... learn more

15. ZAG Slap 92 $519.99

Dimensions: 128/92/114
Weight per square cm: 0.186 grams
Weight: 3540 grams @178cm
The basics: A particularly effective and playful SLAP on the track! The SLAP 92 is even more incisive on the track than its big brother the SLAP 98. The new SLAP is very easy to turn and is a real toy very easy to handle. Its relatively generous tip and tail ribs also allow the SLAP 92 to go off the beaten track when conditions permit. An ultra-playful ski that is aimed at all ski lovers in the ... learn more

16. Salomon QST X $679.93

Dimensions: 140/116/127
Weight per square cm: 0.160 grams
Weight: 3570 grams @178cm
The basics: Entering a new era of powder performance, Salomon adds a powder-hunting, soft-snow-specific ski to their ever-popular QST series: the Salomon QST X. The all-new Salomon QST X is a wide, soft flexing, and deeply rockered pow ski. For you, that means endless float and maneuverability in the deepest of snow. The soft flex encourages butters and presses and an effortlessly drifty ride. In ... learn more

17. Black Diamond Impulse 104 Ti $849.95

Dimensions: 136/104/123
Weight per square cm: 0.170 grams
Weight: 3580 grams @179cm
The basics: The Black Diamond Impulse 104 TI Skis are a refreshing break from the brand’s usual touring focus, delivering exceptional performance both on and off the trail. With their classic sandwich sidewall construction and a hearty layer of Titanal, these skis pack a punch and handle high speeds with ease. The long rockered tip keeps you gliding effortlessly through powder and choppy conditions. In ... learn more

18. Blizzard Rustler 9 $569.99

Dimensions: 134/98/123
Weight per square cm: 0.180 grams
Weight: 3680 grams @180cm
The basics: Sometimes at the shop, we find skis coming up again and again as recommendations to customers. The Blizzard Rustler 9 is one of those go-to recommendations as a high-performing all-mountain ski. At 94mm underfoot, it slots in as the narrowest Rustler and the one most tuned for frontside skiing. Bumps, groomers, skier cross, you name it. With smooth suspension, tapered tips, and freeride ... learn more

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The 18 Lightest Backcountry Skis for Men

Save weight, get more laps.

The Lightest Backcountry Skis: Our Picks

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