Free delivery on orders over £80Discover Backcountry: The Art of Float
Backcountry skis for fresh snow days.
The hunt for first turns and untouched snow draws many skiers beyond lift accessed terrain: switching bindings from ski to walk, clipping on skins and finding the steady rhythm of the skin track. The locations are just partial reward for the effort, the real prize is the ride back down.
A long-time question has always been whether to choose a lighter ski to ease the uphill or a performance orientated model to boost the descent. Having a ski that ticked both boxes was not possible. Until very recently.
The Backcountry segment is a diverse mix of skis including some exceptional wider models. These are skis that take the lightweight concepts of the slimmest touring models and apply design principles from the most powerful freeride skis. Wider waists add little extra weight, there’s no compromise on strength and the floatation is maximised thanks to generous base areas and well thought out camber and design tweaks.
These latest skis help ease the ascent and boost the thrills on the ride back down. They provide the effortless float that makes the fresh snow worth the exertion of getting there.
Atomic Backland 107
- Weight: 1590g
- Waist: 107mm
- Radius: 18.5m
Atomic’s Backland 107 redefines what a lighter, wider model can do, blurring the lines of freeride and backcountry, proving that you can have a lightweight ski that packs a punch. Even though the waist reads 107mm underfoot it feels manoeuvrable and playful, especially compared to similar models.
It’s stable and locks into a carve nicely on hard snow. Take it into the soft, deep stuff and this is when it really shines, HRZN Tech at the tip and tail ensures the easiest handling and the most stable ride. Ideal for skiers wanting a ski to do everything.
Black Crows Corvus Freebird
- Weight: 1800g
- Waist: 109mm
- Radius: 21m
The Corvus Freebird charges like the most powerful of freeride skis but without the excess weight. 109mm underfoot is a big enough platform to deliver ample float, with smooth steering and control coming easily thanks to the front progressive rocker and lightly tapered sidecut.
Where this ski differs from other wider, backcountry models is the grip and response it provides when pushed. No over use of carbon here, just smart engineering with poplar and paulownia woods and lighter edges, meaning the feel of a regular alpine ski is retained. One for the more aggressive skiers.
Blizzard Zero-G 108
- Weight: 1750g
- Waist: 108mm
- Radius: 25m
The Zero-G 108 is happy to add a few grams versus some of the lightest wide skis as it certainly makes up for this with its power and all-round ability. Light enough for long day tours, the versatility for any terrain and the width to deal with the deepest conditions, it’s a ski that ensures stronger freeskiers are very happy.
The low camber and rocker at the tip and tail make it super manoeuvrable; the paulownia and carbon fibre construction adds the strength. Smooth and powerful.
DPS Wailer 112 Tour1
- Weight: 1550g
- Waist: 112mm
- Radius: 15/18m
DPS create special skis, targeted at soft snow and fresh conditions, but also capable in every other condition. The Wailer 112 is quite possibly the shape that captures this best. What makes this Tour1 version so interesting is that the construction swaps to cap and the layup is balsa with pre-preg carbon fibre, meaning the ski is light yet torsionally strong.
Marry this up with the Paddle Tech shaping, tip and tail rocker and wide dimensions and you have a freeskiing model that feels effortless on the ascent and the ride back down. For the powder hunters.
