The 9 Best Touring & Backcountry Skis of 2023-2024
By: Jordan Berde: Ski Buyer | October 17, 2023
There’s no discipline of skiing that’s seeing as exciting of innovations as backcountry touring. There’s been an explosion of innovation in the last few years, with more and more brands releasing their takes on backcountry skis, bindings, and boots. With that explosion comes an added challenge for folks shopping for the best backcountry skis. There are more options on the market than ever before, so it’s harder to choose the best ski for you, your fitness, skiing level, and terrain. Luckily, we’ve made it easier with this list of the best backcountry skis on the market right now.
New This Year:
The 2024 spectrum of touring skis reflects a notable shift towards all-mountain versatility, transcending the traditional design ethos. Manufacturers are now infusing more rocker in both the tip and tail, deviating from the conventional flat tails aimed at firmer snowpacks and ease of using climbing skins. This thoughtful addition not only facilitates better float but also enhances tail releasability, rendering the skis more playful and maneuverable on a variety of terrains. Alongside, there's a pronounced focus on bolstering the construction to ensure increased stability underfoot, a crucial attribute for confident descents. These innovative tweaks are in response to the evolving needs of modern-day adventurers, aiming to provide a more holistic skiing experience. With these advancements, the 2024 touring skis are not just ascent-worthy companions but also reliable performers during descents, promising an enriched touring experience on the vast expanses of the mountains.
Season Pass
Introducing a backcountry ski for the most creative, pow-hungry earn-your-turners in the land, the Season Pass Skis are a wider, lighter take on the ultra-versatile Nexus skis, because the crew at Season knows why you tour. Built with an ultra-light wood core of Poplar and Paulownia and a nearly symmetrical twin shape, the Pass is light enough for full days on the trail but stout enough to shred hard on the way down. Never has there been such a wealth of options for skiing beyond the confines of the resort - the Season Pass pushes the envelope for the most playful and imaginative among us. This ski might be understated, but it’s sure to overdeliver.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 115 mm | 1690 g | $849.00 |
Salomon QST Echo 106
Eager to tour on your favorite ski but don't want the added weight? The Salomon QST Echo 106 Skis are the answer. This evolution of the acclaimed QST line combines the versatile shape of the QST 106 with a karuba and poplar core, superlight basalt fibers, and cork damplifier material in the tip and tail to create a light but supremely capable backcountry ski. Inspired by Cody Townsend's adventures in the high alpine, the QST Echo thrives in all conditions - suffer-fests and all.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 106 mm | 1530 g - 1940 g | $799.95 |
Black Crows Draco Freebird
The widest ski in Black Crows' touring range, the new Black Crows Draco Freebird Skis replace the Ferox in the 110mm waist category. With a less five-pointy tip shape, longish 21 meter sidecut, and smooth flex, the Draco is somewhat easier to handle in tight spaces and less demanding in critical maneuvers. As with the other Black Crows touring models, the Draco refuses to sacrifice downhill performance in the interest of light weight. A great choice for mid-winter touring and deeper days in the backcountry.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 110 mm - 112 mm | 1750 g | $1,149.95 |
Elan Ripstick Tour 104
The man, the legend, the ski. It's hard to believe the Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Skis are Glen Plake's first signature model, but we can't think of a better candidate. Elan have paid tribute to Plake's mold-breaking style with a ski that combines raw freeride power with incredible agility and maneuverability, all at a touring friendly weight you can take to the skin track. They come with Elan's legendary Amphibio Profile, a light, snappy Tubelite Wood Core, and all new Carbon Bridge Technology for stability and vibration damping. Available in unisex lengths, the only thing missing is a perfectly coifed mohawk.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 104 mm | 1400 g - 1610 g | $849.99 |
WNDR Alpine Vital 98 Camber
A refined verson of the previous Vital 100, the new WNDR Alpine Vital 98 Camber Skis return with a slightly narrower profile, stiffer flex and shorter turn radius, placing the emphasis on stability and edgehold and making the ski a natural for steeper, more engaging terrain. Great for ski mountaineering objectives where reliability on the descent is critical as well as newly capable on firm resort snow, the Vital 98 makes an excellent quiver of one for the backcountry-oriented skier who sometimes need to get their "family" days in.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 98 mm | 1750 g | $899.00 |
Blizzard Hustle 9
Ok, now we're talking. Take the proven Rustler 9 platform, substitute a carbon and fiberglass DRT laminate for the Titanal one to drop weight but keep the classic Blizzard edgehold and precision, and BAM, you've got a ripper's delight that's light enough to tour on but still has the guts to serve as your daily driver. The new Blizzard Hustle 9 Skis are the droids you seek.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 94 mm | 1700 g | $749.95 |
Armada Locator 96
You know a company like Armada couldn't just make a standard issue touring ski without putting their own twist on it. The all-new Locator series brings Armada's special blend of freestyle heritage and creative style to the ultralight touring market, and the outcome is something special. The Armada Locator 96 Skis are the most traditional touring skis in the series, with a sub 100 waist width and a respectably airy 1350 gram weight. But those techy uphill numbers are paired with smooth lines and tapered tips to make for a ski you can count on for long, technical missions without sacrificing any fun on the descents. Plus, they're unisex and come in two color options: so you can pick what's best for your style and stature.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 96 mm | 1125 g - 1475 g | $799.95 |
Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited
If you thought the Enforcer 104s would make a great touring ski if only they weren't so heavy, you were right, and Nordica have duly obliged. The Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited Skis take the Enforcer shape and put it on a serious diet. Laid up in a lightweight, skintrack friendly package, the new Unlimited series is perfect for skiers seeking a more maneuverable alternative to the traditional model, or Enforcer enthusiasts hungry for life on the other side of the ropes. Whether you're hiking for your favorite inbounds stash or skinning into the high alpine, the Enforcer 104 Unlimited Skis are raring to go.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 104 mm | 1500 g - 1760 g | $849.99 |
Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited Skis - Women's
The all new Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited Skis are engineered for human-powered adventure. Their lightweight Carbon Chassis LT construction gives the classic Santa Ana shape a gram-shedding makeover that focuses on skin track speed and maneuverability without impacting downhill performance. They ski like a champ in mixed conditions and come with a snappy turn radius that makes it a blast to maneuver tight trees or snake down your favorite Spring couloir. Whether you're inbounds, out of bounds, or on the expedition of a lifetime, the Santa Ana 93 Unlimited Skis are ready to impress.
| Width (mm) | Weight Per Ski (g) | Original Price |
| 93 mm | 1250 g - 1460 g | $749.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Ski Guides:
Skis - Kids' Size Chart and Buyer's Guide
Skis - Rocker Technology Explained
Ski Bindings – How to Choose & DIN Setting Chart
Ski Boots - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Ski Boots - Boot Sole & Ski Binding Compatibility
Ski Boots – How to Make Your Boots Fit Better
Ski Poles - Size Chart
Skiing - Beginner Skiing Tips
Skiing - How to Fly With Skis
Skiing - How to Get in Shape
Ski Maintenance - Base Repair
Ski Maintenance – How to Store for the Summer
Ski Maintenance – How to Tune
Ski Maintenance – How to Wax
Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
Goggles - How to Choose
Goggles - Wearing Goggles with Glasses
Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
Outerwear - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
Outerwear - How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide
Ski Socks - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Avalanche Probes - How to Choose
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Airbag Pack
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Beacon
Backcountry - Climbing Skins Size Guide
Backcountry - Dynafit / Tech Binding Basics
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Bindings
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Backcountry - How to Choose an Avalanche Shovel
Backcountry - How to Choose Climbing Skins
Backcountry Backpacks - How to Choose
Backcountry Basics - How to Get Started
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The Selection Process:
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jordan Berde
Jordan (she/her) is a Ski Buyer at evo. Before working in this role, she worked at the evo Denver store for two years, where she began as a bootfitter and quickly moved into Store Lead and then Store Supervisor roles. Prior to evo, Jordan worked as a bootfitter at other shops, a mountain bike instructor for kiddos in Colorado, a ski patroller in Alaska, and a liftie in Taos. She's an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer and recently summited Mt. Baker as a fundraiser for SheJumps, a non-profit committed to getting more women involved in the outdoors.She started sliding on snow later than most (in her late 20s), but now she’s the friend getting up at 4 am to make sure she can get a dawn patrol lap in before work! Jordan is passionate about diversity and inclusion and making outdoor activities more inclusive to all genders, races, and ability levels. When she's not skiing, Jordan is likely on her mountain bike exploring all that Colorado and Washington have to offer with her wife. Some say she never stops moving…