AT gear keeps getting better and better at handling the down.

V枚lkl 100Eight聽($825)

Backcountry-ski makers have spent years pursuing the holy grail of the alpine-touring world: a ski that鈥檚 light enough for touring but still rips on the down, no matter the snow conditions. While no one has nailed it yet, the Gear of the Year鈥搘inning V枚lkl 100Eight comes closer than most. You鈥檒l often see this ski in-bounds at the resort because of its downhill prowess, but our out-of-bounds testers have adopted it, too. Its construction keeps the weight manageable for touring, with guts made from twin carbon stringers and a thin fiberglass layer that cups the wood core. V枚lkl also cut ounces by shaving down the top of the ski, leaving a ridge running along the center for stiffness. There are certainly lighter skis out there (V枚lkl鈥檚 own backcountry-dedicated BMT 109 weighs nearly 20 percent less), but testers who put a premium on the descents (and, let鈥檚 be honest, this is pretty much everyone) were happy to take up the extra heft. 鈥淚t transitions from every condition, task, and speed with ease and confidence,鈥� said one of those speed lovers. 141/108/124; 8.7 lbs

Atomic Backland FR 109 Skis ($725)

Best For: Powder seekers.聽聽

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: With a 109-millimeter waist, this board longs for deep snow. And that鈥檚 where it truly excels. But riders were quick to note that even with that extra girth, the Backland FR rode like a narrower ski on hardpack, ripping medium-radius turns on corduroy almost like a GS racer. 鈥淎n incredibly lively ski with strong ski-to-snow connectivity,鈥� one tester said. Carbon inserts up the ski鈥檚 backbone add stiffness, and tip and tail rocker plus some camber underfoot left our testers impressed with its playfulness.

The Verdict: A poppy, responsive ride that鈥檚 dreamy in soft snow yet doesn鈥檛 blush on hardpack. 132/109/122; 7.5 lbs

G3 Ion 12 Bindings ($579)

Best For: Everyone who tours鈥攐r dabbles.聽

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: G3鈥檚 Ion 12 has a big audience for two reasons: it鈥檚 stupid easy to get into, and it will confidently drive most backcountry skis. The newest Ion features an updated toepiece with a redesigned boot bumper that reduces ice buildup and also comes with more snap鈥攁nd confidence鈥攆rom the toe arms. The heelpiece keeps its two risers, making uphilling super efficient.

The Verdict: As straightforward as it gets, the Ion 12 delivers reliability in a user-friendly package. 2.6 lbs

Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis ($840)

Best For: Aggressive skiers.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟:听Ski the Rustler 11 hard and it will take care of you. Proof: each morning the best skiers in our test used these sticks to shred through manky, iced-over chop during a vicious freeze-thaw cycle that rendered other skis useless. They also spoke highly about the ski鈥檚 confidence on steeps. Partial credit for those high marks goes to a Titanal layer atop the mixed-wood core, which adds power and stiffness to what one reviewer called a 鈥渃hunder-crushing鈥� design. Finally, rocker at the tip and tail keeps the Rustler 11 playful and floaty when things get deep.

The Verdict: Use this ski for big lines and short tours. 139/112/129; 8.6 lbs

Marker Kingpin 13 Bindings ($649)

Best For: Unmatched downhill security.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: When Marker launched the Kingpin in 2015, it was the first tech binding designed for strength, stability, and a reliable release. This year, the Kingpin remains unchanged, which means it still offers lots of touring efficiency, thanks to the easy-entry pin toe and robust retention from its sturdy alpine-style heel. And it tours smoothly, with an intuitive skinning-to-skiing switchover, while still weighing significantly less than any other backcountry frame binding you can find on the market.

The Verdict: Ski hard? Look here. 3.3 lbs

Voile UltraVector聽Skis ($695)

Best For: Your one-ski quiver.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: As one tester put it, 鈥淭he UltraVector stacks up with the best out there from a capability perspective, but it鈥檚 friendlier, smoother, and more accessible than most of its competitors.鈥� Translation:听it skis pretty much all conditions well, without requiring much work from you. Voile achieves this balance by combining its lightweight carbon-reinforced aspen core with long tip rocker. That plus some camber underfoot and a slightly rockered tail make for predictability and forgiveness.聽

The Verdict: Get this to cruise on all but the deepest days. 130/96/114; 6.7 lbs

Salomon MTN Bindings ($575)

Best For:听Rocking rando and mid-fat skis with confidence.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: Unlike tech bindings that come with adjustable and numbered release settings in the heel, the brakeless version of the MTN uses three swappable springs (low, medium, and stiff) instead. We chose the stiffest spring for hard snow, with zero pre-releases over five days of testing. The binding is crampon compatible and, with 30 millimeters of range, can accommodate a large swath of boot-sole sizes.聽聽

The Verdict: An astonishingly reliable retention-and-release system in a very basic and lightweight package. 1.3 lbs

Dynastar Legend X96 Skis ($800)

Best For: Resort-accessed backcountry.聽

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: We鈥檇 gladly ski these boards on resort groomers, then throw them over a shoulder for an out-of-bounds powder hike. The Legend received high marks on packed and crummy snow, thanks to features like sturdy sidewalls that increase edge hold and a layer of Titanal in the core to lend power. That core combines the metal with lightweight paulownia wood, which boosts uphill fun and downhill playfulness. Ample tip and tail rocker help with the latter, too.聽聽

The Verdict: Perfect for season-pass聽holders in places like Jackson Hole. 133/96/113; 7.7 lbs聽

Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 Bindings ($600)

Best For: Better safety in a tech binding.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: The Vipec has always remained on the periphery of the binding world, for one simple reason: it鈥檚 never been easy to step into. Now those woes are gone. This new version has a significantly refined toepiece with larger bumpers for guidance and a broader platform that always snaps the toe pins into place, even when you鈥檙e off-kilter. The consensus? 鈥淔ritschi finally figured out their toepiece, and now it ranks among the easiest to enter,鈥� one tester said.

The Verdict: The Vipec has finally come into its own. 2.2 lbs

Head Kore 105 Skis ($800)

Best For: Long tours, steep descents.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: Like the Rustler 11 and the 100Eight, the Kore wants to be skied fast and hard. The big difference is weight: it鈥檚 roughly a pound lighter than either of those skis, better for long days in the backcountry. Head kept things airy by building the core from a honeycomb synthetic and karuba wood. The ski also has graphene鈥攁 superlight, ultra-stiff carbon鈥攊n the tip and tail for added聽responsiveness. This board rewards input in spades: those who had the oomph to wrangle it heaped praise.

The Verdict: Heavyweight in a lightweight frame. 135/105/125; 7.7 lbs

Fritschi Tecton 12 Bindings ($650)

Best For: Downhill prowess.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: Kingpin comparisons will be made, because this binding, like the one from Marker, employs a stout alpine-like heelpiece that wraps over the back of your boot. What makes it burlier than the Marker is aluminum jaws, which lock into the heel fittings for better power and control. Up front, the Tecton platform offers a DIN-certified reliable release.聽

The Verdict:: A binding to drive big skis with confidence. 2.4 lbs

DPS Zelda A106聽Skis ($1,299)

Best For: DPS lovers who鈥檝e always wanted a little more giddyup.聽

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟:听The Zelda is a women鈥檚 version of the carbon-plumbed Wailer that鈥檚 earned DPS a loyal following. This year鈥檚 version of the Zelda features the company鈥檚 Alchemist construction, which places layers of a damping material above and below an aspen core to absorb chatter, making it extra con颅fident on hardpack but still playful in pow. One tester called Alchemist 鈥渢he first carbon construction that truly performs on the downhill.鈥澛�

The Verdict: Carbon skis that rip. Finally. 130/106/120; 7.6 lbs

Dynafit ST Rotation 10 Bindings ($649)

Best For:听Balancing ease of use with unmatched reliability.聽

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: When Dynafit introduced a DIN-certified safety release into the trusted Radical two seasons back, many skiers found the swiveling toepiece finicky to get into. The new ST Rotation fixes that problem with a centering mechanism that keeps the toe steady while you snap in. Beyond that, the heelpiece is integrated into the baseplate for more confidence-inspiring stability.

The Verdict: Dynafit鈥檚 Radical 2.0, just significantly refined. 2.6 lbs

Elan Ibex 84 Carbon XLT Skis ($950)

Best For: Those who count grams and vertical feet.

罢丑别听罢别蝉迟: Yeah, we鈥檒l say these are aptly named. All the skis in the five-model Ibex line bound up and down mountains with ease. That鈥檚 courtesy of a slew of new lightweight ingredients, including a core composed聽primarily of snappy poplar and paulownia wood embedded with carbon rods, which dampen vibrations on fast descents. 鈥淨uite reliable underfoot, but packed with pop and energy,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭his would be a spring-mission favorite.鈥�

The Verdict: Skimo-light, but back颅country ready, too. 120/85/106; 5 lbs

Atomic Backland Tour Bindings ($625)

Best For:: Keeping it simple.

The Test: Atomic鈥檚 Backland and Salomon鈥檚 MTN bindings (page 42) are identical, minus the paint job. This version, with a brake, adds more weight but has the big benefit of being able to stop a runner. Both come with an easy ski-mode-to-tour-mode changeover that doesn鈥檛 require spinning the heelpiece. Instead, you just use your pole to flip a lever under your boot that locks the brakes up for climbing. Flip the lever back, stomp into the pins, and you鈥檙e ready to ski.聽聽

The Verdict: The simplest tech binding on the market. 1.4 lbs

Salomon MTN Explore 88 Skis ($725)

Best For: Those who really enjoy the ups.

The Test: For you masochists out there, Salomon makes the MTN Explore 88, the narrowest women鈥檚 ski in its Explore backcountry line. It comes with a host of weight-saving features, including a karuba-and-poplar wood core that鈥檚 reinforced聽with carbon and flax, a honeycomb tip, and a hybrid cap-sidewall construction. Even though the 88 is a featherweight, testers raved about the stable downhill ride, particularly on hardpack and at high speeds, a feat Salomon managed by putting camber underfoot and giving the tips a slight early rise.聽

The Verdict:聽A true lightweight touring ski that doesn鈥檛 lose composure in the steeps. 121/88/107; 5.2 lbs

G3 Ion LT Bindings ($429)

Best For: Ski mountaineering.

The Test: The LT is basically the Ion 12 [[LINK page 40]], minus the brakes, which saves you nine ounces per pair. Other bindings are more feathery, but we like the LT for fast-and-light pursuits because of its ease of entry and reliability. Almost no boot holder is easier to get into, and you can trust the LT to keep you locked during hop turns down a 45-degree couloir. If it does pop off, G3 throws in a cable leash that attaches to your boot.聽

The Verdict: Only rando racers need something lighter. 2 lbs

The post The Best Backcountry Skis and Bindings of 2018 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Backcountry boots are stiffer and more powerful than ever.

Salomon S/Lab X-Alp ($1,000)

The Arc鈥檛eryx Procline was the first boot with side-to-side flex in touring mode. Now there鈥檚 the X-Alp as well, which gets 23 degrees of inward flex and 13 degrees of outward, to help you skin across angled terrain. The biggest difference between this Salomon and the Arc鈥檛eryx is that the X-Alp is stiffer, better for driving a big ski. 2.9 lbs

Lange Women鈥檚 XT Freetour聽110 LV ($750)

A 110 flex might sound a little soft, but all of our testers raved about the Freetour鈥檚 power. 鈥淶ero loss of energy laterally and forward,鈥� one said. That power comes from a light but stiff Grilamid-injected shell. We also love the uphill-specific Dynafit insert and Ultra Grip sole. The gripe: not enough range in the 43-degree walk mode. 3.8 lbs聽

Scarpa Women鈥檚 Gea RS ($795)

The Gea, sister of the men鈥檚 Maestrale, has long been the bestselling AT boot for women. This year, Scarpa used a carbon-infused plastic closure system to create a stiffer 125 flex, and we dig it. Thankfully, Scarpa also significantly increased the walk-mode range of motion from a pathetic 27 degrees to an easy-striding 60 degrees. 2.8 lbs

Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 ($950)

With the Hawx Ultra XTD 130, Atomic tried to create the perfect mash-up of a strong alpine boot and a flexy backcountry slipper. They came awfully close. Thanks to a 54-degree range of motion and a thinned-out but strategically reinforced polyurethane shell, the boot tours exceptionally well, considering how burly it is on the descents. 3.4 lbs

Tecnica Women鈥檚 Zero G Guide ($840)

New-boot pain, begone! Tecnica specifically designed the lower back cuff to fit around a woman鈥檚 calf, which is often wider and lower than a man鈥檚. And 115 flex got high marks for being just powerful enough. The main downside: the 44-degree range of motion limited this boot鈥檚 capability for long tours. 3.3 lbs

Scott Cosmos III ($750)

The 125-flex Cosmos III is the least expensive four-buckle boot for men in this category. Some testers thought its flex might be over颅sold, but for 90 percent of our skiers, the Cosmos provided the performance they needed to run mid-width to fat skis, in- and out-of-bounds, with confidence. 3.4 lbs

The post The Best Alpine Touring Ski Boots of 2018 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Superior setups for heading beyond the ropes.

Dynafit Meteorite

It鈥檚 not a women-specific ski, but testers preferred it to the Sphinx鈥攖he Meteorite鈥檚 softer, lighter sister. One of Dynafit鈥檚 new freeride offerings, it has an ash and poplar core overlaid with carbon at the rockered tip and tail for added float and lower swing weight. 125.5/97/115.9; 8 lbs

Price $699

Salomon MTN Explore

Last year, Salomon introduced the 120-flex, unisex MTN Lab. Now women get another option: the 90-flex, two-buckle MTN Explore. With聽a shorter cuff, lighter liner, and 63-degree walk mode, it鈥檚 designed for the backcountry but packs聽plenty聽of downhill punch. 5.6 lbs聽

Price $725

Dynafit聽Radical TLT ST 2.0

Dynafit updated the classic Radical with a noteworthy new feature: improved safety. A rotating toe ab颅sorbs impact and reduces the risk of pre-release, meaning it meets the international DIN standard. 2.9 lbs

Price $550

Rossignol聽Soul 7 HD

We thought the old Soul 7 was the best tool ever made for glade skiing, but the new Soul 7 HD is even better鈥攁nd lighter. Combine a honeycomb tip and carbon-paulownia core with tip and tail rocker, and you get skis that surf happily in聽powder but don鈥檛 feel outgunned when conditions firm up. 136/106/126; 8.3 lbs

Price $850

Scarpa聽Freedom SL 120

Want to lay down mean turns rather than set records on the up? This is your boot. A stiff liner and large strap allow for optimal power transfer, while it shows off its Scarpa backcountry heritage with tech inserts and a broad walk mode. 7.4聽lbs聽

Price $779

Tyrolia聽Ambition 12 Carbon

The Ambition 12 topped our test two years running. With a carbon bar under颅foot, this light frame binding skis like a true alpine model. When you鈥檙e ready to go up, it鈥檚 easy to switch to tour mode. 3.9 lbs聽

Price $1,150

The post The Best Women’s Backcountry Skis, Boots, and Bindings of 2017 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

What hikes up must shred down.

Lange XT Freetour 130

Lange brought its World Cup pedigree to the new XT Freetour. The boot got some uphill-friendly upgrades, such as tech inserts and a rockered sole so grippy聽it wouldn't be or of place on a running shoe. But it relishes driving big sticks through crud. Only one gripe: with all those backcountry details, its walk mode should have a wider range. 7.8 lbs

Price $950

Salomon QST Pro 120

This boot focuses on fast descending, with an oversize ankle pivot and burly shell. But with a 40-degree walk mode, it's happy on short tours, too. While the tight tongue (borrowed from Salomon's runners) caused some chafing, testers liked the customizable shell, which expands to accommodate last widths from 100 to 106 millimeters. 7 lbs

Price $725

Fischer Travers

Um, yeah, it's race inspired. The dead giveaways are the Boa dial and Velcro top buckle, which doubles as the boot's walk mode. But while it was born for the ups, for its weight it performs remarkably well going down. With 80 degrees of rotation in walk mode, you're ready to dabble in ski mountaineering. 4.6 lbs

Price $899

顿测苍补蹿颈迟听罢尝罢7听笔别谤蹿辞谤尘补苍肠别

Among dedicated backcountry skiers, the TLT6 has a cult following for its near alchemical blend of uphill prowess and downhill chops. The TLT7 takes that icon, then ditches a buckle, dropping about half a pound per boot in the process. You sacrifice some descending ability, but you gain a boot that wears like a hiker. 4.4 lbs

Price $849

础谤肠'迟别谤测虫听笔谤辞肠濒颈苍别听颁补谤产辞苍

Arc'teryx's foray into the ski-boot world is a real doozy. The key tech is in the cuff, which has side-to-side play plus the standard front-and-back motion. That lets the Procline聽scramble like a mountain goat over steep, rocky terrain. Aggressive rubber lugs help, too. A carbon spine and two cable buckles add stiffness. Skiing fourteeners? Try this high-strung thoroughbred. 5.2 lbs

Price $1,000

Tecnica聽Zero G Guide

Pick it up and you'll be forgiven for doing a double take. How can a boot that looks like a resort ripper be this light? The answer is in the upgraded Triax shell and the cuff, which replaces rigid plastic with sections of breathable membrane. When you hit the descent, four buckles keep the ride stiff. “Ultimate trust,” raved one tester. 7.3 lbs

Price $660

The post The Best Alpine Touring Ski Boots of 2017 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The race is on to create the聽perfect beyond-the-ropes setup.

痴辞颈濒茅听厂耻辫别谤肠丑补谤驳别谤

Gear of the Year

This season our team of more than four dozen tested 210 skis, 53 boots, and聽13 bindings鈥攁nd crunched the num颅bers on 1,400 review forms鈥攖o come聽up with this: the best backcountry gear聽of the year. The 19聽products featured聽continue the trend toward lightweight performance. The skis all have at least some carbon (although you wouldn鈥檛 know it from聽how they rip), the boots come in well under eight pounds, and only one of the bindings has a frame. So yeah, a lot of brands are making great stuff, but there was one clear winner: the crazily adept Supercharger. Salt Lake City鈥揵ased Voil茅 makes boards for perfectionists, running each design through a bunch of iterations in its U.S. factory before taking it to market. We were aware of this DNA from first chair. With dimensions based on the old V8, with just a bit more tip rocker and a profile like the original Charger, this plank is a 鈥渘ear perfect m茅lange of float, dampness, versatility, and tourability,鈥� said one tester. It鈥檚 surprisingly light given its girth (106 millimeters underfoot), but a new aspen core with carbon stringers adds confidence on steeps. We found that we could float through powder, then flat-out charge over hardpack back to the lift. Mount it with a binding from the All Mountain page and you have your quiver鈥攆or about $100 less than most of its competitors. 140/106/124; 7.3 lbs

Price $695

Touring

V枚lkl聽VTA 88聽Lite聽

Best For: Going up and down really fast.聽

The Test: The folks at V枚lkl have a genius for building skis that are both playful and stable. The catch? They鈥檙e usually heavy, which makes them better for the resort than the backcountry. Enter the VTA 88 Lite鈥攖he lightest ski here. By wrapping a wood core in carbon, V枚lkl was able to ditch all the metal, shedding half a pound per ski in the process. And the unique three-dimensional topsheet shrugs off snow聽
on the way up, cutting even more weight.聽

The Verdict: A backcountry board that wants to play at the resort but still flies uphill. 127/88/106; 4.6 lbs

Price $1,065

Hagan ZR聽

Best For: Winning ski-mountaineering races.聽

The Test: The only thing you really need to know about the ZR? It weighs just over four ounces per foot. To illustrate how ridiculous that is, note that the next-lightest models in our test (the Fritschi and the G3) are about five times heavier. That weight advantage amounts to mechanical doping on the ups, but the binding performed surprisingly well on descents, too, with a relatively high release value. Get it with brakes for $100 extra. Our main gripe: just one climbing position limits versatility.聽

The Verdict: If you must have the very lightest setup, you鈥檝e met your match. 8.2 oz

Price $650

Hagan Y-Ride聽

Best For: Lightweight, downhill confidence.聽

The Test: Born in Austria as a pro ski mountaineer鈥檚 brand, Hagan is expanding its line for the rest of us, with a new series of extra-light skis that absolutely fly. The Y-Ride is 鈥渁mazing at high speeds on hardpack,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淪uperstrong and stable, considering it comes in at just over five pounds,鈥� raved another. Some of the credit goes to the carbon tip that tames vibrations before they travel up the length of聽the ski. Slight rocker up front lets these boards float well in boot-top-deep fluff, too.聽

The Verdict: While it鈥檚 no big-mountain bully, it鈥檚 shockingly powerful considering its minuscule weight. 128/88/108; 5.3 lbs

Price $800

G3 Ion 12聽

Best For: Low weight and high speeds.聽

The Test: It鈥檚 been two seasons since G3 sent its Ion into the tech-binding ring, and its British Columbia鈥揵ased engineers continue to evolve the model. The current Ion 12 is the best to date鈥攁nd arguably the best in its class. It clings to a boot like Ted Ligety on a giant-slalom course, giving our testers confidence to lay down fast, aggressive turns on hardpack. G3 built in that security by setting the toe arms far apart, beefing up the springs, and simplifying the forward-pressure聽setting.聽

The Verdict: A svelte tech binding can be a terrifying proposition. This one鈥檚 not. 2.6 lbs聽

Price $549

All Mountain

顿笔厂听罢辞耻谤1听奥补颈濒别谤听112搁笔2听

Best For: Earning deep powder laps.聽

The Test: Over the past five years, the banana-shaped Wailer 112鈥攚ith heavy rocker and a tapered fore and aft鈥攈as become the聽ski of choice for backcountry devotees when snow totals measure in the feet. The new Tour1 takes that icon and makes it 15 percent lighter, pairing a balsa-wood core with carbon fiber. That build involves some sacrifices in the power department (we prefer the old model for throwing down on firm snow), but the weight-to-powder-pleasure ratio is unmatched.聽

The Verdict: DPS鈥檚 lightest core perfectly completes this classic. 141/112/128; 6.7 lbs

Price $1,050

The M Equipment聽Meidjo聽

Best For: Telemark skiers who tour.聽

The Test: While the NTN platform offers a whole slew of performance features鈥攊ncluding easy step-in, confidence-ensuring releasability, and solid brakes鈥攊t鈥檚 got some shortcomings. Namely, it鈥檚 heavy and has a limited range of motion. The French-made Meidjo solves those problems with Dynafit-style tech pins at the toe for unrestricted touring mobility and fewer ounces. Downhill performance was on point, with testers describing the binding as 鈥渁ctive and springy, progressive and smooth.鈥� We just wish there were more compatible tele boots.聽

The Verdict: The best thing to befall free-the-heelers in the past decade. 2 lbs聽

Price $679

厂肠辞迟迟听厂耻辫别谤驳耻颈诲别听105听

Best For: Do-it-all backcountry pursuits聽in Utah or Colorado.聽

The Test: It鈥檚 all in the name. Scott partnered with pro powder hunters to develop the Superguide, the widest backcountry-specific ski in its line. This is a proficient off-piste animal, with a paulownia core to keep the ride playful and a woven Kevlar and carbon layer to boost stability and stiffness. It鈥檚 got a decent amount of backbone without the portliness of a resort ripper, making it the ideal stick for skiing soft stuff beyond the ropes. 鈥淎 reliable, confidence-inspiring ski best ridden in fresh or corn,鈥� said one tester. For crud we found ourselves wanting just a bit more heft.聽

The Verdict: The ski to reach for when seeking out hidden stashes. 133/104/122; 6.8 lbs聽

Price $700

贵谤颈迟蝉肠丑颈听顿颈补尘颈谤听痴颈辫别肠听12听

Best For: Quick transitions.聽

The Test: The story here is all about safety. The Vipec 12 is DIN certified鈥攖he international standard for reliable release. Fritschi engineered the toe to be adjustable, giving testers the option to customize release settings. This year鈥檚 model is also wider up front, which makes entry easier than in past generations. That said, the binding can be a bit finicky.聽

The Verdict: Security in a lightweight, innovative, well-priced package. 2.6 lbs

Price $600

Big Mountain

Black Crows Anima聽Freebird聽

Best For: Surfy, playful powder turns.聽

The Test: Chamonix-based Black Crows gutted last season鈥檚 popular big-mountain-ripping Anima, replacing its core with a lighter paulownia-poplar blend. The profile鈥檚 exactly the same; the ski just weighs 2.6 pounds聽less per pair. The result is a backcountry-first plank that testers described as both slidey and slarvey and that relished blasting through mank at speed. Up to a point: some of our crew noted that the Anima Freebird鈥檚 tip and tail chattered loosely when taken off soft snow.聽

The Verdict: A nimble, poppy option for soft, untracked runs. 143/115/128; 7.9 lbs

Price $850

Dynafit聽Beast 14

Best For: Bringing alpine security to the backcountry.聽

The Test: Yeah, it鈥檚 aptly named. The Beast 14 ranked in the upper echelon when it came to power and stability, with one tester observing that 鈥渋t skis better than any frame-style binding I鈥檝e tried, at half the weight.鈥� The burly heelpiece and that high DIN of 14 add confidence on the descents. Unlock the toe and you get five millimeters of pivot to reduce the risk of early release and to create a much smoother ride. Unless your name鈥檚 Candide, you鈥檒l never want anything more.聽

The Verdict: A tamed-down version of聽the Beast 16 that still packs plenty of punch for the majority of us. 3.6 lbs

Price $750

Salomon QST 106

Best For: In-bounds confidence, out-of-bounds charging.聽

The Test: This powerful, aggressive ski wouldn鈥檛 be out of place arcing super-G聽turns beneath a bomber resort binding. But聽it does well in the backcountry, too, thanks to a lightweight poplar core layered with carbon. Full-length sidewalls and moderate tip and tail rocker complete the versatile package. 鈥淭his board truly handles all types of conditions with ease,鈥� said one tester.聽

The Verdict: Signature Salomon power聽in a skin-track-friendly package.聽140/106/126; 8.2 lbs

Price $850

Marker Kingpin 13

Best For: Skiers who don鈥檛 trust traditional backcountry bindings.聽

The Test: The Achilles heel of most tech bindings? They鈥檙e either powerful and heavy or light and unreliable. The Kingpin goes a long way toward abolishing that dichotomy by marrying a lightweight toe for climbing efficiency with an alpine-like heel for security. It was the first tech model to meet the DIN standard for consistent release. The price of all those advantages: a bit more heft.聽

The Verdict: As close to an alpine binding as a tech model is likely to get. 3.3 lbs

Price $649

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From skinning up in the morning to shredding down icy chutes,聽our聽two favorite聽alpine-touring setups聽can handle it all.聽

G3 Synapse 101 W skis聽

A ski this light and uphill oriented tends to get skittish on the downs. Not so the , which let testers rip in everything from day-old mank to eight inches of fresh. The superb mix of stiffness and playfulness comes from the carbon-wrapped poplar and paulownia core and the early-rise tip and tail. 130/101/118; 5.8 lbs

Price $900

Fritschi Diamir Vipec 12 bindings聽

Last year the made our list of finalists because of its alpine-binding-like toe release and pole-adjustable heel riser. The new version is even better, a result of subtle improvements like boot-toe guides for easy entry. 2.4 lbs

Price $600

Atomic Century 109 skis聽

Mount alpine bindings on the and you鈥檒l be happy charging the resort all season. But the lightweight, carbon-reinforced wood core also makes this a fantastic big-mountain touring ski. With an early-rise tip and slight tail rocker, it鈥檚 ideal for deep days. 132/109/122; 7.5 lbs

Price $725

Tyrolia Carbon Ambition 12 bindings

The is one of the lightest frame bindings on the market, with a stiff carbon tube running between toe and heel. Compatible with downhill and AT boots, it鈥檚 only a little less capable on fast descents than a true alpine model. Best for those who spend equal time on both sides of the rope. 3.6 lbs

Price $1,150

Tecnica Cochise Pro Light W boots聽

Meet the that thinks it鈥檚 an alpine rig. An updated metal-on-metal walk system gives you more flex and a locked-in ride on the descent. The burly power strap adds even more forward and lateral stiffness. The only downside: it鈥檚 heavy. 8.5 lbs

Price $660

Scott Sports Celeste II boots聽

The had no problem taming wide planks, with a relatively tall cuff, four burly buckles, and a stiff shell. But it was the walk mode, with 60 degrees of flex, that impressed us most. 鈥淚t would tear up the dance floor as effectively as the slopes,鈥� one tester said. 5.3 lbs

Price $800

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Backcountry gear is getting really damn good. So good, in fact, that it鈥檚 time to ditch your dedicated alpine setup if you make any turns on the other side of the ropes. Take boots: even models from traditional alpine companies are getting lighter, and they perform almost as well as their resort-bound siblings. Skis are shedding ounces, too, with clever carbon constructions and skinnier waists. But they still shred. In tech bindings, the concept that Dynafit pioneered 31 years ago has become a ubiquitous platform for others to build upon, and the results are safer and more user-friendly. To help you pick the perfect kit, we tested 207 products and then narrowed the field to the 13 most exciting.

Black Crows Corvus Freebird

Gear of the Year

Black Crows, based in Chamonix, France, has a reputation for building powerful freeride skis. But its boards weren鈥檛 light enough for touring鈥攗ntil now. The 聽has the heart of a big-mountain charger and the backcountry chops of a lighter ski, with a carbon-fiberglass layer under a wood core. The subtle 鈥渂eak and a half鈥� profile pairs rocker up front with a more traditional (albeit still turned-up) tail for edge hold. 鈥淧recise and multifunctional,鈥� said one tester. At 8.5 pounds, it鈥檚 heavy for big tours, but that鈥檚 a small price to pay for superb downhill performance. 139/109/122; 8.5 lbs

Price $840 Tourability 3 Power 5

DPS Wailer 99 Tour1 skis

Touring

Best For: Turning the mountain into a snowy playground.聽
The Test: It鈥檚 a full 15 percent lighter than its predecessor, but the still shines on the descents. Credit the new Tour1 engineering, which combines ounce-saving cap construction (the company鈥檚 other skis have sidewalls) with aerospace-grade carbon around a featherweight balsa core. It remained stable and damp even in tricky spring conditions, while rocker in the tip and tail kept it quick and playful. With a wider 99-millimeter waist, it floated a bit better in the deep stuff than the La Sportiva. 鈥淧robably the most fun I鈥檝e had on a DPS,鈥� said one tester.聽
The Verdict: Now even lighter, the supremely capable Wailer 99 will have you whooping with joy. 125/99/111; 6.2 lbs

Price $1,050 Tourability 4.5 Power 3.5

Dynafit Radical FT 2.0 bindings聽

Touring

Best For: Skiers who want a smoother ride.聽
The Test: The 鈥檚 turntable toe takes the edge off hard, unpredictable snow. Testers found it more elastic and forgiving than its competitors. 鈥淔eels natural when skiing fast in tough conditions,鈥� one tester said. The 2.0 also has a true forward-pressure setting that reduces the chance of prerelease (a weakness of the original). Simply put, it instills plenty of confidence when you鈥檙e pointing down the fall line.聽
The Verdict: A tad heavier but much more reliable than its predecessor. Sets a new standard for tech bindings. 2.8 lbs

Price $650 Tourability 4.5 Power 4

La Sportiva Vapor Svelte skis聽

Touring

Best For: Ski mountaineering.聽
The Test: Last year, La Sportiva changed how we think about ultralight, high-performance skis with the Vapor Nano, which layered woven Kevlar over carbon nanotubes for an unbeatable weight-to-surface-area ratio. The features the same technology鈥攐n a diet. At 96 millimeters underfoot, it鈥檚 a good deal narrower than the Nano, and it has slightly less tip rocker. The result: the best option for going fast uphill, then powering back down. 鈥淪uperlight, but with guts and a backbone,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more confident in crud than many skis with wider waists.鈥澛�
The Verdict: Astonishingly impressive on the downhill given its weight. 126/96/113; 4.6 lbs

Price $1,200 Tourability 5 Power 3

G3 Ion bindings聽

Touring

Best For: Newbie tech-binding buyers.聽
The Test: The user-friendly returns for the second year in a row technically unchanged, with easy step-in and intuitive heel risers. But skiers now have three options to choose from: the lightweight Ion 10; the even more lithe Ion LT (a brakeless option for the weight-conscious crowd); and the burly Ion 12 (shown here), which features brakes, a release value to 12 for all-mountain versatility, and a forged-aluminum body for impressive strength. 鈥淟ooks elegant, skis elegant,鈥� as one of our testers put it.
The Verdict: A sturdy binding that comes in three flavors. 1.3 lb.

Price $600 Tourability 4.5 Power 3.5

K2 Pinnacle 95 skis

All Mountain

Best For: Going fast no matter the conditions.聽
The Test: K2 built its new line of to rip downhill. A metal laminate parallels the edges of the composite core, making for superb stability and energy transfer at high speeds鈥攁lbeit with a small weight penalty. Combine that construction with long, gradual tip rocker and light tail rocker, and you get a narrow board that blasts through crud, carves down ice, and surfs surprisingly well in deep powder. Testers called it nimble, speedy, and 鈥渁 highly tuned thoroughbred鈥� of a board. Unless you ski powder every day (and you don鈥檛), this could be the only ski you need.聽
The Verdict: Performs brilliantly on both sides of the ropes. 132/95/115; 7.8 lbs

Price $850 Tourability 4.5 Power 4.5

Marker Kingpin 13 bindings聽

All Mountain

Best For: Replacing your alpine setup.聽
The Test: One of the few DIN- and ISO-certified tech options on the market, the releases just like an alpine binding in back, thanks to the wide heelpiece. It鈥檚 also easier to get into and out of than its true tech competitors. Six springs in the toe (instead of the usual four) gave testers more confidence skiing and hucking at speed. And while it鈥檚 heavier than your standard tech binding, it鈥檚 also much burlier. One tester called its performance 鈥渙n par with alpine bindings. Just bomber.鈥澛�
The Verdict: Unmatched power and safety鈥攁t a price. 3.2 lbs

Price $840 Tourability 3 Power 5

Dynastar Cham 2.0 97 skis聽

All Mountain

Best For: Smearing buttery turns.聽
The Test: This year, Dynastar traded the metal in its for a paulownia-wood core, which offers a lighter, more forgiving ride. It also reduced the amount of tip rocker, to give the ski more control at speed, and added rocker to the tail, to make executing lively turns even easier. Quick and springy underfoot, it鈥檚 ideal for the skier seeking soft snow and spring corn. Take note: at 7.5 pounds, it鈥檚 best suited to short tours close to the resort, not all-day backcountry adventures.聽
The Verdict: This playful yet stable ski is back and better than ever. 133/97/113; 7.5 lbs

Price $700 Tourability 4 Power 4

22 Designs Outlaw NTN bindings聽

All Mountain

Best For: Telemarkers seeking ultimate power.聽
The Test: This is the latest addition to 22 -Designs鈥� gang of stainless-steel (read: nearly indestructible) telemark bindings. It鈥檚 also the company鈥檚 first NTN offering, which means it鈥檚 step-in and compatible with NTN-specific boots from Crispi, Scarpa, and Scott. Maintaining the brand鈥檚 hard-charging pedigree, the has a six-hole mounting pattern for better grip on your ski, custom spring-tension settings, and 50 degrees of free pivot in walk mode. 鈥淥ld-school tele feel with the stiffness of NTN,鈥� one tester said.聽
The Verdict: All the power and edge hold of NTN from a performance leader. 3.5 lbs

Price $400 Tourability 3.5 Power 4.5

Blizzard Zero G 108 skis聽

Big Mountain

Best For: Doing it all.聽
The Test: The widest ski in Blizzard鈥檚 new Zero G line, the is neither the lightest nor the hardest-charging ski we tested. But it might be the perfect compromise. The paulownia core and carbon-fiber frame matched with a fairly wide waist and early rise had testers raving about the floaty ride in powder. On icy steeps, it held its edge and carved quick turns, with traditional camber underfoot and sidewall construction. It sailed through variable conditions, too, with embedded carbon from tip to tail dampening vibrations through chunder.聽
The Verdict: The best performance-to-weight ratio here. 136/108/122; 7.3 lbs

Price $960 Tourability 4.5 Power 4

Salomon Guardian MNC 13 bindings聽

Big Mountain

Best For: Resort skiers who dabble in touring.聽
The Test: Widely regarded as the best frame binding on the market, the (identical to the Atomic Tracker, just with different paint) returns unchanged this season. With a maximum DIN of 13, it鈥檚 built for big, bold descents, but take note: it will inflict suffering on the way back up, given its weight鈥攁bout double the next heaviest binding on this page. But when it comes to easy operation (a flick of the pole puts it in walk mode) and compatibility (it works with most boot soles鈥擜T, alpine, or Walk to Ride), the Guardian can鈥檛 be beat.聽
The Verdict: Does everything an alpine binding does, with the added option of touring. 6.4 lbs

Price $450 Tourability 2.5 Power 5

Armada KUFO 103 skis聽

Big Mountain

Best For: Going from powder to crud.聽
The Test: The new is the same width as last year鈥檚, but it鈥檚 16 percent lighter, with nary a drop in downhill performance. The board鈥檚 caruba-wood core makes for a buoyant ride, while carbon and Kevlar throughout give it crud-busting stability. Armada kept almost everything else the same, including the early rise and camber underfoot, which contributes to its playfulness, and a flat tail for driving turns. 鈥淜udos to Armada for making a ski that both surfs and rails,鈥� one tester said.聽
The Verdict: A powerhouse all-mountain option, now lighter and with more float. 119/102/123; 7 lbs

Price $775 Tourability 4 Power 4

Dynafit Beast 14 bindings聽

Big Mountain

Best For: The hardest chargers.聽
The Test: The uses the same turntable-toe technology as Dynafit鈥檚 Radical 2.0 (page 102) and the same heelpiece as the Beast 16. The result: a binding that smooths out harsh bumps, locks your boot in place, and releases safely in a crash. Oh yeah, it鈥檚 also about a third of a pound lighter than the 16 without sacrificing down-hill performance. We do have two complaints: AT boots must be modified with a metal heel fitting (included) to be compatible, and there鈥檚 no zero-degree option in tour mode for the flats.聽
The Verdict: Best-in-class downhill performance with some touring limitations. 3.5 lbs

Price $750 Tourability 3.5 Power 4.5

The post The Best Backcountry Skis and Bindings of 2016 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.