Black Diamond

Link 105 Ski

Searching for untracked lines is a good way to ditch the shenanigans of civilization, but if you end up in the hospital with hip flexors that look like pulled pork, you'll be stuck back in the rat race for longer than you'd like. Black Diamond's made its money making gear to get you away (and back safely), and the new Link 105 Ski is a lightweight touring board that'll take you where you need to go with minimal fuss and then get you down with a killer combo of stability, power, and playfulness. The secret's in the core, which has been machined from ultra-lightweight paulownia wood and laid up with pre-prepreg fiberglass, so the Link tips the scales at a shrimpy seven-or-so pounds and rips like a freeride ski. Stacked ABS sidewalls let you lay down plenty of power into the edges when the conditions start getting firm and rubber dampening layers in the sidewalls give the Link a damp, stable feel without the need for metal.

At 105mm underfoot, the Link sits firmly in the sweet spot between quiver-of-one and powder ski, which basically makes it the perfect everyday backcountry board (we're out there to ski powder, after all, not hardpack). Camber underfoot serves up solid edge hold and predictability, while the rocker in the tip and tail let you cruise through deeper snow, through your skis sideways. and get just loose enough to have a good time when the going gets soft. The P-Tex sintered base is fast, durable, and easy to repair, and the stainless steel tail protector makes it easy to plunge your skis into the snow and also sports a small notch for easy and reliable skin attachment.