G3

Synapse Carbon 92 Ski

Not all skis can, or should, be powder-crushing monsters, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to handle their business on whatever snow and terrain the backcountry has to offer. G3's Synapse Carbon 92 Ski might be the smallest and lightest in the Synapse family, but it can handle hardpack, crud, ice, and powder—the grab bag of conditions that you'll find on any given day in the alpine—and that's just the way G3 wanted it. At well under six pounds per pair, the Synapse makes short work of skin tracks, bootpacks, and long alpine approaches, but does so without compromising performance on the descent. It has a light, energetic poplar and paulownia wood core that's laid up with two sheets of differently woven carbon fiber to keep it stiff enough to handle rough snow, with ABS and TPU sidewalls to direct plenty of power to the burly steel edges when things get a little dicey.

In addition to the carbon fiber, the Synapse keeps weight down via its Stealth Razor profile, which keeps the core thinner near the edges, reducing weight where possible without sacrificing durability and stiffness. The shape of the Synapse is also worth discussing, as it features a highly rockered tip, minimally cambered section underfoot, and early rise tail that provides a supreme combination of float in the deep and edge grip on firm snow, with equal measures of surfiness and directional feel. The base is made of tough P-Tex 2000 Electra to handle the occasional ding, and there's even a Titanal plate under the binding zone to ensure rugged mounts and serious binding retention, because stepping out of a shoe in a no-fall zone is the last thing you want.