Atomic

Backland 95 Alpine Touring Ski + Hybrid Skin 95

The creation of lightweight skis that are manageable on the skintrack and are a blast on the descent also play a role in the growth of backcountry skiers, and Atomic's Backland 95 Ski + Hybrid Skin 95 is a perfect example of such a stick. This ski weighs in just under seven pounds per pair to assure a light tour up steep hills filled with untracked goodness. Atomic pre-cut the Hybrid Skin 95 to fit this Backland Ski perfectly, so you're ready to ski as soon as the bindings are drilled on.

A 95-millimeter waist width makes the Backland an excellent quiver-of-one ski that plays equally well in powder and hardpack. The ski's All Mountain Rocker includes an early rise tip to increase float in powder and ease turn initiation, while camber underfoot ensures solid edge hold in crud and downright icy conditions. As a bonus, Atomic's HRZN Tech tip adds more surface area to the tip for increased flotation in softer snow, and an enhanced ability to plow through crud, all without adding to the ski's overall weight. To keep the ski ultralight, Atomic made the core out of lightweight caruba wood, but there's a touch of poppy poplar to give the ski a playful feel. There's also a carbon backbone to add exceptional agility and edge hold without much added weight.