OBERSON BUYING GUIDE
How to Choose Alpine Touring Skis
Alpine touring skis take you on adventures far from the lift lines. With skins attached to their bases, they let you glide into the backcountry with a free heel. Once at the top, you clip into your bindings and ski down, making turns with an alpine ski technique. Couloirs, bowls, and woods become your mountain playground. All kinds of snow await—trackless deep pow, wind slab, hardpack, crud, slush, and everything in between. All that variety is reflected in the various types of touring skis for different skiing styles, conditions, and terrain types. Here’s how to choose the best alpine touring skis for you.
AT A GLANCE
This overview covers what you need to know to find the right alpine touring skis. To choose the right pair, start by homing in on skis designed for the terrain and conditions you most often ski: all-mountain, powder, freeride, mountaineering, or race skis. From there, you can fine-tune the choice based on profile, waist width, length, and turn radius.
What type of touring ski should you choose?
Alpine touring skis split into five main types, each designed for a different terrain, snow conditions, and skiing styles.
| Ski Type | Key Features | Perfect For |
|---|---|---|
| All-Mountain | 95 mm–110 mm waist, 1,300 g–1,650 g, moderate rocker and camber | One ski for everything |
| Powder | Waist above 110 mm, medium-to-short turn radius, generous tip and tail rocker | Deep powder (at least 25 cm+) |
| Freeride | 1,500 g and up, made to absorb impact | Fast skiing with jumps and drops |
| Mountaineering | Under 1,350 g, 85 mm–95 mm waist, significant camber | Long approaches, big vert, hardpack, ice, variable snow |
| Race (Skimo) | Under 85 mm waist, under 1,000 g | Uphill speed above all else |
All-Mountain
Choose an all-mountain ski if you want one setup that handles almost anything reasonably well rather than being a specialist that does one thing perfectly. For the sake of your budget or in a spirit of minimalism, these skis can be your quiver of one. They’re wide enough underfoot to float in powder and narrow enough to still set an edge on hardpack.
- Waist width: 95 mm–110 mm
- Weight: 1,300 g–1,650 g
- Moderate rocker and camber for edge grip and easy turn initiation
Powder
Choose a powder ski if you’re planning a trip to Japan or the Rockies or have access to a reliable, secret backwoods pow stash. Whatever you have underfoot, powder skiing is always a blast. But filling this quiver slot will take you to the highest levels of floaty bliss. With wet, heavy storms, you only need 20 cm or so of accumulation for powder skis to pay off.
- 110 mm+ waist for more float
- Performs best with 20 cm–25 cm+ of fresh snow
- Medium-to-short turn radius for quick turns in trees
- Generous tip and tail rocker to stay on top
- Some backcountry-oriented models now under 1,500 g
Freeride
If you ski powder fast and seek out jumps and big drops, go with a freeride ski. Freeride skis are powder skis’ burlier big brothers who can float but are also ready to go hard and take a beating.
- Minimum weight: 1,500 g
- Designed for sending it, not just skiing it
- Absorbs shocks and dampens vibrations at speed
Mountaineering
Pick mountaineering skis if your objectives sit way above the treeline and far from the road. They’re lightweight for less effort on long approaches and big climbs and have a narrower waist for faster, more powerful, precise edge-to-edge transitions.
- Weight: under 1,350 g
- Waist width: 85 mm–95 mm
- Significant camber for grip on hardpack, ice, and corn snow
- Often sized slightly shorter for tight, steep couloirs
Race (Skimo)
If you race or just have a masochistic appreciation for climbing uphill and enjoy crushing your friends on Strava, choose a race ski. But that lightness and blazing uphill speed come at a cost: the way down won’t be stellar.
- Waist width: under 85 mm
- Weight: under 1,000 g
- Designed for climbing speed, not descending comfort
How much camber or rocker do you need in a touring ski?
The right balance depends on where you ski most: more camber for better edge grip on firm snow and more rocker for better float in powder and wet snow. Camber is the arc away from the snow underfoot when the ski is unweighted; rocker is the upward curve at the tip and tail. Most touring skis have both to varying degrees based on the ski’s intended terrain type(s).
More Camber
Choose a profile with significant camber if you often ski on firm snow, hardpack, or ice, for example, when getting some cardio at the resort or skiing above treeline. Camber loads energy into the ski and grips the edge more decisively.
- More pop
- More edge grip
- Doesn’t pivot easily in soft snow
More Rocker
Go with more rocker in the profile if you’re a powder hound or often encounter deep, wet snow. Rocker keeps the tip (and sometimes tail) above the snow and makes turn initiation easier. The main drawback is that rocker reduces the effective edge underfoot, which makes it harder to set an edge on hardpack and ice.
- Easier pivoting
- Keeps the ski afloat in powder and crud
- Less control and edge grip on hardpack
How wide should your touring skis be?
Wider skis float better in wet snow and powder; narrower skis get from edge to edge faster and have better grip on hardpack.
Narrower (under 95 mm)
Select a ski with a narrower waist if you ski on hardpack and want to make quick, precise turns. Less material underfoot means less swing weight and quicker transitions edge to edge.
- More leverage when traversing steep slopes
- Faster edge-to-edge transitions
- Lighter, easier to kick-turn on steep skin tracks
- Sink in deep powder, making turning tougher
Mid-Width (95 mm–110 mm)
Go with a mid-width waist if you want one ski that handles a mix of conditions.
- Versatile
- Balances float and edge grip
- Best choice for a quiver-of-one setup
Wider (110mm+)
If you prioritize float, a wider waist is best. The disadvantage shows up when you hit firmer snow, where more difficult edge setting can cause skidding.
- More float in deep powder
- Less precision and control on hardpack or ice
How long should your touring skis be?
Stood upright on its tail, a touring ski should reach somewhere between your chin and the top of your head. This is a reasonable starting point, but keep in mind that skis with more rocker will ski shorter than their stated length suggests.
Shorter
Choose a shorter length if you value manoeuvrability over raw speed.
- Easier kick turns on steep switchbacks
- Lighter for easier climbing and long approaches
- Less stable at speed or in crud
- Often better for beginners
Longer
Go with a longer ski if you want more speed and float.
- More float in deep powder
- Damper and more stable at speed
- Heavier, which can be more fatiguing
- Often better for experienced skiers
What turn radius is right for you?
A short turn radius is best if you tend to make quick, tight turns; skiers who prefer big, sweeping arcs should go with a long turn radius. Turn radius comes from the ski’s sidecut—its shape seen from above—and is indicated in metres. It refers to the curve a ski naturally follows when put on edge.
Shorter Radius
A shorter turn radius is the right choice if you ski tight trees and narrow couloirs. It’s best for a more controlled skiing style.
- Quicker, tighter turns
- Easier to pivot
- Less stable at high speed
Longer Radius
Choose a longer turn radius if you like to rip down open terrain. A longer radius holds a wide arc and stays composed at speed.
- Best for big turns
- More stable at high speed
- Slower to change direction in tight terrain
FAQ — How to Choose Alpine Touring Skis
Are touring skis sold with bindings?
Touring skis are sold separately from bindings. You’ll need a binding that fits your skiing style and is compatible with your boots. For a complete overview of how to choose an AT binding, see our guide.
What’s the difference between touring skis and regular alpine skis?
Touring skis are lighter than alpine skis, which makes climbing up the mountain easier. That weight savings comes from lighter core materials and construction, often at some cost to downhill stability and dampening compared to an alpine ski of similar width and profile.
Can you use touring skis at the resort?
Yes, alpine touring skis can work well at the resort, especially if you are skinning up for just a few runs. That said, the lighter weight that makes them efficient on the climb also makes them less stable and less damp at high speeds on hardpack and ice compared to a ski designed for lift-served terrain.
Do you need special boots for touring skis?
Yes, alpine touring boots have a walk mode that unlocks the cuff for a natural stride on the way up. They’re also lighter than alpine boots to save weight on approaches and climbs. The trade-off is that the lighter build costs some of the stiffness, dampness, and precision an alpine boot gives you on the descent.
Are skins included with touring skis?
No, skins are sold separately. Some ski brands partner with skin manufacturers to offer precut skins for a specific ski model and length, but these are a separate purchase.
Where can I start alpine touring in Quebec?
Many Quebec resorts offer beginner-friendly uphill trails alongside groomed descents. It’s a great way to work on your cardiovascular fitness and get the hang of your gear in a patrolled environment. Once you’re ready to head into the woods, there are some backcountry areas that are great spots for skiers new to alpine touring. The FQME has developed some gladed backcountry ski zones with marked skin tracks and relatively open, low-angle terrain. For specific recommendations on some of the best resorts and backcountry zones by region, see our guide “9 places in Quebec to start alpine touring.”
Alpine Touring Skis at Oberson
Alpine Touring Skis at Oberson
Whether you’re a powder hound, a ski mountaineer, or a freerider, the right touring skis make a big difference when you’re out in the backcountry. Oberson offers a broad selection of touring skis from top brands, such as Atomic, Dynafit, Nordica, and Blizzard for a variety of skiing styles and terrain. Need advice? Our ski specialists are here to help so you choose a pair that meets your needs. Shop online or visit our stores in Laval or Brossard to browse our selection.
