![]() ![]() It’s a really solid in-bounds and out-of-bounds ski.” Bonus: It’s also a little less expensive. “It’s got a poplar core and it’s pretty light, but it’s made with fiberglass instead of all carbon. “The Helio Recon is a great option,” Merriman says. ![]() Want to split your time between the resorts and the backcountry? Pick a ski designed to do both. Are you going all in on backcountry skiing? A lighter-weight, backcountry-specific ski (like the Helio Carbon 104 Merriman likes) could be the best option for you. When you choose a backcountry ski setup, it’s important to consider your actual plans for use. At the end of the day, “I wouldn’t think there’s anything different about selecting a ski length for the backcountry than a resort.” Stick with the length you’re used to skiing.Ī waist between 95 and 105mm is the sweet spot for most backcountry skiing. Sure, shorter skis can be helpful when it comes to making kick turns or maneuvering in tight trees, but they provide less float when it comes to powder, Merriman says. “ I would say that for 90% of what I go out to ski, the Helio Carbon 104 is perfect.” “Whenever I travel to ski, unless I have a specific objective, I take a Helio Carbon 104 ,” Merriman says. But most of the time, 95 to 105 is that sweet spot for a backcountry ski. “In places where they get a ton of snow, you’ll see people skiing with 115mm underfoot. “When it comes to the width of the ski, the snow that you ski is obviously a factor,” Merriman explains. (Around 5.5 to 8 pounds is a good ballpark range, though your ideal ski weight will vary depending on your height and weight.) Merriman recommends finding a ski that hits the middle of the weight spectrum by using a mix of materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber, and lighter woods like paulownia or balsam. Plus, the lighter the ski, the less durable it will be. Lighter skis, on the other hand, are dreamy while touring, but they can result in a bouncier, more unstable ride. Resort skis, which are often made of heavier materials like fiberglass and poplar wood, handle well on the downhill, but the weight will leave you huffing on the uphills. “Weight isn’t everything, but it does matter,” Merriman says. Your boots, bindings, skis, and skins should work in harmony. Before you buy something new, ask an expert how it will pair with what you’ve already got. Different bindings work better with different boots, and some skins work best with certain skis. Think of your boots, bindings, skins, and skis not as four distinct pieces of gear but as a single system designed to work together, Merriman says. Think of your backcountry ski setup as an integrated system. As Black Diamond’s ski category manager and an experienced backcountry skier himself, he’s got some insider tips for picking the perfect setup.ġ. To demystify the process and help you choose a backcountry ski setup that works for you, we talked to Andy Merriman, who’s been involved in engineering and designing skis for nearly 17 years. If you find yourself leaving gear conversations with your head spinning like a kid throwing 360s at the terrain park, you’re not alone. But it can also be pretty overwhelming.Ĭamber or rocker? Paulownia or poplar? Fiberglass or carbon? There are so many skis out there (and so many friends with really strong opinions). Making the leap is one of the most exciting parts of getting started in backcountry skiing. So you’ve been backcountry skiing a few times and you’re ready to choose a backcountry ski setup. ![]()
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