Editor’s shortlist · 10 skis2026/27
Best touring skis (2026/27)
A shortlist from the reviewed 2026/27 catalogue. Betterskis has not tested these skis itself: the selection uses each ski’s reviewed suitability, the manufacturer’s specifications and the independent tests linked on its page.
Touring skis are used for climbing on skins as well as skiing down, so weight matters more than on any other kind of ski. Every gram is lifted with each step, but lighter skis are also less stable in heavy or icy snow on the descent. The right balance depends on how long your climbs are and how demanding the descents.
Waists around 85 to 95 mm suit long days, spring snow and firmer conditions where edge grip on traverses counts. Skis around 100 to 106 mm are better for deep winter snow and descents that matter more than the climb, at the cost of more weight and slower skinning. A moderate radius and some tip rocker help with the varied snow touring usually brings.
Weight is only comparable at a stated reference length, so read the per-length figure on each ski page; Betterskis only shows manufacturer weights where the basis is known. These skis are usually sold flat, without bindings, and paired with a touring binding of your choice; the binding and boot affect the uphill and downhill feel as much as the ski. For length, many tourers choose a little shorter than their resort ski for kick turns and steep climbs. Touring also requires avalanche training and safety equipment, which no ski choice replaces.
The shortlist
17 reviewed models qualify; the first 10 are shown.
- 01
AtomicBACKLAND 95
The 2027 Atomic Backland 95 is an all-round touring ski for people who want a manageable climb and a more supportive descent than a narrow fast-and-light ski provides. Choose the Backland 95 if most of your skiing is earned on skins and you want one touring ski for a mix of spring snow, firm passages and moderate powder.
- Waist
- 93–96 mm
- Radius
- 16–19 m
- Lengths
- 161–185 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: HRZN 3D Backland tip · Poplar Light Woodcore and All-Terrain Profile · Directional shape with minimal tail rocker. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 02
BlizzardZero G 96
The Blizzard Zero G 96 is a touring ski for long approaches and varied backcountry descents. Choose it for an intermediate or advanced tourer who wants one relatively light ski for mixed backcountry snow. Its light build also offers less damping through rough resort snow than a heavier alpine ski, so regular lift-served use is a compromise.
- Waist
- 96 mm
- Radius
- 18–22 m
- Lengths
- 164–185 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced
Construction: Trueblend Tour woodcore · Ash wood insert · Five-radius sidecut. Each is explained on the ski page.
Related reviewed listing: Zero G 96 W
- 03
AtomicBACKLAND 89 SL
The Atomic Backland 89 SL is a light all-round touring ski for people who want to cover vertical efficiently without giving up a useful downhill platform. This is a sensible choice for touring skiers who value uphill efficiency and a nimble feel, from capable intermediates building backcountry mileage to experienced users seeking a lighter setup. Its 89 mm waist offers some float, but it is not a powder specialist; a wider ski gives more support in deep snow, while a heavier build can feel calmer in chopped, refrozen terrain.
- Waist
- 88.5–90.5 mm
- Radius
- 14.4–18.4 m
- Lengths
- 155–183 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: HRZN 3D tip · All-Terrain Profile · Poplar and caruba wood core. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 04
BlizzardZero G 105
The Blizzard Zero G 105 is a wide touring ski for backcountry days when the descent and fresh snow justify carrying more surface area uphill. Choose it for an advanced or expert tourer who prioritizes powder, bowls and substantial downhill lines. It gives up some firm-snow quickness and uphill efficiency to narrower touring skis, and its light construction is less suited to repeated rough resort laps than a heavier freeride ski.
- Waist
- 103–105 mm
- Radius
- 18–24 m
- Lengths
- 164–188 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Carbon Drive 3.0 · Paulownia core · Early-rise tip and tail. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 05
SalomonS/LAB QST Echo
The 2027 Salomon S/LAB QST Echo is a touring-focused freeride ski for skiers who want a capable descent after earning their turns. Choose the Echo for an advanced or expert tourer who prioritizes uphill efficiency but still wants a substantial freeride shape on the descent. A narrower touring ski makes more sense when firm traverses and long climbs dominate the plan, while the Echo leaves more room for soft-snow performance.
- Waist
- 106 mm
- Radius
- 16–20 m
- Lengths
- 157–189 cm (5 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Karuba / Poplar Full Woodcore · Flax Carbon Superlight Fibers · Cork Damplifier. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 06
RossignolESCAPER 88 NANO OPEN
The Rossignol Escaper 88 Nano Open is a narrow touring ski for skiers who prioritize uphill travel and quick, controlled direction changes on the descent. Choose it for a touring skier whose objectives involve varied mountain snow and who wants a compact platform rather than maximum powder flotation.
- Waist
- 88 mm
- Radius
- 13–20 m
- Lengths
- 156–182 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: Aero Profile · V-Skin Anchor · Nano Titanal. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 07
RossignolESCAPER 105 NANO OPEN
The Rossignol Escaper 105 Nano Open is a touring ski for skiers who want substantial support in soft snow without using a heavy resort build. Choose it for a touring skier who values flotation and a substantial platform when fresh snow is part of the objective.
- Waist
- 105 mm
- Radius
- 18–22 m
- Lengths
- 170–187 cm (3 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: Aero Profile · V-Skin Anchor · Nano Titanal. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 08
AtomicBACKLAND 102
The Atomic BACKLAND 102 is a freeride-oriented touring ski for skiers who want a light uphill platform with enough width and structure for meaningful descents. Pick the Backland 102 if earning turns matters as much as skiing them and you want a versatile touring width for soft snow, trees and open backcountry lines. Its light construction cannot match a heavier resort freeride ski for damping through chop, and a 102 mm waist is more work on long firm traverses than a narrower touring model.
- Waist
- 101–102.5 mm
- Radius
- 17–20 m
- Lengths
- 164–186 cm (4 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: FreeTour Profile · Ultra Light Woodcore · HRZN 3D tip. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 09
AtomicBACKLAND 108 W
The Atomic BACKLAND 108 W is a women’s freeride touring ski for days when the descent matters as much as the climb. This is a useful choice for tourers who want a single wide ski for powder and changing snow without carrying a heavy resort build. At 167 cm Atomic lists 1,310 g per ski (2,620 g per pair); the light mass is useful on long climbs but does not make this a dedicated skimo tool.
- Waist
- 108–109 mm
- Radius
- 14.5–17.5 m
- Lengths
- 158–176 cm (3 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Construction: HRZN 3D Backland Tip · FreeTour Profile · Poplar and Caruba Ultra Light Woodcore. Each is explained on the ski page.
- 10
AtomicBACKLAND 109
The Atomic Backland 109 is a wide freeride-touring ski for skiers who climb for deep snow and big-mountain lines. Choose it if you value the descent over uphill efficiency and want a surf-friendly ski for deep days, spring snow and variable backcountry terrain. It is not a featherweight approach tool, and its wide shape feels slower edge to edge than a narrower touring ski.
- Waist
- 109–110 mm
- Radius
- 17.5–20 m
- Lengths
- 176–189 cm (3 lengths)
- Reviewed for
- Advanced, Expert
Construction: HRZN 3D Backland tip · FreeTour Profile · Poplar-and-caruba Ultra Light Woodcore. Each is explained on the ski page.
More shortlists
- Best all-mountain skis for intermediatesAll-mountain · intermediate
- Best beginner piste skisPiste · beginner
- Best piste skis for intermediatesPiste · intermediate
- Best piste skis for advanced and expert skiersPiste · advanced and expert
- Best women’s all-mountain skisWomen’s all-mountain
- Best freeride skis for advanced skiersFreeride · advanced
- Best powder skisFreeride · 108 mm and wider