Drifter 96

The 2027 Extrem Drifter 96 is a free-touring ski for people who want to climb for their turns without giving up a composed descent. At 96 mm underfoot it is a narrower, lighter alternative to the Drifter 102, with five sizes from 158 to 186 cm. The waist and moderate rocker suit long tours across changing snow better than a very narrow race-tour ski, while the low listed weights make it practical when the route involves substantial climbing.

Extrem combines a poplar and paulownia core with prepreg fiberglass and carbon fiber. The mixed laminate reinforces the light core for the descent. Rocker at tip and tail helps it plane and pivot in soft snow; a beech binding plate gives a secure mounting surface, and a reinforced tail protector accepts a climbing-skin clip. The thinner 1.9 by 1.5 mm steel edge saves weight compared with Extrem’s resort models.

Choose the Drifter 96 if you expect long uphill days but still prioritize how the ski feels on the way down. Its 96 mm waist provides useful float for ordinary touring conditions, though a wider ski is a better match for frequent deep powder. At roughly 1.2 to 1.6 kg per ski, it is not the lightest tool for race-paced ascents, and its directional freeride shape is less suited to park skiing than a resort twin.