How to choose backcountry skis


Winter sports, Trekking, How to choose -guides, Backcountry skiing by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 19.11.2020
Terrain is the most importat thing you need to take into account when you buy backcountry skis.


Skis for forest

In the forest and on flat terrain, the skis need to carry the skier over snow. This is why forest skis are normally long and wide. There are different types of bases: traction pattern, wax, grip coating and skin. Skis with traction pattern have a very good traction and they are easy to maintain. The wax base has the best slide when the waxing has been done well. We can warmly recommend the best and most functional forest skis in our selection, Metsä-series from Peltonen.
-4%
Peltonen Metsä Step BC
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Skis‪»
Peltonen Metsä Step BC
Campaign price 240,16 €
(48)
Available in stock
-1%
Peltonen Metsä Skin
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Skis‪»
Peltonen Metsä Skin
Campaign price 325,37 €
(67)
Available in stock


Forest skis are used with (winter) boots and suitable bindings. A few examples of good forest ski bindings:
-14%
Finngrip Erä touringbinding
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Backcountry bindings‪»
Finngrip Erä touringbinding
Campaign price 76,73 €
(60)
Available in stock
-20%
Finngrip Erä touringbinding (split model)
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Backcountry bindings‪»
Finngrip Erä touringbinding (split model)
Outlet price 70,75 €
(5)
Available in stock

Skis for mountain

In the mountains, especially in spring, it is good to use skis with steel edges since the wind and the spring sun make the snow quite hard. The metal edges create traction when skiing on a sloping surface. Mountain/touring skis are normally shorter and narrower than forest skis since in the mountains, you don't need so much flotation. There are touring skis with traction patterned base and with wax base. Some models, such as Fischer EasySkin ExtraLight, also have removable skins.

In mountain skis you usually have BC bindings, which are more solid than normal ski bindings, and ski boots that are compatible with the bindings. You can also use light telemark bindings and combatible boots.

-11%
Rottefella NNN-BC Magnum
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Backcountry bindings‪»
Rottefella NNN-BC Magnum
Campaign price 61,98 €
(86)
Available in stock
-20%
Rottefella NNN-BC Manual
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Backcountry bindings‪»
Rottefella NNN-BC Manual
Campaign price 59,92 €
(137)
Available in stock

Sliding snowshoes

What are they? Sliding snowshoes combine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. The skis are wider and shorter than normal mountain skis. There are fixed skins in the middle of the base. The steel edges make downhill skiing remarkably easier.

OAC Kar 149 + EA 2.0 bindings
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Skis‪»
OAC Kar 149 + EA 2.0 bindings
369,90 €
(589)
Available in stock
OAC Wap 129 + EA 2.0 bindings
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Skis‪»
OAC Wap 129 + EA 2.0 bindings
369,00 €
(141)
Available in stock
OAC XCD GT 160 + EA 2.0 bindings
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Skis‪»
OAC XCD GT 160 + EA 2.0 bindings
389,00 €
(198)
Available in stock
Short introduction to Skinbased skiing

Poles

For hard snow, the length of the pole is calculated by multiplying the length of the skier with 0.83. A skier of 180 cm should use a pole of about 150 cm. Softer snow requires longer poles and bigger baskets.

From -16%
Peltonen Metsä Poles
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Deep snow poles‪»
Peltonen Metsä Poles
Campaign price starting from 54,23 €
(165)
Available in stock


Skins

Touring skis often need extra traction for upphill climbs. The most handy solution is having separate skins. When skiing with a pulka, the skins are useful even on flat ground.
-20%
Åsnes X-Skin Mohair
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Cross-country skiing‪»Skis‪»Accessories‪»Skin grips‪»
Åsnes X-Skin Mohair
Campaign price starting from 59,12 €
(77)
Available in stock
From -16%
Colltex Tödi Crystal Straight Skins
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Cross-country skiing‪»Skis‪»Accessories‪»Skin grips‪»
Colltex Tödi Crystal Straight Skins
Campaign price starting from 84,44 €
(2)
-20%
Åsnes X-Skin Nylon
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Cross-country skiing‪»Skis‪»Accessories‪»Skin grips‪»
Åsnes X-Skin Nylon
Campaign price starting from 54,32 €
(51)
Available in stock
From -20%
Colltex BC Skin Mohair
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Cross-country skiing‪»Skis‪»Accessories‪»Skin grips‪»
Colltex BC Skin Mohair
Campaign price starting from 79,92 €
Available in stock

Sledges/pulkas

Pulka is the trustworthy friend of the backcountry skier. Why carry things on your back when you can pull a light pulka?

Sledges & pulks
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»
Sledges & pulks
-20%
ERAPro 60" PRO 960 Expedition Sled
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Sledges & pulks‪»Ski touring pulks and sleds‪»
ERAPro 60" PRO 960 Expedition Sled
Campaign price 63,92 €
(306)
Available in stock
-14%
Fjellpulken X-Country 144cm
 
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Sledges & pulks‪»Ski touring pulks and sleds‪»
Fjellpulken X-Country 144cm
Campaign price 587,14 €
(59)
Available in stock
-16%
Fjellpulken Expedition Xplorer 168 cm
Sports‪»Skiing‪»Backcountry skiing‪»Sledges & pulks‪»Expedition sledges & pulks‪»
Fjellpulken Expedition Xplorer 168 cm
Campaign price 926,91 €
(12)
Available in stock

You might also be interested in

Syksyn Garmin -uutuudet

Garmin Fenix 8 tuo useita merkittäviä päivityksiä verrattuna aiempiin Fenix 7 -malleihin. Suurin muutos on AMOLED-näyttö, joka parantaa visuaalista kokemusta entistä kirkkaammalla ja värikkäämmällä 1 000 nitin näytöllä. Tämä tuo Fenix-sarjan lähemmäksi älykellojen näyttöteknologi...

Heat Experience – Warmth from the North

Heat Experience brings warmth exactly where it's needed most. Founded in Norway in 2016, Heat Experience is dedicated to designing and manufacturing battery-heated clothing and accessories that keep users warm even in Arctic conditions. Whether you're ice fishing, in a hockey are...

Find your perfect Primus stove: The complete selection guide

Choosing the right stove can make all the difference on your outdoor adventures. Whether you're a solo hiker, a group camper, or an expedition adventurer, Primus offers a range of stoves to suit your needs. Here's a guide to help you decide—and a special spotlight on the innovati...