Welcome to our guide on the best backcountry skis for the 2020-2021 winter ski season. With the ongoing pandemic, this season in the backcountry will be like no other, so if you are reading this and you’re new to the backcountry or simply looking for a new pair of skis to take you deeper into the mountains and away from everyone, we have you covered.
And this guide isn’t just for me. Ladies, we’ve taken the time to find the best women’s backcountry skis as well. The ladies shred as hard as the men, so let’s get you on some sick sticks!
Best Men’s backcountry skis 2020-2021
If you’re a man heading into the backcountry this winter, here are the best backcountry skis made especially for you.
Pair these with a good set of pin bindings and backcountry boots and you’re ready for a great season in the backcountry.
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/brand/black-crows/black-crows-navis-freebird-skis-2021-173
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/sport/skiing/dps-skis-mens-wailer-a99-skis
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/sport/skiing/skis/black-diamond-helio-105-carbon-ski-3
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/sport/skiing/skis/black-diamond-helio-88-ski-2
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/sport/skiing/dps-skis-cassiar-t87-ski
Best Women’s backcountry skis 2020-2021
Here are the best women’s backcountry skis for 2020-2021. Women’s skis are by and large softer and lighter than men’s skis but that doesn’t mean they rip any less!
Pair these with a good set of pin bindings and backcountry boots and you’re ready for a great season in the backcountry.
https://www.singlegeared.com/shop/sport/skiing/dps-skis-uschi-f87-c2-ski
What makes backcountry skis different from alpine skis?
One of the most common questions we get from people considering getting into backcountry skiing is what the difference is between backcountry and alpine skis.
In a nutshell, both get you down the hill well. But, there are some differences.
First off, backcountry skis tend to be much lighter than more traditional alpine skis. This is because backcountry skis are made for both ascending and descending, and the lighter your skis the easier it is to go up so you can go down.
Second, backcountry skis tend to be wider than most alpine skis. While you can, of course, find alpine skis that are meant for powder and very wide, backcountry skis are not as curved as alpine skis and thus don’t carve as well on groomed runs but perform admirably in powder.
Third, backcountry skis usually have pin bindings instead of alpine bindings, which in backcountry skiing are called “platform” bindings because you can release your heel to still skin uphill. These are, of course, much heavier than pin bindings and similar weight to alpine bindings.