How well do backcountry skis and ski boots gear work on groomed slopes?
Updated: Oct 29
Modern backcountry and ski touring equipment can perform well on groomed pistes, as long as the slopes are not too icy.
A lot also depends on the kind of touring equipment you choose, and on whether you favour the climb or the descent. Ski equipment is a real investment that deserves careful thought, and the choice on the market is very wide.
Making the right choice takes some care, especially as shops will often steer you towards what they have in stock rather than what suits you. PowderWeGo is here to help you choose well and make the most of your investment in ski gear.
If you choose super-light touring equipment to favour the climb, perhaps with short skis to save weight, it will feel nervous and tiring on groomed slopes.
If you are happy to carry a little more weight on the way up and choose good freeride skis and backcountry boots for the way down, your touring equipment will be a pleasure on groomed slopes.
Here are our tips for good skiers who want equipment that tours well and still gives great runs on the pistes, at speed. This set-up clearly favours the descent, yet our team climbs for hours every day in winter on this combination.
Brands such as Völkl now make excellent freeride skis, lively on piste, especially in long turns, and light enough to be pleasant on the climb.
BMT 109 | Touring | Skis | Products | Völkl
We recommend Plum Yak bindings on skis wider than 100 mm. In over 20 years working off-piste, they are the low-tech bindings we have found most reliable against accidental release, including on skis 112 mm wide or more.
As for boots, many brands now make good freeride models with a walk mode, low-tech inserts, a flex above 110 and a Vibram sole. What matters most is finding a brand whose shape fits your feet.
If you are coming to Val d’Isère, you can visit us at PowderWeGo, or simply get in touch with us for more tips.
We organise off-piste and ski touring trips, and we are glad to share what we have learnt about equipment so you can choose what suits your skiing. We do not sell ski equipment, so our tips are free and we have no reason to favour one brand over another.
Our only aim is that you find exactly what you need.
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