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Alpine Touring Skis

Alpine Touring Skis

Here at Telemark Pyrenees we stock a huge range of skis that are can be used for alpine ski touring. Many of these skis have been designed specifically for ski touring, while others are alpine models that lend themselves well to being used for touring. Advances in ski design and materials in the last few years mean that many alpine skis weigh much less than previous models, so can be considered for touring. Some of these "alpine crossover" skis weigh only a little more than the dedicated touring models, but offer superior downhill perfomance.

Ski touring has evolved and now encompasses a wide range of different skiing styles and adventures. Sidecountry skiers only venture a short distance from the resort and usually prefer performance downhill skis. Ski Mountaineers want to climb and descend as many vertical metres as possible and count every gram: uphill performance is as important as the downhill. Backcountry skiers covering long distances will want a lightweight mid-fat ski that climbs well and skis well in most snow conditions, from ice to powder. Ski touring has always been a great way to keep fit and the latest trend is "resort - fitness touring" where skiers skin up the pistes or (better) next to them, then ski back down the pistes. These skiers want a lightweight ski for efficient uphill combined with a medium-stiff flex for skiing down on the hardpack.

To help you choose which models best suit your skiing style and touring itineries we have listed our skis in four "Touring Categories": Touring Race, Touring Efficient, Touring Free-Ski and Touring Powder.
Many skiers are also using alpine skis for touring. These are often only a little heavier than true touring skis and can offer superior downhill performance. To show these we've added the categories Freeride All Mountain, Freeride Powder, Piste and Backcountry Freestyle.

 
 
TOURING RACE SKIS
Narrow short skis designed for skimo (SKI MOuntaineering) use and fitness training, when fitness means climbing as fast as possible. These skis are designed to be as light as possible. The international Skimo regulations specify a minimum length of 160 cm for men and 150 cm for women, and since every gram counts, race skis are usually these lengths, or maybe a few cm longer for additional stability / skiability. Climbing with these is fantastic, the minimal weight helps the metres fall away and the narrow sidecut helps them grip well in icy conditions. While Skimo competitors manage to ski these skis well in all snow conditions, it has to be said that these are not the easiest skis offpiste; the narrow width limits float while the short length reduces directional stability. Choose these skis if you're racing or a performance fitness fanatic timing each outing. They can also be a good choice for fitness skiers who will be skiing down resort slopes, the minimal weight makes them good fun on the piste....up to a certain speed!!
2019 TOURING RACE SKIS
ATOMIC BACKLAND 65 UL
 
 
TOURING EFFICIENT SKIS
Wider than race skis, Efficient skis have a waist of 70-85 mm, are lightweight and can be considered the latest generation of "traditional" touring skis. These skis are generally touring specific models with medium flex and medium radius sidecuts. Modern ski design and materials enable the manufacturers to build touring skis that are robust, that ski well and very light. The relatively narrow width means these  skis tend to be very versatile, gripping well on ice and coping well in deep snow. If you're looking for ski for covering long distances, for a ski that will not be tiring when climbing since it's still light, then take a look at the efficient skis. These skis are also a good choice for small and lighter skiers who may find the wider models too heavy for pleasant climbing. We spend most of the day skinning so you need this to be fun.
2019 TOURING EFFICIENT SKIS
ATOMIC BACKLAND 78 UL
 
TOURING FREE-SKIS
Advances in ski construction and materials means that ski widths that would once have been hopelessly heavy for touring can now be made with weights that allow their use in the backcountry. We call skis with waists between 85-100 mm  "Free-Tour" skis., the backcountry equivalent of free-ride. These skis generally weigh a little more than the efficient series models but offer superior soft and deep snow performance. More width makes these more stable with better floatation in fresh and spring snow. Many of these skis are alpine models that also tour well, or high performance touring skis, and the downhill performance of many of these is superior to the lighter models. Free-tour skis are the best choice for skiers who are prepared to work a little more on the uphill, for skiers looking for downhill performance in all the snow conditions we find in the backcountry.
2019 TOURING FREE-SKIS 
ATOMIC BACKLAND 95
TOURING POWDER SKIS
You guessed!! These skis have waists over 100 mm, loads of float and are the skis you see in just about all the offpiste / backcountry ski videaos. Excellent fun when conditions are right, fat skis are definately the way to go if you're lucky enough to only ski powder, and are either un-naturally strong or will only be climbing relatively short routes. While fat skis make skiing deep snow much easier, they tend to be harder work on ice, so are not the most versatile backcountry tools. These skis are also a great choice for lift-assisted side-country tours and heliskiiing. Nice to have a pair or two if you're lucky enough to have a "quiver" of skis.....
2019 TOURING POWDER SKIS 
ATOMIC BACKLAND 102 W
PISTE SKIS
These are narrower alpine skis designed for use mainly on piste but that can also be used in moderate offpiste conditions.
Mounted with touring bindings they can be a good choice for skiers who ski mainly in resorts but want one pair of skis with which to also tour occasionally.
2019 PISTE SKIS
 
 
FREERIDE ALL-MOUNTAIN SKIS
The latest freeride skis are often not much heavier than dedicated touring skis and can be an excellent choice for strong confident tourers wanting the best possible downhill performance while touring. Probably not the best choice for beginners since turn initiation may be a little more demanding in difficult snow conditions, and the slight weight disadvantage compared to true touring skis can tire less experienced skiers faster.
2019 FREERIDE ALL-MOUNTAIN SKIS
BLACK CROWS CAMOX BIRDIE
 
 
FREERIDE POWDER SKIS
These are powder skis that offer the very best performance in the deepest soft snow conditions. If you're considering touring with these skis then you'll have the experience, technique and strength required to make the most of the deepest untracked in the backcountry. These skis are by definition heavier and require more work when skinning, especially should you encounter icy traverses. A good choice for "sidecountry" skiing if you are lucky enough to live where it dumps often, and of course for heliskiing.
2019 FREERIDE POWDER SKIS
 
 
BACKCOUNTRY FREESTYLE SKIS
If you're looking for these then you almost certainly don't need any advice!! These are pretty specialised fat freestyle skis designed to turn tricks in the backcountry. Great fun for those with the technique and stamina....
2019 BACKCOUNTRY FREESTYLE SKIS

Other considerations:

SKI LENGTH
When skinning you need a ski that will be short enough for you to easily make kick-turns when climbing.
This generally means that the ski should not be longer than your height, and probably about 10 cm shorter. (Yoga helps if you're determined to use longer skis).
Skis with progressive tips tend to be longer and one needs to take this  into account when deciding which length to choose.
If you'll be skiing a lot of powder go for longer skis, if you'll be spending most of the time on ice and / or steep couloirs then choose a shorter ski.

SKI BUDDIES
When touring it's important that the group has a more or less similar level of fitness and endurance. However there are always differences and the choice of gear can help mitigate these.
Do you usually ski with skiers who are stronger than you? If so then try and save a few grams using a lighter ski, it'll make the trip more fun for you.
Always waiting for the others to catch up? Then you've a margin of effort to play with and can use a wider ski without losing speed over the day.

SKI BOOTS
We've listed our alpine touring boots using the same "Touring Category" choices: Touring Race, Touring Efficient and Touring Free-Ski.
Try to have a coherent set-up with boots of the same category as the skis.
Skimo race boots are generally too flimsy for driving wider skis, and stiff 130 flex boots are overkill on narrow touring skis.

We hope this information is useful for you. Should you like some suggestions or help selecting the best model for your needs, please get in touch. We're here to help!! 

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