In many ways, backcountry skis are a hybrid between their downhill and cross-country counterparts. Because backcountry skiing involves both uphill and downhill travel, backcountry skis must be able to perform well in a wide variety of terrain.
Backcountry skis are typically outfitted with tech bindings or frame bindings, which allow skiers to maneuver on flat and uphill terrain. Read more about the two types of backcountry bindings in our buyer’s guide above.
Additionally, backcountry skis use another piece of gear known as skins to prevent them from sliding backward when traveling uphill.
While some downhill skis are compatible with skis and the proper bindings, backcountry-specific skis are definitely your best bet due to their specialized design and lightweight profile.
Most backcountry skis include a waist width between 105 and 120 mm, which is a little wider on average than downhill skis.