In this article, I am listing all the gear and its relevant technical specifications that I currently use for skiing. It does not include my thoughts or reviews on any of my items, nor what to look for when shopping for yourself – that will all come later, I promise!
In the meantime, comment below with any questions that you have. It will help me in writing future articles that actually will help you with the information you’re looking for.
While I have included some of the gear I use for backcountry touring, this list does not include all the gear you need for backcountry skiing. This article is focuses on the gear I use for in-bounds “alpine/downhill” at ski resorts, but included my touring skis & boots because there are lots of people who use their backcountry set-up both inbounds and out of bounds, rather than have separate downhill skis.
This is a great option if you aren’t trying to spend a ton of money and are wanting to maximize your investment by using your skis and boots for both purposes. It is the perfect all-in-solution.
In general, touring gear is going to be much more lightweight than alpine gear. I personally prefer the heavier, “burlier” weight of alpine skis and boots to support my riding style, but other than preference there is no reason you can’t use touring gear inbounds.
My Gear
- Skis + Bindings
- Note: I am 5’6” (~167cm). In general, you want to go with a pair of skis that is around your same height, give or take a few centimeters. When just starting, it’s advised to go with shorter skis because it is easier to build skills that way. As you progress, you may find that you want to upgrade to a longer ski.
- All-mountain skis – Lib Tech Libstick 98 (2022)
- Waist: 98mm
- Length: 162cm
- Bindings: Look Pivot 12
- Brake width size: 95mm (bent out to accommodate 98mm waist)
- What does the number 12 mean? This is the maximum DIN setting on the binding. The DIN setting determines the force it will take to eject from your skis – the higher the number, the harder it is to eject.
- My DIN setting: 7
- Use: Groomer days, or on days that receive 0-2″ of snow. Best for quick maneuvering due to its thinner waist and shorter length. Most fun for ripping groomers.
- Powder skis – Blizzard Rustler 11 (2023)
- Waist: 112mm
- Length: 172cm
- Bindings: Look Pivot 12
- Brake width size: 115mm (bent in to accommodate 98mm waist)
- My DIN setting: 8
- Use: Any day that has enough fresh snow that I want the extra float provided by the wider waist and longer length.
- Touring skis + skins – Atomic Backland 107 (2022)
- Waist: 107mm
- Length: 167cm
- Bindings: Marker Kingpin 10
- Brake width size: 100-125mm (to accommodate the 107mm waist)
- Climbing skins: evo x Pomoca Pro Glide Climbing Skins
- size: 140mm(width) x (S) 155-170cm (length) – the skins are cut to the shape of your ski, so the size just needs to be longer than the length of your ski. In my case, this range fit my 167cm ski.)
- Use: Backcountry touring (uphill travel)
- “Rock skis” – Blizzard Sheeva 11 (2020)
- This just means that I use these skis in the early season or late season when the coverage is low and the chance of hitting rocks and other obstacles that could damage my skis is high. These are the first pair of skis I owned. I learned to ski on them and skied them hard for 3 full seasons. This past 2023/24 season is what finally caused them to be relegated to “rock skis” when I caused irreparable damage to the edge. While the Rustlers will be my new powder skis during prime season, these babies are still ski-able and will be my weapon for the early season days.
- Waist: 112mm
- Length: 164cm
- Bindings: Look Pivot 12
- Brake width size: 115mm (bent in to accommodate 98mm waist)
- My DIN setting: 7
- Use: early or late season when coverage is low.
- All-mountain skis – Lib Tech Libstick 98 (2022)
- Boots
- Alpine “downhill” boots – Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W (Women’s)
- Flex: 120 (very stiff – advanced/expert)
- Last width – 98mm, low volume (LV) narrow
- Tecnica width range – LV = low volume (most narrow), MV = medium volume, HV = high volume (most wide)
- My boot size: 23.5 (Mondo size equivalent to a US 7. I wear a size 8, so this one full-size, as the ski bros recommend for “performance”)
- Touring boots – Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD
- Flex: 95 (medium stiff – intermediate/advanced)
- Last width – 98mm, low volume, narrow
- Atomic width range – “Ultra”= low volume, “Prime” = medium volume, “Magna” – high volume
- Atomic’s guide to finding the right ski boot size
- My boot size: 23.5
- Alpine “downhill” boots – Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W (Women’s)
- Ski poles – My ski poles are hand-me-downs that my mom used in the 90’s. I’m not even sure what brand they are, but clearly they are durable. They don’t need to be anything fancy, if I had to buy another pair I’d buy something like this:
- evo Refract Ski Poles
- My pole length: 46in
- Helmet
- SMITH Vantage MIPS women’s
- Color: Matte Black
- SMITH Vantage MIPS women’s
- Goggles
- Smith I/O MAG ChromaPop
- color/style: Bobby Brown
- lenses: Storm Rose Flash (my primary lens; for cloudy/snowy conditions; 50% light transmission), Sun Green Mirror (for sunny days; 23% light transmission)
- Note: I will likely buy the ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash lens (65% light transmission) for even better visibility because I ski in Washington where it tends to be dark, overcast, and stormy.
- Smith I/O MAG ChromaPop
- Ski Attire
- Shell jacket – Arc’teryx Sentinel jacket
- My Color: Black Sapphire (old model, no longer in stock)
- Waterproofing: 3-Layer Gore-Tex
- Shell pants – Arc’teryx Sentinal pants
- My color: Yukon (old model, no longer in stock)
- Waterproofing: 3-Layer Gore-Tex
- Mid-layer jackets
- Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody – insulated synthetic; What I wear 90% of the time; best for ~20-32°F weather
- Color: Black
- Arc’teryx Cerium LT– down jacket; what I wear when it’s below 15°F
- Color: Black
- Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody – insulated synthetic; What I wear 90% of the time; best for ~20-32°F weather
- Mitts/Gloves
- Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Mitts – Gore-Tex; What I wear 90% of the time; best for ~20-32°F weather
- Color: Black
- Outdoor Research Alti II Mitts – Gore-Tex; what I wear when it’s below 15°F
- Color: Black
- Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Mitts – Gore-Tex; What I wear 90% of the time; best for ~20-32°F weather
- Base layers
- Socks
- Neck gaiter / balaclava
- Shell jacket – Arc’teryx Sentinel jacket
