Movement Alp Tracks 94 Ski

Hey Chris, thanks for reaching out! Since you are not quite 6 feet tall (though apparently close) I would recommend you go for a ski that is not quite as long as the 177cm Movements (although close to it) for your mountaineering tool. If you like the sound of the damp wood-core Session, you might also want to take a look at the stable, easy-turning K2 Wayback 88 in the 174cm length. A slightly more energetic, quick edge-to-edge option would be the 172cm Dynafit Blacklight 88, which has just landed at Skimo Co and has already earned rave reviews for its poppy feel and quick turning.

Chris, A perfect Durable (not necessarily ultralight) mountaineering ski. In the Alp Tracks lineup, the LT 94 is the all-mountain ski. We do not carry the Sessions 89 in 177cm but we do have the Vertex 94. The same shape as the LT94 and the Sessions build, not super light, but durable and will ski anything. If you still want to stay light in a really well-built ski that can handle steep skiing to powder, look at the Ski Trab.

Thank you very much for your responses,

I had an opportunity to ski movement alp tracks 94 184cm and they were definatly too long. My previous backlands 85 170cm were too short. Is it really such a big difference 174 and 177cm that you recommend me to size down?

What about stability of movements? Will heavier Session/Vertex be more stable than light Alp Tracks? How big is a difference in stifness and grip in hard/icy conditions?

How about Ski Trab Mistico or Maximo. They look quite simillar. Will they be softer? What they would ski better and what worse? I have considered also zero G but I heared they are not so pleasent to ski due to thair construction.

Which of these 4 skis will be the best and the worst for pow conditions? Are you able also to compare these skis to backlands? It would be a great reference for me and tip to choose a perfect pair of skis.

Hey Chris, thanks for the additional info! Not everyone will feel this way, but we certainly think that 2-3cm (around 1 inch) can make a significant difference in ski performance. We recently had a brand lengthen their skis approx. 1.5cm at each increment and we felt the difference was notable, especially when skiing a shorter ski with a lighter skimo-race-style boot. If you're looking for a light and fast mountaineering ski that goes on and off your pack, going up a whole 7cm (almost 3 inches) will be a notable disadvantage. That said, if you do want some additional stability at speed and float in soft snow, going a little longer than 170cm is a good choice.

I would say that the Session or Vertex skis, given their greater mass, will probably feel a little more stable/planted on hard snow than the Alp Tracks, and can ski at higher speeds on piste and in variable conditions. However, the Alp Tracks 94 (and the Alp Tracks series as a whole) has exceptional edge hold on hard snow, so that wouldn't be a disadvantage compared with the heavier skis. The Ski Trabs you mention have less sidecut, so will feel even more competent on steep, icy terrain. The Mistico is a stiffer, more responsive platform that utilizes Trab's proprietary 14-layer Aramid construction, while the Maximo is a more forgiving wood-core ski that feels like a traditional classic-touring ski (similar to your Backland 85s).

The Alp Tracks 94, with its rockered tip and significant sidecut, is a blast in powder and loves to make wiggles (but can also get up to speed under the guidance of a competent skier). I would say it's my top pick among the skis discussed for pure soft-snow conditions and long midwinter days lapping the goods. Really, it's hard to pick a ski that's "bad" in powder, but the stiffer, more cambered Mistico (or the Blizzard Zero G 85/95) will take a lot more input to make turns than a more progressively-shaped, rockered, and softer-flexing Movement offering. If you want the ski most similar to your Backland 85, go for the Maximo!

Don't hesitate to shoot us an email at help@skimo.co with other questions! Cheers!

Thank you,

I ask all of the questions in public because I know how helpfull and valuable can be such the comments for others. I hope you don't mind. I would like to ask the last question (at least at that moment). I understood that Alp Tracks will be a little bit less stable than Session/Vertex/Maximo. Considering that the feeling of stability on hard snow is very important for me (and for my psyche :D) I would go for Session/Maximo because as you said Mistico can be a little bit more difficult in pow. You have mentioned also the K2 Wayback88 - could you compare them with Session/Maximo ski and help me in "the final choice"?

Hey Chris, we don’t mind at all — we love to chat skis and happy to provide any info we can! :-)

In general, the Movement skis (whether in the hand-laid carbon Alp Tracks layup or the damper woodcore Session/Vertex layup) will be a little more “turny” than the Trab Maximo/Mistico. If you want to go for a ski that evinces maximum stability when at speed and railing turns through chundery snow, the straight tails and damp feel of the Maximo is perfect. However, if you want a more powerful turning sensation and like your skis to come around faster than a Justin Timberlake pop song, the more aggressive sidecut of the Vertex will be more your style. (I would rule out the Session just because it’s wider and a little more freeride-oriented, less comparable to the touring skis we’ve discussed).

The decision for you may come down to which boots you are using on this ski. If you’re on a two-buckle touring boot like a TLT8 or F1, or a “race plus” boot (Backland Carbon, Fischer Travers, etc), the Maximo will pair nicely. If you’re on a beef boot like a Maestrale or a Hoji, the Vertex will be a more powerful platform to pair with the stiffer boot.

The Wayback 88 is also a terrific ski, don’t sleep on that one as an option! With K2’s Pacific NW heritage the Wayback really excels in messy, tricky snow but is also a blast in powder. Compared with the other skis the Wayback falls somewhere between the predictability of the Maximo and the verve of the Vertex. It also comes in a nice in-between 174cm length which splits the difference between the 169-171cm and 177-178 options.

My boot is rather in beef boots category (Technica Zero G Tour Pro). My previous pair of boots was too soft and I didn't feel that "power" in more steep terrain. Now my Zero G are definietly adequate and stiff enough for my goals. Which of these all mentioned skis in your opinion would be a powerfull combination for "45 degrees steep blue icy culoirs" and give at least a little bit fun in softer conditions? (152lb, 5' 12''.)

Hey Chris, I think you and the Vertex are a match made in randonnee heaven! It's a great ski to pair with the Zero G, very confident on hard snow and with enough rocker to turn easily in powder. A perfect combination! Match the Vertex with a set of lightweight, fully-featured bindings like the Hagan Pure 10 and a pair of versatile skins like the Colltex Mohair Mix skins and you'll have yourself a terrific all-around, all-conditions setup.

Thank you for all your responses. I really appreciate that you offered me your time and gave me so many advices. I will let you know later what I choose and write my personal review. Cheers!

One more thing... There is only Vertex 94 in your offer nowadays. Would Vertex 84 be as good choice as 94? I understand that you would recommend me version in 169 cm?

Awesome Chris, glad we could help! Look forward to hearing what you think of the ski.

We are not offering the Vertex 84 for this season. It's a narrower platform so less versatile as a powder ski than the skis we have discussed.

Carl, We have stuff in common, I have teled that long and have the original Drifts. Many modern light skis are more like your Aspects. The LT 94 are stiffer in the middle, softer at the tip and tail. Also, like many other skis, they do not have full mounting plates and are NOT recommended to mount with tele bindings. My best suggestion is the Voile Hyper V6, but Voile plainly lists not to mount tele. Feel free to contact me at help@skimo.co to delve deeper.

Dmitry, That is a good question. As you can see in the specs, both skis are very similar in shape and profile. The most notable difference is the Voile has a stiffer flex. Both are considered all around skis and would say both should ski the Sierra nicely. But when you get to that long Sierra Spring, we think the Hyper Vector may be the better choice. Maybe some others can chime in here.

Tim- Full edge wrap on the tip but not on the tail.The tail has an insert where the edges end at.

Hi Michael, very different skis! If you're charging at the resort, the Alchemist is a decent option for all-mountain skiing. Very damp and durable. For backcountry skiing, the AT 94 is a light ski that will get you a lot further, and also be a ton of fun on the way down.

Hi Kevin, the Alp Tracks 94 is definitely a little softer and it's an easier turning ski with a fair amount of sidecut. Depending on your flavor of hard, spring mountaineering it could be a very good choice, but the tendency to want to be turning can also be a detriment at times.

Hi Paul, we are expecting them on Monday!

Hey DK-! In terms of basic profile, shaping, and stiffness, the 84 and 94 are pretty dang similar. There are some subtle differences that make the 94 a better all around ski with a soft snow bias and the 84 a better all around light 'n fast ski with a hard snow bias (still a riot in powder though).

Not sure exactly which size you're looking for the mounting location on, so I'll assume the middlest length, the 177cm. Both skis, the 84 and 94 in a 177cm length use a mounting location that's 98cm from the tip, about 9.5cm back from true center. There are a handful of manufacturers that we routinely urge to mount slightly forward/back from their mounting location and boot choice factors into that a little bit, but for the most part the mounting locations on the Alp Tracks line are perfect.

Hi Hannah, there are several things that could be going on with your setup. It could be a quick fix. Looks like you didn't get them from us so we don't have the details. Any chance you could e-mail us your phone number so we can talk through it?

TSB- We will be carrying these skis next year too. But take advantage of the spring sales now.

Hi Dominik, these things are pretty subjective, but for the most part I agree with the data in the image you've posted. My personal opinion is that the Alp Tracks 94 is slightly more versatile for the powder conditions you mention given it's wider underfoot dimension, straighter side cut, and tail geometry. At your size and weight, you'll probably be happiest on the 169cm length.

Hey Andrew! Both skis are fantastic so you can't really lose here! The V6 is a killer ski but because of the flex pattern, shape, rocker profile, etc, it's definitely a soft snow oriented ski that would pair well with a two or four buckle boot (1,000-1,400g). Voile has a special place in my heart because their headquarters are 20 minutes from our headquarters and they are really tough to not have a great time on.

The Alp Tracks line is definitely built for the light 'n fast backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers though. They handle that way, they pair with those boots really well, the surface area to weight ratio screams efficiency, the flex pattern wants to be skied from the center of the ski like how lightweight boots drive skis, and the bases are rock solid compared to most other skis in this weight category so it all depends on what you're looking for out of your skis.

Hi Andre, we are definitely still carrying Movement! We had a bit of mixed inventory, I just verified and updated the listing to clarify the season. Only the color changed for 2017/18. Happy to extend the sale price to you on the newer color if you'd like due to the mixing (skins are also on sale, yes). Thanks for the feedback on the boots.

Awesome video Randy, thanks for sharing!

Hey Doug, thanks for reaching out!

The AT94 in a 183cm weighs 1230g/ski. At the moment I don't have an equivalently sized ZeroG 95 to measure against, so instead I weighed the AT94 and ZeroG 95 in a 169cm and 171cm, respectively, just to get a close comparison and frame of reference. Tip to tail cord length on the AT94 169 and ZeroG 95 171 are almost identical actually, so the direct comparison is even closer than I had originally thought, which is great news! The AT94 169cm weighs 1125g/ski and the ZeroG 95 171cm weighs 1215g/ski. That's only a 90g difference per ski between the two, but I would guess in the longer lengths around 183cm, you'd be looking at over 100g, possibly 120g per ski.

Hi Randy, I'm debating between the Alp Tracks 94 vs. the 84 and as I'm reading your review I'm leaning towards 94 more. Regarding the size, I'm debating between 177 and 169 and usually I would pick 177 without thinking since I'm used to rocker skis north of 187, but I think these skis have more of a subtle rocker and more effective edge. As I read your review, I'm wondering how come you went with the 169 and not the 177? If you have tried the 84's and/or have any feedback on them, would be great to know. Thank you.

P.S awesome video!!

Hi DK, I haven't tried the 84s, but as far as width goes I am very pleased with the 94s and wouldn't want to go any narrower. I went with the 169 as kind of an experiment. I usually ski around 185. I was looking to shave weight and ease of movement on the ascent, knowing that the kind of terrain I'd be hitting would include a lot of carrying on my back and looking for a tight turning ski on the downhill. I kind of regret not going one size longer. I love them on the uphill and in tight places, but the short length greatly effects the downhill stability, especially when trying to push the speed. However, most of the time I am fine with the length. I have to make a conscious effort to stay centered on them as they don't function well in the back seat, and it seems like they quickly throw me there. It was a bit of a learning curve. I'm not sure if the back seat thing is an issue with the ski or with the short length. I highly recommend these skis, but I'd suggest going longer rather than shorter. That's my two cents!

Thanks a lot for the feedback Randy. I greatly appreciate it. As i read the above i wonder if you would recommend going with Alp Tracks 100 if a bit of the extra weight wasn't an issue for you but having all the conditions you have encountered on the 94's in mind