Not for the faint of heart, the DNA Pro is Dynafit’s premier race ski, designed to help professional athletes with their journey to stand atop the podium. Starting with the Carbon-Isocore-Paulownia-Ultralight construction, Dynafit was able to keep the DNA Pro to an almost featherlike weight, meaning you won’t be weighed down during those painful anaerobic pushes. Compared to the DN..
Fall
If you ever find yourself excited by the aerobic possibilities of skate skiing, stair climbing, or treadmill running, you might be a good candidate for a vertical skimo race. If you also find your ordinary skimo skis to be simply too generalized, take your uphill performance to the next level with the Atomic Backland UL 62 Vert ski. Sharing the same ultralight woodcore and carbon f..
Fall
Attention, ski evolutionists: while the eye-popping colorway and customary packed snow performance of the DNA 3.0 has been passed onto the DNA Pro, a new subspecies has emerged that we have dubbed the DNA 4.0. Although “playful,” “fun,” and “dynamic” are not descriptions commonly applied to race skis, Dynafit's DNA 4.0 is here to set the record straight. It does this by incorporati..
Fall
Skiing's heritage as a practical mode of winter transport now lives on in Grand Course races. These are European multi-stage affairs in which racers traverse valleys, glaciers, and other serious mountain terrain. If you are lucky enough to find yourself on one of these alpine escapades, you’ll be happy to have the Dynafit Mezzalama 2.0 strapped to your feet. This ski amplifies the ..
Fall
Chamonix is home to some of the best steep skiing in the world. But if your Zag, it’s also home to arguably the best ski R&D facility in the world. It’s no wonder then, how they managed to make the Adret 78, a ski that our shop manager and former Skimo Masters National Champion showers with praise as “one of the best skis in this class that he’s ever been on.” Stable and precis..
Fall
While many enjoy the process of mix-and-matching custom ski touring gear, the Dynafit Seven Summits+ set is a handy shortcut for those wanting to get skiing ASAP! The package features pre-mounted solid Seven Summits skis with a Radical Long Travel binding and pre-trimmed Dynafit skins. Just adjust the bindings to your boot sole length and go! Now, this streamlined arrangement has b..
Fall
There are a few things that are guaranteed in life. Death, gravity, taxes, and the strong performance of the Adret 85. With a similar hard-charging personality as its skinnier sibling, the Adret 85 sports a slightly more rounded (moderate) flex and wider waist width. This considerably improves its soft snow manners, pushing the ski into strong contention as a “one-ski quiver” or “d..
Fall
Despite some widespread misconceptions, lightweight skis aren’t always overly stiff with the ski feel of a 2 x 4 plank. Case and point is the MTN 86 Pro. When demoing the skis for ourselves, we were blown away by just how damp the skis felt, no doubt due to the Cork Damplifier strategically placed to lessen vibration. The Flex profile wasn’t overly stiff and when combined with its ..
Fall
It’s time. You’ve just finalized the route for an epic traverse that’s been on the wish list for quite some time. Now, the most pressing question is, what skis to bring? Ideally, you want something with less heft, helping to ease the pain of the many, many miles. Because of the varied terrain and conditions that lie ahead, you’ll want something that can handle powder, teeth chatter..
Fall
From Jackson to Lhotse, Denali to Mount Vinson, women have put up some of the biggest ski mountaineering lines on the planet. However, even these steely-eyed crushers had to start their backcountry exploits somewhere. The Atomic Backland Girl is an all-mountain ski for intermediate skiers looking to charge on and off-piste. A Densolite foam core facilitates a light and vibration-pr..
Fall
The Dynafit Low Tech 88 ski brings some old-school cool to the popular Blacklight line - you know what they say, “look good, ski good!” The Low Tech 88 offers the same construction and performance as the Blacklight 88 ski but offers a significant amount of style - which is key for anyone who is looking to set new PRs and push their limits in the mountains. The Low Tech 88 will be y..
Fall
The RP shape from DPS has long been known to be one of the most intuitive ski shapes to have ever graced the slopes. Having traditionally only been offered in wider waist widths, fans of this easy-going RP shape can now rejoice, there is a narrower option! Say hello to the Pagoda Tour 90 RP. With a 15m radius, 45% rocker, and excellent Pagoda Tour construction, the Tour 90 RP remai..
Fall
The Dynastar touring family is growing: the Storks have dropped off the M-Tour 90, making the family much more complete. As with siblings, the M-Tour 90 and 99 share a similar genetic makeup but have very different personalities. For instance, the rocker profile on the M-Tour 99 wants to seek out soft turns whereas the shorter rocker profile and longer effective edge on the M-Tour ..
Fall
The Ski Trab Ortles 90 ski is for the skier who expects one ski to handle any terrain and any condition without sacrificing uphill performance and keeps you motivated to back lap after lap. The Ortles 90 has the best downhill performance out of the Ski Trab lineup due to the combination of the Liwood air core and their renowned 14-layer construction and updated geometry which will ..
Fall
With a product portfolio that includes a “Supreme Roller Skate Split Monoboard,” it’s clear that Faction isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. So, when Faction created a low 90’s underfoot ski with no camber, we couldn’t feign too much surprise. Built to move with the agility of a cat through off-piste terrain, the La Machine Micro is built to be easily handled, allowing itself..
Fall
Ski Trab has a storied history with their made-in-Italy craftsmanship, producing skis for those with a penchant for ultra-light but high-performance. Never ones to sit idle, the designers at Ski Trab have been working on a freeride-oriented option for some time, tweaking and refining based on the feedback of professional athletes and mountain guides. The culmination of this extensi..
Fall
Born high in the Tatra mountains of Poland, Majesty knows a thing or two about skiing. So, when Majesty made the Superpatrol Carbon Ski that touts a “Cut-off Tail,” we were naturally intrigued. Inspired by surfboards, this so-called “Cut-off Tail” shortens the length of the tail, shifting the skier's stance further back from the center. Combined with the adapted sidecut, the result..
Fall
Following in the footsteps of an older sibling is never easy, especially when they’re handsome, smart, and good at math. Therefore, Salomon had to take great care when replacing the MTN Explore 95, a ski that set an exceptionally high bar. Eager to get out from under the shadow of its older brother and forge its own identity, the MTN 96 Carbon accomplishes the same mission as the M..
Fall
While out for a day in the mountains, it’s highly possible to find perfect powder up high, refrozen coral reef in the middle, and slush at the bottom. This variety of conditions necessitates a versatile tool, which describes the Armada Locator 96 to a “T” (and then some). Using their EST Freeride Rocker profile (rocker in the tip and a flat tail), Armada has ensured that the Locato..
Fall
Like its unisex sibling, the Dyanfit Free 97 W is designed to be light enough to schlep anywhere, but sturdy enough to ski anything confidently. Dynafit accomplished this with a poplar wood core, which supplies a good amount of suspension whilst remaining poppy and light. It's also apparent that Dynafit took their time perfecting the sidecut, as the Free 97 W is equally at home in ..
Fall
Built to make all the other skis in your quiver jealous, the Faction La Machine Mini has a quiver killer mentality in a construction with zero camber. You read that correctly, zero camber. The benefit of forgoing camber is a nimble feel that other skis have a hard time matching. With this newfound ability to effortlessly pivot on-demand, you’ll be ready to straight line that chute ..
Fall
Not just any nova, the Supernova from Majesty is an all-around, high-performance ski with a penchant for the soft white stuff. It partially achieves this versatility using a Cut-Off-Tail, cleverly called COT. By cutting off the tail and moving the skier's stance back on the ski, Majesty was able to make the Supernova maneuverable but stable enough for you to “let 'er rip” when the ..
Fall
The goldilocks one-quiver backcountry ski is an elusive beast, requiring extensive R&D, inspired vision, and maybe a hint of fairy dust. Freeride skiers, however, may have found the solution in the Armada Locator 104. The Locator incorporates tip rocker plus moderate camber, with a generous shovel and blended tail shape. The result is a ski geared towards speed while retaining ..
Fall
We’ve all been there. A late springtime storm teasingly blankets the mountain tops with soft inviting snow, tempting you to come and ski it. Unfortunately for you, the forecast isn’t looking to cooperate, signifying the start of the race to harvest that oh-so-sweet powder before it succumbs to the sun’s relentless rays. It is for this type of race that the Movement Alp Tracks 106 w..
Fall
It may come as no surprise, but there aren’t many groomers in the backcountry. While this sentence appears to be silly at first glance, many manufacturers seem to design their backcountry skis to excel in the front country, not the backcountry. Combating this silly trend is Faction, who with the La Machine Mega, has created a ski made to excel off-piste, not on it. The Mega is a so..
Fall
Taken on their own, “DPS,” “Powderworks,” and “Dreamtime” are words known for making head turns and eyes pop. Altogether, the DPS Powderworks Tour 110 C2 Dreamtime Ski is enough to trigger satori, a Zen term best understood as insight into the luminous nature of reality itself. With their Dreamtime series, DPS annually unveils a few models intended to inspire excitement for the fut..
Fall
Heli skiing. Whippet poles. Rockered skis. Although ski mountaineering has historically been associated with the European Alps, North Americans have contributed their fair share of innovations to backcountry skiing. Park City, Utah’s Armada Skis continue in this tradition with input from a cohort of expert freeride skiers that led to the creation of the Locator 112. Built for big l..
Fall
If the TLT 8 is Dynafit’s Mozart (classical, virtuosic, precedent-setting), then the Blacklight is their Beethoven (dark, striking). Okay, maybe we’ve lost you, but we’re just really excited about this boot! Like the TLT X, the Blacklight takes what worked from the TLT 8, such as the simple ultra lock system and above-average volume fit, while also improving walking range of motion..
Fall
It’s said that “Necessity is the mother of invention.” While we don’t claim skiing a gazillion vertical feet to be a necessity, it certainly inspired innovation in the form of Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon! This boot enters a small but increasingly prominent market of truly lightweight touring boots that punch above their weight class when pushed in downhill ski mode, starting with a ..
Fall
In every skier’s career, there comes a time to hang up the four-buckle boots and pursue the full experience of unhindered mountain movement. Whether it’s your first encounter with alpine-style speed or your thousandth, the Zero G Peak Women’s boot is a worthy steed. An admixture of carbon and grilamid comprises the lower and cuff, providing lateral, torsional and forward/back stiff..
Fall
Blending innovation with a continued dedication to reliability at low weight, the TLT boot line has been a mainstay among touring enthusiasts for several decades. The Dynafit TLT X is the latest entry in this series of lean boots and promises to be another hit, with several exciting updates. Perhaps most notably, the TLT X has reimagined its fit, remaining comfortable while losing ..
Fall
“To get down, one first has to get there.” This sage observation from an unnamed but exceptionally handsome staffer here at Skimo Co sums up the age-old conundrum in the backcountry community. That is, one must earn their turns. To help make the battle against gravity less lopsided, Salomon made the S/Lab MTN Summit. Utilizing an Ultramid + shell with a carbon fiber-charged spine, ..
Fall
Salomon has put a lot of time and energy into the “touring” boot category lately, and their hard work isn’t going unnoticed. For the ladies, they’ve made the MTN Summit Pure W. With a 70° range of motion, frictionless pivot, and svelte weight, you know these are ready to efficiently tackle large traverses, far summits, and midwinter powder harvests. To keep the tootsies warm and dr..
Fall
The Dynafit Low Tech Boot pays homage to their beloved second iteration of the TLT boot lineup. TLT, or Tour Lite Tech, has had its fair share of changes from the original tourlite boot which started the tech boot revolution, and in 1990 the green, purple, and pink Tour Lite 2 was revealed to the world with great fanfare. Now, in 2022, the Low Tech Boot is a Dynafit TLT X that has ..
Fall
The Skorpius made a splash when it debuted, owing to its balance of stiffness and hikeability. Picking up where the original left off, La Sportiva's Skorpius the Second uses carbon-infused Pebax material throughout the shell and cuff. The tongue has been reinforced, averting the occasional breakage issues seen with previous versions of the boot. To suit a wider audience, the instep..
Fall
Booting. Skinning. Skiing. The La Sportiva Stellar is back and better than ever, showcasing a mastery of all elements of backcountry skiing. The Stellar II has tweaked its tongue design, ensuring it won’t snap under the powerful forces you undoubtedly subject it to. The buckle system has also seen some changes, replaced by an easily adjustable instep boa. This boa is situated in a ..
Fall
When the time comes to pass along the uphill-skiing knowledge to the next generation, the right gear can be the difference between a fun day in the mountains or a stressful affair you’d rather forget. Matched with the corresponding Youngstar set or another similar youth-friendly rig, Dynafit’s Youngstar Boot is the brand's first kids-oriented boot that will have your future Olympia..
Fall
It's no secret that quality ski gear doesn’t come free. Therefore, it’s a welcome occurrence when manufacturers create a “quiver killer,” or something that can fill multiple roles. When the ski boot whisperers at SCARPA decided to throw their hat into the ring, they knew they needed the guidance of an elite athlete who understood the intricacies of a piste performance boot. Thus st..
Fall
Hard-charging ladies who have been searching for the elusive “one boot quiver” can finally rejoice, SCARPA has delivered! Working with legendary ski racer Bode Miller, SCARPA set out to create a boot that could withstand the scrutiny of the pickiest ski racer whilst providing excellent uphill mobility. With a 115-flex rating, four-buckle construction, and Gripwalk compatible sole, ..
Fall
Like its binding namesake, the Shift Pro 130 AT is aimed at the skier that wants the ability to go touring but spends the bulk of their time in the confines of a ski resort. Starting with the Coreframe insert, Salomon was able to keep the weight of the Shift down to “tourable” levels without sacrificing the stiffness that skiers demand from a 130-flex boot. Being the lovable materi..
Fall
With a burly four-buckle construction, Gripwalk compatible sole, and solid 110 flex, the Shift Pro 110 AT W is built primarily for skiing inbounds but can also do side-country laps or the occasional short tour. The benefit of all this beef, then, is that the boot has exceptional downhill manners and is durable for season after season of use. The Sensifit insert eases the process of..
Fall
Dynafit has done it again and made a good thing even better with the Dynafit DNA binding. Replacing the Low Tech 105, the DNA now is made completely out of aluminum and is even lighter than its predecessor. Lighter and more durable is music to our ears. Weighing in at less than 100 grams, you will be sure to see this binding on podiums and FKTs around the globe. Optional adjustment..
Fall
What if lighter doesn't have to mean fewer features, and what if race bindings were synonymous with trustworthy durability? Now, thanks to the new Dynafit DNA Plus binding, it doesn't and they are. The DNA Plus is held together by aluminum, carbon, and steel - just like airplanes. Don't be concerned about the materials driving up the weight because Dynafit managed to actually bring..
Fall
Safety-minded skimo athletes have historically been faced with a bit of a dilemma, relying on standardized u-springs with uncertain or unspecific release behavior. However, with the invention of the Mezzalama binding, Dynafit has eliminated any of this lingering guesswork, introducing a fully adjustable binding at a true race weight. Incorporating aluminum, carbon, and high-tech sy..
Fall
The age of fixed release race bindings is over; the time of the Mezzalama binding has come. Behold: a race-weight binding that features brakes AND fully adjustable lateral and vertical releases! While not unheard of, adjustable release race bindings are exceedingly rare, which is why our minds were blown when we got our first glimpse of the Mezzalama series. With the ability to set..
Fall
Ski Trab calls the Gara Titan “the binding used by champions” and we tend to agree. This tour de force draws from a number of design features at the cutting edge of skimo race rigs, starting with an ultra-reliable titanium toe spring that resists snow buildup. Each toe wing flexes independently in response to twisting boot movement, providing unparalleled elastic retention among bi..
Fall
When the phrase “low tech” is spoken around here, we’re immediately transported back to the tech binding renaissance of the early 90s that saw Dynafit introduce many category-defining products to the market. A descendant from this product lineage was the Superlite 2.0, which with its excellent lateral elasticity, adjustable lateral release, and fixed vertical release, satisfied mos..
Fall
Among a sea of tech bindings with subtle distinctions, the Ski Trab Titan Vario.2’s singular titanium toe rod and gapless heel instantly stand out. After a few seconds of learning how to step in, its general effect is to instantly win over a new convert to this rare Italian import. The principal drawback of this binding’s design was that its delights were limited to heavier, or at ..
Fall
