Salomon MTN Summit 79 Ski

When Salomon's X-Alp ski hit the market back in 2017, it immediately garnered a loyal following for its ability to sprint up the skintrack at near-race speeds, while keeping the descents more fun and playful than we'd assume from a hard-snow-oriented mountaineering ski. Rarely had a ski appealed so well to efficiency-conscious skimo athletes and avid tourers alike, and the X-Alp proved to be an easy-skiing, fast-ascending option for racers looking for a wider touring ski and non-racers wanting a tool for spring conditions. Not much has changed for Salomon's goldilocks low-fat ski, with the MTN Summit 79 making minor tweaks to keep torsional stiffness and hard-snow performance at a maximum. While the original X-Alp received high marks for its easy-turning feel and great performance in powder, the ski could also feel noodly when conditions firmed up, especially for bigger or less balanced skiers. With the move from a basalt/fiberglass cap construction to a monocoque-carbon, partial-sidewall construction, the MTN Summit gains some of the bulldozing stability of its older siblings in the MTN Explore line while maintaining the technical precision that makes it a great choice for difficult skiing at high altitudes. Pair the MTN Summit with race boots and mohair skins and watch full-day tours turn into dawn-patrol laps, fueling the fire for bigger peaks and more ambitious objectives.

• Not as demanding as other mountaineering skis, the MTN Summit 79 brings tons of fun to the low-fat category.
• Karuba wood-core adds damping to a precise monocoque carbon chassis.
• Pairs well with race boots for speed, race-plus boots for versatility, and even standard touring boots for daily-driving.
• While the X-Alp branched off from Salomon's race-ski lineage, the MTN Summit 79 is more in line with their touring skis, the MTN Explore 88 and 95.
• Rockered tip with race-skin notch means the MTN Summit goes from weeknight racecourse to weekend powder lapping and back again.
• Glossy topsheet goes well with Capilene sun-hoodies and midsummer trips to the glacier.