Alpine Touring Gear

Recent Alpine Touring Product Reviews

Rossignol BC 120

Lightweight, responsive, lots of fun :) I’m having a blast with my Rossi BC 120’s. They’re very light and I feel a nimbleness when wearing them. So far I’ve skinned up fireroads and hiking trails and done some time on the ski hill. Flotation in powder has been acceptable. They handle loose snow with ease and are okay on groomers—just a bit twitchy on ice but easily controlled. I’m pretty new to tele so I can’t make much comparison in regards to other skis but I do feel confident free-heeling… Full review

Black Diamond Compactor Ski Poles

Lighter, faster, and easier to use than other poles, yet worries about durability linger. Despite the worries, I really like these poles. Summary: From Black Diamond: "The aluminum compactor pole adjusts between popular pole lengths and uses an internal Kevlar cord to instantly break down to packable size and redeploys in a flash. One, rock solid, point of adjustment means you can keep moving instead of being the one always fiddling with your poles." I trek on my ski poles. Or maybe I should say… Full review

Scarpa Men's F1

Looking for a lightweight, flexible AT boot which I can fit a wide foot into following some foot surgery. Very accommodating thermal fitting options, including a mold-able outer shell I had to sit out last year's season here in Colorado due to extended recovery following bone spur removal surgery. Nevertheless, I'm back in the saddle so to speak and am looking to expand into the AT realm. Following doing a fair bit of boot research and getting good advice from a Scarpa rep I spoke with I chose the… Full review

Volkl Attiva Aurora

"Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman" just like SECRET deodorant used to be! Ha Ha. If you read my intro and thought "Oh no, he's reviewing women's deodorant", you'll be sadly mistaken. In fact, I'm reviewing a pair of alpine (downhill) skis. Full disclosure: I'm a 6'1" and ~230lb adult man who proudly and confidently rides this pair of Volkl women's skis. I'll start with a little backstory for context: in the fall of 2014, I was not yet an alpine skier. I had attempted to ski on ONE… Full review

Rossignol BC 65

Very good all purpose skis that will work back country and in track. I've had these for like eight years and use them four or five times a year. We like to hit some trails about 10 miles from the house and Yellowstone Cooke City area mostly. These work well in powder out in Yellowstone or in track when we have been there. Good skis, can't go wrong. Full review

Atomic Sugar Daddy

The journey to find the elusive "one ski to rule them all" continues. About me I am an intermediate skier who skis the winters away on the groomed runs then take my skis to the mountains in the summer after the avy danger has mostly passed. Tech specs 126-99-117 Regular camber 183 length The story When I saw these on Craigslist three hours away with Fritschi touring bindings on them for $150 I got in the car and drove. Does anything depreciate as quickly as skis? This setup would have been $1200… Full review

Black Diamond AMPerage

Super playful skis. Stable, will never let you down. Those skis have been following me for five years now. Big mountain, backcountry skiing, skins, name it. They are stable and durable, very playful skis. I am able to go on powder as much as groomed resort skiing (great on ice too!). The only downside from my experience is that the aesthetic coating of the ski peels off on the ends where I clip my skins. But other than that, great product. Full review

G3 Expedition Skins

Decent traction but a bit less glide than other brands. Tip metal loops need RIVETING to stay attached! Tail clips are fine. My G3 Expedition skins are 10 years old but still work OK even though getting worn down a bit and needing seasonal re-applications of glue. My gripe is that the metal loops (which must be sized for your wide or narrow ski tips) tend to let go when the self-glued skin that doubles back to hold them lets go. I had to rivet my loops in place. Newer style "tip pockets" may be… Full review