Alpine Touring/Telemark Skis

Reviewed by BigRed

A high-performance, lightweight, and wide mountain ski that tours well enough for hut-to-hut adventures and turns well enough for some summits on the side. Best in friendly snow conditions, but can handle some degree of crust and crud. Requires some driving rather than just riding in difficult snow.

Me and my Rabbs doing our swing Here's the deal: you’re coming to Norway for a multiday hut-to-hut ski tour, with side trips to big slopes and summits, in late March or April when the mountain gods may offer up anything from fresh powder to creamed corn to nasty crust and ice. One pair of skis, boots, and bindings for the whole show. What’s your choice? I asked that question on a backcountry skier's forum and got suggestions ranging from old school leather boot/3-pin binding/skinny ski setups through to lightened-up plastic rando or tele boots and bindings on no-compromise fat skis with rocker.

Read more: Åsnes Rabb 68 review (1)

Reviewed by Josh C

Bottom Line: The Armada JJ is a really fun ski. It floats well at 115 underfoot, but with such early taper and rocker it has a really surfy feeling. It really can handle anything you toss at it. I highly recommend this ski to ANYONE who is looking at getting into rocker, who rides powder/crud at least 70% of the time, or who wants a sick backcountry jib ski!

Pros: "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." Seriously, they are probably the best 1 ski quiver ski that I have ever handled (for Snowbird/Alta that is). I don't like them quite as much as the Magic J (I like longer skis and the 185cm just isn't quite enough for me). They carve fine on groomers, better than many other rockered ski. They float and surf awesome in deep pow (not quite as well as some fatter offerings though), and they are stiff enough to handle crud without a problem.

Read more: Armada JJ review (1)

Reviewed by Jim51111

Go anywhere, do anything ski comfortable in the backcountry as well as on the groomers. A one quiver ski that is capable of taking you anywhere within your ability level.

The Black Diamond Convert skis are the Jeep of touring skis. They are comfortable anywhere in any conditions. I have ridden them on fresh powder, breakable crust, icy New England resort trails, and freshly groomed corduroy runs and enjoyed every turn. Front Country Their performance in the front country, on groomed resort trails, is adequate but you need to be a confident skier to feel comfortable taking these down steep high speed runs. The rocker tip and tail, which are helpful in the powder, cause the ski to chatter on hard packed snow and decrease turning and stopping abilities.

Read more: Black Diamond Convert Ski review (1)

Reviewed by DECKEL!

"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 occasion the previous winter, and I decided to buy myself some gear. So I showed up at a local ski swap, and a retailer was selling this pair of skis that had been used as a store demo.

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Reviewed by Josh C

This is hands down one of the best big mountain powder slayers on the market. It is extremely versatile given its width, and Armada nailed the flex profile in the 190cm length.

For years I was begging Armada to make a super JJ (fatter, longer, stiffer, modified rocker, etc.)...They finally came out with the AK JJ, but it was just longer and only slightly stiffer. I was bummed... until they released the Magic J.... and it was everything I ever wanted and more! I always felt that the regular Armada JJ in a 185 was slightly too short considering the camber profile. I always wanted it to be 189-191cm. Armada nailed it by making the Magic J in a 190cm length. Second, the turn radius always seemed slightly short..

Read more: Armada Magic J review (1)

Reviewed by Josh C

Awesome lightweight, extremely versatile, stiff touring ski that you can use all day inbounds.

These are an awesome touring ski for someone that is looking for a ski that can charge inbouds as well as out of bounds. I use this ski about 40% of the time as an inbounds crud crusher, and 60% of the time as a backcountry powder ski.  Extremely stable at speed, stomp landings hard and easily, but extremely versatile. I used to spend about 90% of my days on the Armada JJ, which has to be one of the most versatile skis on the market...but I wanted something stiffer and longer and fatter. When Armada came out with the Magic J...

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Featured review by René-Martin

My daily quiver. This ski is perfect to get everywhere every day. You can't go wrong: powder, crud, wind pack, ice, skinning. It's more than a touring ski, it's surprisingly stable at good speed. Honestly, one ski that does everything perfect doesn't exist. This is close. Just a fun ski, day in and day out.

176 cm. Mounted with BD O1. I'm 6'2" 180 pounds. I ski everything. Pro patrol for 10 years now. When I got the Aspect, I thought I would only use it outabound. It ended up being my favorite everyday ski at work and on my days at the mountain, riding a lift or going far in the backcountry. I still have a 95mm and a 115 mm ski. Those just don't get as much days out. Had them for 3 years now and still very satisfied. I ski the East. Disclosure: The reviewer received a sample of this product from the brand or its representatives in exchange for a review.

Read more: Black Diamond Aspect Ski reviews (4)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Great short, light skis for skinning and riding most conditions.

These skis came to me via Craigslist. They had been purchased and mounted with touring bindings in 2014 and never ridden for two years. I drove across the state to swoop up this deal. These are the first brand-new skis I have purchased. I got them in 172cm, which is a little short for me but that was sort of the plan since I am a moderate skier and I intend to carry them places.  Dimensions: 115/85/112 (@172cm) More specs: http://www.skis.com/Line-Mastermind-Skis-2014/314376P,default,pd.html   About my skiing: I am a blue-black run skier but I venture out of bounds occasionally to ski volcanoes in the summer and other places where the avy risk is low.

Read more: Line Skis Mastermind review (1)

Featured review by Kaitlyn Roth

Lovely skis! Really like them!! Sadly I need to buy new skis this year, but will definitely buy Atomic skis!

I love skiing.

Read more: Atomic Blog reviews (2)