Touring Skis

Just skiing downhill is easy. But to actually gain yourself the descent, you have to get up on the mountain first! You love having the entire mountain for yourself, enjoying nature and its calmness? You appreciate the struggle of having to go up meter by meter to reach the peak or need that exhausting training through the snow? Then you are in need of touring skis, and these come in a great variety of types, widths, lengths and brands.

Touring Skis: Your Key to Untouched Winter Worlds

Do you long for that unique feeling of exploring untouched powder slopes and enjoying the silence of the winter mountains far away from groomed pistes? Then ski touring is exactly the right sport for you! It is the perfect combination of fitness, freedom and a close connection to nature – an adventure for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With touring skis, you earn every descent yourself and experience the mountains in a completely new and intense way.

Touring skis are specially designed skis that not only support you during your descent in deep snow or on the piste, but also allow you to climb uphill. They are lighter than traditional alpine skis and designed in such a way that, with climbing skins under the ski and a special touring binding, you can efficiently ascend the mountain. Looking for the right equipment to experience the unique world of ski touring? Then you are in exactly the right place to find out more about touring skis and to buy the right touring skis.

Which type of touring ski is right for you?

The choice of touring skis is huge: freetouring, all-rounders, specific race skis – it’s easy to lose track. Sport Conrad gives you a simple overview of which touring skis are ideal for you, based on your skiing style and your needs.

For ski touring beginners and versatile all-rounders: The All-Round Touring Ski

If you’re just starting out or enjoy moving through mixed terrain – from piste-side fitness laps to backcountry tours – an all-round touring ski is the ideal choice. It offers an excellent balance between climbing and downhill performance.

- Characteristics:
An all-round touring ski is typically between 80 and 95 millimetres wide, designed to handle all conditions – from pistes and powder to forest descents. With moderate sidecut, these skis are also manageable on the ascent.

- Weight: Around 1,200 g to 1,300 g per ski – a good balance between light weight for uphill efficiency and enough stability for the descent.

- Use: Perfect for quick tours up your local hill, classic high-alpine routes, or multi-day traverses.

- Example: Dynafit Radical 88, with a women’s version (Dynafit Radical 88 W) that is even lighter.

For descent-oriented riders: The Freetourer (Freeride Touring Ski)

If your main focus is on downhill performance, and you love untouched powder and steep lines, freetouring or freeride touring skis are your first choice. For freeriding, ski weight is secondary.

- Characteristics:
Freeride touring skis are much wider than all-round skis, with waist widths starting at approx. 95 mm – often 100 mm or more. They offer exceptional stability and smoothness. The large surface area combined with tip and tail rocker construction ensures optimal float in powder.

- Weight: Around 1,500 g per ski – slightly heavier than all-round skis, but offering maximum comfort on the descent.

- Example: The Dynastar M-Tour 99 is a great introduction to the freeride touring world.

For uphill-focused and competitive skiers: Race Touring Skis

If you’re a ski touring enthusiast focused on climbing, a short length and minimal weight are your key priorities. Uphill-focused skis are very lightweight and narrow, but still allow safe downhill performance. For competition, weight reduction takes priority over downhill stability.

- Characteristics: Race touring skis are extremely light (well under 1,000 g per ski) and available only in shorter, narrower lengths. Designed for maximum efficiency uphill.

- Downhill: They are more challenging to ski downhill and are best for experienced users who can fully exploit these ultra-lightweights.

- Complete set: Race skis are usually combined with special race bindings and boots, all designed for minimal weight.

- Example: The Atomic Backland UL 65 is designed for highly performance-oriented ski tourers.

Construction and Design of Touring Skis

The construction and design of a touring ski is crucial for its performance in the mountains.

Rocker construction

Rocker construction reduces the natural camber of the ski. The shovel becomes longer and flatter, which helps the ski “float” more easily. This reduces the contact area with the snow, allowing easier pivoting, especially in deep snow. Tip rocker (upturned tips) is the standard for touring skis.

Full camber construction

The opposite of rocker: positive camber means the ski touches the snow only at the tip and tail when unloaded. When weighted, the whole edge grips. This is ideal for high speed and difficult snow conditions, providing maximum edge hold.

Which ski materials are best?

The right mix is key! Depending on the type of wood, carbon amount, and other materials (aramid, flax, basalt), the handling characteristics of the ski vary.

- Ski core: Lightweight materials are key. Popular choices: glass fibre, Titanal, ash, balsa, or Paulownia wood (as in the K2 Wayback 88).

- Carbon: Reduces weight and increases torsional stiffness. Too much can make the ski unstable. Manufacturers often use carbon in specific areas (around the core or as a honeycomb structure in the tip) to add stability and edge hold.

Correct ski length and sidecut radius for touring skis

Ski length

In general, touring skis should be approx. 5–10 cm shorter than your height.

- Uphill-oriented skiers: Prefer slightly shorter skis for easier kick turns. Except in race skis, the ski should not be shorter than chin height.

- Downhill-oriented skiers: Prefer slightly longer skis for more stability and smoothness at higher speeds.

Radius

The sidecut defines the turning radius.

- Small radius: Tighter sidecut = easier turning and more agile handling.

- Large radius: More stable and smoother at high speed.
Touring skis usually have a moderate radius from 15 m upwards. Narrow race skis with minimal sidecut often have a radius of about 20 m.

Correct ski length and sidecut radius for touring skis

Touring bindings: Your vital connection to the snow

The binding is an essential component of your touring setup. It must provide safety and performance for both ascent and descent.

Types of bindings

Pin bindings (tech bindings):

- How they work: The boot is clicked into the binding via small pins at the toe. During ascent, the heel is free; for the descent, it is locked down.

- Advantages: Extremely lightweight, maximum freedom of movement on climbs.

- Disadvantages: Requires boots with tech inserts; release values are less precise than frame bindings.

Frame bindings:

- How they work: The boot is fixed into a frame that lifts together with the boot when climbing. The frame locks down for the descent.

- Advantages: Good power transfer and downhill stability, similar to alpine bindings.

- Disadvantages: Heavier, making climbs more strenuous.

Climbing aids:
Most touring bindings have climbing aids – small flip-up supports under the heel – to make steep ascents easier and less tiring.

Touring bindings: Your vital connection to the snow

Skins: Your grip for the climb

No ski touring without skins. These attach to the ski base and allow you to move forward without sliding backwards.

Materials:

- Mohair: Best glide and grip, natural fibre from angora goats.

- Synthetic: Durable and affordable, slightly less glide.

- Mixed: Combines the best of both worlds.

Many manufacturers offer skins cut specifically for their ski models, or you can trim them yourself.

Touring ski sets: Ready-made solutions for an easy start

Touring ski sets (ski + binding + skins) are an excellent choice for beginners or those who prefer a simple, perfectly matched setup.
Advantages:

- No need to choose components separately

- Perfect compatibility

- Often more affordable than buying each piece individually

- Bindings often pre-mounted, skins cut to fit

Finally: Full touring equipment

For a ski tour you also need:

- Touring boots: Offer freedom of movement uphill and stability downhill

- Adjustable touring poles

- Functional clothing (layering principle)

- Safety gear is essential: avalanche beacon, probe, shovel – plus avalanche knowledge and regular practice

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about touring skis

What does a full ski touring setup cost?

Expect to pay €800–1,500 for skis, bindings and skins. Boots add €400–800, poles €50–150 and avalanche safety gear €250–400. In total: approx. €1,500–3,000 for a solid starter kit.

Is ski touring exhausting?

Yes. Unlike alpine skiing, you climb the mountain on your own. Fitness and good technique are key. The reward is an untracked descent and the peace of the mountains.

Does ski width matter?

The width of touring skis plays a key role depending on the terrain and preferred area of use. In addition, the ski width influences the behavior on the ascent and descent:

- Narrow touring skis (up to approx. 84 mm center width):
Particularly suitable for ascent-oriented tours, classic ski tours as well as snowy or hard snow conditions and steep, alpine terrain.
Advantages: Lighter weight, better edge grip and more precision when traversing on hard or icy ground.
Ideal for long ascents and frequent hairpin turns, as handling is much easier.

- Medium width (approx. 85-95 mm):
Versatile all-round models for changing conditions, classic ski touring, and medium-steep to deep-snow tours.
Offer a good compromise: sufficient flotation in fresh snow, but still acceptable weight and handling on the ascent.

- Wide touring skis (over 95 mm):
Preferably for downhill-oriented ski touring and freeriding
Advantages: Very good flotation in loose, deep snow and better control on the descent in packed or heavy snow.
Disadvantages: Higher weight, heavier handling on the ascent (especially on steep traverses) and requires more strength and advanced technique

What is the difference between alpine skis and touring skis?

Alpine skis: Heavier, stiffer, designed purely for downhill on groomed slopes, bindings fixed.
Touring skis: Lighter, flexible, bindings allow a free heel for climbing and lock for descents.

Can I ski on piste with touring skis?

Yes, especially with all-round or freeride touring skis. They are not as aggressive as pure alpine skis but perform well enough for occasional piste use.