SKI REVIEWS YOU CAN TRUST
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Men's Freeride touring ski reviews 2019


The skis in the “Freeride touring” category are selected for a mixed piste/freeride programme, and are light enough to be mounted with touring bindings. The skis are halfway between freeride or all-mountain skis, designed for descent performance, and touring skis that are narrower and very light, perfect for ascents.

Designed with uphill glides on skins in mind (more or less ambitious depending on their weight) to extend the scope of freeride exploration, they are still great fun in descent skiing. The review criteria are the same as for all mountain/freeride skis, as is the weight, the main performance yardstick for gliding uphill. The skis are relatively wide (from 92 to 100 mm underfoot) to give good float in the powder and fluidity in spring snow. The shape is similar to that of All-mountain skis, but they're far lighter (between 1300 gr and 1900 gr for the ski alone).
Reviewers' score
17.1
BEST SKI

BEST SKI

Already selected and reviewed last year, the Camox Freebird from Black Crows did incredibly well this year with a new version and a new design featuring a "modernised" core. The result is amazing.

Its behaviour on the groomed slopes is very adaptive with particularly good grip and outstanding stability. The ski is well-balanced, determined, easy to handle and playful.

Off-piste, the ski is... Read on

Reviewers' score
15.9
AWARD

AWARD

Selected again for the PROSKILAB review this year, the Wayback 96 from K2 confirms its excellent behaviour (already noted last year).

The ski boasts a very progressive flex that makes it remarkably smooth and fun to ski. The Wayback 96 is happy in all relatively soft snow conditions, including groomed runs.

Despite being easily accessible, the ski has punch and offers first-rate performance. The very... Read on

Reviewers' score
15.8
AWARD

AWARD

During the pre-tests, we mentioned a preference for the Mantra V.Werks (an amazing model that we'd like to review next year), but VÖLKL asked us to review the VTA 98, a ski designed for a wider public.

Overall behaviour is sound. The ski was judged to be "very consistent", "playful" and "smooth" in all snow conditions, especially in powder where float and manoeuvrability... Read on

Reviewers' score
14.4

Reviewed for the first time by PROSKILAB, the Backland 95 from Atomic made a good impression.

It's a relatively stiff ski for this category. The result is excellent behaviour on the groomed slopes, with grip and stability that would make some piste-oriented skis turn green with envy. Off-piste, this same stiffness gives it some serious arguments. The ski's performance in uneven snow and its potential... Read on

Reviewers' score
13.6

The Mythic 97 CA from Dynastar displayed an enjoyable and docile character. It's an easy ski, that's relatively soft, contrary to what its CA name (for Carbon) would have us think.

The professional reviewers appreciated its comfort and overall user-friendliness in most snow conditions: "a consistent and easy ski to handle", "an easy ski", "enjoyable on all types of snow"...... Read on

Reviewers' score
12.0

The UBAC 95 from ZAG hasn't changed much compared with the model we reviewed last year.

It's a ski that’s light underfoot, simple to handle, with very easy turn initiation. It's relatively docile and enjoyable as long as you don't go too fast.

Off-piste, its behaviour is good. Its float and rotation in the powder in particular won praise from the reviewers: "extremely... Read on