We kicked off the Skiing with Surfdome Series with Part 1: Best Skis for Freestyle Skiing and now, for the even more adventurous out there, here’s a rundown of our Best Backcountry Skis.
For those who laugh at the sight of a faithful ski lift, have no qualms venturing off-piste and yearn for crisp white, un-groomed snow, you’re going to need the most robust and reliable skis to get you through that treacherous terrain. That’s where we can help you. Below is a special selection of our best backcountry skis expertly tried and tested by Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings.
Men’s Backcountry Skis
APO Sammy BC Skis (Sammy Carlson Pro Model)
Tip Width: 140mm
Waist Width: 122mm
Tail Width: 135mm
“You’re in control from the word go on Sammy Carlson’s pro model. One of the smoothest fat skis out there. Go everywhere and slay everything like a boss.”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: APO 
APO are renowned in the world of snow sports, and when you see their Swiss mountain HQ and next level equipment, it’s easy to see why. Commendable technical skill, rigorous innovation and constant fine-tuning put this Swiss brand among our favourites here at Surfdome. With the likes of Will Berman, Kai Mahler and of course Sammy Carlson testing out their products, you can rest assured knowing you’ve got yourself a real stellar piece of gear with APO.
Armada Norwalk Skis
Tip Width: 140mm
Waist Width: 115mm
Tail Width: 131mm
“This is a maestro of a ski. With plenty of rocker and stable as you like under foot, it’ll let you tackle the gnarliest conditions whilst remaining playful.”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Armada 
Armada are a total ski revolution. With a team comprised of sterling engineers, artists, designers and pro level athletes, this brand have managed to reach legendary status in 40 nations worldwide. Technically superior and with cutting-edge graphics, Armada skis aren’t for the fainthearted.
Black Diamond Amperage Skis
Tip Width: 142mm
Waist Width: 115mm
Tail Width: 124mm
“Now in its second year, the Amperage continues to excel as a true freeride weapon. A 115mm waist provides plenty of float on pow days and in variable conditions, and a slightly stiffened tail adds more stability on landings. Always a pleasure tearing up the piste on the way back to the lift too!”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Black Diamond 
When a company are as dedicated to climbing and skiing as Black Diamond are there’s absolutely no doubt they will always deliver the best equipment possible. Since 1957 Black Diamond have been recruiting nothing short of enthusiasts to design, develop and really put the products through their paces. Now operating out of the U.S.A, Europe and Asia, Black Diamond skis are at the forefront of quality ski gear all over the world.
Dynastar Cham 107 Skis
Tip Width: 137mm
Waist Width: 107mm
Tail Width: 122mm
“The Cham 107 is a charger. There is very little this ski can’t cope with. Aggressive tip rocker keeps it floaty whilst the camber underfoot and flat tail provide a heap of edge grip in all conditions. It’s big smiles on your face time!”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Dynastar 
With a birthplace of Mont-Blanc and Chamonix as the base camp, Dynastar are lucky enough to have one of the most incredible, natural laboratories to develop and test every product. Committed to mountain adventure and completely devoted to skiers, this company push the limits of innovation to meet the most challenging landscapes in the world.
Liberty Double Helix Skis
Tip Width: 150mm
Waist Width: 121mm
Tail Width: 140mm
“The Double Helix is an immediate ‘feel good’ fat ski. Versatile and surprisingly nimble around the mountain. Very stable on all types of terrain, with good edge hold on groomers for a fat ski! Comes into its own for those sweet pow days.”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Liberty
Residing in the heart of the Colorado mountains, Liberty work, live and breathe everything ski. With a clear and simple goal of using the best possible materials for the job, the skis Liberty produce are undeniably some of the best of their kind. Their no frills approach to design means they don’t add materials or features to the products unless they actually improve your experience on the snow. This company are all about function.
Women’s Backcountry Skis
Armada VJJ Skis
Tip Width: 136mm
Waist Width: 115mm
Tail Width: 133mm
“A great choice for the ladies looking to advance their freeride skills. The VJJ has a super smooth turn initiation with a predictable edge hold in firmer conditions. The 115mm waist provides plenty of float in the pow and it has a confidence building swing weight to keep things playful.”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Armada
Armada are a total ski revolution. With a team comprised of sterling engineers, artists, designers and pro level athletes, this brand has reached legendary status in 40 nations worldwide. Technically superior and with cutting-edge graphics, Armada skis aren’t for the fainthearted.
Majesty Velvet Women’s Skis
Tip Width: 120mm
Waist Width: 100mm
Tail Width: 115mm
“The Velvet lives up to its name with a smooth and effortless feel when riding in the soft stuff. With tip and tail rocker it’s lightweight and playful, and the 100mm waist gives plenty of stability underfoot. This could be the one ski that does it all for aspiring female freeriders.”
Surfdome’s Ski Buyer, Rick Hutchings
The Brand: Majesty
Majesty are a dedicated freeski company, so it’s no surprise this brand manage to constantly churn out some of the most innovative skis on the market. After tackling the mountains under the expert guidance of world class riders, the final touches of every ski are carefully completed by hand resulting in something with real character and unmistakable style.
Click here to check out all of Surfdome’s backcountry skis.
