For many ski tourers, making their first turns on a snow-covered slope is the definition of a successful ski tour. However, you shouldn't head out into the great outdoors alone without good preparation: You should have knowledge of avalanche awareness, first aid and the weather, and preferably also an experienced guide. In addition to all these aspects, equipment is also an important factor when ski touring. We have summarised the best equipment tips for the coming ski touring winter for you.
High feelings in deep snow: Salomon MTN 86 Carbon
The Salomon MTN 86 Carbon is the ideal companion for your ski tour. With a width of 86 mm and a weight of 1.1 kg, the ski offers extreme lightness for effortless ascents and at the same time reliable grip for steep descents, even on hard snow. The continuous wood core and a carbon-reinforced construction guarantee both reliable stability and high manoeuvrability. The camber profile and alpine shape enable fast and steep descents. The continuous sandwich sidewalls guarantee good directional stability and smooth snow contact.
A Titanal insert under the binding ensures maximum edge grip on hard snow and optimum power transmission. Innovative technologies such as the Cork Damplifier in the tip of the ski offer impressive vibration absorption and the highest possible level of damping with minimum weight. The MTN ski also focuses on sustainability - with 30 % recycled topsheet materials and a 100 % recycled base. The model is also available specifically for women as the MTN 86 W Carbon. This touring ski is the symbiosis of optimum performance and environmentally conscious innovation that will inspire ski tourers in search of unforgettable mountain adventures.
The shoe for the perfect balance: La Sportiva Vanguard
The La Sportiva Vanguard offers the ideal balance between comfort and technique, both on the ascent and the descent. A lightweight shoe with a high level of comfort and freedom of movement for effortless ascents. Robustness and reactivity characterise it on the descent. The Vanguard not only offers top performance, but also environmental awareness. The use of Pebax® Bio-Based New 1100 material shows that sustainability and performance do not have to be mutually exclusive. The use of innovative material combinations, including carbon and glass fibres, ensures optimum power transmission, abrasion resistance and exceptional lightness.
The unique V-SHAPE™ shaft and the intuitive fastening system allow great freedom of movement and effortless donning and doffing. With a wide cut, the boot offers a comfortable fit, while the Ultralon® liner and Vibram® V-Lug sole provide durability and grip. The foldable ski/walk mechanism on the back with 63° rotation rounds off the overall technical package. Weighing just 1,490 g (men) and 1,325 g (women), the Vanguard sets new standards in terms of lightness.
Winter jackets in top form: Alpine.Pro and Highest.MTN from Martini Sportswear
Martini Sportswear stands for functional yet stylish outdoor clothing. The Alpine.Pro jacket for men offers the perfect combination of warmth, windproofness and water repellence. Thanks to the intelligent use of materials, including Primaloft® Gold insulation in the front and back, the jacket guarantees optimum thermal insulation and comfort at the same time. The elasticated stretch inserts ensure unrestricted freedom of movement. Details such as elasticated edging, zip pockets and a 2-way front zip offer practical comfort. The Alpine.Pro jacket is not only technically impressive, but also environmentally conscious: designed in Austria and manufactured in the EU without PFC.
The Highest.MTN jacket for women also utilises the outstanding Primaloft Gold insulation and impresses with its lightness and compactness. The high-quality material keeps you warm, is windproof and water-repellent, while elasticated edging and practical pockets ensure comfortable functionality. The use of 100% recycled polyester and the PFC-free waterproofing emphasise the jacket's sustainable approach. Packed away in the bag provided, it fits effortlessly into any rucksack. Responsibly manufactured in the EU.
The better airbag: Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC
The Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC series stands for pioneering technology, safety, lightness and customisability. The electronic system has an extremely reduced weight and impresses with its reliability and ease of use. Thanks to the zip-on concept, the base can be customised with different backpacks for different areas of use. Specially designed for ski touring, the Avabag LiTRIC Tour models offer high wearing comfort, essential functions and optimum adaptability to your tour. LiTRIC, the result of a partnership between Arcteryx and Ortovox, combines the strengths of electronic and mechanical systems. With supercapacitors instead of cartridges, multiple test releases and fast USB-C charging, LiTRIC sets new standards. The 1,100 g airbag system is one of the lightest on the market, offering intuitive operation from the deployment handle to the leg loop and packing the airbag.
With one charge for at least two releases and a long operating time, it is also ideal for multi-day tours. There are three different models to choose from: Avabag LiTRIC Tour, Avabag LiTRIC Freeride and the lightest model Avabag LiTRIC Zero. All models (except Zero) are available in two different back lengths (Small and Regular) and with different packing volumes. The unique zip-on system makes it easy to exchange pack sacks and expand the volume from 28 to 30, 36 or 40 litres, depending on requirements. Perfectly tailored features such as ski, splitboard and rope fixation as well as an ice axe holder and a helmet net make this airbag the ultimate choice for ski touring and freeriding.
Safely into your ski touring adventure: Mammut Barryvox
When it comes to off-piste ski tours, the right avalanche equipment is essential. Mammut relies on intuitive handling and state-of-the-art technology to provide the best possible support for ski tourers. The award-winning digital three-antenna device (Barryvox avalanche transceiver) is the centrepiece of Mammut's avalanche equipment. It impresses with its intuitive one-button operation and a long range of 70 metres. The easy-to-read display with clear graphic instructions also offers practical search support. A shock- and break-proof housing rounds off the Barryvox, which was developed and produced in Switzerland. The Mammut avalanche equipment, including a selection of shovels, probes and airbag systems, is ready to secure you in the best possible way for your next tour.
- Digital three-antenna device with extremely simple operation
- Large reception range and 70 metres effective search strip width
- Easy-to-read display and buttons that can be operated with gloves
- Shock and break-proof housing
- Automatic transmission switching in the event of a secondary avalanche
- Group test function
