K2

Wayback 80 Alpine Touring Ski

The K2 Wayback 80 Ski is an ultralight (only two pounds) and surprisingly stiff option for mountaineering and backcountry touring. Usually, ultralight skis like the Wayback feel chattery on the downhill, so K2 stiffened the Wayback with the new T3 Titanal Touring Technology. T3 uses a short titanium laminate to drastically amplify the ski's stiffness in ways that most backcountry skis lack. The ski also has a full-length laminate made of fiberglass with carbon stringers for an incredibly stiff flex suitable for firm, steep lines. K2 finished the ski's construction off with damping strips on top of the durable sidewalls to drastically decrease chattering when you're riding firm snow on steep lines at high altitudes.

With an 80mm waist, this Wayback is the skinniest ski in K2's Wayback backcountry collection. Its nimble, skinny width rides best on firmer snow and the variable conditions commonly found high up in the alpine. Although best for firmer snow, the All-Terrain Rocker eases turning whenever you find a softer stash on the ride down, and it certainly helps you keep your tips up when you're setting the skin track. The All-Terrain Rocker also has camber underfoot to initiate plenty of edge control down icy chutes and steep aprons.