# What are the lightest skis available for backcountry use? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What are the lightest skis available for backcountry use?

## Products

### Atomic Backland 86 UL
```yaml
product: atomic-backland-86-ul
brand: Atomic
price_gbp: 508.36
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 157, 165, 172, 179 cm
waist_width: 84.5 in (157); 85 in (165); 85.5 in (172); 86 in (179)
rocker_profile: All-Mountain Rocker with flat tail
sidecut_radius: 117-84.5-105 (157); 118.5-85-106.5 (165); 120-85.5-108 (172); 121.5-86-109.5 (179)
turning_radius: 14.2 m (157); 15.2 m (165); 16.2 m (172); 17.2 m (179)
```

- **Price:** £508.36 [^1]
- **Summary:** A very light touring ski built with an Ultra Light wood core and full-length carbon backbone plus HRZN 3D tip for reduced swing weight and improved tip float. Offered in four lengths (157-179 cm) with narrow 85-86 mm centre widths and an all-mountain rocker for versatile uphill efficiency and predictable medium-radius turns. Suited for fast-and-light ski mountaineering where low weight and edge hold matter.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for lightest backcountry skis because it claims sub-1,000 g per ski (e.g., 970-1,055 g depending on length) and uses an Ultra Light wood core plus carbon backbone to minimize weight while retaining torsional strength.

### Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88
```yaml
product: black-diamond-helio-carbon-88
brand: Black Diamond
price_gbp: 635.48
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 157, 165, 172, 179 cm
waist_width: 84.5 in (157); 85 in (165); 85.5 in (172); 86 in (179)
rocker_profile: All-Mountain Rocker with flat tail
sidecut_radius: 117-84.5-105 (157); 118.5-85-106.5 (165); 120-85.5-108 (172); 121.5-86-109.5 (179)
turning_radius: 14.2 m (157); 15.2 m (165); 16.2 m (172); 17.2 m (179)
```

- **Price:** £635.48 [^2]
- **Summary:** A very light touring ski built with an Ultra Light wood core and full-length carbon backbone plus HRZN 3D tip for reduced swing weight and improved tip float. Offered in four lengths (157-179 cm) with narrow 85-86 mm centre widths and an all-mountain rocker for versatile uphill efficiency and predictable medium-radius turns. Suited for fast-and-light ski mountaineering where low weight and edge hold matter.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for lightest backcountry skis because it claims sub-1,000 g per ski (e.g., 970-1,055 g depending on length) and uses an Ultra Light wood core plus carbon backbone to minimize weight while retaining torsional strength.

### Blizzard Zero G 96
```yaml
product: blizzard-zero-g-96
brand: Blizzard
price_gbp: 635.48
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 148, 156, 164, 172, 180 cm
waist_width: 86 mm
rocker_profile: All-terrain rocker (tip rocker, camber underfoot, flat/near-early-rise tail)
sidecut_radius: 18 m (172 cm)
turning_radius: 18 m (172 cm)
```

- **Price:** £635.48 [^3]
- **Summary:** Lightweight 86-mm touring skis with a full wood core, sandwich sidewalls and a Cork Damplifier in the tip for improved damping. They feature an all-terrain rocker (early-rise tip, camber underfoot, near-flat tail), narrow 86 mm waist for efficient skinning and medium 18 m turn radius for balanced uphill efficiency and competent descents. Available in 148-180 cm lengths and marketed for speed touring and mountaineering.
- **Ideal For:** They suit weight-conscious backcountry skiers seeking light uphill performance because they weigh ~1230 g per ski at 172 cm, have an 86 mm waist and an All-terrain Rocker for a low-weight, versatile touring platform.

### DPS Pagoda Tour 105
```yaml
product: dps-pagoda-tour-105
brand: DPS
price_gbp: 1267.94
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 155, 163, 171, 179, 184 cm
waist_width: 105 mm
rocker_profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
sidecut_radius: 131/105/115 to 135/105/119 mm (depending on length)
turning_radius: 18 m (179 cm) / 15 m (171 cm)
```

- **Price:** £1267.94 [^4]
- **Summary:** Lightweight backcountry touring ski with a paulownia core and carbon/flax (CFL) laminate offering strong uphill efficiency and playful, surfy downhill performance; available in multiple lengths and tuned for float in soft snow with camber underfoot for edge hold. Suited to advanced tourers who prioritize low weight without fully sacrificing downhill feel.
- **Ideal For:** Because it uses a paulownia core and CFL carbon/flax laminate and has a listed weight as light as 1265-1520 g depending on length, it suits the question by being one of the lighter 105 mm-waist touring skis for backcountry use.

### Dynafit Blacklight 88
```yaml
product: dynafit-blacklight-88
brand: Dynafit
price_gbp: 358.84
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 158, 165, 172, 178, 184 cm
waist_width: 86 mm [158], 87 mm [165], 88 mm [172], 89 mm [178], 90 mm [184]
rocker_profile: Light tip & tail rocker, camber underfoot
turning_radius: 15.5m [158], 17.0m [165], 18.5m [172], 20.0m [178], 21.5m [184]
```

- **Price:** £358.84 [^5]
- **Summary:** The Dynafit Blacklight 88 is an ultralight touring ski built with a Paulownia Speed Core and unidirectional carbon layup, offering a race-oriented, nimble platform with camber underfoot and light tip/tail rocker. Available in multiple lengths, it balances low weight and sufficient downhill performance for fast, technical backcountry days. It includes race-notched tips for speedskin compatibility.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for the lightest backcountry use because it combines a narrow 88 mm waist (172 cm) with a very low weight (approx. 1150 g per ski at 172 cm) and UD carbon/paulownia construction for maximum uphill efficiency.

### Salomon MTN 86 Pro
```yaml
product: salomon-mtn-86-pro
brand: Salomon
price_gbp: null
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 155, 163, 171, 179, 184 cm
waist_width: 105 mm
rocker_profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
sidecut_radius: 131/105/115 to 135/105/119 mm (depending on length)
turning_radius: 18 m (179 cm) / 15 m (171 cm)
```

- **Price:** £None [^6]
- **Summary:** Lightweight backcountry touring ski with a paulownia core and carbon/flax (CFL) laminate offering strong uphill efficiency and playful, surfy downhill performance; available in multiple lengths and tuned for float in soft snow with camber underfoot for edge hold. Suited to advanced tourers who prioritize low weight without fully sacrificing downhill feel.
- **Ideal For:** Because it uses a paulownia core and CFL carbon/flax laminate and has a listed weight as light as 1265-1520 g depending on length, it suits the question by being one of the lighter 105 mm-waist touring skis for backcountry use.

### Völkl Rise Beyond 96
```yaml
product: v-lkl-rise-beyond-96
brand: Völkl
price_gbp: 560.71
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
length: 156, 163, 170, 177, 184 cm
flex_rating: Medium
waist_width: 96 mm
rocker_profile: Tip rocker, underfoot camber, semi-flat tail
sidecut_radius: 138-96-119
turning_radius: varies by length: 17-12-16 m (156), 19-14-18 m (163), 22-16-20 m (170), 24-17-22 m (177), 27-19-24 m (184)
```

- **Price:** £560.71 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Völkl Rise Beyond 96 is a lightweight backcountry touring ski with a Tourlite Hybrid woodcore, carbon tip, and a 3D triple-radius sidecut for versatile turn shapes. It pairs early tip rocker and camber underfoot for flotation and edge hold, suiting advanced skiers who want a responsive, efficient uphill tool that still performs on varied downhill terrain.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for light backcountry touring because it has a 96 mm waist, a Tourlite Hybrid paulownia/poplar/beech core and weights as light as ~1180 g per ski (163 cm), giving a strong weight-to-performance ratio.

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Powder7, accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.powder7.com/Atomic-Backland-86-UL-with-Hybrid-Skin-Skis/for-sale
[^2]: GearJunkie (linking retailer REI), accessed 2026-06-12. https://gearjunkie.com/winter/skiing/black-diamond-helio-carbon-88-skis-review
[^3]: BlueZone Sports, accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.bluezonesports.com/blizzard/blizzard-zero-g-96-skis-2027-55324
[^4]: Skimo.co, accessed 2026-06-12. https://skimo.co/dps-carbon-pagoda-tour-105
[^5]: Cripple Creek Backcountry, accessed 2026-06-12. https://cripplecreekbc.com/products/dynafit-w-blacklight-88-touring-ski
[^6]: Pick-a-Ski, accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.pick-a-ski.com/en/reviews/salomonmtn86pro
[^7]: Backcountry Skiing Canada (review page with specs), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.backcountryskiingcanada.com/Volkl-Rise-Beyond-96-Skis