UBAC 110 | 2027

The UBAC 110 was built to handle both sides of the backcountry equation. Touring-specific skis tend to prioritize uphill performance, which compromises enjoyment of the descent. Alpine skis, which can always be mounted with touring bindings, certainly provide ample amounts of downhill confidence, but are usually too heavy for long ascents. Zag keeps the weight low (1700 g per ski @ 180 cm) while still delivering a responsive downhill experience that feels closer to a freeride ski than a lightweight touring setup.

Click in and you'll feel its featherweight instantly; it's a great climbing weight for a 110-mm waisted ski. On skin tracks, you stop thinking about what's on your feet and start thinking about where you're going to the top! Drop into soft snow and the UBAC 110 immediately finds its rhythm. Its wide, rockered tip planes to the surface with minimal effort and the ski settles into a smooth, surfy glide. The tail rocker and moderate camber work together to create a fairly loose feel that allows one turn to flow fluidly into the next. The UBAC is highly intuitive; you don't have to drive the ski so much as guide it. When you lean it on edge, it accelerates through a turn and carries speed without feeling heavy.

In tighter terrain, the UBAC 110 stays composed. The tips and tails feature some significant tapering. This makes it easy to pivot and slash without the long, locked-in feel you get from a traditionally cambered plank. In turn, this ski responds better when you stay centered and engaged rather than trying to drive hard through everything in your path. Stay balanced and you're rewarded with a lively, energetic ride.

The UBAC 110 doesn't try to do everything perfectly, but it does do many things well. While it was built for long tours on powder days where the descent is the main event, it carves corn quite well too. Your search for a light, stiff powder touring ski ends here.