BC Provisions: All the backcountry ski gear you need to get you up and down beyond the ropes

In our never ending quest to test out as much gear as possible, the FREESKIER staff headed down to Silverton, CO last February to try out some of the latest and greatest backcountry ski gear essentials while partaking in Bent Gate Mountaineering’s second annual Silverton Sickdays. Turning the oft-sleepy town of Silverton into a bustling hub of events with various brand representatives, athletes and industry folk on hand, the event provided an optimal setting for testing out the gear and chatting with the manufacturers.

During Sickdays, our team put the skis, skins, poles, boots and accessories through the wringer. Logging full days at the ski area, in the heli and in the backcountry, we sought to filter out the good from the great by giving it all a thorough run-through in different daily scenarios. A somewhat sketchy snowpack meant we needed to be ever so diligent with our precautionary measures. Silverton’s mountain guides did a fantastic job of opening up new terrain around their beast of a resort and careful snowpack evaluation in the backcountry allowed us to find the goods without getting buried.

Noting that the SIA Snow Show just went down in Denver, Colorado, and many manufacturers are showcasing what’s new for next year (2015-16), these hot items are surely going to be heavily discounted in the months to come. Who doesn’t love a good deal?

The subsequent pages highlight some of our top picks for skis, boots and bindings. Enjoy.

G3 Empire Carbon 115

The Empire Carbon 115 is a lightweight plank that skis like a beast. The full rocker profile ensures maximum surfability in deep snow conditions andis matched with the sidecut profile to help with edging on variable surfaces. It’s constructed with a poplar/paulownia wood core, two full sheets of aluminum with triaxial carbon fiber for maximum stability without the weight.

MSRP: $980

Völkl V-Werks BMT 109

New for 2014-15, Völkl’s Big Mountain Touring (BMT) line is constructed of lightweight, multilayer wood wrapped in carbon fiber for performance that rules the uphill as well as the down. This versatile 109 mm waist width and full rocker profile allow you to dominate powder or variable conditions and skin-friendly design keeps things simple.

MSRP: $1,275

Salomon Q-BC Lab

The Quest BC Lab is built around a poplar wood core that features a carbon and flax laminate to dampen vibration that can sometimes plague lightweight skis. A 114 mm waist (@184), defined rocker in the tip and a bit in the tail maximize flotation, while camber underfoot allows for easy skiing in hardpack conditions.

MSRP: $900

K2 Coomback 114

Featuring graphics that pay homage to one of Coombs’ favorite playgrounds, La Grave, the Coomback 114 is a touring machine that’s at home in the highest peaks and the deepest snow. A paulownia and maple core combine with a slight rise in the tail and generous low rise in the tip for flotation and performance that won’t disappoint.

MSRP: $900

Scott Rock’Air

The Rock’Air is a well-balanced ski with a paulownia wood core reinforced by carbon stringers for extra stability. Scott’s dual radius design pairs two different turn radii throughout the length of the ski to allow you to make tight turns when needed or open it up on those wide open lines that are just begging for it.

MSRP: $700

Line Magnum Opus

With a 124 mm waist, the Magnum Opus pulls off a seemingly impossible feat of being more lightweight than the Mr. Pollard’s Opus and Sir Francis Bacon, while retaining the same playful attitude of both. A beautifully damp and balanced feel will have you bouncing around the backcountry like never before.

MSRP: $960

Rossignol Savory 7

Part of the acclaimed 7 series, the Savory 7 has a 106 mm waist and is ideal as a daily backcountry driver. Low camber underfoot provides edge hold and control when you need it while honeycomb construction in the rockered tip and tail decreases weight and keeps you on top of the snow.

MSRP: $800

For more of the best gear from our 2015 Backcountry Issue, click here.

Scarpa Freedom SL

The Freedom SL was designed with input from esteemed big-mountain skier Chris Davenport. The 120-flex boot features a generous 27 degrees of motion in hike mode, lightweight Pebax Rnew plastic, ultra grippy Vibram soles and Intuition liners ensure your feet will be cozy out in the backcountry.

MSRP: $769

Fischer Transalp Vacuum TS Lite

The Transalp Vacuum TS Lite utilizes Fischer’s patented Vacuum Fit Molding process to mold both the shell and liner to the foot and lower leg for an anatomically correct fit. In addition, a 60-degree maximum cuff rotation ensures optimal range of motion when slogging up the skin track.

MSRP: $849

Dynafit Radical

The Dynafit Radical is a new 4-buckle, polyurethane boot from Dynafit that comes in at an attractive price point. The 120-flex boot features a cam buckle power strap system that loosens with the pull of a loop. It’s dubbed the Motion Lock system and makes transitioning between ski and hike mode just a little bit easier.

MSRP: $550

K2 Pinnacle 130

This 130-flex boot comes equipped with integrated tech inserts and DIN-compatible outsoles that enable you to ski any binding you please without swapping soles. K2’s Synchro-Interlock system utilizes rivet- free construction in the spine that locks in place for great performance on the downhill and Intuition liners provide ultimate comfort.

MSRP: $850

Lange XT 130

The XT 130 comes in both a 97 mm last as well as a 100 mm last to cater to a variety of foot shapes. It features a traditional hike/ski mechanism and is a great choice for those who want to err on the side of downhill performance. Lastly, grippy material in the sole and arch allow for traction when hiking up slippery, rocky surfaces.

MSRP: $850

For more of the best gear from our 2015 Backcountry Issue, click here.

Tyrolia Adrenaline 16

This framed touring binding from Tyrolia doesn’t require tech inserts on your boots and is ideal for quick jaunts into the backcountry. A 5-16 DIN range keeps you locked in when you need to be and a rear-mounted mechanism allows you to switch between ski and tour modes without stepping out of the bindings.

MSRP: $550

Dynafit Beast 16

This tech binding from Dynafit gives skiers the best of both worlds—a high DIN value of 16 and a weight that’s just slightly above traditional tech bindings. A low ramp angle delivers comfortable performance and a high amount of elasticity keeps you in place when you’re going big.

MSRP: $850

Marker Kingpin

The all-new Kingpin was the first technical touring binding to be DIN-certified and is aimed at skiers who want more aggressive and precise power transmission. The heelpiece utilizes contact points on the outer edges as opposed to traditional pins and the toe is constructed with six steel springs for high-energy absorption.

MSRP: $649

G3 Ion

The Ion provides its user with great energy transmission thanks to its expansive toe- jaw position and wide mounting pattern. A bi-directional heel swivel allows you to easily switch from tour to ski mode and a guiding bumper on the toe piece helps you easily step in without missing the inserts on your boot.

MSRP: $549

Cast SI&I

Designed and tested by Freeride World Tour athletes, the SI&I system is a modular platform that allows traditional alpine bindings to be mounted with a series of plates. One adds a climbing bail to the heel piece and the others allow the toe piece to be replaced by a Dynafit for ascending. It is compatible with a variety of models.

For more of the best gear from our 2015 Backcountry Issue, click here.