Ski touring is backcountry skiing that involves ascending slopes under your own power using climbing skins attached to the base of the ski, then removing the skins to ski back down. It requires specialised touring bindings that allow the heel to lift freely during the ascent. Ski touring ranges from short day tours to multi-day expeditions in the mountains.

What is the difference between classic touring, free touring, and speed touring?

Classic touring (ski mountaineering) uses lighter, narrower skis optimised for long ascents on harder snow. Free touring (backcountry touring) uses wider skis that balance ascent efficiency with off-piste descent performance. Speed touring (ski alpinism) uses ultralight skis and bindings for fast technical mountain routes where weight is critical. Free touring is the most popular style for recreational backcountry skiing.

How wide should touring skis be?

Touring ski waist width depends on the terrain and snow conditions you expect. For mostly groomed or hard-packed routes and ski mountaineering: 75–85mm. For mixed terrain with some powder: 85–95mm. For dedicated powder and off-piste: 95–110mm. Wider skis float better in soft snow but are heavier and harder to skin efficiently on hard ascents.

Should touring skis be shorter than alpine skis?

Yes. Touring skis are typically 5–10cm shorter than equivalent alpine skis. Shorter skis are lighter, swing more easily on tight ascent tracks, and are easier to handle in variable terrain. The reduction in descent performance from a shorter ski is usually acceptable for recreational touring. Speed tourers may use skis 10–15cm shorter than their alpine equivalent.

What turning radius do I need for touring skis?

Touring ski turning radius depends on skiing style. A shorter radius (13–17m) suits tighter, more technical terrain and tree skiing. A medium radius (17–22m) is versatile for most backcountry terrain. A longer radius (22m+) suits open slopes and faster, sweeping turns. Most free touring skis have a radius of 16–22m.

What bindings do I need for ski touring?

Ski touring requires bindings with a free-heel mode for ascending (the heel lifts with every step) and an alpine mode for descending (heel locked). The main systems are frame bindings (heavier, compatible with most ski boots), tech bindings (lighter, require tech-insert boots), and hybrid bindings (balance of weight and boot compatibility). Tech bindings are the standard for most recreational and performance touring.

Can I use alpine skis for touring?

Alpine skis are technically compatible with touring bindings that fit them, but they are not ideal for touring. They are heavier than dedicated touring skis, which adds fatigue on long ascents. Their stiffer flex and longer length also make kick turns on steep ascent tracks harder. For occasional touring or lift-accessed backcountry skiing, alpine skis with a frame touring binding are a usable compromise.

How do climbing skins work?

Climbing skins are strips of synthetic or mohair fabric that attach to the base of touring skis for the ascent. The directional fibres grip the snow when pushed backwards (preventing the ski from sliding back) while gliding forward with minimal resistance. Skins are attached with a combination of glue on the base and tip and tail clips. They are removed at the top before descending.

dincalculator.com / touring skis

Touring Ski Length Calculator

Find the proper length, waist width, and turning radius for your height, weight, and style of touring.

Height (cm)

Weight (kg)

Touring style

Enter your height and weight to see your recommended touring ski parameters.

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What does it mean to ski tour?

Ski touring, which is also known as alpine touring or randonnée, is when you go up mountains on skis with climbing skins connected to the base and then come back down on the same skis. Touring skis need to be light enough to climb well yet strong enough to handle different types of mountain terrain on the way down. This is different from resort skiing.

For the same skier, touring skis are shorter than resort skis. Classic touring skis are usually 10 to 5 cm shorter than the height of the person using them. This makes it easier to travel up hills. Free touring skis are 5 to 0 cm shorter than their height.

Who needs a touring ski calculator?

This calculator is used by resort skiers transitioning to backcountry touring who need to understand how touring ski sizing differs from their current skis, by experienced tourers switching between disciplines (e.g. moving from classic touring to free touring for more off-piste capability), by skimo racers selecting competition skis for their height and weight category, and by outdoor shops fitting customers with their first touring setup. It is also used by guides and instructors who need to quickly recommend appropriate equipment to guests.

How touring ski parameters are calculated

Select touring style: Classic, Free Touring, and Speed Touring each have different length ranges relative to height. Classic: height −10 to −5 cm. Free Touring: height −5 to 0 cm. Speed Touring: height −15 to −10 cm.
Apply weight adjustment: Skiers under 60 kg subtract 5 cm from both ends of the range for easier manoeuvrability. Skiers 61–85 kg use the standard range. Skiers 86 kg and above add 5 cm to both ends for better stiffness, float and stability on the descent.
Waist width range: Determined entirely by touring style — Classic 75–95 mm, Free Touring 95–115 mm, Speed Touring 65–85 mm. Within each range, the optimal width is the middle 10 mm band.
Turning radius: Also style-dependent. Classic: 15–20 m (versatile). Free Touring: 18–24 m (open terrain). Speed Touring: 12–16 m (tight, groomed ascent lines). The optimal radius is the midpoint of each range.

Frequently asked questions

What touring ski length should a 175 cm skier choose?

A 175 cm classic tourer of average weight should choose skis in the 165–170 cm range (height −10 to −5 cm). A free tourer of the same height should look at 170–175 cm. A speed tourer should use 160–165 cm. These are starting points — heavier skiers add 5 cm, lighter skiers subtract 5 cm.

Can I use all-mountain skis for touring?

Yes, but with significant trade-offs. All-mountain skis are 400–800 g heavier per ski than dedicated touring skis, making uphill progress much harder and more tiring. For occasional day tours on moderate terrain they work adequately. For multi-day tours, technical ascents, or serious backcountry, dedicated touring skis are strongly recommended.

What waist width should I choose for touring?

For classic and speed touring on groomed or firm terrain, 65–85 mm waist width offers the best edge grip and lowest weight. Free touring on mixed terrain suits 95–115 mm for a balance of float and hardpack performance. Wider skis (110+ mm) suit powder-focused free touring but are significantly heavier and less efficient on long climbs.

How does body weight affect touring ski length?

Lighter skiers (under 60 kg) benefit from skis 5 cm shorter than the standard recommendation — shorter skis are easier to manoeuvre and require less muscular effort on the uphill. Heavier skiers (86 kg and above) should go 5 cm longer for adequate stiffness, float and stability on the descent, and to prevent ski chatter at speed.

What is turning radius and why does it matter in touring?

Turning radius describes the arc a ski naturally carves in the snow. A smaller radius (12–16 m) suits tight couloirs, trees and groomed piste descents — common in speed touring. A larger radius (18–24 m) suits open bowls and high-speed descents — common in free touring. For most classic touring, a mid-range radius of 15–20 m provides versatility across varied terrain.

What is the difference between alpine touring and skimo?

Alpine touring (AT or randonnée) covers recreational, multi-day and free riding tours. Skis are wider (85–115 mm) and heavier (1,000–1,400 g per ski), prioritising comfort and downhill performance. Skimo (ski mountaineering) uses ultra-light racing skis (under 900 g per ski) with narrow waists (65–80 mm) and short lengths, optimised entirely for uphill speed on firm snow.

Do I need different bindings for touring skis?

Yes. Touring requires bindings with a walk mode that allows heel lift during climbing. Alpine touring (AT) bindings use a rigid frame with a walk mode lever. Tech (pin) bindings are lighter and used for speed touring and skimo — they use small toe pins that insert into holes in touring boots. Standard alpine bindings cannot be used for touring.

How heavy should touring skis be?

Speed touring and skimo skis weigh under 900 g per ski. Classic touring skis weigh 900–1,200 g per ski. Free touring skis weigh 1,200–1,600 g per ski. As a rule of thumb, every 100 g saved per ski significantly reduces fatigue on long uphill sections. For multi-day tours, weight savings compound over many hours of climbing.

How touring ski parameters are calculated

Classic, Free Touring, Speed Touring

Classic touring skis are narrow (75–95 mm) and long (height −10 to −5 cm) for efficient uphill movement. Free Touring skis are wider (95–115 mm) for off-piste versatility. Speed Touring skis are the narrowest (65–85 mm) and shortest (height −15 to −10 cm) for fast, efficient ascents.

Classic 75-95mmFree Touring 95-115mmSpeed Touring 65-85mm