The Best Backcountry Skis of 2022: Dynafit Blacklight 95

Dynafit’s new super lightweight Blacklight 95 ski isn’t afraid of long ski touring missions. Considering the ski’s sub-3-pounds weight, the bigger, the better. The brand earns entry into the featherweight category with their UD Carbon Construction, which incorporates unidirectional carbon laminates around a paulownia wood core.

Taking this ski into Colorado’s Indian Peaks, the weight was appreciated both on the bike ride into the trailheads near Brainard Lake as well as the relatively flat approach to Mt. Toll, a must-do adventure for skiers all over the Front Range. Dynafit’s catalog describes this ski as “your entry into the backcountry,” which is also something people from the Front Range and beyond seem to be doing a lot of these days.

While there is some tip and tail rocker, the Blacklight 95 has plenty of camber for a backcountry ski. This keeps the ski especially happy on edge. The sidecut also has a sharp transition at the ski’s widest points before tapering off towards the tip and tail. This sharpness was especially appreciated on steep descents where the vampire-tooth sidecut could bite into the snowpack with authority.

This dramatic sidecut transition also meant that the ski never felt truly comfortable during big turns at high speed. Short, quick turns at a moderate pace was what the ski really preferred after the steep stuff, despite what the near-20 meter turn radius would make you think.

The combination of a lightweight ski with such strong edge grip on steep terrain make this a great choice for adventure driven skiers who want to explore skinny couloirs and technical steep terrain in the backcountry. It’s also a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts who want a lightweight option for in-bounds ski tours but don’t rush the descent in favor of maximizing turns and time on the mountain.

Buy Now: evo

See the full list of this season’s best backcountry skis

More gear and content from Dynafit

More Info: Dynafit.com