Why the Atomic Backland 109 Is the Perfect Ski for Going Off the Grid

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Backcountry skiing offers a quieter ski experience, away from the lift lines and commercialization of resorts. Newcomers to the backcountry quickly realize their resort gear won’t cut it while ski touring. When you swap chairlifts for uphill climbs, weight becomes critical, especially when it comes to the skis you have to drag up the mountain.

How light you go will depend on where you fall on the aerobic-to-aprés spectrum. Heavier backcountry skis will be an easier transition for folks used to stable, heavy resorts skis. Ultralight options will let you fly uphill, but require practice to ski well down, especially in the mixed conditions often encountered in the backcountry.

To help you find a pair that’s right for your backcountry style, experience level, and budget, we tested the latest and greatest—our favorite and best overall backcountry skis are Atomic Backland 109s. They hit the sweet spot: Light enough to ease your ascents but stiff and damp enough to feel familiar and trustworthy. 

Want the lowdown on more great snow sports gear? Check out the rest of Men's Journal 2025-2026 Ski Awards, where we’ve tested everything from outerwear to après-ski gear to bring you the best of every category—jackets, pants, bindings, and more.

Best Backcountry Skis of 2025-26

Best Backcountry Skis Overall: Atomic Backland 109

I’ve turned a number of Atomic skis into touring setups despite them not being backcountry-specific skis, so it’s not surprising that their flagship touring skis, the Backland 109s shine as a dedicated ski touring setup. These mid-fat all-rounders hit the sweet spot in weight: light enough to ease your ascents but stiff and damp enough to feel familiar and trustworthy.

Yes, they’re sub-1,600 grams but there are other tweaks that make them ideal for backcountry touring. The rocker-camber-rocker profile is less pronounced which keeps more surface area on the snow when climbing and makes each stride more efficient, preserving your energy for the fun part. The HRZN Tech tip and tail keep the weight near the center of the ski so they’re faster to pivot and there’s carbon stringers for lightweight stability and traditional fiberglass to dampen chatter.

All that adds up to a lightweight touring ski that feels as much like a freeride resort ski as is possible at this low of a weight, making it a great choice as a good first backcountry ski. The width and shape helps you maximize the powder days that have you calling in sick, but it’s stiff and stable when you have to deal with lesser conditions. If you’re dealing mostly with hard snow, there are similarly constructed Backlands in 102, 95, and 88 with ultralight skimo-oriented versions as narrow as 65mm.

• Width: 107mm
• Available lengths: 175, 182, 189cm
• Weight: 1,550 grams for 182cm

Why You Should Trust Me

I’m a lifelong skier raised on icy upstate New York hills currently based in Breckenridge, Colorado, where I ski over 100 days a year, split fairly evenly between backcountry and resort. I spend those days testing all manner of gear from skis to jackets to apps to avalanche beacons for Men’s Journal, Powder, Tripsavvy, GearJunkie, and I serve as editor of the backcountry ski site WildSnow. I’ve skied on four continents and aim to hit all seven eventually, but some of my favorite runs are in my backyard.