Our Top Picks from Cripple Creek Backcountry
Another winter is on the horizon and our stoke is high for early laps, big missions, and everything in between. We’ve sifted through the newest arrivals, skied the prototypes, and hand-picked the best touring skis for this season.
Whether your goal is chasing powder lines, racking up vert before work, or simply getting out every chance you get, we have the skis for you!
The Breakout Brand: 4FRNT Nevar
4FRNT Nevar — $849
4FRNT’s long-awaited return to the touring spotlight comes with the all-new Nevar, and it’s already turning heads. Designed in Salt Lake City and tested on real western terrain, the Nevar brings a perfect balance of playful freeride feel and confident edge hold. Cripple Creek Backcountry is the exclusive dealer and demo center for 4FRNT in Colorado. Visit our Carbondale and Silverthorne shops to try or buy!
Why We Love It
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Skier-owned brand with deep freeride roots now leaning into touring innovation.
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Rocker-camber-rocker profile gives a surfy float with just enough camber to bite on hardpack.
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Aspen/maple core with carbon stringers balances weight (≈1820 g per ski) and strength.
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A versatile 104mm waist means it can handle powder mornings, corn cycles, and everything between.
Checks all the boxes
The Nevar hits that sweet spot between efficiency and downhill fun, making it the one-ski quiver for those who tour everyday but still crave power on the descent.
Big Mountain Touring Re-Defined: Kästle TX107
Kästle TX107 — $999
The TX line from Kästle has long been a staff favorite, becoming a benchmark for high-performance backcountry skis. This year we are excited to introduce the TX107, the widest ski in the lineup in years. This ski pushes the Kastle touring line further into freeride territory. Blending Kästle’s legendary precision with a touring-weight build, it’s a dream ski for long Colorado days that end in big, deep lines.
What’s New
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Full-length poplar/paulownia core with carbon and fiberglass reinforcement.
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Hollowtech 2.0 tip reduces swing weight and vibration.
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A 107mm waist gives effortless float while the signature Kästle edge grip keeps it stable in variable snow.
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Weighs around 1550 g per ski (in 177 cm) — incredibly light for the performance you get.
Why It Belongs in the Cripple Creek Quiver
The TX107 shines when you’re linking big descents in the Elks or ripping open bowls above Vail Pass. It tours light, skis fast, and never feels nervous when the snow gets tricky. Think of it as the perfect bridge between a dedicated touring ski and your freeride setup.
The American All-Arounder: Voilé Manti Ace
Voilé Ace — $995
Born and built in Utah, Voilé’s new Manti Ace touring ski proves that simplicity and craftsmanship still matter. Designed as the ultimate daily driver for mountain touring, the Ace brings the brand’s signature durability and intuitive feel into a modern shape that’s equal parts fun and reliable.
Why It Stands Out
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100 mm waist keeps it balanced between powder float and firm-snow edge hold.
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Poplar paulownia core with carbon fiber and triaxial fiberglass for power-to-weight efficiency.
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Early-rise tip with subtle tail rocker for quick turn initiation and easy releases in tight trees.
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Made in Salt Lake City
On-Snow Feel
The Manti Ace feels quick and responsive on the skin track yet composed when things get fast. It’s the ski we grab when the forecast is uncertain — mid-winter powder, chalky steeps, or spring corn missions. It also pairs beautifully with lightweight tech bindings for a sub-3 kg setup without losing downhill confidence.
Shop the Voile Manti Ace Touring Ski
Closeout Gold: Dynafit DNA & Blacklight Skis
With increasing gear cost, we fought hard to push prices down so we would have an offering for any budget and with Dynafit we have race-ready and uphill-focused quivers covered. We’ve still got limited closeouts on two of our favorite lightweight Dynafit skis, both with serious markdowns and ideal for different kinds of uphill addicts.
Dynafit DNA Ski — The Race Weapon
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Purpose: Pure skimo race and vertical training.
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Weight: ~700 g per ski.
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Construction: Paulownia race core, carbon top sheet, and full cap.
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Ideal For: Racers and uphill purists who want max speed on the skintrack.
If you’ve been eyeing your first race setup or want to replace a tired uphill trainer, the DNA closeouts are unbeatable for value right now.
Dynafit Blacklight 88 Ski (Mens and Womens) — The Fitness Touring Classic
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Purpose: Fast fitness laps and big vert objectives.
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Weight: ~1,140 g per ski (Blacklight 80 cm avg).
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Construction: 100% carbon layup with paulownia core for lightness and torsional stability.
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Ideal For: Daily trainers, spring mountaineers, and anyone chasing sunrise laps before work.
This ski lives on the Highlands Bowl bootpack, on resort uphills, and on every Cripple Creek staff members’ car rack come spring. If you want speed and simplicity without the race price, this is the one to grab before it’s gone.
Shop the Dynafit Blacklight 88 Touring Ski
Choosing the Right Touring Ski
There’s no single “best” ski, only the right ski for your goals. Here’s how we help customers dial it in:
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For everyday touring and versatility: Voile Manti Ace
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For big-mountain freeride days: 4Frnt Nevar
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For big-mountain freeride days: Kästle TX107
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For fast-and-light racing: Dynafit DNA
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For uphill fitness and fitness-touring: Dynafit Blacklight
Our staff has skied every one of these models across Colorado and all the way up to the Pacific Northwest. Come by any Cripple Creek Backcountry location, and we’ll match you with the setup that fits your skiing style, boot, and budget.