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Cripple Creek field guide / Winter 2026–27
Powder mornings. Everyday tours. Spring peaks. Race-day starts. Five skis for five different kinds of winter.
Find your ski ↓Updated November 2026 · Cripple Creek Bike & Backcountry
The best women’s touring ski is the one that fits the skier and the day. Start with where you tour, how you like to ski down, and the length and flex you can use comfortably.
El Nino is bringing consistent snow to the mountains and the ladies of Cripple Creek are building out their touring ski quivers. With all the options to choose from, which touring ski is best for you? Some brands build dedicated women’s models; others build one ski in a length range that suits a lot of women. We think both approaches work, as long as the ski fits the skier.
So we pulled together five of our personal favorites, chosen for their shorter lengths, manageable weight, and suitability for lighter skiers. There’s a dedicated powder ski for the storm cycle, a carbon all-rounder for bigger snow days, a women’s all-mountain tourer, an ultralight mountaineering tool, and a race ski for early morning fast laps and race starts. Here are our picks to consider for your 2026/27 season.
The 60-second answer
Best women’s touring skis 2026/27: at a glance
| Our pick | Best for | Listed weight per ski | Waist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Backland 108 W | storm-day powder ski | 1,310 g (167 cm) | 108.5 mm (167 cm) |
| Black Diamond Helio Carbon 102 | carbon all-rounder for bigger snow days | 1,495 g (178 cm) | 102 mm |
| Kästle Pika 94 | all-mountain tourer for her | 1,350 g (163 cm) | 94 mm |
| Dynafit Blacklight 88 Flex 70 | ski-mountaineering featherweight | 990 g (158 cm) | 86 mm (158 cm) |
| Dynafit DNA | race-day rocket | Ultralight race build | Race-specific platform |
Reference lengths differ, so these weights are not a same-length comparison. Dimensions and radius can change with size. Prices checked November 4, 2026; confirm your exact size and availability on the product page.
01 / Staff pick
The storm-day powder ski
CCBB pick / storm-day powder ski
Atomic Backland 108 W
The Backland 108 W is the women’s version of the Backland 109, with the same deep-day attitude in a 158–176 cm length run. That opens the door for skiers who need something shorter than the unisex ski’s 176 cm starting point. The HRZN 3D tip adds surface area at the shovel, and the Ultra Light Woodcore keeps a wide ski from turning every approach into a weight-training session. Generous powder rocker helps it surf soft snow and pivot through trees.
Why we love it
- Serious float without a punishing climbing weight: 1,310 g per ski at 167 cm is a compelling number for this width.
- The 25/55/20 rocker profile puts soft-snow maneuverability first.
- A length run beginning at 158 cm brings a dedicated powder shape to shorter skiers.
- Dura Cap sidewalls add protection and support around the edge.
What we’d change: This is a storm-cycle specialist. If most of your season is firm spring snow, look at the Pika or Blacklight first.
Think a soft-snow lap in Highlands Bowl or a powder tour on Richmond Ridge when conditions line up. This one is for the day you have been waiting for, rather than the ski you choose because the forecast looks complicated.
02 / Staff pick
The carbon all-rounder for bigger snow days
CCBB pick / carbon all-rounder for bigger snow days
Black Diamond Helio Carbon 102
The Helio Carbon 102 is a unisex ski, and its 164 cm and 171 cm sizes put a carbon touring ski with ample float in reach for plenty of women. A pre-preg carbon layup over a poplar core balances touring efficiency with a more substantial platform for the descent. The early-rise tip and rockered tail make it easy to release a turn in soft snow; camber underfoot helps when the way home is firmer than the way in.
Why we love it
- A 102 mm waist adds soft-snow support without going all the way to a dedicated powder ski.
- Carbon over poplar balances weight, torsional stiffness, and feel.
- Early rise at both ends makes room for playful, slashing turns.
- Full-length ABS sidewalls and a protected tail bring practical durability.
What we’d change: At the listed reference length it is the heaviest ski here. Choose it for the balance of climbing weight and downhill support, rather than chasing the lowest number.
This sits between the Pika 94 and Backland 108 W: more float than the first, more versatile than the second. It is for the skier who seeks soft snow but still has a wind-affected ridgeline and a long exit in the day.
03 / Staff pick
The all-mountain tourer for her
CCBB pick / all-mountain tourer for her
Kästle Pika 94
The Pika 94 is Kästle’s women’s take on its versatile touring platform. It shares the TX94’s shape and construction in a length run that starts at 155 cm. A 94 mm waist gives you enough platform to enjoy fresh snow without carrying a dedicated powder ski all spring. A paulownia core wrapped with carbon and fiberglass, plus Armoclad sidewalls, keep it adaptable in changing snow conditions.
Why we love it
- 94 mm is a useful middle ground for a season of powder mornings and firmer afternoons.
- Hollowtech Evo removes material from the tip to reduce swing weight.
- The carbon-and-fiberglass wrap and sidewalls support a dependable edge.
- The radius changes with length: 11.5 m at 155 cm, 13.2 m at 163 cm, and 15.1 m at 171 cm.
What we’d change: A one-ski answer always involves compromise. It will not float like the Backland or climb like the Blacklight, and the length run stops at 171 cm.
For midwinter tours and spring corn, this ski will show up equally happy to meet the job at hand. For women seeking one ski for the season, the Pika is a great option.
04 / Staff pick
The ski-mountaineering featherweight
CCBB pick / ski-mountaineering featherweight
Dynafit Blacklight 88 Flex 70
Dynafit builds the Blacklight 88 in two flexes, and Flex 70 is the softer one. Listed by Dynafit as its women’s version, it gives lighter skiers a more accessible option than the stiffer layup. A carbon build over paulownia puts the 158 cm under a kilogram per ski. That's an exceptional advantage for long climbs, especially when the ski handles descents this well.
Why we love it
- 990 g at 158 cm keeps the carrying cost low on big-vertical days.
- The softer Flex 70 layup suits lighter skiers and makes variable conditions manageable.
- Sidewall-cap construction balances edge support with low mass.
- Six lengths beginning at 151 cm give smaller skiers plentiful options.
What we’d change: Ultralight skis ask you to slow down and stay deliberate in rough snow. This is a mountain-travel tool, rather than a substitute for a heavier ski’s composure.
This is the ski for a spring of long Colorado objectives where the approach and boot pack take most of the day. For lighter skiers seeking an efficient mountain tool, this is it.
05 / Staff pick
The race-day rocket
CCBB pick / race-day rocket
Dynafit DNA
The DNA has one job: get you to the top of the course efficiently, then get you down for the next climb. Its paulownia race core and carbon construction make it a very different proposition from the touring skis above. The 153 cm option is the reason it earns a place here: smaller racers should get to choose a race ski that fits their stature.
Why we love it
- A dedicated race construction prioritizes climbing speed and quick transitions.
- Carbon reinforcement provides edge support without turning it into an all-mountain ski.
- The 153 cm option gives smaller racers a shorter platform.
- The available 2025 carryover offers a less expensive entry into a specialized setup.
What we’d change: Not much. For a lightweight race ski, the DNA does its job and does it well.
For a woman lining up at a skimo race or chasing an uphill PR, this is the specialist. If your goal is powder touring, choose one of the wider skis above.
Choosing the right women’s touring ski
- storm-day powder ski: Atomic Backland 108 W
- carbon all-rounder for bigger snow days: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 102
- all-mountain tourer for her: Kästle Pika 94
- ski-mountaineering featherweight: Dynafit Blacklight 88 Flex 70
- race-day rocket: Dynafit DNA
Length, weight, and flex matter more than the label on the topsheet. The right ski depends on your terrain, boots, budget, and how you like to ski on the way down. A lighter skier does not automatically need the shortest or softest option, and an aggressive skier does not automatically need the heaviest one.
Start with how to choose your touring setup, then use our touring ski sizing guide to narrow the length conversation. Once you have a ski in mind, our 2026/27 staff-pick touring bindings guide helps with the next piece of the system.
Women’s touring ski FAQs
Do I need a women’s-specific touring ski?
No. A unisex ski can be the right answer if its length, flex, and intended use match you. A women’s model earns its place when the sizing or construction gives you a better fit.
Which ski would you start with for a one-ski quiver?
The Pika 94 is our starting point for a mixed season. Favor softer snow and want more width? Compare the Helio Carbon 102. Spend most days on long spring approaches? Compare the Blacklight instead.
Is the lightest ski always the best touring ski?
Only if it fits your priorities. Saving weight helps on the climb, but a ski that asks more of you on the descent can be the wrong trade. Compare at the length you would buy.
Let’s build your setup
Tell us how you tour. We’ll help match the ski.
Come in with your goals, your boots, and the kind of winter you want to have. We’ll work through the options with you.
Book a gear appointment ↗