Gallery: All-Mountain Ski Gear for Shredding Out of Bounds
Jakob Schiller01line-influence-skis
Powder is like an addiction for many of us. We're willing to drive or hike way too long to reach it. And once we're in it, the rest of the world disappears. We can be freezing, dehydrated and malnourished, but we wouldn't even notice because we're floating along in deep, untouched snow. Such was the case when I sat in the car for five hours to get to Colorado's Wolf Creek Ski Area so I could take advantage of a recent storm. Unlike the rest of the Southwest, where the snowpack has been anything but stellar this season, Wolf Creek is up to its goggles in fluffy stuff. The ski area is located in a strange weather pattern where it always seems to be snowing. When it's blue skies for the rest of us, Wolf Creek is getting pounded. It's not only known for its deep snow, but also for its extensive sidecountry terrain where skiers have the opportunity to hike out of bounds to access some steeper runs that stay fresh longer because they're not serviced by a chair lift. With a truck full of all-mountain gear designed specifically for such terrain, I was pumped on adrenaline like a little kid on Christmas when I pulled into the parking lot with a long day of freshies in front of me. Let the testing begin... Line Influence 115s ------------------- Thanks to these bad boys, I had one of my best ski days in recent history. I'm normally a telemarker, which makes me graceful but inefficient, and I normally can't unlock the full power of a traditional downhill ski. But with my heel fastened into the [Influence 115s](http://lineskis.com/skis/influence-115-1213) ($750), I felt like Superman. With just enough rocker in the tip to ensure they plowed above the deep stuff, and a nice fat 115cm midsection to keep the rest of the ski floating as well, the Lines were designed for hard-charging powder days. They're built with a maple core, which provided the dampness I needed to jump off a cornice and proceed to rip through a series of big, sweeping deep-powder turns. But down in the trees, where things are tighter, the skis also responded well. They deliver plenty of pop, so I could bring them around fast enough to not ruin my day by hitting a tree. The skis have a traditional camber underfoot, which means that as the day went on and the runs bellow got packed down, I didn't hate my life. The skis is designed to hold an edge on the harder stuff too, so they can easily become your daily drivers, and you won't have to invest in multiple pairs of skis for variable conditions. __WIRED__ Fat enough to kill the pow on even the deepest days. Stable underfoot so you can rip steep lines or tight trees. Versatile enough that this can be your only ski. __TIRED__ I'd haul them into the backcountry, but it would be a workout. Not friendly on ice. __Rating: 9 out of 10__*Photo by Jakob Schiller/Wired*
Jakob Schiller02dps-wailer-99-pure-skis
DPS Wailer 99 Pure ------------------ The real standout feature of [DPS' Wailer 99](https://www.dpsskis.com/ski/wailer99) is its low weight. Built with a shitload of carbon, it's 30 percent lighter than other skis in its class. For those who like to ski the backcountry or the sidecountry, that's great news. I only got to ski the Wailers in a little sidecountry, but let me say this: It would be my ski of choice in the New Mexico backcountry, or anywhere devoid of chairlifts where you have to haul your own butt to the snow. Too often, I'm so whooped from the uphill that the downhill isn't much fun. Not anymore. Because the Wailers are so light, I'd have no problem skiing them along the miles and miles of skin tracks it sometimes takes to reach the good stuff. And unlike other weight-watcher skis, performance doesn't takes a back seat. The Wailer Pures killed it in the powder and on the steeps, giving me the confidence I would need to navigate the kind of terrain we like to pick off in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Like the Influence 115s, these are also meant to fill out a one-ski quiver -- they're still responsive, hold a nice edge, and are plenty of fun in-bounds. The problem with these skis is that they'll break the bank. I know carbon is expensive, but what kind of ski bum can afford $1,250? __WIRED__ Even the weaklings will have the stamina to bring them into the backcountry. Just as much fun on the groomers as they are in the trees. Fun to look at. __TIRED__ You'll be scraping under the couch cushions for extra change to pay for your bindings. Bright orange isn't your color? Too bad. __Rating: 7 out of 10__*Photo by Jakob Schiller/Wired*
Jakob Schiller03rocky-mountain-underground-skis
Rocky Mountain Underground Apostles ----------------------------------- I chased the Rocky Mountain Underground guys around for a month trying to track down a pair their [Apostle skis](http://www.rockymountainunderground.com/product_detail.cfm?productID=6&categoryID=5&subCatID=1) ($805) for this test trip. I finally connected with the company's product rep on New Year's Day in Pagosa Springs, outside Wolf Creek. Instead of sleeping in and enjoying what was a holiday for most people, the RMU rep got up early that morning and braved the snow-packed roads to deliver these puppies in my hands. And I'm glad he did, because they were a lot of fun. Like the Influence 115s and the DPS Wailer 99 Pure, these are made to excel on powder runs, but they perform well all over the mountain. Rocky Mountain Underground calls this ski its "Swiss Army Knife." The versatility of the Apostle comes from its shape -- five different widths along the length of the ski form five separate contact points with the snow. Certain parts are utilized in hard pack, and other parts come to life in soft snow. Sure enough, they floated in Wolf Creek's sidecountry powder, and brought me back to the base safely on the groomers with a fair amount of traditional camber. __WIRED__ Designed to keep you happy on all snow types. You'll be the cool kid because you have an obscure brand to show off. __TIRED__ Too heavy for long backcountry tours. A lot of ski, so you need to know what you're doing. __Rating: 8 out of 10__*Photo by Jakob Schiller/Wired*
Jakob Schiller04dynafit-bindings
Dynafit TLT Radical FT Bindings ------------------------------- None of my fun would have been possible without bindings and boots. The biggest standout were the [Dynafit TLT Radical FTs](http://www.dynafit.com/product/bindings/tlt-radical-ft-110mm-z12) ($600), which have developed a cult following. They're alpine touring bindings, which means you can unlock your heel when you need to skin up a trail, and then lock the heel back in when you want to shred down. Dynafit has shaved a lot of weight off the TLTs, making them very light when compared to more traditional alpine touring bindings. That might lead you to think they're weak (and they certainly don't look very sturdy) but they're remarkably tough. They steered my fattest skis through deep snow, and I'm sure they'd keep you locked in as you stick a rough landing off a cliff. __WIRED__ Super light, super strong. Heel locks and unlocks, letting you navigate the backcountry terrain with ease. __TIRED__ Not completely intuitive. Pricey. __Rating: 9 out of 10__*Photo by Jakob Schiller/Wired*
Jakob Schiller05scarpa-boots
Scarpa Maestrale RS Boots ------------------------- Specifically designed for a matched fit with the Dynafit bindings are these [Scarpa Maestrale RS boots](http://www.scarpa.com/scarpa/products/p_12044-501.1) ($700). Like most alpine touring boots, they're uber-light, so they don't weigh you down when you're earning your turns. I realize it's a cliche, but they were so light, I forgot they were on (Really! OK, not really, but you get the point, they're very light). I never once wished I had a heavier, more traditional downhill boot. The icing on top is that they have a great walk mode. There was so much flex when I walked around in them at Wolf Creek that I started dreaming about testing them on some longer backcountry tours. __WIRED__ Light, light, light. Still pretty stiff and tough -- I got as aggro in them as I would in a heavier boot. Comfy, even when walking around the resort. __TIRED__ A little hard to get on and off. They're priced to match your crazy-expensive bindings. __Rating: 9 out of 10__*Photo by Jakob Schiller/Wired*
