The end justifies the means

That was just a few seasons ago. Every year we’d drool over the next big thing that promised even better performance. Then there were the endless discussions on social media, industry snow tests, seemingly interminable waits before you could get your hands on the latest gear. Not that the passion of our readers has waned in the intervening years, it’s more that the world of backcountry skiing has settled into a kind of rhythm. R&D continues apace, while the market, after years of double-figure growth, has reached a certain maturity. And we’re all more relaxed (or realistic, even) about the latest developments in different products or categories. There’s no set way of doing things, just an objective. No lightness or performance as an end in itself, but fun and skiability; getting back to what it’s all about. So, yes to lightweight gear, but not when it means compromising on the downhill. Any yes to performance, but it needs to be accessible for a wider range of skiers. Skis and boots have gone back to being a means to an end, without overcomplicating matters. That’s why these days you don’t get so many ultralight matchstick-style models that are all but impossible to ski. That’s why the focus in the Tour category is on gear that’s fun and above all easy to use. But this can put off more demanding skiers, who in turn are moving towards lighter all-mountain skis mounted with hybrid bindings. That’s why Freeride is increasingly divided into two camps: freetouring, which aims to strike the right balance between long uphills and rewarding lines; and pure freeride, for riders who refuse half measures when it comes to the descent and jumps, using boots with no ski/walk mechanism but with pin inserts (at least at the toe). Less talk, more action. Like it or not, this is the world of AT skiing today, where in getting off the beaten track, everyone can find the gear most suited to their vision.