It’s a new era for nordic ski manufacturing. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of nordic skiers in the United States increased from 17.71 to 18.46 million. As the sport gains traction, ski manufacturers are pushing the envelope to design skis that flatten the notoriously difficult learning curve, are more environmentally friendly, and fast enough to keep professional skiers on the podium.

While the sport itself is booming, nordic testing circumstances have never been more finicky, with snowless conditions across much of the United States. Fortunately, we had testers in multiples regions of the U.S. and we traveled to higher-snow areas like Arizona鈥檚 high country to track down the right conditions. Here are the skis that came out on top this year.

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At A Glance

• Best Beginner Ski: Fischer Aeroguide Skate 85 ($449)
• Best Elite Race Skate Ski: Salomon S-Lab Universal Skate ($950)
• Best Expert Classic Ski: Rossignol X-ium R Skin ($500)
• Best Touring Ski: Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown/ Dual-Skin XTRALITE ($439)
• Best Endurance Skate Ski: Madshus Endurace Skate ($425)
• How to Choose Cross-Country Skis
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

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Best Beginner Ski

Fischer Aeroguide Skate 85

Sidecut: 43-40-45 cm
Weight: 1,200 grams/175 cm per ski
Lengths: 165, 175, 185 cm

Pros and Cons
鈯� Forgiving sidecut
鈯� Forgiving sidecut can allow for imperfect technique

There are three design choices that make the new Aeroguide an especially good fit for beginner skate skiers: First, it comes in three relatively short lengths鈥�165, 175, and 185 centimeters鈥攎aking it easier for beginners to control.

Next, it has a more aggressive, hourglass sidecut (43-40-45) than higher-level skis. The sidecut on Fischer鈥檚 top-of-the-line Speedmax Helium Skate Plus is shaped like an arrow. That aggressive side cut provides more grip on the edge, making it much easier to push off when initiating the weight transfer (something beginner skiers often struggle with.)

Lastly, unlike almost every other skate ski on the market, the base has two vertical grooves down the length of the ski, which further increase stability and control when gliding by gripping to the snow.

At its base, the ski is lightweight, with a hollow wood core strengthened by basalt fibers that provide better flex characteristics in a wider range of temperatures than fiberglass. The ski may be slightly heavier than more intermediate and expert-oriented designs, but that also adds stability. With a deeper, coarser base structure (thanks to a grinding process using the hardness of natural diamonds), the Aeroguide is easier to ski in warm, moist conditions鈥攁 good thing in a warming world.

Veteran tester Brian Hayden took the Aeroguide for a spin on 12 kilometers of hot laps on the hilly, freshly-groomed, manmade snow at Spirit Mountain Nordic Center in Duluth, Minnesota on a mild, mid 20s winter day. He was duly impressed with the 185-centimeter length, which is seven centimeters shorter than what he normally skis. Despite it being a few hundred grams heavier than the World Cup-level skate skis Hayden normally uses, he praised its stability. 鈥淚t gave me confidence to get out over my ski.鈥�

Best Elite Race Skate Ski

Salomon S-Lab Universal Skate

Sidecut: 44-43-44 cm
Weight: 970 grams/192 cm per ski
Lengths: 170, 177, 182, 187, 192 cm

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Fast and fun
鈯� Not specifically designed for warm or cold conditions

The snow was so sparse in northern Minnesota this year that I timed my testing of the S-Lab Universal Skate to coincide with the morning grooming at Duluth, Minnesota鈥檚 Spirit Mountain Nordic Center. That meant perfect corduroy on a 3.3-kilometer loop that would, in a week, host the US Spring Nationals and Super Tour Finals.

Despite 37-degree temps and soft snow, I loved the way the Unis, known for handling a wide variety of conditions and temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, rose to the occasion. They were smooth while climbing punchy hills, cornered well on tight, curvy downhills, and effortlessly glided across the flats. They felt fast even as the sun beat down and turned parts of the course to slush.

Why, unlike more temperature-specific skis, is the Universal so fast in variable conditions? It boils down to an ever-evolving blend of three elements: a proprietary 鈥淕5鈥� base formula that improved the ski鈥檚 performance in warm conditions, combined with a World-Cup-tested grind pattern that has produced winning results across a wide range of testing circumstances (Note: Olympian gold medalist Jessie Diggins skis on Salomon with the same pattern). Finally, the ski鈥檚 flex profile is finely tuned with proper length contact zones, its tips and tails are forgiving enough to allow the ski to float through crud and powder, and it鈥檚 just stiff enough to edge well and support the weight of the skier.

Like most elite-level skis, the Uni is constructed of lightweight wood sidewalls and a Nomax core鈥攁 strong, light, honeycomb-like structure that鈥檚 tough to beat for its strength-to-weight ratio. The ski is then wrapped in a thin-ply carbon that boosts transmission with every stride.

The Uni ski design hasn鈥檛 changed for 2025, but Salomon鈥檚 Shift Race binding is brand new. It offers adjustable positioning on the plate, allowing skiers to move forward and back on the ski depending on conditions: Shift forward to boost grip on ice, shift back to enhance glide in snowier conditions, or keep the binding at zero, the most neutral position on the ski. Despite the lack of heavy snow, I played around with binding positioning and found that it did finely tune the ski鈥檚 performance. The downside to Salomon鈥檚 system, however, is that skiers have to remove the ski to shift the positioning lever鈥攊t can鈥檛 be done while skating.

For experienced racers who only want one or two skis, the S-Lab Universal Skate is a do-it-all World Cup-level ski.

Best Expert Classic Ski

Rossignol X-ium R-Skin

Sidecut: 40-44-44 cm
Weight: 550 grams/198 cm per ski
Lengths: 186, 191, 198, 203, 208 cm

Pros and Cons
鈯� An ultralightweight ski fast enough for racing, without the hassle of waxing
鈯� If weight isn鈥檛 transferred correctly on the stride, even the mohair skins can鈥檛 stop the classic ski from backsliding

The first version of this ski was born around 2016 when Rossignol manufactured about 4,000 pairs of its first iteration of the X-ium R-Skin. In the near decade since, Rossignol has tinkered with the skin ski鈥檚 camber shapes and profiles, internal construction, grind patterns, and skin shapes and placements to create the universally beloved X-ium R- Skin. The R Skin is now so popular that Rossignol manufactures hundreds of thousands of pairs鈥攅ven the most diehard skate skiers have good reason to fall in love with classic skiing all over again with this ski.

Like the Salomon S-Lab Universal Skate, the X-ium R Skin鈥檚 core is made from Nomex Honeycomb, the honeycomb structure that offers ultra-lightweight precision and powerful energy transmission. The core is covered in a fiberglass 鈥渃ap,鈥� a continuous cover that extends from one sidewall over the top sheet and onto the other sidewall. The result is a ski that offers both torsional rigidity and supple flex in the tips and tails, making for a smooth and stiff ride.

This year Rossignol removed the shiny varnish from the ski, which had both intended and unintended results. The varnish contained chemicals that factory workers could have breathed in, so now the ski is more eco- and health-friendly without it. The other bonus: Varnish created a stiff outer coat which affected the tension on the ski. Without it, the ski is slightly lighter and flexes more smoothly, which puts less pressure on the tips and tails when weighted, making the ski easier to kick (and much more fun.)

Our Jackson, Wyoming-based tester Adam Meyer found that while Rossignol鈥檚 cosmetic change to the X-ium R-Skin weren鈥檛 鈥渢rying to reinvent the world of skin skis,鈥� the ski was a blast in multiple conditions. Meyer said that it maintained the classic Rossignol responsiveness, while remaining stable when kicking and gliding thanks to its generous mohair skin. As Meyer reported: 鈥渢he ski did its job well.鈥�

Overall, this is an expert-level classic ski that鈥檚 fun and fast enough to place on the podium.

Best Touring Ski

Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown/ Dual-Skin XTRALITE

Sidecut: 98-69-88 cm
Weight: 2,200 g/179 cm per ski
Lengths: 159, 169, 179, 189 cm

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fun and light
鈯� Grips well on steep uphills
鈯� Not enough heft to cut through heavy powder

If this year鈥檚 testing had a motto, it was 鈥淏e Prepared.鈥� As in: Be prepared for thin ribbons of snow between patches of mud in northern Michigan; dense, spring corn in northern Arizona, or boilerplate hardpack in Minnesota. The beauty of the S-Bound 98 Crown, a lightweight backcountry touring ski, is that it took all of these conditions in stride, especially excelling in the hardpack.

This adaptable and sturdy ski is a bestseller in the Fischer line. Its new, ultra-lightweight paulownia wood-and-fiberglass core has hollow air channels throughout. Not only does the fiberglass reinforcement make the ski stronger than one with a solid wood core, but the air chambers distribute pressure better, too. A 鈥渘ordic rockered鈥� tip also makes the S-Bound easier to glide and turn in deeper, untracked snow, and a narrow steel edge makes for stable contact on every surface.

I was especially impressed with how the skis鈥� fish-scale base gripped while skiing uphill on boilerplate hardpack at my local alpine area in Duluth. I didn鈥檛 even need to slap on one of Fischer鈥檚 two mohair-and-nylon skins鈥攖he short 鈥淓asy Skin鈥� or the full-length 鈥淪uper Skin鈥濃�� compatible with this ski.

On a day with particularly challenging conditions, when I expected testing to be all business and no play, the S-Bound surprised me. I found plenty of purchase on a steep climb with thin snow, which made it almost as much fun as the downhill. Thanks to metal edging and an enhanced rocker on this nimble ski, the downhill was a blast, too.

Best Endurance Skate Ski

Madshus Endurace Skate

Sidecut: 44-43-44 cm
Weight: 1094 grams /187 cm per pair
Lengths: 172, 177, 182, 187, 192 cm

Pros and Cons
鈯� A powerful ski that can plow through crud on days when the skate deck isn鈥檛 perfectly groomed
鈯� Speed is not the defining feature of this ski

World Cup-level skate skis are like Formula One race cars: feisty and deadly until you鈥檝e learned how to handle them on curves, hills, and corners. The beauty of the Endurace Skate鈥攚hich is two steps below Madshus鈥� top-of-the-line World Cup Redline skate ski but still 鈥渞ace-inspired鈥濃�攊s that a few design tweaks allow it to occupy that liminal space between an elite-level race ski and a more stable, forgiving endurance ski. The Endurace is all about balance. Its moderate sidecut makes it feel solid underfoot while still being maneuverable at all speeds. And its proprietary foam core has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it responsive but not so jittery that you feel a crash is imminent around every corner. Madshus also dialed back the camber to reduce the Endurace鈥檚 aggressiveness while still keeping it lively.

Madshus came late to the testing party at the end of March, which is a notoriously tricky month in terms of conditions. We took it out on ten kilometers of a skate deck that had been left ungroomed through at least two or three freeze-thaw cycles, leaving it terrifyingly rutted and icy in patches and knee-tweaking slushy in others. But we were impressed with how gracefully the Endurace handled the conditions, letting us eke out the last bits of joy during a tough end-of-season snow week.

How to Choose Cross-Country Skis

Nordic skiing has a steep learning curve. But every year, the ski design, technology, and material keeps shortening that curve. The first step is to determine which type of ski you want: classic, skate, backcountry touring, or hybrid touring/track ski. For first-time buyers looking for the best ski for their budget, it鈥檚 essential to go to a shop and talk with a nordic expert who can also take your weight, height, and other dimensions to fit you with the perfect ski.

Classic

Classic skis, most often used in a groomed track, are longer than skate skis and require a stride in which you propel your skis forward in a parallel motion. This sport has been around for millennia, but it鈥檚 still very challenging to learn perfect technique. All nordic skis require a base with friction that comes in the form of waxless fish scales, a mohair/nylon grip known as a skin, or a smooth base on which you apply kick wax that sticks depending on the temperature of the snow.

Once the standard, waxable classic skis used by elite racers who are used to the speed and grace of a full glide with little friction, are being replaced by skin skis, also a favorite of a wide variety of enthusiasts and waning ski racers who want to eliminate the hassle and extra maintenance of waxing. Today鈥檚 skin skis are so fast, light, and stable that they are an excellent option to train or even race on. Most beginners prefer the maintenance-free option of fish scales, which are carved into the ski鈥檚 base, thus requiring no waxing.

Skate

Skate skis are used on a groomed skate deck that looks like the horizontal corduroy we see at an alpine resort. Instead of propelling skis in a parallel motion, skiers use a faster skating technique, where the skis are in a V shape and the skier transfers weight from one ski, pushing off and gliding, then transferring it to the other鈥攕ort of like a speed skater鈥攅xcept with help from poles, which are generally moved in unison. It鈥檚 a difficult technique to learn but feels akin to flying once you have it down.

Skate skis are shorter than their classic counterparts by about 10-15 centimeters and have more rounded tips. In general, shorter skies are easier to handle, while longer skis provide better glide. Flex and structure are two other important specs. A more flexible ski is more forgiving for softer snow, and a more rigid or structured ski is better on hardpack for power transfer but can also be harder for an inexperienced skier to drive. There are so many factors when considering the best skate ski that it鈥檚 especially important for first-time buyers to go to a ski shop and get properly fit by a professional.

Touring

Touring skis are for those who want to get off the trail and into the woods or rolling sidecountry in ungroomed terrain. Like alpine skis, touring skis have steel edges that make carving on downhills easier, but even with their sculpted waists and rockered tips, the lightweight touring skis you might use in the Midwest aren鈥檛 designed for alpine terrain like ski mountaineering skis are. Depending on how you want to use them, most lightweight touring skis are equipped to handle a touring, alpine touring, or telemark binding. The length is generally shorter than classic yet longer than skate. A touring ski usually requires a slower, more truncated version of a classic stride because the terrain is variable and mostly ungroomed.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 4
• Number of products tested: 24
• Number of miles skied: 415
• Number of states tested in: 5 (MN, WI, MI, WY, AZ)

Call it La Ni帽a, climate change, a weird anomaly, or a combination of all three, but the upper Midwest, where most of our testers are located, had one of the worst snow years on record. The warmest day we skied鈥攊n a mix of snow and rain鈥攚as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest day, on the other hand, barely hit the teens, an almost unheard of anomaly. As a result, we had to resort to creative testing, shipping skis across the country, timing our lives to the snowmaking and grooming schedule at local ski centers, and racing in shortened events.

Between our four main testers, we skied an American Birkebeiner that was abbreviated from 50 to 30 kilometers, did a dizzying number of hot laps on the impeccably groomed manmade snow of the 3.3K SuperTour Finals and Spring Nationals course at Spirit Mountain Nordic Center in Duluth, Minnesota, road-tripped to Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula, and sought out the last patches of spring snow in Jackson, Wyoming. The best snow of all? Arizona Nordic Village, a sweet oasis of 40 kilometers of trails starting at 8,000 feet about 20 minutes northwest of Flagstaff.

Meet Our Testers

Adam Meyer

Adam grew up in Maine where he spent winters tubing and skiing in his backyard. His love for nordic skiing blossomed when he began racing in high school and went on to ski for Tufts University. Since college, Adam has coached nordic ski teams in Vermont, Colorado, and, now, Jackson Wyoming.

Jen Pearson

Jen Pearson is a physician and associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health at the University of Minnesota. She鈥檚 raced the American Birkebeiner more than 20 times with multiple top 20 finishes.

Brian Hayden

Brian Hayden is the founder of the Duluth Devo Mountain Bike Program. He鈥檚 a former collegiate nordic ski racer and ski wax technician for the Duluth East High School Nordic Ski Team. His patience at the wax bench made this test possible.

Stephanie Pearson

Category manager Stephanie Pearson grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, cross-country skiing out her backyard. She started at 国产吃瓜黑料 as an intern in 1995 and has worked in various positions with the magazine, most recently as a contributing editor, for almost three decades. In 2023 she became a National Geographic Explorer.

The post The Best Cross-Country Skis of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Considering that there are over 6,000 ski areas around the globe, narrowing down the best couple resorts on each continent is no easy feat. After all, there are many factors to consider, as well as the fact that some continents are more geographically and meteorologically blessed than others. To determine the best ski resorts on each continent, first, we considered the characteristics that make a ski area the greatest of all time: quality of terrain, reliability of snow, and accessibility.听

听 听 听 听Related:

So that means setting out to find ski areas with a wide variety of stellar ski terrain, from world-class steeps, and legendary back bowls to slopes geared toward those just learning to ski. For snow conditions, we looked at resorts that consistently have good snow coverage (or, in some cases, the best snowmaking capabilities). And lastly, we looked at accessibility: Is this a place everyone can get to and enjoy equally? That鈥檚 just as important as the number of powder days to us.

So, without further delay, here are the best ski resorts, according to our well-traveled editors and contributors, on every continent.

North America

Winner: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

You simply cannot beat鈥檚 legendary terrain, from the steeps off Sublette and Thunder chairs to the tree skiing off the Teton Chair. Go stand atop Alta Chute or the Hobacks or Cheyenne Bowl on a powder day and tell us this isn鈥檛 the most impressively sustained ski terrain you鈥檝e ever dropped into. With a massive 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and over 4,000 feet of vertical drop from the top of the tram to the base area, this is a mountain where expert skiers come to get their butts kicked. And that鈥檚 just the inbounds skiing鈥攜ou can to take you into some of the expansive surrounding backcountry bowls with views of the Teton Range.

Snow quality is Rocky Mountain cold smoke, with an average of 458 inches of snow a year. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has done a stellar job in recent years of expanding access to intermediate slopes, with the addition of the Sweetwater Gondola, and though flights in and out of Jackson鈥檚 remote airport aren鈥檛 exactly cheap, you will find 12 direct flights from major hubs around the U.S.听

听 听 听 听No. 8 in the West:

We鈥檇 love it if the base area had more of a day-use lodge and if there were more affordable lodging options at the village. But there are plenty of places to stay on every budget in the town of Jackson, 12 miles away from the resort, and a that鈥檒l take you to the ski hill. Select Ikon passes come with five or seven days of skiing at Jackson Hole (), otherwise, get ahead of time for the best deal.

Runner-Up: Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.

At , you get two neighboring resorts with a total of 8,171 acres. You鈥檒l ski Blackcomb for fall line steeps and backcountry access and you鈥檒l head to Whistler for endless groomers and above-treeline bowls. Connect the two via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.听

For a classic, expert-only line on Blackcomb, hike to , a couloir that requires a short bootpack to reach. For a gentler option, carve Cloud Nine under the Seventh Heaven chair. At Whistler, don鈥檛 miss the , the site of the 2010 Olympic downhill, a speedy, twisty descent that drops 3,300 vertical feet.

听 听 听 听Also Read:

Though Whistler Blackcomb is lower in elevation than some North American resorts鈥攖he mountain鈥檚 highest lift accessed point is 7,494 feet鈥攖he resort boasts an annual average of 448 inches of snow. Sure, you might get some rain, but cold powder days are the norm. is a breeze: Fly into Vancouver, then take a shuttle up the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. If you鈥檙e staying in the village, you don鈥檛 need a car, and lodging ranges from high-end to pod hotels. Epic Pass users can also enjoy unlimited access to both resorts.听

South America

Winner: Las Le帽as, Mendoza, Argentina

Skiers come from all over the world for the high-altitude steeps and powder at , and for good reason: When the snow is deep, this resort is among the biggest in the southern hemisphere, with a whopping 40,000 acres of skiable terrain. The resort鈥檚 highest point is 11,250 feet, and from this sky-scraping, treeless vantage point, you鈥檒l have stellar views of the Andes. The ski season here lasts from June through September and though winters can be hit or miss, if you鈥檙e planning a ski trip to South America, Las Le帽as is a reliably good bet for snow conditions, thanks to its high elevation base. The Marte double chairlift is famous for its steep chutes and wide-open bowls鈥攅xpert skiers could just ride this single lift and be content.听

Though Las Le帽as is known for its more advanced terrain and backcountry access, intermediates will find plenty to explore off lifts like Minerva and Caris. If you didn鈥檛 get enough ski time during the day, Las Le帽as is one of few South American resorts to offer under-the-lights night skiing. Getting here is admittedly a challenge, but we promise it鈥檒l be worth the effort. Fly into Malarg眉e or Mendoza, then take ground transportation (about a four-hour drive, give or take road conditions) to Las Le帽as. You can stay on-site in the village at a range of accommodations.

Runner-Up: Portillo, Chile

has terrain for every type of skier. Experts will lap El Estadio鈥攁 wide-open bowl that holds powder long after a storm. Intermediates and experts can enjoy the lines off the Plateau lift that serve up stunning views of Laguna del Inca, the shimmering alpine lake nestled within the ski resort. When conditions allow, experienced backcountry skiers can bootpack the legendary Super C Couloir for a nearly 5,000-vertical-foot descent down a narrow, 50-degree chute. Plus, there鈥檚 beginner-friendly terrain as well as high-speed cruisers down to the Juncalillo triple chair.

Most visitors stay for a full week at the all-inclusive Hotel Portillo, the iconic yellow lodge at the base of the ski resort, where four meals a day (including afternoon tea) come included in your stay and revelers disco party until the wee hours. Getting to Portillo is half the fun: You鈥檒l drive up 29 hairpin turns on the Trans-Andean Highway to reach the resort. Arrange for an airport shuttle from Santiago and you鈥檒l be greeted by the hotel鈥檚 official welcome wagon鈥攁 giant Saint Bernard鈥攚ithin a few hours.

Europe

听Winner: Verbier, Switzerland

The only problem with? It鈥檚 so massive, that there鈥檚 no way you could ski it all in a single visit. Made up of four interconnected valleys, Verbier is Switzerland鈥檚 largest ski resort, with over 90 lifts ranging from trams to pomas. From the main village base area, it鈥檒l take you four lifts to reach the top of the Mont Fort tram at 10,925 feet, but it鈥檚 worth it for the panoramic view of the Alps and the extensive ski terrain down, ranging from high-speed groomers to backcountry steeps. Verbier has a distinctly luxurious feel to it鈥攚ith high-end slopeside hotels and celebrity sightings鈥攂ut the terrain here is ski-bum-approved. There鈥檚 a reason the Freeride World Tour has its finale here every year: The steeps and cliffs at Verbier are a freeride skier鈥檚 dream. But if groomers and mid-mountain chalets are more your style, this resort has that aplenty, too.

Don鈥檛 be fooled by Verbier鈥檚 average of 215 inches of snow a year鈥攅ven if a storm hasn鈥檛 blown through in a while, most of the skiers here stick to the piste, which means if you鈥檙e looking for powder, it鈥檚 usually not that hard to find just a quick sidestep or detour off the groomers.

Head into the valley of La Tzoumaz for protected north-facing lines or to Nendaz for more intermediate and family-friendly terrain. There are two lift ticket options: A less expensive one to lower-mountain zones or an all-access pass that gets you up the Mont Fort tram. Those with an get five days at Verbier.听

To, fly into Geneva and book an airport transfer for the two-and-a-half-hour drive, or take the train to the nearby village of Le Ch芒ble for more affordable lodging options and a gondola that takes you to the base of the ski area). For closer access to skiing, stay in the upscale village of Verbier, which has everything from luxury hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts to DJ-fueled apr猫s-ski parties.

Runner-Up: Chamonix鈥揗ont Blanc, France

Skiing in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, one of the highest peaks in the Alps, is a rite of passage for hardy skiers and ski mountaineers. Though much of this iconic region鈥檚 extreme backcountry terrain is accessible only to the very experienced, there鈥檚 plenty of approachable and fun inbounds terrain at the valley鈥檚 two best resorts, the north-facing steeps of Les Grand Montet and the famous piste of Le Br茅vent. For the epitome of a Chamonix experience, and ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 12,605 feet to ski one of the most classic lines in the world: the 14-mile-long Vall茅e Blanche, a glaciated run that is doable for most advanced skiers and ends with a train ride back into the quaint village. couldn鈥檛 be easier: Fly to Geneva, then hop an hour-and-a-half shuttle or take the rail line directly to Chamonix train station. A free local bus system gets you everywhere you need to go around town.

Asia

Winner: Niseko, Japan

There鈥檚 no such thing as guaranteed powder day when you plan a ski trip in advance, but if you鈥檙e headed to during the months of January or February, the chances are high that you鈥檒l score deep snow. Between the on-slope ramen, the after-ski soaks in public hot spring baths (called onsens), and the magical over-the-head powder days, this resort on Japan鈥檚 northern island of Hokkaido has ski culture figured out. The ski resort of Niseko United is made up of four interconnected zones along the flanks of 4,291-foot Annupuri, and the terrain between the collective resorts varies from powder-stuffed glades to low-angle cruisers.

Don鈥檛 miss the short bootpack to the top of Annupuri itself, where you can ski off the peak in any direction and the open bowls that lead down to the Hirafu base area. For lunch, stop into the mid-mountain Lookout Caf茅 for a steaming bowl of noodles or grab steamed buns from a vending machine in the base lodge at Niseko Village. Lodging varies from high-end slopeside hotels to more rustic and authentic Japanese lodges easily accessible via bus lines from town. With snowbanks that tower above the roads, Niseko has been known to receive a whopping 600 inches of snow in a normal year. Fly into the Sapporo airport, then take a transfer two hours to Niseko, or you can hop on the three-hour bullet train from Tokyo. The Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective both work here for a set number of days.

Runner-Up:听Kashmir, India

Skiing at Gulmarg is like nowhere else on the planet. This is adventure skiing at its finest, a cultural experience with steep, intimidating terrain from high-alpine bowls to chutes as far as the eye can see. Groomers are limited here. Instead, you鈥檒l ride two successive gondolas, known as one of the highest ski lifts in the world, toward the top of Mt. Apharwat, where you鈥檒l step out at over 13,000 feet in the western Himalayas. If you plan to head into the surrounding backcountry, be sure to hire a mountain guide. The mountain does have beginner terrain toward the bottom of the hill, but it鈥檚 minimal, making this far-flung spot best suited for more advanced skiers.听

Fly into the Srinagar Airport, and book a private transfer, which will take you a couple of hours before you start switchbacking up the final mountain road into the Gulmarg village.

Africa

Winner: 翱耻办补茂尘别诲别苍, Morocco

Nobody comes to Morocco just for the skiing, but if you happen to be in the area between the snowy months from June to August, it鈥檚 worth checking out 翱耻办补茂尘别诲别苍, which has one old double chairlift to the upper mountain and six surface lifts on the lower half and about 20 designated runs. (The resort does operate a rental shop stocked with retro skis and boots, in case you haven鈥檛 traveled to northern Africa with your skis in tow.)听

翱耻办补茂尘别诲别苍 tops out at over 9,500 feet, making it Africa鈥檚 highest-elevation ski area and snow quality can be surprisingly good this close to the equator. Keep in mind that grooming and snowmaking are basically nonexistent here.听

Besides, where else can you get your ski gear carried up the slope by a donkey and pay just $20 for a full-day lift ticket? The views of the High Atlas Mountains from the top of the chairlift will make up for it if the snow quality isn鈥檛 great. If you鈥檙e in Marrakech, it鈥檚 about a two-hour drive by car south to 翱耻办补茂尘别诲别苍. A few hotels, ranging from dormitories to European-style ski lodges, dot the base area.

Runner-Up: Afriski, Lesotho

Located in the Drakensberg-Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, a sovereign enclave surrounded on all sides by South Africa, this quirky, small ski hill reaches impressively high elevations for this part of the world, topping out at nearly 9,000 feet.听

A rope tow brings you to what鈥檚 affectionately called Main Slope or you can ski a more advanced run called Gully Slope. Afriski has enough pitch and vertical drop that these slopes have hosted the only Federation for International Ski听race on the African continent. Not only can you rent skis and boots, but you can also rent jackets and ski pants, and at the end of the day grab a drink at the Ice Station 2720 known for being the highest pub in the country.听

Easy to get to, this place is not. Half the adventure is the roadway. You鈥檒l drive rough dirt roads for several hours to get here. Skiing awaits 13 hours from Cape Town or nine hours from Johannesburg, Make sure you fill up on gas at the last petrol station, and cell coverage is spotty at best. Stay in a chalet or guest house in close proximity to the main lodge.

Australia

Winner: Thredbo, New South Wales, Australia

Here鈥檚 what we love most about Thredbo: It鈥檚 got long, sustained runs, including some trails that run for over 3 miles., and a wide range of terrain for every ability, including a gentle beginner zone called Friday Flat. On storm days, the resort鈥檚 Sponars and Anton鈥檚 T-bars can still operate even in high winds, and at the end of the season, the upper mountain can stay open with colder snow even if the lower half is melting out.听

Located within the picturesque Kosciuszko National Park, you鈥檒l need to purchase a park pass to enter the area by car. The skiing here is as steep as it gets by Australian standards (6,683 ft summit) and 14 well-developed lifts (including five T-bars) bring you all over the mountain. Ski season usually lasts from June until October, conditions permitting.听

From Karels T-Bar at the top of the summit, be sure to ring the community bell, the highest lift-accessed point in Australia, then drop Frank鈥檚 Face to Cannonball for a fun route down or tackle Funnel Web, through the trees, for one of the mountain鈥檚 more challenging top-to-bottom routes. Thredbo has several terrain parks, too. The Ikon Pass gets you up to seven days of skiing here. Driving a personal vehicle is the easiest way to get here: It鈥檚 a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney or Melbourne or two and a half-hours from Canberra. Base area accommodations range from hotels to private chalets and there鈥檚 a free shuttle to get around the village. Limited bus services run during the season from Sydney and Canberra or from the nearby town of Jindabyne.听

Runner-Up: Hotham, Victoria, Australia

Hotham, in northeast Victoria, has more expert ski terrain than anywhere else in Australia, and 13 lifts grant you access to 790 acres of skiable terrain. Average snowfall is about 118 inches鈥攚hich is good for Australia鈥攁nd even in mild winters, the snow quality here can be reliably better than elsewhere, thanks to lift access reaching up to 6,000 feet in elevation. Head straight to the Heavenly Valley quad on a snowy day. The village area is uniquely situated atop the mountain, making for stellar views鈥攑lus, your first run of the day can be downhill, instead of a lift-up. It鈥檚 about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Melbourne to reach the slopes of Hotham and the village offers an accommodation mix of hotels, apartments, and club lodges, many open to non-members. An Epic Pass gets you access to skiing at Hotham.

Antarctica

Obviously, there are no ski resorts in Antarctica, so this continent gets a pass. But that doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 ski on our planet鈥檚 southernmost land mass. It just requires a considerable amount of time and effort.

guides two-week-long trips to the Antarctic Peninsula that involve an expedition ship departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, and setting across the Drake Passage. You鈥檒l see penguin rookeries, spot whales, and visit a scientific research station while tackling guided ski descents on glaciated slopes that end at the sea.

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There鈥檚 a new champion in the insulated sleeping pad category. The not only boasts more insulation than any other ultralight pad, but also sports an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio, beating out most of its competition. I spoke to its designer to find out what made that possible.

To give you a little context, here’s how this new pad stacks up against its competition. In 72 x 20-inch mummy form the $250 Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions weighs 17 ounces, inflates to 3.5 inches thick, and achieves an 8.5 R-Value. Therm-a-Rest鈥檚 $240 NeoAir XTherm NXT is one ounce lighter, but also half an inch thinner, and only reaches a 7.3 R-value. The $220 Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is thicker at four inches, but weighs 25 ounces, and its R-value is only 6.2. The $240 Exped Ultra 7R Mummy weighs 17.5 ounces and is 3.5 inches thick, but only manages a 7.1 R-value.

The Nemo will pack smaller than either the Sea to Summit or Exped, which use lofted insulation, and sleeps quieter than the Therm-a-Rest, which also uses mylar baffles. Tensor Extreme Conditions also uses a 40 denier nylon fabric on its underside, which will make it durable and puncture resistant. Winter backpackers, mountaineers, backcountry hunters, and anyone else who camps out of a backpack in very cold conditions will benefit.

R-value is a measurement of how well a pad resists heat transfer. Lay down on a cold surface, and the ground, packed snow, or glacial ice will suck the heat right out of your body. Because a sleeping bag鈥檚 insulation is compressed by your weight, it鈥檚 the pad, not the bag, that insulates you from conductive heat loss. When a sleeping bag鈥檚 temperature rating is measured, that test is conducted using a 4.0 R-value pad. The higher the R-value number, the warmer you鈥檒l sleep.

鈥淟aying on the pad for the first time, even just in your living room, you鈥檒l feel it reflect your body heat nearly instantly, providing a stable, warm surface,鈥� describes Luke Scotton, a product developer at Nemo who led the Tensor Extreme Conditions project.

Scotton explains that Nemo was able to achieve such a radical degree of insulation without increasing packed size or weight by stacking multiple layers of mylar inside the the pad鈥檚 baffles.

鈥淣emo鈥檚 previous Tensor Insulated pads [above] used our rectangular Spaceframe baffle system that suspends mylar insulation at the top and bottom of the pad by mechanically trapping the mylar around each weld,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he new Apex baffle system replaces the rectangular Spaceframe with trapezoidal trusses [below] that allow multiple layers of mylar to be suspended within the baffle, distributing insulative power throughout the full inflated height of the pad and creating a much warmer pad without a significant weight penalty.鈥�

I also asked Scotton how he was able to design a pad with reflective insulation that doesn鈥檛 crinkle and crunch when you roll around.

鈥淥ur Apex baffle system suspends the mylar insulation without welding it in place, so you don鈥檛 get that potato chip crunch common to other insulated pads,鈥� he explains. The mylar is captured within the pad without making it part of the pad鈥檚 support structure, so it鈥檚 not disturbed as you move.

It鈥檚 the ability to 鈥渇loat鈥� those multiple layers of mylar inside the pad that makes Nemo鈥檚 new design unique. But it also requires that the pad be used with one surface always facing upwards. Tensor Extreme Conditions uses a two-tone design and thinner, 20-denier sleep surface fabric to make that obvious. And achieving that weld-free structure also meant redesigning both the pad baffles and manufacturing process.

鈥淭his pad was designed for backcountry enthusiasts looking for the highest warmth-to-weight possible, and it鈥檚 also a great option for cold sleepers or anyone looking to extend the backpacking season into chillier conditions,鈥� says Scotton.

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国产吃瓜黑料 tests upward of 30 snowboards every winter, but only a few wind up featured in the magazine. How do we pick which boards make the cut? Normally, we have a weeklong test and invite riders from far and wide to put all the industry鈥檚 new boards through the wringer. This past year was anything but normal, however, so we switched things up. Our test director converted his garage at the bottom of Utah鈥檚 Little Cottonwood Canyon into a gear library, with stacks of boards lined up and ready to rip. Then he sounded the horns in the Wasatch, rallying an army of local riders, who came to check boards out for up to two weeks at a time and then fill out review forms. We repeated this process over the course of the season, and听our favorite boards of 2022 rose to the top. Scroll through the photos, below, to enjoy a few testers in action during one of our last days this spring at Snowbird.

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These are the products worth snagging at REI鈥檚 Holiday Warm Up Sale, which lasts now through December 20.

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We鈥檙e giving readers a sweet way to score outdoor gear: 国产吃瓜黑料+ members receive an annual $50 credit (see ) for our just-launched . It鈥檚 stocked with useful items that can make your time outdoors鈥攁 hike, camping trip, ski day, or walk around the neighborhood鈥攂etter. And that selection includes top-tier gear we鈥檝e reviewed in our semiannual Buyer鈥檚 Guides. Here are a few premium items worth snagging with your discount.

Salewa MTN Trainer Lite Mid GTX Boot ($200)

We gave the MTN Trainer Lite Mid a Gear of the Year award in our 2020 Summer Buyer鈥檚 Guide. Testers Berne Broudy and Jakob Schiller praised its versatility. 鈥淲ith true-to-size fit and a lightweight suede and mesh build that requires zero break-in, the MTN Trainer Lite Mid is at home on mellow hikes,鈥� they wrote. 鈥淎t the same time, the supportive cuff 颅and 颅颅semi-stiff sole excel on steep, rocky climbs and descents, with an aggressively lugged outsole that grips everything from kitty-litter scree to wet boulders.鈥�

Cotopaxi Allpa Pack 42L ($220)

Contributor Janna Irons crowned the 42-liter Allpa the best travel pack in her Buyer鈥檚 Guide roundup of the best luggage. 鈥淚t held enough gear to get through four sweaty days and three cold nights in Joshua Tree National Park, and the clamshell design granted easy access to the four interior zippered compartments, which are great for separating clothes, shoes, and accessories,鈥� she wrote.

Dynafit Feline SL Trail Running Shoes ($130)

What shoe performs best on mountain trails? Buyer鈥檚 Guide testers Cory Smith and Lisa Jhung thought that distinction听belonged to the Feline SL in 2020. 鈥淭he second iteration of Dynafit鈥檚 bestselling, performance-oriented grip master is perfectly suited to charging hard on short-to-medium-distance runs in alpine terrain,鈥� they wrote. 鈥淥ur wide-footed testers found the last a bit narrow, but everyone loved the aggressive 4.5-millimeter multidirectional lugs, which kept us at ease in rocky no-fall zones.鈥�

Fj盲llr盲ven Vardag Beanie听($26)

鈥淎 perfect beanie is the cherry on top of a cute apr猫s look,鈥� wrote senior editor Kelsey Lindsey in her Buyer鈥檚 Guide roundup of the best women鈥檚 apre虁s gear of 2021. 鈥淥ur pick is the Vardag, made out of recycled polyester with a throwback logo that adds vintage flair. Despite frequent use during testing, it never lost shape.鈥�

Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier ($90)

We featured the GeoPress in our Buyer鈥檚 Guide roundup of the best gear for self-supported bike missions. 鈥淭his two-part device purifies 24 ounces of water in seconds (four to five liters per minute) like a French press, while the inner bottle serves as water storage,鈥� explained tester Amy Jurries.

Smith I/O Mag Goggles ($270)

Winter Buyer鈥檚 Guide tester Marc Peruzzi loved the I/O Mag鈥檚 magnetic lens system, which features clips that lock the lenses in place. 鈥淯nlike a lot of ill-designed goggle tech, the clips don鈥檛 require an advanced degree to operate, and we were able to change lenses in just a few seconds,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淏est of all, there was no wind channeling or goofy lens dislocation.鈥�

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Klymit Versa ($80)

Truly adaptable, the Versa goes from blanket to lightweight sleeping bag with a series of snaps and the pull of a cinch cord. With four insulated hand pockets and a footbox, it鈥檚 pretty much all you need to keep your extremities warm during picnics on brisk autumn evenings.

Coalatree Kachula ($79)

Hey, all you overlanders: this is the blanket you want in the back of your Tacoma. With a ripstop-nylon bottom coated in a DWR finish, it鈥檚 our first choice when we have to lie down and change a tire in the rain, snow, or mud. The striped earth-tone pattern looks good even when you鈥檙e not messing with your vehicle鈥攆or example, laid across sandstone at a crag in Sedona.

Survive Outdoors Longer All-Season ($17)

Snuggly isn鈥檛 really a word that applies to the All-Season, but keep this blanket at the bottom of your pack and it may just save your skin. Heat-reflective material inside improves warmth retention and durability, while the bright orange exterior is extra visible if someone鈥檚 trying to locate you in the woods.

Rumpl Original Puffy ($100)

This is the Cadillac of backcountry quilts. The supremely comfortable Original Puffy is stuffed with a healthy dose of synthetic insulation. Use it on warm nights in a tent or as a wrap in the early morning, before the campfire starts raging. As a bonus, it鈥檚 machine washable.

NEMO Puffin Luxury ($150)

An essential layer for stargazing couples, the Puffin Luxury is big enough, at seven feet wide by seven feet long, to easily wrap around two people. Synthetic insulation provides better loft than a lot of bedroom duvets, and the DWR-coated nylon shell sheds raindrops and coffee spills.

Pendleton Roll-Up ($139)

The Roll-Up is the second most expensive item on this page, but the virgin-wool blanket鈥檚 good looks are worth the expense. It comes in several classic plaid designs and features a nylon back, to avoid tears on rough rock or the forest floor. And when the temperature drops, wool is a superior natural insulator.

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Planning to pound out winter miles? Turn to these.

Brooks Bedlam ($150)

Supportive road shoes can feel stiff and bullying, lacking that peppy, cushioned ride neutral runners with good form get from their footwear. Now there鈥檚 the Bedlam, the perfect marriage of a stable platform with soft, energetic cushioning. What struck a chord with testers was the shoe鈥檚 ability to guide overpronators (and neutral runners who pronate when tired) softly into correction without the need for a medial post or other stifling structural features. Heel to toe, the support feels natural, never overbearing. The secret is a thin film of thermoplastic that encapsulates the polyurethane midsole to keep it from squishing too much and bottoming out. That simple ingredient gives the Bedlam a surprising amount of energy with every step. We love how the one-piece knit upper tightened evenly around all types of feet, with firm anchoring provided by the asymmetrical tongue. Bottom line: runners who crave support no longer need to be envious of all the cushioned fun their neutral-footed counterparts enjoy. The Bedlam made us feel secure without suffocating, and it inspired forward momentum, as any good partner should. 11.2 oz (men鈥檚) / 9.9 oz (women鈥檚, pictured); 8 mm drop

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New Balance FuelCell Impulse ($120)

Best Featherweight

We expected the FuelCell Impulse to in-spire speed, given that it was the lightest shoe in our test and comes fitted with New Balance鈥檚 fast-rebounding nitrogen-injected foam under the forefoot. And it delivered. Toeing off felt particularly propulsive; the foam worked as advertised, providing a hyper-responsive ride. The minimal knit upper and bootie add to the racy vibe鈥攖he shoe feels almost like a sock fused with a springy platform. But we had to adjust the laces just right for a suitable fit, otherwise the ride got sloppy. 8.1 oz (men鈥檚) / 6.7 oz (women鈥檚, pictured); 6 mm drop

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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 ($120)

Best for Cruising

The Pegasus proves age ain鈥檛 nothing but a number. Now 35 years in, Nike鈥檚 eldest running shoe is sweeter than ever. That鈥檚 due in large part to design elements taken from Nike鈥檚 illustrious Zoom Vaporfly 4 Percent and its curved carbon-fiber plate. The midsole of the Pegasus is snappy, aided by an eye-catching beveled heel and slight rocker鈥攖ransitions were easygoing and effortless. Cushion junkies should approach with caution. One tester found the firm midsole reminiscent of a racing flat. Still, there was across-the-board praise for its silky ride at any speed. The women鈥檚 version packs slightly softer foam than the men鈥檚. 9.9 oz (men鈥檚, pictured) / 8.2 oz (women鈥檚); 10 mm drop

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Under Armour Hovr Coldgear Reactor Mid ($140)

Best Insulated

Let鈥檚 face it鈥攚et, frigid feet are a total drag. Suffer no more with this high-tech cold killer. The water-resistant outer layer is tough as nails and shrugs off foul weather. And the high-top, elastic-knit collar traps heat for toaster-like warmth while ensuring moisture stays out. Any downside to all that weatherizing? A tight fit鈥攅nough that you might want to consider sizing up. Underfoot it鈥檚 smooth sailing. UA鈥檚 Hovr midsole is one of the most responsive we鈥檝e tried, and the sticky rubber outsole, courtesy of Michelin (yep, the tire manufacturer), provided a sense of security on icy patches. 10.9 oz (men鈥檚, pictured) / 8.8 oz (women鈥檚); 8 mm drop

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Adidas Terrex Agravic XT GTX ($170)

Best Protection

Mate one of the most responsive midsoles on the market (the Adidas Boost鈥檚) with outsole rubber designed for auto-racing tires, wrap the whole thing in Gore-Tex, and what do you get? One badass, versatile, all-weather trail shoe. The Terrex Agravic is low profile (15.5 millimeters at the heel and nine at the forefoot), so your foot stays close to the ground, enabling precise maneuvering through rocky fall lines where a misstep can lead to a rolled ankle. The aggressively patterned Continental rubber outsole sticks like duct tape on wet or dry terrain and rides smoothly on mellow ground. An abrasion-resistant, bombproof welded upper contributes hiking-boot protection and durability. 13.6 oz (men鈥檚) / 11.5 oz (women鈥檚, pictured); 6.5 mm drop

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Hoka One One Evo Mafate ($170)

Best for Max Cushioning

Toothy five-millimeter lugs of grippy Vibram rubber ensured our test team felt surefooted in all conditions on both road and trail. Despite the trademark Hoka cush鈥攖he men鈥檚 version sits 33 millimeters off the ground at the heel and 29 at the forefoot鈥攖he shoe is exceptionally agile. 鈥淚 was able to deftly maneuver around rocks and branches,鈥� said one tester. We chalk that acuity up to the Kevlar wires integrated into the shoe鈥檚 hydrophobic upper, which kept our feet secure, like an ultra颅lightweight cradle. The drawback? The Evo Mafate felt a tad tippy on fast, rocky descents. Still, it鈥檚 one of the nimblest Hokas to date. 9.6 oz (men鈥檚) / 8.5 oz (women鈥檚, pictured); 4 mm drop

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Salomon Ultra Pro ($150)

Best All Mountain

Made for distance fiends whose shortest runs are in the double digits, the Ultra Pro is a long-haul trail crusher. But its versatility and light-footed attitude earned it all-mountain accolades, too. As one tester put it, 鈥淭his is a quick, comfortable, lightweight trail shoe for any type of terrain.鈥� The upper鈥檚 midsection offers impressive give鈥攁 bonus should your foot swell鈥攜et it glues down with an easy cinch of the quick lace, instilling the kind of confidence that will have you ripping down technical descents. Just don鈥檛 get cocky. As one tester learned the hard way, rock protection tapers off near the forefoot. 10.3 oz (men鈥檚, pictured) / 8.8 oz (women鈥檚); 8 mm drop

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