2022 Ski Kits - A Guide
Get kitted out - with precut skins, custom mounted bindings, and hand-picked backcountry essentials. Teton Range, WY. FOW: Matt Sterbenz // Photo: Carson Meyer (@carsonmeyerphoto)
The unique performance characteristics of our AlgalTech™ ski materials lend themselves to a diversity of approaches to the mountain.
Simply put, damping, edge hold, and award-winning geometry are universal traits that enhance the off-piste experience - regardless of where your priorities lie. The specific approach you take depends on your own skillset, creativity, and of course, the setup you choose to bring.
This year, we polled trusted peers and Friends of WNDR on their favorite setups for a diversity of days and approaches in the backcountry - ranging from freeride-focused big mountain pursuits, to lapping glades until sundown, to late season mountaineering objectives.
The result is the most refined and thoughtful lineup of kits we’ve released to date - handpicked by those who rely on their gear the most. Read more below.
All skins ship pre-cut to the ski of your choice. Bindings come mounted to your specified boot sole length (BSL) at no additional cost.
Too Fast, Too Furious
Some skiers live life a quarter mile at a time. You’re a human yo-yo dead set on racking up as much vert as possible before the sun goes down, and your bare bones setup reflects this inclination.
This kit was designed for the minimalists out there who know that less is more (provided enough snacks). If you’re light on your feet and focus on long approaches followed by big ascents, look no further.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110, or Reason 120
- Marker Alpinist 12 w/brake
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- Black Diamond Glidelite Skins
- Tour 5-Panel hat
- Snow is Sacred, Science is Real Ski Strap
Raider of the Last Line
You are the protagonist on an intrepid journey to adventure beyond the reaches of the easily attainable front range glory lines. Your love for this journey is overshadowed only by your love of the descent. No phobia of snow snakes or vengeful exes will ever stand in your way.
Equipped with the 2022 ATK Freeraider 16, this is the kit that allows you to charge descents harder than you could have ever imagined aboard a tech heel and toe. And at a mere 370 gram weight, the Freeraider puts big days within easy reach. Choose this kit if you seek out long days in big terrain, but don’t hold back when it comes time to go downhill.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110, or Reason 120
- ATK Freeraider 16 w/ brake
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- Black Diamond Glidelite Skins
- Snow is Sacred, Science is Real Ski Strap
- Tour 5-Panel hat
- MountainFlow Eco All Temp Wax
Mountain Messiah
The miracles you perform have to be seen to be believed. Not one to shy away from big days of putting in the work, you incorporate challenging mountaineering objectives into part of your typical late season ski tour. Equipped with the right gear and skillset, you levitate to where few others dare to tread.
This is another take on the ATK Freeraider 16 kit, designed for those who seek out mountaineering objectives, followed by hair-raising big mountain descents. Equipped with our favorite mountaineering accessories from Petzl, this collection opens the door to technical ascending opportunities unreachable with our other kits.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110 or Reason 120
- ATK Freeraider 16 w/ brake
- Petzl Gully Ice Axe (adze or hammer)
- Petzl Fly mountaineering harness
- Petzl IRVIS HYBRID crampons
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- Black Diamond Glidelite Skins
- Snow is Sacred, Science is Real Ski Strap
King of the Hill
You’re up for big tours, hut trips, and the occasional mechanized lap. You believe in all-day efficiency, but ski with power on the descent. Cover miles of terrain or session a pillow line - the choice is yours!
The King of the Hill is a highly capable touring setup that makes for easy ascents and lets you open up the throttle on the way down. This kit is the weapon of choice for many of our FOWs here in the Wasatch, who appreciate the Kingpin’s alpine-style heel when powering the ski through variable snow. Use it for human-powered freeskiing, or as a ready-for-anything 70/30 setup.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110 or Reason 120
- Marker Kingpin 13 Bindings
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- Black Diamond Glidelite Skins
- MountainFlow All Temp Eco Wax
- Tread Light, Charge Hard Ski Strap
Duke of All Trades
Inbounds or out of bounds, mechanized or human powered, you’re not one to let your gear get between you and your big mountain inclinations. The only thing that keeps you from tackling a line is your own self preservation instinct.
This is the kit for those who seek out best in class power, the release capabilities of a true alpine setup, and a capable walk mode. If you refuse to make any sacrifice to your descents, look no further.
Our very own Matt Sterbenz has been on this kit day in day out for the majority of the season. Matt’s been pairing the kit with a 192cm Reverse Camber Intention 110 and a +1cm mount point and has quickly fallen in love. Those that are big, tall, aggressive, or all of the above will instantly see why.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110, or Reason 120
- Marker Duke PT 16 Bindings
- Black Diamond Glidelite Skins
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- MountainFlow All Temp Eco Wax
Shapeshifter
Your alpine skiing identity changes with the snowpack. You’ll play it safe inbounds one day, and then skin deep into the wilderness to your hidden powder stash. Uncertainty is welcome when you’re prepped for anything.
This is the optimal 50/50 setup for a diverse range of skiers dabbling in a variety of inbounds and backcountry ski objectives. Pair it up with any ski in the lineup depending on how frequent storms are in your desired terrain, and then use this Swiss army knife to carve your way through whatever the season brings.
The Kit:
Sidecountry Slayer 13
Lucky you. You live in a place where some form of mechanized access gets you to the goods. Lap after lap, smile after smile. Keep 'em coming.
This is the kit that we break out for mechanized laps, and what our ski patroller FOW will typically take out for a day of good deeds. For all around inbounds use, we’ll often suggest pairing this kit with the Camber version of your desired ski. Some may still prefer Reverse Camber if the ski is part of a quiver.
The Kit:
Sidecountry Slayer 11
Not only do you live in a place where some form of mechanized access gets you to the goods, your size allows you to take advantage of a lower DIN range binding and save some cash while doing so.
This kit is exactly the same as the Sidecountry Slayer 13, except that it comes with the Marker Squire 11 to optimize release values for smaller and lighter skiers.
Paired with the Vital 100 (now available in a 155cm length), skiers 4’8” and up can reap the chatter-reducing benefits of AlgalTech™ ski materials. Take this kit out for lap after lap of season long grins.
The Kit:
- Your choice of Vital 100, Intention 110, or Reason 120
- Marker Squire 11 Bindings
- Sight Adjustable Poles
- MountainFlow All Temp Eco Wax
Need help determining which setup is best for you? Use our Ski Finder for a detailed expert recommendation on geometry, sizing, and setup and get the most out of this season!