The 2021 Skialper Buyer’s Guide, 368 pages of winter reading, filled with your favorite gear, fantastic photographs. Available only in Italian–the language of skiing is universal.
Written by Bruno Schull
It’s here! For the second (or third?) year in a row, it falls to me to announce that the new Skialper Buyer’s Guide has been released. For the uninitiated, the Skialper Buyer’s Guide is arguably the best ski touring gear guide on the planet, full of essays, thoughts, new and old perspectives, amazing photographs, ingenious testing methods, and, of course, meticulous reviews of touring skis, boots, and bindings, all delivered with a distinctive European flair. See the following points for a quick review of this year’s edition.
Note: Skialper is an Italy-based magazine dedicated to trail running,back country ski touring, skimo racing, and mountain culture. It’s produced by Mulatero Editore , a publishing house located in Turin, in Northern Italy, not far from the Italian Alps. WildSnow has been covering the Skialper Buyer’s Guide for years now. Check out our previous content.)
Kudos on delivery
First, considering the worldwide effects of the pandemic, and the particularly difficult conditions in northern Italy, the Skialper team deserves enormous credit for making this happen, to say nothing of creating, under these circumstances, an amazing publication. Their work is a testimony to their passion and dedication. Huge respect, and a heartfelt Grazie to the Skialper team. This is just what we needed in dark times!
Contents have shifted slightly
Bearing in mind the above, I don’t think it takes anything away from the guide to admit that it’s somewhat slimmer than other years. It’s not quite as long overall, and there aren’t quite as many reviews of skis, boots, and bindings. Unfortunately, some sections from previous years, such as the innovative boot flex tests, and women’s specific skis, were not included. At the same time, avalanche equipment, including beacons, probes, and shovel, are reviewed, a welcome addition. Overall, the guide feels more condensed, although, rest assured, the customary depth and detail are present.
Freeing the heel
Telemark gear. Did you read that correctly? Yes! Despite the difficult circumstances, the guide explores modern telemark culture in Europe (who knew?) and presents a variety of related gear, including some very special skis. The telemark section opens with the title, “Tutta questione de stile,” or, “It’s all a question of style.” Indeed.
For the drop knee crowd. See how they do it in the Dolomites.
No speak Italian, no problem
In various years, the guide has been available in print, online, and in Italian and English. This year, it’s only available in print, and only in Italian. This will certainly dissuade some customers, especially English-speaking customers, but I still think it’s an amazing resource. As a reader with only limited knowledge of Italian, I can report that the core content of the reviews is comprehensible, especially with the many charts, graphics, and numerical data. Also, with some leeway for creative interpretation, and a Google search for a word or two, I find myself able to understand most of the text, especially as the context is familiar. In short, if you are at all curious, don’t let the Italian prevent you from ordering a copy. And the production values of the print edition are, as always, superb. The photographs, for example, are amazing.
Beacons, probes, shovels, and airbag packs. This gear can save your life.
Glory shots, ski touring style
More about the photographs. Perhaps because of the smaller number of reviews this year, I detect somewhat more “filler” material, composed of shots of the Skialper team skinning toward summits, ripping turns, or just hanging out on the slopes. This is fine, and I guess if I was as stylish, good-looking, and all-around cool as the folks at Skialper, I’d want my pictures in print too! It does bring to a wider audience a particular European mountain scene, but it might be off-putting to some. I suppose it’s like an American ski magazine full of pictures of young dudes in baggy pants doing rail slides in the fun park — nothing wrong with that, but maybe not what you’re looking for in your ski touring guide.
Skialper tester carving hard on wide planks in the backcountry.
That said, there are some astonishing photographs. You’ve seen pictures of alpine racers achieving seemingly-impossible edge angles on hard, blue, ice-injected downhill courses. Impressive, but have you seen Skialper testers doing the same? Not only are they dragging their hips, but their elbows, wrists and torsos, their bodies inclined so much it appears they’re lying down on the snow, while wearing T-shirts and wide smiles. Of course, they’re equipped with touring gear and 120mm underfoot powder skis, carving on variable backcountry snow, between rock bands.
Boot tune tutorial
Boots. Tecnica Zero G Tune up Kit. A collaboration between Skialper and Tecnica, consisting of a new liner, foot bed, and elastic booster strap, available through select suppliers in Italy. Could this be the must-have accessory for the season?
How do you make one of the best boots on the market ever better? With the Tecnica Zero G Tune up Guide, of course. A collaboration between Skialper and Tecnica.
The deepest binding tests
Bindings. Here’s where things get interesting. Something I’ve always appreciated about Skialper is the detailed binding analysis, especially the retention/release value testing. To my knowledge, Skialper offers the most extensive, consistent, reliable data about touring binding retention/release available to consumers. And they continue to improve every year.
For example, they’ve always tested bindings with a variety of different pin configurations, such as Master fit, Quick Step, Atomic/Salomon, and La Sportiva. Now that there are several alpine-touring hybrid bindings on the market, they test these bindings with both conventional and Grip Walk soles. This is an important change from last year, because testing these bindings for conventional pin retention/release is of limited value (only for the way up) and because the interaction between boot sole and binding is critical to function. The results of these tests are revealing.
The best data about binding release and retention available to consumers.
To return to conventional pin bindings, for the second year in a row only one binding exhibits consistent, within-range, retention/release values across several pin configurations. I would argue that this binding is the most accommodating of variation, and therefore offers the most reliable retention and release in backcountry conditions, of all the pin bindings on the market. There’s a lot to digest about these retention/release values and what they mean for consumers, and I’m happy to dive into details in the comments if people are interested.
Reader views on ski touring
Last year, Lou presented the results of a Skialper survey in which readers responded to diverse questions about ski touring habits and preferences. This year, Skialper repeated the survey, with a new set of questions. I found one question especially relevant: “Given the developments in the Covid-19 situation, have you thought about inviting friends or acquaintances who normally ski at resorts to try on skins?” The answers to that question might determine the direction of ski touring in the future all around the world, from the Dolomites to the Rockies.
3,527 readers, 60 questions, and a very interesting set of infographics. How does a Skialper reader compare to a powder-seeker in Colorado?
I highly recommend the Skialper Buyer’s Guide. It’s a learning resource, as much as, or more than, a simple guide for material consumption. And that’s probably the highest praise for a buyer’s guide that I can offer. All the best for the holiday season.
The 2021 edition is now available for purchase here
Despite his very Italian-sounding name, Bruno Schull is an American living in Switzerland, where he teaches high school science, and tries to keep up with his 12 year-old daughter on the ski slopes. Occasionally, he can be found on touring skis, teetering beneath a heavy pack, returning from ice and alpine climbs in the Alps. A decidedly mediocre skier, Bruno is humbled and honored to have his words appear on WildSnow.
35 comments
Thanks for the review. I’ll take the bait and guess based on the picture that the G3 ZED is the pin binding compatibility champ.
Bought mine already. Google translate on your phone will be your best friend. Within the app I take a picture of the Review text and voila I can read it all. Bonus points to google for updating their app and making the translations even better this year. Further, I’ve bought two of the skis they’ve recommended and not been disappointed. It’s a bit spends for the shipping but the insights have been very helpful.
@Wingnut–good guess based on the picture, but the G3 is not the binding that did so well on the tests two years in a row. I’d like to emphasize that it’s not just a question of compatibility. Sure, it’s cool if a binding works well with different boots, but I think the more important result is that most bindings are incredibly sensitive to tiny variations, and that only a very few bindings (perhaps just one!) can accommodate variation and continue to release predictably. That means that if your boots are dirty, if the pin sockets have a grain of sand in them, if the ski is flexed…and so on, most bindings probably aren’t going to work well. That’s a huge issue for consumers, and the industry, in my view.
…”Turin, in Northern Italy, not far from the Dolomites”… Thanks Bruno Schull ! Being Italian, and from Turin, this is the funniest thing I happened to red in 2020. (Never heard it in a lifetime) No doubt this may be good, from an american perspective, since the distance is little lower than 500 Km. However, Torino (that is the Italian way for Turin) is the regional capital of Piedmont, the most northwestern region, while Dolomites are in the easternmost region. From Piedmont to Dolomites, we have most of the Alps chain in between, including huge massifs like Gran Paradiso, Mont Branc, Monte Rosa etc. We look forward to ski with you in Piedmont !
Hi Filippo! Glad I could bring some humor to your 2020–goodness knows, we need all the laughter we can get. To clarify, my understanding is that Mulatero Editore, which produces Skialper, is based in the town of Piverone, outside the city of Turin, in the province Piedmont. Is this correct? I’ve actually climbed a few times in the Grand Paradiso area, and frequently visit Cogne (beautiful places) so I’m not unfamiliar with the area. My mistake (I think) was assuming that these mountains are considered the Dolomites. I realize that, all these years, I’ve just thought of the Dolomites as, “The big mountains, equivalent to the Alps, on the Italian side of the massif.” I stand corrected. The big mountains in Italy in the northwest are the Italian Alps, and the big mountains over there in Italy in the northeast include the Dolomites. When I was young, I spent a wonderful summer bike racing in Bassano del Grapp, Asiago, and so on…is that considered the Dolomites or Alps? Our coach just called them the Dolomites. Anyway, you know how Americans are with names and distances. 500 km? That’s nothing. The Rockies/Sierra Madre/Cordilera Blance/Andes….one mountain range really, stretching from Alaska to Patagonia. Stay safe, and have a great season.
Hi Bruno, your bike racing in Bassano del Grappa and Asiago were not in Dolomites, but I bet you still had a great time riding there 😉
Anyway, this could help to collocate them properly: https://www.dolomitiunesco.info/i-nove-gruppi-dolomitici/?lang=en
Have an happy and safe skiing season. 🙂
Too bad they don’t produce a digital edition anymore. With a digital publication, even in Italian, it’s easy to copy text, and then paste it into Google translate to read the analysis. I still have the 2019 digital Buyers Guide , in Italian on my computer, and consult it regularly.
However, with a paper edition it is more difficult to translate the text; no copy and paste. Though the pictures and data sets are outstanding.
Is anyone bringing this 2021 edition into North America? Be nice if Skimo, or somebody (hint) would bring in say 100 copies for sale.
PS. regarding the G3 ZED binding pictured; most ski boots and the G3 ski crampon are incompatible with the lower pin height. At least for my F-1s and Maestrale RS. The boot sole rides up on the front of the crampon, and you can’t get boot flat on the ski anymore.
Would like to purchase the guide but the Italian only site makes me think twice before entering credit card info. It appears they had English sub sites in the past.
Wingnut,
You can pay with Paypal, which is pretty safe…
Thanks for this excellent rundown, Bruno. I recognize your name from Skimo Life comments section; glad to see you bringing some rigor to this sometimes, ahem, less-than-rigorous site. My copy of the 20-21 bibbia di sci is still in-transit and thus my knowledge of the year’s new gear is sorely lacking. I applaud the move to print since the publisher does such a wonderful job with the printing — it’s a beautiful object as worthy of a home coffee table as the bootfitting desk at any backcountry shop.
My personal favorite aspect, oft-overlooked, of the SkiAlper test sessions is how they bring some categorical analysis to what is often the most bias-inducing and subjective piece of equipment on the hill — skis. The SkiAlper editors actually take every ski at face value, ranging from esoteric Merelli race sticks all the way up to those improbably-angled Black Crows pictured, and run tests accordingly. I can’t imagine a periodical in our marketing-woebegone continent creating such a strict scaling of performance criteria on all types of snow. None of this “we took the skis out for one lap on piste” crap. Ahem.
I’ve long thought that attending an intensive Italian-language boot camp (or perhaps just moving to Bormio) would be the best thing for my career in the ski industry, but Ski Alper switching to all-Italian has really proved the point. Look for my “SkiAlper Translation for Dummies” book coming in 2022…
Hi Molto Povere. Your impoverished ski knowledge will soon be remedied–the arrival of the heavy package containing the guide is always a great moment. Like you, I appreciate the range of skis they test–you never know quite what will appear on their pages. This year, the gear is broken roughly into four categories: race, light, tour, and free. This includes skis, boot, and bindings. I always find it interesting to see how these are grouped. It drives home the point that ski gear works together, and that certain skis and bindings are appropriate for certain skis, and so on. It’s just nice to see their particular vision, how they parse and categorize the dizzying range of available gear. Happy turns!
So what is the “One pin binding to rule them all?”
Yes!
“To return to conventional pin bindings, for the second year in a row only one binding exhibits consistent, within-range, retention/release values across several pin configurations.”
What is it?
OK, here goes. The binding that shows the most consistent, within-range release values, for the second year in a row, is the Dynafit rotation. In many ways, this is not surprising. Because the Dynafit rotation has a degree of movement at the toe that other bindings do not, it does a better job of guiding the pins on their journey out of the sockets. We ask a great deal from pin bindings; a metal-on-metal interface, high forces and friction concentrated in a tiny area, extremely close tolerance that are perhaps unrealistic. Smooth release is not easy, even under perfectly testing conditions, and even more so in the real world. Evidently, adding some motion to the toe to help the process along makes everything function more predictably. Standard caveats apply: there are many factors that guide binding selection, and there are many factors that affect binding safety in addition to release and retention (durability, weight, functionality, and so on). However, in this limited sense–release consistency and accommodation of variation–the Dynafit rotation appears to the the best of the bunch. Your knee ligaments are forewarned.
Dynafit rotation review matches up with my experience. A great binding by ski feel and release, skis well inbounds when needed. There’s a weight penalty for that reliability (plus add the weight of a big chunk of glopped snow that inevitably builds at your heel here in PNW).
For those who are interested, here’s one framework for thinking about binding release function:
1-Alpine bindings release laterally at the toe and thus reduce the chances of lower leg fractures but increase the chances of knee ligament injuries.
2-Classic pin bindings release laterally at the heel and thus reduce the chances knee ligament injuries but increase the chances of lower leg fractures.
3-Alpine bindings involve large, smooth, plastic-on-plastic surfaces, sliding over large surface areas, with limited friction, and thus function relatively consistently and predictably.
4-Classic pin bindings involve small, metal-on-metal interfaces, concentrating forces on tiny areas, with high friction, and thus function relatively inconsistently and unpredictably.
5-The last two points probably counteract the first two points–that is, even though alpine bindings theoretically increase the chances of knee ligament injuries compared to classic pin bindings, pin binding release is so inconsistent and unpredictable, that, overall, alpine binding release function inspires far more confidence than pin binding release function.
That’s basically why I’ve settled on the Shift as my touring binding of choice, despite the weigh penalty. Cody Townsend has some very interesting thoughts the Shift, on touring as well as binding testing and function, on the Blister podcast (https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/cody-townsend-on-coffee-makers-bindings-beacons-ep-119).
For more information and the data behind these assertions, see the Skialper Buyer’s Guide, of course, as well as the extensive material on this site (for example, https://www.wildsnow.com/?s=tech+binding+release+testing), and the appropriately titled article, “Ripping ligaments and snapping bones,” by Jason Borro and Rick Howell (https://skimo.co/tech-binding-release-testing), first published, I believe, on Wildsnow.
Bruno, where does the Fritchi Vipec and Techton toe piece fit into this scheme? It has a lateral release that has a DIN setting, and is claimed to have more elasticity than other tech toes.
Hi David. The Vipec and it’s big brother the Tecton are interesting. For those who aren’t aware, these bindings release laterally at the toe, somewhat like alpine bindings. They have a carriage that slides back and forth, and then, at the end of that travel, the tow wings flap down and the binding opens. The heel is fixed in position with either pins (Vipec) or an “alpine like” heel (tecton). Because they function like alpine bindings, in terms of injuries, we could expect that they would do a good job of protecting against lower leg fractures, but not such a good job of protecting against knee ligament injuries (data from Jason Borro and Rick Howell). Because the toe is held by pins and sockets, with metal-on-metal interface, high forces concentrated in a very small area, and extremely close tolerances, they exhibit mixed performance with different kinds of pin fittings, and don’t seem to be very accommodating of variability and wear-and-tear (data from Skialper). So, if they work properly (and I would say that’s a big if) they might protect you from breaking your lower leg. But that’s not the whole story. As you mentioned, they have some lateral travel or elasticity at the toe, and the heel is held rigidly in place. These features should, in theory, improve the skiing performance of these bindings. They should have better power transmission, and they should have better “suspension” at the toe. Cody Townsend talks about the importance of this kind of suspension in the podcast linked above. You might also check out the various reviews of touring binding on Blister, where they dive into the details of skiing performance. So, maybe, with these bindings, if they do ski better, you have less of a chance to get into a situation where you have to depend on the release? I’m always hesitant to rely on “one story” to draw conclusions, but I have to say that, when I injured my knee and ankle skiing, it was on Vipecs. I can still vividly imagine the moment of injury. As my knee and foot twisted, I could feel the binding operating. There was a rough, scraping, metal-on-metal, high friction, high resistance phase as the carriage at the toe moved sideways–this is when the injury occurred. Then there was a rapid, violent release as the toe wings flapped down, and the boot released. There was nothing smooth or predictable about the travel or the release. Take that for what is it–a single anecdote–but I won’t use Vipecs or Tectons anymore.
Hey Bruno – I had the same impresson while on Vipecs and Tectons. I really want to switch to a more knee friendly binding.What binding are you skiing now? I’m torn between the Dynafit ST Rotation, Fritschi Xenic (is there any info about consistent release – or how it works in real life. I know they implemented a different toe mechanism than other pin bindings) or maybe ATK R12/Crest. Weight doesn’t matter that much – it should not be heavier than the Dynafit though. Thanks!
HI Tom. Right now, I’m skiing with the Shift. Great binding, but heavy, of course. I am considering getting a pin binding, and if I do so it will be the Dynafit rotation–I really think that the unique rotating toe helps that binding outperform others, at least in terms of preductable, consistent release. Happy turns!
Bruno! Great read! Haven’t found this review in town yet–shoot! I’ll have to sneak through the tunnel and find it in Italia. Great review and thanks for the heads up regarding the release of the latest edition….Hope to see you soon!
Thanks, I just bought the 2019 online version for $12.50. The online version has English translation and a nice comparison tool. I rarely buy a first-year ski, boot or binding, so the online version suits me fine. I have trusted the SkiAlper with several purchases of skis, boots and bindings. I find SkiAlper’s reviews to be accurate compared to biased ski magazines. I hope next year SkiAlper offers the online version again.
OOf that shipping… As a tele-skier, I would love to see their thoughts on the current offerings – cobbling together reviews from various blogs only tells you so much. Count me in for one if someone manages to import a bunch
I’m stunned that the Trab Titan isn’t the king toe. I miss the digital English version so much
Hi guys, I’m Davide, publisher of Skialper magazine and the crazy mind behind this Buyer’s Guide 🙂
First of all, thanks to Lou for hosting this review and thanks so much to Bruno for the detailed analysis. I didn’t know nothing about this article, I just discovered it now surfing the web and, yeah, I’m very happy.
We have a good news: in 2021 we will be back with a digital edition in English language.
We would have liked to do it already for this winter, but too little time and too much problems.
For the 2021/22 edition will be back on English, hoping to make a good job of translation and excited to communicate to the American and international skimo and freeride enthusiasts our point of view on different gear.
I hope you will be safe and for all of you a great 2021.
Ciao and greetings from Italy
Davide / Skialper, thank you for publishing an English edition next year! I will purchase for sure. Any chance of publishing the magazine in English too?
Davide – amazing and thank you for all your hard work! I agree with Tom – it would be cool to buy the print magazine in english too.
ok apologies for posting here but I’m not sure where else — I’ve purchased the (old) digital version, but issuu (online publishing platform) login is not working, and the support email listed on skialper’s site (support@nextlevelstudio.it) is bouncing with “550 SITEGROUND: No Such User Here”. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Davide! Thanks for joining the conversation! I send you a note to the Skialper contact. I have a few questions to ask you, and I was hoping to communicate. OK, stay safe and have a great season.
I’m so glad to hear that there will be a digital english version next year. I was keen to buy now, but the 34 EUR shipping cost made me stop.
Lots of money. And rediculous to not have a digity version. BUT best way known man to blow 60 dollars
Great review of a great publication. I am but a mere American living in Chamonix, so not Italy obviously, but like Mr. Pavesi, I was greatly amused by your geography knowledge. But, no it’s not just Americans that make this mistake, but some Brits, and even other European nationalities.
Pleased to hear there will be an English, digital edition of Skialper next year.
Grazie Mille
Ordered mine 2 weeks ago, still “under processing”. I’m missing out on prime post-surgery reading and dreaming material here!
Attempted to purchase but got the message “There are no shipping methods available.” It seems impossible to get anything to Australia from Italy, ever. Maybe the 2021/2022 digital version might work…
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