What To Look For
When hunting for a ski to handle a broad spectrum of terrain-both on the beaten path as well as off-shop for general touring skis. Skis in this class share key features, such as a double-camber, which facilitates good glide, and a waxless base to ensure grip and kick in all but the most extreme conditions. General touring skis run from 59 to 68 millimeters in width, measured at the ski's shovel; any wider, and they'll not fit in the grooves carved into groomed cross country track systems.
Common Pitfalls
The beauty of a general touring ski is its versatility; the downside is its lack of specificity: you'll rarely have the perfect skis for any given condition. So unless you're the type of skier who can make S turns on 2x4s, don't expect a general touring ski to shred downhills and rip up cross-country track systems; understand that compromise is at the core of the ski.
Where To Buy
Because they're widely sought by skiers of all stripes, touring skis are ubiquitous: look for them at mass-merchandise outdoor retailers like REI and Eastern Mountain Sports. Scout the inventory of online retailers like backcountry.com and Sierra Trading Post for outrageous deals, but don't expect expert ski advice from sales associates, who tend to be generalists. Specialty cross-country ski shops often offer general touring skis as lost leaders, and mail-order stores like GearWest have great selections, reasonable pricing, and expert advisers who can guide your purchase.
Cost
Skis in this class, such as Fischer's metal-edged E89, and time-tested Country Crown, Atomic's Motion and Xcruise 59 Grip and metal-edged Mountain BC Grip, Rossignol's BC65 Positracks with full metal edge, and the Alpina Red Bird are all reliable general tourers that, as of the 2010-2011 season, run between $100 and $230; full metal-edges and high-tech composites account for the most expensive skis in this class.
Comparison Shopping
You'll eventually be confronted with an important choice: metal edges or not. Metal will give you greater turning and stopping strength, even in groomed track, but you'll pay a bit more, and you'll be dinged a small penalty in ski weight and swing. Ask about the ski's torsional, or side-to-side flex. Non-metal edged skis high in torsional rigidity tend to hold a solid edge in all but frozen snow.
Accessories
The old knicker-wearing crowd once skied these models with 75 millimeter three-pin bindings. Give those old rat traps a pass, and instead buy one of the new svelte boot-binding systems that are no wider than a ski's waist. Though you may use these skis on XC track systems, purchase poles with baskets large enough to accommodate the unpacked conditions you'll find in ungroomed terrain.
Insider Tips
Have an idea of where you'll spend the majority of your snow time before purchasing. If skiing tracks isn't important to you, start wide, and shop wider: rather than Fischer's E89, check out the E99, for example. If your idea of cross country skiing is keeping to track and trail, however, save weight and dispense with the heavy metal. Word to the wise and frugal: try before you buy. General touring skis reign supreme in rental programs. And if your timing is right, you can grab a great deal on a pair of lightly used rental stock at the end of the season.
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