Until recently, many backcountry skiers thought alpine touring gear was heavy and awkward to use. Because of this, AT was often the second choice behind a tele setup. Times have changed, and skiers (many of whom weren't dropping their knee in the BC anyway) now have AT gear that is truly light and reliable. The number of AT specific skis may still seem relatively small, but most Telemark skis (and some Alpine boards) also make great AT skis.

An AT specific ski, like the K2 AT line, places a significant emphasis on lightness. The whole thought is that you will be touring in these skis, so the way up is designed to be less strenuous so you'll have more energy for turns on the way down. Don't be fooled though, these skis aren't flimsy--there is plenty of stiffness for aggressive skiers or variable snow conditions.

If you are not choosing an AT specific ski, here are some things you'll want to keep in mind:

Weight - Even if you're not an ounce counter, you don't want a ski that feels like lead weights on the hike up. Stay away from skis with lots of metal or really heavy wood construction.

Flex - Since most AT boots are lighter and softer flexing than alpine boots, you'll have an easier time driving a ski that has a slightly softer flex. If you want to use a stouter ski, make sure you've got enough boot to flex it.

These two factors have a lot to do with the fact that most AT skiers use telemark skis rather than alpine boards. Actually, many telemark ski manufacturers also have AT skiers in mind when designing new models. Don't be afraid to read up on ALL the skis on our site when choosing an AT ski.

So you've got a lot of ski choices out there, and it is not always easy to pick the right one. Since most people aren't using AT skis in the bumps or on groomers, a few ski types can be removed from the mix. Generally, folks are looking for a ski that fits one of the following categories: ultra lightweight, powder, ski mountaineering, or all-around.

Check out the categories listed below and see where you fit. We've listed our favorite skis for each catagory on our staff picks page.

Ultra Lightweight - These skis are designed for Randonnee racers, but can be used by anyone who wants the lightest weight ski they can get. All the skis in this category can handle just about any terrain or snow condition, but as you might expect, they'll get tossed around and chatter more than a heavier ski. Most skiers choose a shorter ski length in this category and mount them with a lightweight Dynafit binding.

Powder - Not everyone will agree on the best type of ski in this category. Clearly fat, soft flexing skis perform the best in powder. But no matter what the skis are made of - the fatter you go the heavier they get. If you don't want to carry the weight of a fat ski, consider choosing one from the all-around category. A popular compromise here is to choose a fat ski and mount it with a lightweight Dynafit binding.

Freeride boards - These skis are generally a little wider than those in our "all-around" category, and stiffer than a powder ski. They are designed to handle any type of snow and terrain you might encounter, and are best suited to the advanced or expert skier with a step in binding (Fritschi, Naxo or Slivretta) and a big boot. This is definitely not the lightest setup out there, but is a great choice for the adventurous or cross-over area skier.

All-around - Yes, this is a broad category. All around skis should be wide enough to float in the soft stuff, light enough to carry uphill comfortably, and stable enough to get you back down in any type of snow. Intermediate through expert skiers who want one pair of skis to do it all will probably get one of these. Most of these skis are appropriate for either Dynafit or step in AT bindings, and are happy with both mid-size and bigger boots.

Ski Mountaineering - Ask 10 ski mountaineers what type of skis to use and you'll get ten different answers. Many prefer to use skis from the ultra lightweight category while others prefer a beefy freeride ski. Lots of skiers also choose a mid-width "all-around" ski that will handle well on steep ice. There will always be some compromise between weight and performance, so keep that in mind. Our best advice here is to decide what type of snow and terrain you'll encounter most and how important weight is to you - then pick your skis from one of the categories listed above.

As you're looking at the individual skis on our sites, remember that we've got detailed reviews of every ski we carry.

Visit our staff picks page to see our favorite skis for each of the catagories above.

Want to narrow your choice down further? See how the skis stack up next to each other - compare AT skis

OK, you've picked out the skis you like, but what length should you buy? Check out the Telemarkski.com ski sizing page.

As always, let us know if we can help you out with more info or advice - just send us an email at info@telemarkski.com. If you'd prefer, fill out the form on our gear finder page and we'll choose the skis we think would best suit your needs.

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