2023 Liberty Genesis 106 BC

The 2023 Liberty Genesis 106 Backcountry is a fantastic choice for advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a fun-loving ski that works as well on the uphills as it does on the downs. With the proliferation of backcountry skiing and alpine touring over the past half-decade or so, ski companies are coming up with some interesting and fun-loving skis to keep up with the trend. Built with an aspen and maple core, the skis are pretty light to start with, and adding two sheets of carbon to the top and bottom make the ski strong, stiff, and stable without adding too much weight. As a result, the 164 cm length ski weighs 1503 grams per ski, allowing for efficient and easy climbing, especially when paired with a tech binding and lighter boot. When you get to the top, though, the rest of the ski starts to come to life, offering a ton of performance and fun for any and all downhill enthusiasts.

The shape gives this ski a leg up on the competition, since it has a lot in common with the already-established Genesis 106. The main difference is in the tail rocker profile. Since skinning is a lot easier with flatter skis, the lack of rocker and a rounded tail makes sense for this ski, as it’s a well-deserved compromise for skiers looking for that ultimate blend of efficiency and playfulness. The weight keeps it playful as well, making up for some of the lost tail rocker with a lighter swing weight. It’s a bit straighter of a cut as well, allowing for easier skinning and a more direct line on the descent.

Louise Lintilhac skied the 164 and noted that they felt short for her. This isn’t that surprising given the fact that the skis are so incredibly quick and maneuverable. In fact, Louise scored the Genesis 106 BC 5’s out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, and flotation. She gave 4’s for overall impression and versatility with 3’s for forgiveness, stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold. Louise notes that “While I admittedly tested the ski out on a re-frozen groomer day in the East Coast this ski impressed me with its chops. As a light ski, I think it would excel on the ski track and its fast edge to edge movement was really fun considering the conditions. The pivot point is a bit farther back on the ski and I think this will allow the ski to move quickly through variable conditions off-piste.” That balance point helps out with skinning, so there’s a dual benefit here with the ski’s weighting.

If you’re looking for a fun and energetic ski for backcountry touring and off-piste adventures, the Liberty Genesis 106 Backcountry is a great choice. It’s light, snappy, and totally versatile, allowing skiers to get the best of all worlds when they head out into the winter wilderness. From pillow drops to wide-open bowls, the freeride personality of the ski shows through in a lighter, more touring-oriented format.