Reviews You Can Rely On

Movement Alp Tracks 98 Review

This lightweight touring ski isn't flashy, but it offers well-balanced performance across the board
gearlab tested logo
Movement Alp Tracks 98 Review (Paired with the dynamic Plum Karibou 12 Stopper bindings, the Movement Alp Tracks 98 is ready to tackle any...)
Paired with the dynamic Plum Karibou 12 Stopper bindings, the Movement Alp Tracks 98 is ready to tackle any high-mountain objective.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Price:  $1,100 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Movement
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 4, 2024
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 17
  • Weight - 25% 9.5
  • Firm Snow - 20% 7.0
  • Powder - 20% 6.0
  • Crud and Poor Snow - 20% 5.0
  • Stability at Speed - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

We had hoped that the Movement Alp Tracks 98 would be more like our perennial favorite (and, unfortunately, now discontinued) Movement Alp Tracks 100. One of our testers called the Alp Tracks 98 “boring, in a good way.” Though this may seem like a backhanded compliment, these really are very well-rounded skis, especially considering their exceptional weight for their size. They offer just a cut above satisfactory performance in every sort of snow type and terrain you'd encounter in the backcountry. Even though they are similar in weight and dimensions, the 98-millimeter replacement just isn't as lively in soft snow as the previous 100-millimeter version. However, if you want reliable, lightweight skis that you will hardly ever think much about while skiing, the Alp Tracks 98 is one of the highest-performing skis across the board. See how they stacked up against the competition in our review of this season's best backcountry skis.
REASONS TO BUY
Balanced edge control
Lightweight
Reliable
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks liveliness in powder
Expensive
Editors' Note: We mounted the Alp Tracks 98 with Plum Karibou 12 Stopper bindings and tested them as an in-line ski during the 2023-2024 season.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Backcountry Skis
Top Pick Award
Optimized for Downhill Performance
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
A Realistic Backcountry Ski
Price $959.99 at Evo
Compare at 2 sellers
$899.95 at REI
Compare at 4 sellers
$799.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$800 List$749.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
67
78
78
75
74
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line You won't find any area where this reliable ski comes up short, and the weight is impressive for its sizeThis relatively wide all-season ski is one of our favorites and great for all-around human-powered useHeavier skis that offer meaningful performance on the downhill, ideal for newer backcountry skiers or for experts who don't mind trading a bit of efficiency for a bit more funReasonably affordable and great for a wide range of human-powered skiing, these are your backcountry "quiver-of-one"If you have a truly wide-ranging ski habit and have realistic expectations of what you will find out in the mountains, consider these skis very closely
Rating Categories Movement Alp Tracks 98 Blizzard Zero G 105 Salomon QST Echo 106 K2 Wayback 106 Atomic Backland 95
Weight (25%)
9.5
7.6
5.5
8.3
8.2
Firm Snow (20%)
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
10.0
Powder (20%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Crud and Poor Snow (20%)
5.0
8.5
9.0
7.0
6.0
Stability at Speed (15%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Movement Alp Tracks 98 Blizzard Zero G 105 Salomon QST Echo 106 K2 Wayback 106 Atomic Backland 95
Measured Weight Per Ski (g) 1294.5 1513 1779 1436 1422.5
Measured Length Tested (cm) 178 178 180 179 175
Measured Waist Width (mm) 97 105 105 105 94
Weight Per Surface Area Ratio (g/cm²) 0.65 0.72 0.8 0.68 0.73
Measured Weight Per Pair (g) 2589 3025 3557 2872 2845
Measured Weight Per Pair (lbs) 5.7 6.7 7.8 6.3 6.3
Manufacturer Claimed Length (cm) 178 180 181 179 177
Available Lengths (cm) 170, 178, 186 164, 172, 180, 188 157, 165, 173, 181, 189 165, 172, 179, 186 161 ,169, 177, 185
Measured Dimensions, Tip/Center/Tail (mm) 126/97/113 133/104/118 140/105/125 131/105/120 126/94/114
Manufacturer Claimed Dimensions (mm) 126/98/114 133/105/119 136/106/126 132/106/121 128/95/116
Turn Radius (m) 20.5 23 19 22.3 18
Construction Type Semi-Cap Sandwich Sandwich Semi-Cap Semi-Cap
Core Material Paulownia Paulownia Poplar, Caruba Paulownia Poplar
Rocker/Camber Profile Tip and tail rocker, camber underfoot Tip and tail rocker Tip and tail rocker, camber underfoot Tip and tail rocker, flat underfoot Tip and tail rocker, camber underfoot

Our Analysis and Test Results

In our comparative tests, the Alp Tracks 98 ski performed about as well in firm and poor snow conditions as the previous award-winning Alp Tracks 100. Unfortunately, it just wasn't as lively in powder snow. The performance for the weight of the 98-millimeter-waisted ski is really darn good – few skis are this light and perform this well across the board. We still hope that some company will reintroduce a ski that offers the magic the Alp Tracks 100 seemed to possess. The Alp Tracks 98 comes close, but it just isn't quite there.

Performance Comparison


movement alp tracks 98 - ski mountaineering demands lightweight, predictable skis like the...
Ski mountaineering demands lightweight, predictable skis like the Alp Tracks 98. They have to be reliable, even in the rowdiest environments.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Weight


In our experience with backcountry skis of the last decade, the ratio of weight versus downhill ski performance is non-linear. From 800 grams – which is a reasonable weight for a skimo ski – up to 1300 grams, downhill performance rises rapidly with every additional gram. However, it begins to taper off at this point, with a second inflection point at around 1600 grams. For these reasons, we generally recommend all-around, human-powered skiers aim for around 1300 grams (if uphill-focused) and 1600 grams (if downhill-focused). On our calibrated scale, one of our test skis weighed 1291 grams and the other 1298 g – an average of 1295 g per ski, which translates to 2589 g or 5.7 lbs for the pair. The Alp Tracks 98 anchors the 1300-gram weight selection, making them a perfect selection for uphill-tuned touring skis.

movement alp tracks 98 - around 1300 grams is what we have long found to be the sweet spot...
Around 1300 grams is what we have long found to be the sweet spot for lightweight touring skis.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Firm Snow


Edge hold on the Alp Tracks 98 isn't the tenacious attachment we want from skis we'll use on the steepest, iciest terrain, but that degree of edge hold is rare. On a late season on Wyoming's Rockchuck peak, our lead test editor enjoyed fast, firm, lightly softened corn snow over slope angles ranging from low 20 degrees up to 45 degrees. These skis stay very well centered on firm, steep snow; neither the tips nor the tails grab more than the other.

Comparative testing of the flex pattern. Although the Alp Tracks 98 is softer in the tip, it remains relatively stiff throughout the body of the ski, which translates to excellent stability.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Powder


If it weren't for our experience with the older, 100 mm version of this ski, the Alp Tracks 98 would score higher in this metric. This may sound more subjective than we should be, but we simply know it can be done better. That said, we still liked the stability, float, and variety of turn shapes offered by the Alp Tracks 98. For their weight, we wish they were a bit more lively through short radius turns. Instead of being able to bob and float, we found ourselves steering these skis at higher speeds to keep these skis above the snow.

movement alp tracks 98 - the alp tracks 98 offers just enough tip rocker to keep it above...
The Alp Tracks 98 offers just enough tip rocker to keep it above board.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Crud and Poor Snow


To continue with the history lesson, the Alp Tracks 98 is infinitely better in tough snow conditions than skis of a similar weight 10 years ago. Sometime around 2016, 1200-1300 gram skis took a big leap forward as it pertains to skiing sloppy snow and busting through breakable crusts. We haven't necessarily seen a leap forward like that since, but we also haven't seen a regression. If your memory of superlight touring skis is based on experience from a while back, it's worth recalibrating with a ski like the Alp Tracks 98 – for the weight, these skis are excellent when the going gets tough.

movement alp tracks 98 - expedition skiing rewards lightweight, versatile skis. even if you...
Expedition skiing rewards lightweight, versatile skis. Even if you have to move a bit slower on the downhill, the weight savings going up are well worth the tradeoff.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Stability at Speed


You don't choose 1300-gram skis for their high-speed performance. However, in perfect snow conditions especially, you'll find that level of fun. More importantly, you don't have to size up to achieve stability at speed – if you're on the fence between two sizes, don't be afraid of the shorter version.

movement alp tracks 98 - the tip and tail profiles are fairly standard. it's really the...
The tip and tail profiles are fairly standard. It's really the lightweight core that makes a difference at speed.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Should You Buy the Movement Alp Tracks 98?


Compared to any other backcountry ski in our review, the Alp Tracks 98 offers well-balanced performance across the board. More importantly, it does so at a very respectable weight. Although we consider this an exceptional all-around touring ski, it carries more of a specialty price tag. However, for ski guides or otherwise expert backcountry skiers, the Alp Tracks 98 may well be worthy of your investment.

What Other Backcountry Skis Should You Consider?


The Alp Tracks 98 fills an important market segment for lightweight touring skis, and there aren't many close competitors in our lineup. You'll have to add significant weight to get appreciably better downhill performance than you get with these skis. For an extra 130 grams per ski, the Atomic Backland 95 offers better performance in firm snow with the same well-balanced downhill execution in other conditions. Expect similar performance from the Black Crows Camox Freebird, although an additional 215 grams more per ski improves performance in poor snow conditions. Although you suffer a weight penalty, it is important to point out that both of these skis are significantly cheaper than the Alp Tracks 98. Otherwise, there's a whole host of skis around 1600 grams and 105 mm underfoot that will ski better in soft snow and similarly in firm snow but, of course, require more energy to lug uphill.

Jediah Porter