Need Help - Skis for Denali

Hello,
I would appreciate some help picking skis for Denali. We plan to ski to 14k and possibly ski the Messner or Orient depending on conditions. Also plan to ski a bunch around 14 camp on rest days.

My current BC skis are Meier Quickdraws, frontside carving skis but I got them for free in a raffle. I want to upgrade to a proper ski for both Denali and for Colorado couloirs and 14ers. Any advice would be appreciated. I checked WildSnow and they recommend the Black Crow Freebird, but I want to check other options too.

thanks!

Something light, little shorter than what you’d normally ski, and 85-95 underfoot. 

Personally the skis I take to Denali are ones that I am willing to ditch and not come home with. I have left several pairs up there for various reasons. I almost grabbed a pair from the bin in 2000 that belonged to Mugs, who I knew. I figured he would not mind given he died 8 years before.

Not sure if these would meet your needs, but Skimo Co has the Salomon Mtn Explore 88s for 50% off with the older graphics.  I have been using these skis for ski mountaineering in the PNW for the last year or two and really like them.

https://skimo.co/salomon-mtn-explore-88

I've got a brand new set of Scott Speedguides I could get to you cheap.  Would be perfect for what you're talking about.
​https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/product/scott-speedguide-95-ski​​​

These are going to be my dedicated BC ski in Colorado after Denali so I'm not planning to buy junkers that I'd leave up there. Looking for recs on models, weight, etc. Thanks

It all comes down to personal preference. I would be skeptical of anyone who claims any one singular best ski. I skied the orient with some bd ski that was like 190 and 105 underfoot. It was my first season on skis in over a decade. It’s not crazy hard skiing, but if you blew an edge you’d probably have a pretty bad time.
buy the ski you want, and go tour a lot. You’ll be fine. 

Very helpful, thanks guys!!

sandrock wrote: These are going to be my dedicated BC ski in Colorado after Denali so I'm not planning to buy junkers that I'd leave up there. Looking for recs on models, weight, etc. Thanks

It is not a matter of planning to leave but having to leave ...

One recommendation is the atomic ultimate 85, I have them in 176 and they worked great for skiing off the summit. I also use them as my primary touring ski in Colorado. Obviously, it is more fun to ski in bigger fatter skis, however the weight adds up especially at 20k feet.