Pre-season waxing parties are fun and all, but let’s admit it’s more of a preamble to what we’d rather be doing. And nobody enjoys midseason maintenance.
Ditch the torment of needing to constantly apply wax all season, and go with Phantom Gide to improve the overall performance of your bases.
Through Dec. 15, Backcountry offers Phantom Glide as a free add-on when you purchase qualifying skis and boards for $700 or more.
We’ve listed several of the season’s top skis and boards, all of which are eligible for the treatment, and most are top picks chosen by ski guides and/or Backcountry’s Gearheads.
Add Phantom Glide to Skis and Boards at Backcountry
Phantom Glide Treatment Available at Backcountry
Unlike traditional wax, Phantom bonds to the base for a long-lasting glide that’s easy to maintain. Plus, it contains no PFAS or fluorocarbons.
This is a solution for anyone who has found themselves working harder to keep up with their friends on the slope, stuck on flats, or just feeling excess drag in the snow. If this sounds like you, now is a great time to see how Phantom Glide works for you, and as the brand says, “No wax. No mess. Just glide.”
And now you can get this treatment applied to a new purchase at Backcountry. This simple add-on will have your skis or board ready to rip upon arrival.
Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Ski (2026): $750
The Black Pearl 88 skis are a top pick from Backcountry’s gearheads and ski guides for their ability to hold an edge in nearly all conditions. It’s a frontside ski with an 88mm waist and a rocker-camber-rocker profile that’s versatile enough to keep up with changing conditions. Our testers named these the Best Beginner All-Mountain Skis for Women.
Their versatility and forgiving float make these a good choice for newbies and seasoned skiers. The skis have a TrueBlend All Mountain core that combines beech and poplar in a layup that varies by ski length (146cm-170cm) for a smooth ride. Pair them with Phantom Glide and experience that smooth, versatile edge hold — all season, no wax required.
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Jones Snowboards Flagship Snowboard (2026): $750
Positioned as an all-mountain board for advanced to expert riders, the Flagship combines a rockered nose that floats through loose powder with a camber that provides precision on steep descents. A tapered directional shape offers better turn initiation, a setback stance, and Traction Tech 3.0 edges for top-tier grip on ice and snow.
An FSC Power Core with bamboo stringers adds strength and snap while its stiff flex provides the board with the high-speed stability you want on freeride lines. Lastly, the Sintered 9900 base keeps things moving fast through all sorts of conditions. Consider adding a Phantom Glide treatment to keep that going all season.
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Armada ARV 100 Ski (2026): $699
This do-it-all ski is made for intermediate to advanced freestyle and all-mountain skiers. With its wide-ish 100mm waist and AR Freestyle Rocker, the twin-tipped ARV 100 can play and jump in the parks, float through powder, and hold an edge away from the groomers.
It has a poplar core for flex throughout, and long-lasting w3Dgewall construction for the impact-resistant edges. The ARV 100 is available in sizes ranging from 158cm to 186cm. Check out our roundup of the Best All-Mountain Skis to see what our testers thought of the ARV 100.
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Rossignol Sender Soul 102 Ski (2026): $750
Backcountry’s guides position the Rossignol Sender Soul 102 as a do-it-all setup for progressing intermediates looking to venture away from groomers. Skiers describe its ride as having a freeride playfulness with enough stability and edge control to please more advanced skiers.
The 102mm waist helps this ski stay above fresh morning power and narrow enough to allow for responsive carving. In contrast, the skis get balance and control from their LCT construction and Titanal beam reinforcement. The Sender Soul 102 is available in 156cm and 172cm sizes.
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Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102 Ski (2026) — Women’s: $750
The Rallybird Soul 102s are a women’s-specific design with a twin rocker and 102mm waist that balance playful float with stability and edge control. These skis are for progressing skiers looking to move into the side country with confidence and want a lighter setup.
Like the Sender Soul above, the Rallybird Soul 102s have an LCT construction with a Titanal beam that dampens chatter to create a smooth ride. They have a poplar wood core and Air Tip tech to make it easier to pivot or smear. Overall, these are versatile freeride skis ready to go off-piste and charge when needed.
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Telos Snowboards Lemurian Splitboard (2025): $772 (25% Off)
Splitboarders looking for a balance of float and bite will enjoy the hybrid camber of the Lemurian splitboard. Its setback camber with rockered tips will help you stay up and out of the powder while its stiff flex invites confidence on fast and steep descents. The board has a directional freeride shape with a 10mm taper for reassuring stability and smooth release.
A split-specific core gives the board some pep on the way up and oomph on the way down. Carbon strings add pop without excess weight, while a graphite sintered base keeps its speed, and polyurethane sidewalls with triax glass dampen the ride while adding durability. The Lemurian is available in several sizes: 154cm, 158cm, 162cm, and 166cm.
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Burton Custom X Snowboard (2026): $900
The Burton Custom X is tailored to advanced, hard-charging snowboarders who crave a balance of stiffness and control while carving technical lines. That’s why it has a directional shape with a full camber profile and medium-stiff flex. Underfoot, the twin flex offers a balanced ride while the carbon reinforcement in the layup helps give the board more pop and control.
The Custom X should provide confidence for experienced riders who want to push their own boundaries. It ranges in lengths and widths from 150cm- to a 166cm-wide version.
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Capita Kazu Kokubo Pro Snowboard (2026): $699
The Kazu Kokubo Pro is a great choice for experienced snowboarders who want a directional board made to tackle powder and technical freeride terrain, yet still feel at home at the resort. The board sports the brand’s Resort V3 Directional camber (raised with elevated contact points and rocker arcs), a medium-stiff flex, and is available in several sizes between 151cm and 161cm.
It has a compact chassis that’s powerful and nimble. Kazu’s construction includes a Panda Hover Core with bamboo power rods with Carbonflax Amplifiers to create snap and dampening.
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This post was sponsored by Backcountry. Visit Backcountry.com to find more skis and boards eligible for a Phantom Glide treatment.
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