Last season, the '25-26 season saw the first full model change in 10 years for the "UBAC" series, designed for backcountry use. While retaining its "intuitive operability" and "lightweight design for climbing," it has evolved even further for the '26-27 season. What has changed?
ZAG's manufacturing
Founded in France in 2002, ZAG is based in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Using the steep slopes of Aiguille du Midi and vast powder fields as its testing grounds, the brand champions "Intuitive Performance" and has pursued the creation of products that directly convey the skier's intentions to the snow surface under all conditions
ZAG's commitment lies in balancing environmental considerations with innovation. Developed through the active use of recycled materials and close collaboration with mountain guides in the European Alps, their skis boast exceptional reliability in harsh backcountry environments and have garnered enthusiastic support from core mountain skiers
Backed by such capabilities, ZAG's focus for the '26-27 season is particularly on the Japanese market with its evolved touring category, the UBAC series
The "strength" and "stability" that bestsellers have gained
The biggest update to the UBAC series for the 2026-2027 season is its core wood core. By adopting a new, robust core material combining poplar and Bologna wood, it exhibits greater rigidity than the previous model. As a result, it maintains the agility during uphill hikes while dramatically improving stability during skiing
Among the series, the one the brand is most strongly promoting to the Japanese market is the "UBAC 95." And indeed, it is overwhelmingly the most popular model
The UBAC 95 not only stiffens the core material, but also updates the profile to pursue a more refined ride. By slightly reducing the rise of the camber and rocker, contact with the snow surface underfoot is now more reliable. In addition, the flex has been adjusted to be more flexible and softer underfoot, while the tip and tail have been made a little stiffer, resulting in a significant improvement in stability at high speeds
The graphic is available in the following two colors. TURQUOISE is for women
UBAC has long been highly regarded for its excellent maneuverability in the backcountry and has enjoyed widespread support from BC users. With these updates, the "UBAC 95" has become a ski that can be confidently recommended not only to experienced backcountry skiers but also to beginners who want to start skiing. The increased rigidity is also a key point, as it offers surprisingly comfortable cruising not only in the backcountry where snow conditions change rapidly, but also on groomed slopes
The "UBAC Series" lineup meets diverse needs
The UBAC series offers a seamless lineup of models with varying widths. The UBAC 110 is a completely new model that debuted in the '26-27 season, while the UBAC 89 and 102 have undergone graphic changes
UBAC 89
This model in the series features a particularly strong torsional rigidity. It's ideal for touring-oriented skiers who require more technical climbing or reliable edge grip on hard snow surfaces
UBAC 102
Boasting the strongest rigidity in the series, this "aggressive board" is designed for high-speed, aggressive riding on everything from deep powder to rough slopes, taking advantage of its wide footing (102mm width)
UBAC 110
A completely new model with a waist width of 110mm. Its rigidity is positioned between the "U95" and "U102," achieving a high-level balance of exceptional buoyancy and nimble handling. Its strength lies in its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of riders
Furthermore, all models are available as a set with dedicated climbing skins (seals), which is incredibly reassuring for skiers who are about to venture into the world of backcountry skiing
Information
ZAG
Official website:https://strandsgear.com/brands/zag/
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Handling: Strands