Night Ski Touring and XC Skiing: When Darkness Isn't a Limit, but a Challenge

Jan 5, 2026

You know the feeling. You're up on the ridge, the wind is blowing, snow is swirling, and a black hole of a descent opens up beneath you. Or you're speeding along a groomed track in the middle of the forest and need to see every ice patch before your ski hits it. In the winter mountains, darkness isn't just the absence of light – it's an opponent. And you need a weapon that gives you the upper hand.

Winter sports have their specifics. On ski tours, you deal with helmet compatibility, glare from the snow, and battery performance in freezing temperatures. In cross-country skiing, you fight every extra gram, which multiplies on your head during dynamic movement. That's why we took the range of Fenix headlamps apart down to the last screw and sorted them exactly according to what you really need in the terrain.

1. Heavyweight: Extreme Power and Runtime

The royal category for ski mountaineers, rescue workers, and those who spend long hours in demanding terrain. They are united by the use of high-capacity 21700 type batteries (5000 mAh and more), which hold their capacity in the cold significantly better than smaller batteries.

Fenix HP35R: The Absolute Ruler (4000 lm)

A flagship with an external case for two 21700 batteries (total 10,000 mAh). You can wear this on the back of your head, or thanks to the long cable, keep it warm under your jacket.
What you need to know: It offers a unique combination of a spotlight and two floodlights. The key is the color temperature – it uses neutral and very warm LEDs (CRI 94.5). Warm light doesn't cause glare in fog and snow; on the contrary, it highlights the contours of the terrain. It is controlled by a rotary switch (ideal with gloves).
Compatibility: Fits into the ALG-03 helmet mount. 

There is also the HP35R SAR version designed directly for work helmets and NVG mounts.

Left: HP35R SAR, Right: HP35R.

A comparison of both HP35R headlamps can be found in this article.

Fenix HM75R Topaz: Modular Chameleon

Topaz is a Czech specialty tuned to perfection. The headlamp itself houses an 18650 battery but connects to a rear extender with a 21700 cell. You can thus replenish energy on the go.
What you need to know: Unlike the standard version, Topaz can combine the spotlight and floodlight beams (again with high CRI for true colors). It also features a strong red light (up to 120 lm).
Compatibility: Lightweight without the extender, enduring with it. Fits into ALG-03.

Sophisticated in every way - Fenix HM75R Topaz

A separate article about the Fenix HM75R Topaz headlamp can be found on our blog HERE.

Fenix HM71R: Maximum Power in One Body (2700 lm)

A massive 'L-shaped' flashlight with a magnet in the tail cap. If you unclip it from the head mount, you have an extremely strong handheld flashlight.
What you need to know: It has brutal power, but cannot use the spotlight and floodlight simultaneously. You either blast with the spotlight (cool white) or light up your path with the floodlight (neutral with high CRI).
Compatibility: Due to its weight, it requires a firm fit; it fits into ALG-03.

Fenix HP25R V2.0: Classic with Separate Case

A time-tested design where the weight is distributed between the forehead and the back of the head. An output of 1600 lm and the ability to combine a cool spotlight with a neutral floodlight make it a universal workhorse. The 21700 battery on the back of the head is easily replaceable.

The Fenix HP25R V2.0 accompanied Jan Venca Francke on his successful race in the Alaskan wilderness - find the article HERE.

Fenix HM70R: Gateway to 21700

A robust, simple headlamp with an output of 1600 lm. Like the HM71R, it cannot combine beams (either spotlight, or floodlight, or red). It is a heavier but reliable tank with huge endurance. Fits into ALG-03.

2. Golden Mean: Ski Touring, Running, and Work (18650 Category)

The most widespread category. It offers the best ratio between weight and power. Here you will find the most innovations and specialties.

HM65R-T V2.0: Magnesium Racing Special

Currently the most powerful model of the 'Trail' series. The magnesium alloy body is light and durable. It offers 1600 lm and the option to choose between a cool and warm spotlight (for fog).
Watch out for the helmet: It has a rotary dial strap tightening system (SportFit). This is great for a hat or bare head, but may not fit over some bulky ski touring helmets. However, the headlamp body itself fits into the ALG-03 mount.

HM65R-T V2.0 comes in three stylish color variants.
HM65R is a Fenix classic with gray-orange straps.

Fenix HM65R: 'Two Eyes' for Every Situation

A time-tested classic. You can control the spotlight (cool) and floodlight (neutral) completely independently with two buttons and combine them as you wish.
Compatibility: It has a classic strap, so it fits helmets better than the T-version and fits perfectly into ALG-03.

HM65R allows the combination of both reflectors and adaptation of the beam shape to the situation.
HM65R-T V2.0 has light beams tuned universally and you can turn on either cooler or warmer, but not both at once.

Differences between HM65R and HM65R-T V2.0 headlamps can be found in this article on our blog.

HM61R Amber V2.0: Bestseller

Universal 'L' construction. Unclip it and you have a handheld flashlight with a magnet. The reflector is tuned to neutral (color of daylight), which is most pleasant for the eyes. It also has excellent red light. It fits into ALG-03 and is also easy to remove from the straps thanks to a special design.

Fenix HM60R V2.0: Smart Choice

A smaller version of the HM70R model. A specific feature of the second generation is the sliding switch control, which is unrivaled in thick gloves. The spotlight is great for faster action, while the floodlight and red light will be appreciated when camping, cooking, sleeping, etc.

Fenix HP12R-T: Safety on Crossings

An interesting hybrid. The battery case on the back of the head has an integrated red flasher, which cross-country skiers appreciate when crossing roads. The front spotlights (cool and neutral) can be combined, but the shade of light changes rather than the shape of the beam. It has a dial-fit strap, so it is targeted primarily at XC skiing/running, less at helmets.

What distinguishes it from other 18650 battery models is precisely the separate battery case located on the back of the head. Overall, the headlamp weighs almost 200 grams, but thanks to the perfect weight distribution, it is a great way to treat yourself to a larger battery without the problem of extra weight on the forehead bothering you. Another advantage is the red flasher / light on the battery pack. It perfectly increases safety when running on roads, and you don't need another flasher, or in combination with another flasher, you will be even more visible to other road users (especially car drivers approaching you from behind). High power of up to 1300 lumens with a range of up to 200 meters guarantees that you will see in any situation. In addition to the supplementary red light front and back, the headlamp is equipped with two reflectors with day white and neutral light tint. You can combine both reflectors and run them simultaneously in 1300 and 70 lumen modes (turbo and low mode). Independently, the cooler reflector shines up to 1000 lumens and the warmer light reaches a maximum of 500 lumens, although it has a slightly narrower beam and also a longer range at the same power than the cooler light. Which is quite an unusual configuration for Fenix, but for running and other sports activities, this solution is completely suitable and adds the option of further choice as to what suits whom. Wearing comfort is increased by a comfortable perforated strap with tightening and loosening via a dial, as the '-T' (trail) in the name suggests. IP66 is a matter of course for the HP series, as is high durability for all Fenix products. 

Fenix HP16R: AA Battery Backup

The less powerful sister of the HP25R. Its superpower is that in an emergency it 'swallows' 4 ordinary AA batteries. Ideal for expedition ski mountaineers who sleep in huts without electricity.

3. Lightweight: XC Skiing, Training, and Speed

When you count grams and move on a groomed track or known terrain, you don't need a 'brick' on your head. Compact models rule here.

Fenix HM62-T: Lightest on 18650

If you want a large battery (18650) but minimum weight, this is it. Simple, magnesium, with neutral light and a red diode. No frills, just power and lightness.

Fenix HM62-T in two colors

Fenix HM55R: New Class (18350 Battery)

This is the dark horse of the offer. It uses an 18350 battery, which is a compromise between tiny and large batteries. The headlamp is light but has grown-up performance and endurance. It has both a spotlight and floodlight and red light. A great 'one headlamp for everything' if you are not an extremist.

Fenix HL45R: Zoom and Red Floodlight

An unconventional model with zooming optics (changing the beam width). Unique is its red light with an output of 130 lumens – that is unheard of in this category. It can also run on 3x AAA batteries.

HL18R-T V2.0: XC Skier's Dream

Small, light, with dial tightening. Based on the HM65R-T, but significantly smaller. Can also be fed with 3x AAA batteries. Absolutely sufficient for an evening loop on the track. 

HL18R-T V2.0 in two color variants.

HM51R Ruby V3.0

Legendary small 'L-shaped' ultralight flashlight on a 16340 battery.
Ruby V3.0 is a tuned custom version with a magnet, neutral light, and tweaked controls. With an adapter, you can also put it in the ALG-03 helmet mount. With the new V3.0 version, we focused on squeezing the maximum out of this tiny headlamp. Compared to the previous second generation, we increased the light output in both white and red, range, and battery life.

Quick Guide: What to Choose?

Final tip: If you plan to use the headlamp primarily on a ski touring helmet, we recommend models compatible with the Fenix ALG-03 mount, or models with straps without the SportFit dial. Models marked '-T' (Trail) have a strap with a dial, which is brilliant for running and XC skiing, but may be short or fit poorly on bulky helmets.

For more information, you can also read our article about running headlamps. When selecting them, we often take into account similar parameters as for use in XC skiing or ski touring.

If you are unsure about your choice, the simplest thing you can do is contact us. We will be happy to answer your email questions!.