Alpine Touring Thread

[JTG]

Good question. I normally ski a 184 now. Down from the good old 204 Comp SL days. I may have a opportunity to pick up a new pair of Dynafit Beast 98 skis with the Speedskins (also new) for $550. That’s a pretty good deal....but they are 177. They come up just above my chin, at 6’4” 185. What’s your guys thinking on touring setups, is shorter ok?

 

[Ripitz]

Good question. I normally ski a 184 now. Down from the good old 204 Comp SL days. I may have a opportunity to pick up a new pair of Dynafit Beast 98 skis with the Speedskins (also new) for $550. That’s a pretty good deal....but they are 177. They come up just above my chin, at 6’4” 185. What’s your guys thinking on touring setups, is shorter ok?

 

[marcski]

Good question. I normally ski a 184 now. Down from the good old 204 Comp SL days. I may have a opportunity to pick up a new pair of Dynafit Beast 98 skis with the Speedskins (also new) for $550. That’s a pretty good deal....but they are 177. They come up just above my chin, at 6’4” 185. What’s your guys thinking on touring setups, is shorter ok?

I'm told shorter is better. IMHO, when buying a dedicated touring setup, it is more about the up. A shorter ski will necessarily be a bit lighter, but more importantly, but good buddy who lives at the base of the canyon in Utah and no longer takes lifts and only tours now, says a shorter ski is also easier to move around on the up with kick-turns, etc. Plus, if you're normally on a ski that is in the low to mid 180's you're talking about 5-7 cms or about 3 inches.

 

[Ripitz]

I grew up skiing long sticks also. Never had skis under 200cm. Now I ski a 184cm Stockli Stormrider which is great if you have lots of room. Shorter will definitely be better in the trees and lighter on tours. Longer will give you better glide and support additional weight when hauling gear. I think going shorter in the East is a better option. In the Voile product reviews someone posted they thru skied the Catamount trail on a pair of 164cm! Agility and the ability to stop makes for a safer day on East coast tight terrain

 

[moonie386]

I've been dabbling in AT / XCD for a few years now. Living in WNY there is limited terrain. I've found over the years that my expectations adjust to the reality of the terrain that is easily accessible to me. I started out thinking I was going to be able to lap runs similar to a resort glade. Then I went almost all the way to Classic XC just to get out on the snow. The past few years I've been trying to get closer to the middle ground.

For reference:
Male, 6', 210LBs

I started with this:

1st AT setup - Way overkill for WNY (Young and dumb purchase)
- Line skis (Not sure what model, not made anymore i don't think) 179cm 106mm waist
- Salomon Guardian Frame Binding
- G3 Skins
- Dynafit ZZero boots

Then I got these for trails closer to home. I use these often and they are great for rolling terrain but they don't turn great.
1st XCD Setup
- Fischer SBound 78
- Rottefella Magnum Manual NNNBC Binding
- Alpina NNNBC Boots (Old model, not in current lineup)

With the covid mess this year I figured it made sense to reinvest in some AT/XCD gear so I could still ski if the resorts are brutal.

2nd AT setup - This should be way lighter and more convenient not having to mess with skins as much (I hope)
- Voile Ultravector BC 177
- G3 Ion 12
- Dynafit ZZero Boots

2nd XCD setup - This should handle downhill way better than the 1st XCD setup. I'll probably get some light plastic boots in the future.
- Madshus Annum 175
- Voile 3-Pin Cable Traverse Tele binding
- Crispi Svartisen Boots 3 pin 75mm

My goal for this year is the same as it is every year; try to find more spots with few people and lots of turns. Unfortunately covid has turned everyone into an outdoorsman. Fishing was brutal this fall.

Hoping to get to ADK a couple times.
Spending a few days at fishing camp in Catskills (East Branch). Never skied here before but there is 1000ft of skiable vertical in the back yard. If anyone has experience in the area I'm all ears.

Other than that it'll mostly be day trips around WNY and CNY. Lots of nordic ski centers in the area but I'm not sure how they will like me poking around for turns on their trails.

I had an XCD trip report on the old forum a few years ago for Hunters Creek Park near East Aurora. That's always a good spot if lake effect hits it.

 

[Ripitz]

The Annum is a great ski. I have them with NNN BC bindings and Alpina Alaskan boots. I went with the 185cm because cross country is more of my objective with that setup. Great for pasture skiing and bushwhack adventures. I skied up/down Magic with them and although you can turn them they are not downhill focused. They are light and foamy with lots of camber. I got the Alaskan NNN because I want to use them with Nordic ice skates. The Crispis with 3 pins will give you much more control. I have BD kicker skins for them but haven’t needed them yet for the up. They are helpful on the down for speed control on tight trails like the top/steep section of Marcy. Definitely a great setup they are super fun!

 

[marcski]

I have a pair of XCD's, with Alpina boots (a low leather boot with a duckbill) and a Voile 3 pin (not sure of the model). I've had them for years and use them mostly for bushwhacking the local trails when there is snow. I bought them for local use and use them in marginal conditions. They have seen their day. I'll try and find another pair of skis and just transfer the bindings and the boots are still good to go. But, I'm waiting for my real BC skis to come in the mail....and I still need to pickup some binders for those. XCD's are down on the list at the moment.

 

[Belaña]

Voile glueless technology skins...

 

[raisingarizona]

I let a rep talk me into buying glue-less skins about 8 years ago. Worst skins ever, after one tour I returned them and told the rep they were dangerous. I couldn’t get them to work after two transitions as the wind was blowing snow around on a bitterly cold day. I was left deep on the backside without functioning skins.

 

[Harvey]

I had an XCD trip report on the old forum a few years ago for Hunters Creek Park near East Aurora.

@moonie386 help me find this, I would like to bring it over.