Skiing - AT/Randonee

[Pete Dorr]

All,

Anyone here ski with AT/Rando bindings ?

For several reasons we are going to shift my son back to skiing from snowboarding and that means I'm making the same shift.

Other reasons include the ability to much more easily reach some remote areas out of bounds.

We ski Sugarbush so the normal off-trail is woods, woods and more woods.

Looking for recommendations for boots/bindings and to some degree skis.

Pete

[Nicholas Carey]

I'm rather fond of my Åsnes tur-langrenn skis, but they're more back-country XC.



Mine have Solomon bindings on them instead of the 75mm 3-pin binding in the picture. If I ever get new boots, I daresay I'll switch over to a Nordic Norm binding.

You better like pine tar, though The annual scrape, tar and torch ritual is important.

[Bruce Hooke]

Man those Åsnes skis bring back memories. I had skis like that back in the late 70's. Then I joined my high school cross country ski team and shifted to racing skis.

Good luck on your search Pete. I've only used the modern free-heal cross country bindings, which are similar, but not similar enough to help you much.

[Pete Dorr]

Let me clarify - not looking for Telemark gear.

Looking at this type of binding which lets you freeheel with skins on the way up the mountain and then lock in for the ride down.


http://www.bdel.com/gear/freeride.php

[Figment]

The boat's Winter Shopping List is as long as my arm but damn, I really should carve some money aside to go skiing this year!

[skuthorp]

I use Rottafella(?) bindings on Fischer skis, and sometimes take out an old pair of Trisil Knut's for nostalgias sake. Don't miss pine tar and wax all that much.
Not enough snow this year to make it worth a trip!

[Spokaloo]

We have a very liberal boundary policy at Red Mtn in Rossland BC so about 40% of the passholders tour regularly.

HIGHLY reccomend the Fritschi Freerides as they are the standard for the AT kids. Great binding, DIN releases up to 14, and a very positive heel attachment. I think 7tm is doing a binding this year as well as another company, but Id definitely get the Fritschis. I personally use a set of Marker freerides and click in alpine trekkers though, something about the utmost in knee protection.

E

[J P]

For the last few years my main ski setup has been Daimer Fritschi bindings on Tua Mito skis and Dynafit boots with thermoflex liners. I think I got this gear in '99 and I've been really happy with it. I ski backcountry and lift areas. The bindings have worked fine and I haven't had any issues with them. If you want to go really light check out the Dynafit bindings. I don't remember which model the boot is but at the time it was the lightest and slightly less "performance" oriented than some of the others. Softer I guess. I like them a lot and really appreciate the lightness and custom fit of the thermoflex liners. They are warm too. The skis have been fun. Damn, just remembered, the tops started to de-lam last year ... might have to start shopping ... maybe something a bit fatter.

Surely you are looking at other sites besides the WBF?
There are so many.

http://www.wildsnow.com
http://www.couloirmag.com/

G'luck and good skiing!

[waters'l]

You have to look at how your kid skis. The Dynafits are a great setup because of their lightness. The issue is durability for agressive skiing. You can't drop cliffs or charge steep lines without fear of breaking them. They also require a specific boot that matches the binding. The freerides are almost as heavy as an alpine binding but they are bomber. They work with any boot that is alpine or AT. I use them and I think they tour very well and they have great lateral rigidity like an alpine boot. I have Toured hundreds of miles on them, dropped 30 footers and skied very agressivly for 3 years and they are still in great shape. You just have to decide whether you like weight or performance. Also, the Freerides are very adjustable so if your son is still growing out of shoes they will grow with him.
There, two cents from me.

[Pete Dorr]

From what I've read I've ruled out the Dynafit binding based on my size (was 235, currently 205, heading for 190) and how I plan on skiing.

For my son I'll just use regular alpine gear until he gets bigger.

I'll probably shop for boots when we go to VT in Nov. I plan on getting an AT boot that you can swap the base plate to fit into alipine bindings. Then I'll borrow/steal some skis to use while I get my ski legs back. If things go well I'll be able to justify the purchase of some skis and at bindings.

I'll check those other sites out soon.

One thing that got me interested in this was a race that was held last year. Start at base of Mad River Glen, skin up, ski across Long Trail to Mt Ellen, ski down, skin up the slidebrook area to Sugarbush South, ski down to lodge. Punishment for sure but looked like a fun way to be in pain. My goal for the season would be to enter this race with the objective of simply finishing.

[J P]

You'll really appreciate lighter boots on the skin up. A little difference in weight on the feet can make a huge difference when climbing. For me it was worth 'sacrificing some performance' in the boot though I haven't really noticed that. I used some heavier alpine boots once last year at a lift area and my feet felt so sluggish in the turns. I missed the quickness of my light boots even for alpine skiing. You'll need a stout enough boot though for your size and style of skiing. I do think larger folk have a little advantage setting edges in hardpack, maybe less so in the pow. There are some nice wide skis available now that will get you through most anything.
New AT gear is spendy. I wouldn't rule out looking at used. Ski swaps can have great deals from those folks who need the latest and greatest.

Good luck reaching your goals. Sounds like you're well on the way.

"Pain? what pain? ... huff ... puff ... this is FUN! ... huff ... puff"

[Spokaloo]

I forgot until now, check out the Naxo bindings as well. Up and coming bindings in AT, good interface with alpine boots, and 14 DIN.

Id have to say it depends on how you like to spend your day. If you are spending a large percentage on non-lift terrain (AT all day), then the light gear is more imperative than bomber stuff. If you are splitting it evenly or are touring from resort boundaries, alpine equipment will be a better service to you. Obviously Im biased as I have broken AT boots, and I ski places that I prefer a stiffer taller boot that requires more energy to flex.

It just depends on your personal opinion of what equipment you like and what you want it to do. Dont expect AT equipment to ski hard and dont expect alpine gear to climb well. You will find that a few extra pounds dont matter for the first 3 laps or first 3k feet, but beyond that its your quads.

E

[Pete Dorr]

Got gear this past weekend

Volkl Mantra skis
Fritschi Freeride bindings
Garmont Adrenelin boots
Black Diamond adjustable poles
Black Diamond GlideLite skins

Now I need to keep up the training on the treadmill and hopefully get up to the mountains real soon.

The folks at the shop had already been skiing - Mansfield was excellent was the report.

The goal is to do this race on Feb 5




Pete

[J P]

Nice gear! Won't be able to use that as an excuse.
Tilt that treadmill UP, and hit'r hard. Looks like a fun race.
G'luck.