Ski help links?

[Ken Gross]

I agree that many people are in way to big a ski boot! I like the Intuitions and have a pair, but I am going to run with the factory liner that came in the Zzeus for at least this season.

Really the numbers dont mean much... its all about that 1 to 1.5 finger shell fit!

[Prairie Native]

Thanks for the help all, sounds like this is going to be too expensive right now, AT bindings are expensive, and I dont have boots...Guess Ill buy some snowshoes. I was looking forward to skinning and sking though..

[rickinco123]

If the Markers are AT bindings ( Barron, Duke, Jester) you will be able to lift your heel hinging at the toe allowing you to "walk" in your skis.

The Jesters are NOT AT bindings just for the record.

Ooops...... my bad.

[rickinco123]

Thanks for the help all, sounds like this is going to be too expensive right now, AT bindings are expensive, and I dont have boots...Guess Ill buy some snowshoes. I was looking forward to skinning and sking though..

If you are just looking to get out..... look for a used back country cross-country ski set up. Everything is cheaper. Make sure you get skis with edges. All you will need to get going are skins which will be cheaper because they are way thinner.

Most of the time I go snow shoeing I end up asking myself why I am not on cross country/nordic skis.

[rickinco123]

I just checked a few web sites and noticed that newer backcountry nordic skis can come with scales under the foot. They don't work as well as skins but if you are on lower angle stuff they will suffice, then you won't need to purchase skins, but skins are way better. Also, if you get practice on a nordic/X-country rig, the transition to AT or Tele will be a piece of cake. The balance on thin Cross Country skis is wayyyyyy harder. Good luck to you, I hope you find something that works!

The Bent Gate is an awesome place by the way, I come in there all the time with my stupid climbing questions and they indulge me, I'm sure they would have the same attitude about someone just getting started with skis. Wilderness Xchange is my other favorite and they sell a lot of used stuff.

[Prairie Native]

Ill take a look at those places if I have time when I get there. I was trying to get this setup put together before I go so I could go to this crappy ski "resort" we have here in kansas city and get everything dialed in. Again thanks for all the help!

[RoanMtnMan]

Thanks for the help all, sounds like this is going to be too expensive right now, AT bindings are expensive, and I dont have boots...Guess Ill buy some snowshoes. I was looking forward to skinning and sking though..

Don't let all this scare you out of one of the most efficient and rewarding backcountry travel options available. Yeah if you want top of the line 2010 stuff it will probably cost you a fortune. But I know for a fact that you can put together skis, boots, binders, and skins for $500 or less. It won't be new and will take some time, research, and effort to put together, but has been done many times. If you are still interested PM me and I will give you some ideas.

[killingcokes]

I'm going to have a pair of Garmont Endorhins AT Boot size 26.5 available for very cheap in a few weeks. For Very cheap as they have been well used. If you search Craigslist Denver for keywords "freeride" or "Naxo" and in "Garmont" "Dynafit" and "Scarpa" though scarpa makes tele boots as well so check the model that's being offered. you should be able to find some cheap bindings probably with skis.

But I would strongly recommend demoing some stuff. It's a lot cheaper than buying and you can really get a feel for it

[Prairie Native]

Hmm Ive totalled up what a X-country set up would run me and it seems that it would be around 200 bucks...still a bit confused cuz the boots look like leather and I was told that you need a very stiff ski boot to ski downhill and have control. Do X-country bindings only lock down the front of the boot?

[Bean]

XC gear is not for going downhill. It's for fast travel across generally flat terrain.

[Prairie Native]

say the downhill grade was that of the Road to the Grays trailhead...ensuing death would surely occur on the way down?

[Bean]

No, because that road is extremely flat.

[Prairie Native]

perfect! i wasnt looking for sking a 60 degree coulior, just approaches into the basins. Im sick of postholing and I think skis are probably faster and more fun than snowshoes.

[mtngoat]

perfect! i wasnt looking for sking a 60 degree coulior, just approaches into the basins. Im sick of postholing and I think skis are probably faster and more fun than snowshoes.

I f you are planning on trying to downhill at all on an x-country set up, I would STRONGLY suggest taking at least a day of telemark lessons to learn the basics of a telemark turn. It will still be harder to execute on a x-country ski but trying to alpine turn on a x-country set up is just funny to watch. I am not a telemarker and I almost want to learn simply for this reason.

x-country as previously stated is not for much above a 10-15 degree pitch. When you start getting above that, it can get tricky. I am sure there are some balance experts out there that might refute and give tales of coming down 50 degree pitches through the trees on x-country stuff, but for me, that stuff is for modest angles at best. Think of a steep road and that is about the limit of most xcountry stuff.

you could always carry skis and boots on a pack and snowshoe up...much more cumbersome but it is how I started my BC experience. DO NOT do as I once did and try to snowshoe in alpine skiing boots, you will hate yourself later. I did that on my first hut trip. Miserable hike in.

[RoanMtnMan]

say the downhill grade was that of the Road to the Grays trailhead...ensuing death would surely occur on the way down?

Honestly, I grew up XC skiing and ain't bad at it. With the vehicle, sled, and ski ruts, skiing down that road would be miserable on all but the best XC skis (not $200), on the best snow days, with a lot of skill. The only thing that XC skis and the mountains have in common is snow. Nothing else. As a skier, if I had to chose between XC skis and snowshoes for even low angle (10 degrees or so) mountain travel, I would probably take snowshoes, even though I hate them.