I guess your trip out west will be postponed next year. But anyway, let's try to answer your questions... Well, not that easy. The one that seems pretty obvious and strait forward: do the 3B Crispi/SwX2 combo fit the bill for the skis listed? Definitely... For the rest... Hum. It all depends. The wa...

Yes... I mean, these guys — talking of Barnett, Bard, Hall, etc — dedicated their ski life to skinny skiing... I bet the best telemarker around (CANSI level 4) would look like a beginner on that kind of skis and boots and bindings...

We do not see that much skinny action on youtube... at least not recent one. And it is a skill that is getting lost; it is very demanding. The guys are skiing leather & just pins (no cables). Even Steve Barnett is struggling in harsh or not so ideal conditions (cf some nato and Nils Larsen videos). ...

Skinny ski flix... Nice!

Vieux motard que jamais...

I wouldn't mind Al and go skiing and skinning if they are closed. You just need to be discreet. Very few employees are intervening when the see us skinning up when the resort is closed. At least in the Quebec city area... Stoneham, for exemple: some employees even told me where in the mountain it wa...

You have to distinguish between what belongs to marketing and what is anchored in facts... You also need to take into consideration one's own experience... There is no one way to do things... Some like lite duty bindings on wide skis... The bottom line is: you need to try to make your own thoughts...

The other option, one I prefer for myself, is:
finding a pair of Alpine touring ski around 80 mm waist with a good base, about your height long, minimum of 26 m of radius, mounted with 3 pin cables... Used with Excursion, that is the perfection. Which one? ONE OUT OF MANY...

200$ for a kit like that is... too much money! The boots aren't worth much (maximum 50$ for a pristine condition boot). Same with the Volk RTM; not a high end ski at all. If it is the boot that you are looking for, do not bother... Keep searching. You will find stuff even if you have to pay a little...

Rod my dear friend... You have not the slightest idea of all the fun you are missing... 8-) My guess is that you are still communicating with a pager and a fax machine? Still listening to Wham and Lara Fabian on cassette? Watching Lance et Compte and Du Tac au Tac on VHS? Smoking king size DuMaurie...