Skiing down narrow, steep, switchbacky hiking trails

[martin2007]

Hey hrishi, sounds like you're really getting into this! I0th Mtn huts are a treasure! I'm from Ontario, Canada, spending the winter in Granby, CO., tele-ing and BC XC skiing in some great places within 30 Mins. of here. Can suggest some good trails
in Grand County if you're ever heading over this way.

[hrishi]

Hey hrishi, sounds like you're really getting into this! I0th Mtn huts are a treasure! I'm from Ontario, Canada, spending the winter in Granby, CO., tele-ing and BC XC skiing in some great places within 30 Mins. of here. Can suggest some good trails
in Grand County if you're ever heading over this way.

Would absolutely love to- I have been searching for nearby ski trails in northern CO. So far I have stuck to Brainard lakes, but really looking forward to explore more areas.

[HBS]

Hey hrishi, sounds like you're really getting into this! I0th Mtn huts are a treasure! I'm from Ontario, Canada, spending the winter in Granby, CO., tele-ing and BC XC skiing in some great places within 30 Mins. of here. Can suggest some good trails
in Grand County if you're ever heading over this way.

Would absolutely love to- I have been searching for nearby ski trails in northern CO. So far I have stuck to Brainard lakes, but really looking forward to explore more areas.

Beaver reservoir has some good easy trails, if you want to get adventurous you can take a old jeep road down to peaceful valley and then switchback up the sourdough trail back to your car. Wild basin is fun too but might not have enough snow lower down. You can also ski up past the Loch in RMNP but get there early after a good snow because there are a loooot of hikers beating up those trails.

[hrishi]

Thanks, HBS, I will look them up!

[Oldbie]

Hoks are amazing XC and downhill skis- if the snow is deep and soft- I find them virtually useless on dense, consolidated snow.

Another technique to consider is using a single wooden pole- "tiak"/"lurk"- a single wooden pole can be used as both an outrigger and to create a tripod of balance- as well as be used as a brake. With a "tiak" I can ski almost extreme terrain with nothing but soft XC boots on. When the slope is moderate I stride and surf my way thrugh step turns and telemarks- when the slope gets extreme- down goes the "tiak" outrigger!

You ask what gear would we use- but what gear are you skiing on these trails? Skis? Boot? Bindings?

How would a single telescopic pole extended to max length work as a tiak in these situations? The other pole could be lashed to the pack.

[hrishi]

Update- got a new pair of 165 cm Madhshus Epochs that were on sale for my wife. She hasn't skiied on them yet but the flex is incredibly softer than the S-88s. Will mount 3-pin cables on them. This way the skis could be used with leather boots (which are next on the list) for gentler terrain and with the T4s (she already has) for steeps.

I will take the S-88s- at 170 cm, they are 10 cm short for my weight (158 lb), but I think it will help on the narrow trails I mentioned in the OP.

[lowangle al]

Update- got a new pair of 165 cm Madhshus Epochs that were on sale for my wife. She hasn't skiied on them yet but the flex is incredibly softer than the S-88s. Will mount 3-pin cables on them. This way the skis could be used with leather boots (which are next on the list) for gentler terrain and with the T4s (she already has) for steeps.

I will take the S-88s- at 170 cm, they are 10 cm short for my weight (158 lb), but I think it will help on the narrow trails I mentioned in the OP.

I said a long time ago that if you want to ski better ski your wife's skis. You are better off with skis too short than too long IMO.

[hrishi]

I said a long time ago that if you want to ski better ski your wife's skis. You are better off with skis too short than too long IMO.

Point taken!
Can't wait to try them.