Gear Set Up For Uphill (& Backcountry)

[metamorphosis108]

I have to travel significant distance (5-6 hours RT in a day) to access BC ski locations and is getting somewhat exhausting. Add to that the self-guilt of burning so much fossil fuel 2-3 times a week (and the cost)! Recently, I found out that ski resorts located close by allow uphill access at a very reasonable price ($50) for the entire season. I thought this may open up new possibilities/opportunities to further hone my downhill/turning skills while also getting some solid workouts and beautiful sunrise views!

I am seeking recommendation/advice/suggestion on whether a telemark set up or a light AT set up would be ideal for what I am envisioning. Or perhaps even a combination of the two by pairing light AT bindings and boots with Voile fish scales type skis? As much as possible, I would also like to use the same set-up for my backcountry explorations in MA-NH-VT (e.g. Greylock, Cradigan, White Mountains, Mad River Glen).

Thank you in advance!

[TallGrass]

I am seeking recommendation/advice/suggestion on whether a telemark set up or a light AT set up would be ideal for what I am envisioning. Or perhaps even a combination of the two by pairing light AT bindings and boots with Voile fish scales type skis? As much as possible, I would also like to use the same set-up for my backcountry explorations in MA-NH-VT (e.g. Greylock, Cradigan, White Mountains, Mad River Glen).

Any set up can be made to work, including snowshoes or even booting it (check uphill access policies, most allow snowshoes, some booting) while you A-frame or diagonal sling skis on your pack. Also key is slope angle and route (groomed or unmaintained) for what kind of traction will work and the limits of each (wax, scales, skins, ski crampons, snowshoes). Don't forget about heel risers.

Then figure out what kind of skiing (alpine, tele', etc.) you want to work on downhill. Don't forget to have a suitable backpack (pref A-frame compatible) and extra gear. "Skinning up" can generate a lot of heat (strip down), while the "summit" temps could require more layers and gear for the ride down. Wearing reflective, hi-viz gear or vest on front and back (over pack) and or lights (headlamp, red rear bicycle light) are good and may be required to use, especially outside 9-5 resort hours when the cats and other vehicles may be out. Use low volume or just one earbud to keep situation awareness.

[phoenix]

I'm of the mind that scales kind of suck on groomers, especially on hard pack. And I'm very pleased with Voile BC's for, well, BC.
Skinning at the local hills is great, as noted, both for fitness and practice; AT or tele is entirely up to your preference. If you feel you're wanting to improve your tele skills, I'd suggest staying with that gear. I often use alpine turns on tele gear, but forget about tele on an AT rig.

[fisheater]

What about that T-4? I ski my T-4 at the ski hill with my Tindan which is 86 mm underfoot. The Vector is a nice ski, but probably a little wide for the T-4 at the resort. The K2 Wayback 84 is narrow enough to turn with a T-4, and would be more at home on Mt Cardigan than your Panorama 78, although it wouldn’t have scales.
The K-2 is an example, the Voile Objective would be available in a smooth or scaled base. These are still light backcountry skis, but far more capable than what you are now. The T-4 would also pair well with a softer flexing older style alpine ski in the 70’s-80’s underfoot range.
If you want to go full on resort, with backcountry touring possibilities go up to the Scarpa TX Pro NTN boot. Go for an NTN touring binding, Outlaw X seems popular on the lifts, but it’s still light with a free pivot. Meidjo is a releasable NTN tech binding, and Lynx is the 22 Designs tech binding. You can talk to the guys at Telemark Down in NH about skis, as they would be happy to help you out.

[fisheater]

To confirm one thing Phoenix states. Scales are not pleasant at the resort. Slightly more pleasurable than a root canal!

[Whiteout]

Agree with Phoenix re scales in area. Even for up high/down hard. You don't indicate what your current rig is. My first mention is I don't ski the east. I did head out from Adirondack Loj on misery sticks once...rerouted to road to Marcy Dam. Point being all I know is what I see on ,"TV". It seems to be all AT going up Kahtadin, Washington, Moosilauke, Thunderbolt. When you have to go back down those frozen gunbarrels in the woods, skis that you can quickly jump around look happiest. Sure, Dickie Hall used to ski those tight trees on long tele skis, but with big boots and he had the thighs of Sasquatch. My guess is value shorter narrower skis. But my bias is dreamy powder makes all skis better.

[phoenix]

Good recommendation from fisheater on the Waybacks, I have the 88's and really like them. I ski those at the resort, and used them in the BC (with skins, of course) before I got the Objectives (and recently arrived, not yet mounted Vectors). Big sweet spot, and versatile, which I've found typical of my K2's (several varieties) for the last 20+ years.

[metamorphosis108]

To confirm one thing Phoenix states. Scales are not pleasant at the resort. Slightly more pleasurable than a root canal!

If I am wanting to perfect my turns and downhill skills, wouldn't being somewhat slow with fischscales work to my advantage? Or do the fishsclaes interfere with more than the speed aspect?

[metamorphosis108]

Good recommendation from fisheater on the Waybacks, I have the 88's and really like them. I ski those at the resort, and used them in the BC (with skins, of course) before I got the Objectives (and recently arrived, not yet mounted Vectors). Big sweet spot, and versatile, which I've found typical of my K2's (several varieties) for the last 20+ years.

How would you compare Waybacks, Objectives, and Vectors?

[metamorphosis108]

What about that T-4? I ski my T-4 at the ski hill with my Tindan which is 86 mm underfoot. The Vector is a nice ski, but probably a little wide for the T-4 at the resort. The K2 Wayback 84 is narrow enough to turn with a T-4, and would be more at home on Mt Cardigan than your Panorama 78, although it wouldn’t have scales.
The K-2 is an example, the Voile Objective would be available in a smooth or scaled base. These are still light backcountry skis, but far more capable than what you are now. The T-4 would also pair well with a softer flexing older style alpine ski in the 70’s-80’s underfoot range.
If you want to go full on resort, with backcountry touring possibilities go up to the Scarpa TX Pro NTN boot. Go for an NTN touring binding, Outlaw X seems popular on the lifts, but it’s still light with a free pivot. Meidjo is a releasable NTN tech binding, and Lynx is the 22 Designs tech binding. You can talk to the guys at Telemark Down in NH about skis, as they would be happy to help you out.

I am getting the T-4 for sure! Before reading your response, I just wasn't sure if it would be a good match for a resort. It sounds like T4 paired with Objective would be a good rig for uphill and downhill skiing that I am thinking of at resorts. I am also certainly not planning to descend steep sections in the resorts.