Skiing Backcountry
Skiing Backcountry
Hello good day! I am looking to get into back country, cross country skiing, and would like some feedback. I am a more experienced downhill skier then cross country but the last couple years I have found a new love in cross country skiing. I am looking on some info or input on what type or ski to buy, I am looking for a ski that has great capability in the flats across lakes and in the bush aswell as exploring areas that are steep and snow is deep. Looking for a ski which performs in places where I'm the only track. Thanks!
- stilltryin
- Posts: 178
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:12 pm
- Location: WYO USA
- Ski style: Wandering the untracked (by humans)
- Favorite Skis: Voile V6 BC; Karhu XCD/GT
- Favorite boots: Scarpa T3; Alpina Alaska NNN-BC
- Occupation: ExFed
Re: Skiing Backcountry
Where y'at?
Or where do you plan to ski? -- that info could be helpful.
Flats vs. steep and deep requires compromise, but there are skis that try to provide that.
Do you lean more toward exploring/touring or touring primarily for turns?
That info will help.
Edit: I'm sitting here thinking, so I'll say more.
Altai Hoks in the bush -- short, wide, half skins in the bottom; cross between ski and snowshoe; climb well; not really for making turns (though can be done, see the videos at Altai) or covering distance quickly; skins will slow you on the down which has its place.
Voile V6 or Altai Kom for making turns in the steep and deep (>120 tips); Fischer 112, Madshus 78 -- a bit narrower.
Leaning more toward touring end of compromise): Fischer 98, Madshus 68 (fischer uses tip#, madshus uses waist).
Many here love Asnes, but I have no experience with those.
You'll likely hear a lot more!
Welcome.
Or where do you plan to ski? -- that info could be helpful.
Flats vs. steep and deep requires compromise, but there are skis that try to provide that.
Do you lean more toward exploring/touring or touring primarily for turns?
That info will help.
Edit: I'm sitting here thinking, so I'll say more.
Altai Hoks in the bush -- short, wide, half skins in the bottom; cross between ski and snowshoe; climb well; not really for making turns (though can be done, see the videos at Altai) or covering distance quickly; skins will slow you on the down which has its place.
Voile V6 or Altai Kom for making turns in the steep and deep (>120 tips); Fischer 112, Madshus 78 -- a bit narrower.
Leaning more toward touring end of compromise): Fischer 98, Madshus 68 (fischer uses tip#, madshus uses waist).
Many here love Asnes, but I have no experience with those.
You'll likely hear a lot more!
Welcome.
Last edited by stilltryin on Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Stephen
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 12:49 am
- Location: PNW USA
- Ski style: Aspirational Hack
- Favorite Skis: Armada Tracer 118 (195), Gamme (210), Ingstad (205), Objective BC (178), Nordica Enforcer 94
- Favorite boots: Alfa Guard Advance, Scarpa TX Pro
- Occupation: Beyond
6’3” / 191cm — 172# / 78kg, size 47 / 30 mondo
Re: Skiing Backcountry
Location is somewhat important, especially country.
Availability is a real concern and may end up affecting your final decision, and your country will affect that.
There are members here from Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania, …
Availability is a real concern and may end up affecting your final decision, and your country will affect that.
There are members here from Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania, …
- lowangle al
- Posts: 2741
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:36 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts / Chugach Mts
- Ski style: BC with focus on downhill perfection
- Favorite Skis: powder skis
- Favorite boots: Scarpa T4
- Occupation: Retired cement mason. Current job is to take my recreation as serious as I did my past employment.
Re: Skiing Backcountry
Hi and welcome. I don't think it matters as much where you ski as what your goals are. I love to xc ski and I love being in the BC and I love the thrill of the downhill. My ideal quiver of one go anywhere do anything setup is a light plastic boot (scarpa T4) and a lightweight alpine cambered ski ( Voile Ultra vector or similar)
There are other thrills to be found on the mountain that other, lighter skis and boots might be better for but if downhill fun is a priority a setup like I mentioned will have you doing stable parallel turns right out of the gate. (assuming you already have a good P turn)
There are other thrills to be found on the mountain that other, lighter skis and boots might be better for but if downhill fun is a priority a setup like I mentioned will have you doing stable parallel turns right out of the gate. (assuming you already have a good P turn)