Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I'm new to tele and backwoods skiing, and had success this winter with a pair of Altai skis on trails and deep powder. but wanted to try mounting some 3 pins to alpine planks, whats your experience with the crampons or the skins?
which is better?

https://www.telemark-shop.com/bindings/crampon

For tele and backwoods skiing, crampons excel on icy or steep slopes for added grip, while skins are versatile across varied terrains like deep powder or mixed conditions, offering efficient ascents without slipping. If you're focused on steep or icy terrain, crampons are ideal; for all-around performance, skins provide more flexibility.

ahh thankyou that makes total sense!

Pick the right tool for the job. This can mean skis, skins, snowshoes, (micro)spikes, crampons, boots.

Some take X route up (direct, or Y face) the ski down Z. Sometimes you need floatation, other times "grip."

The other flex is knowing how to adapt your tool, like doing switchbacks and hi-step turns when too steep for skins.

Forgive me- but, this thread smells a bit of sock-puppetry...

Crampons under anything are primarily used for climbing and traversing on ice.
Though, I have used crampons when felling trees on extreme slopes- even when it is not icy.

Crampons do not glide- they only grip-
therefore, crampons under a ski turns them into a snowshoe/boot that must be picked up to move forwards.

Skins grip and glide.
Skins are the original ancient method of gaining enough grip to move forwards on skis- uphill or on the flats- when the ski cannot simply glide freely downhill.
Skins generally provide more grip than wax-
wax generally provide better glide than skins.

In an alpine/mountain touring context (ie climb up- ski down)- skins are for climbing- and then are taken off when skiing down the moutain.

In a Nordic touring context (ie skiing overland- including flats; uphill; and downhill)- skins are for extra grip in challenging conditions, or when pulling a heavy load- or just for traditional utilitarian simplicity.

Crampons vs skins are not an either/or question.

got it!!!

lilcliffy wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 05, 2024 5:07 pm

Crampons vs skins are not an either/or question.

ATers know ski crampons are a thing. While not common to tele', it's no big leap and I can see them on crusty stuff where skins won't work. It's a tool, and many a screwdriver sufficed as a pry bar.

Here's both skis and crampons.

TallGrass wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 06, 2024 1:14 am

ATers know ski crampons are a thing.

ATers also know that these types of under binding crampons are complementary to skins and never used instead of them, bit rather in addition.

not that i'm ready to buy a set, but how would you mount them under a set of 75mmm 3 pins?

i've been in many icy situations where my skins would not grip, seems like a light weight tool to keep in your ski bag

I used to have a pair for G3 targa ascent Tele bindings. The bindings and crampons were designed to function together. Not sure if there are 3 pin bindings meant for this use.