Slackcountry options

[Coopski]

Whilst I'm probably not in the market right now I thought I would start this thread as I'm sure it might interest some.
To be honest I would love to get into bc skiing (including multiday stuff) however the current constraints of life prevent me from doing so ie living 5 hours from snow, young family etc. However like myself I'm sure there are many who would like to have a play around the edges of the resorts ie DHG, paralyser, sig hill etc. Now AT gear is truely the bees knees for this but the reality is for such small adventures into the bc can one justify the cost when 90% plus of their skiing is inbounds.
So what are peoples thoughts for those who like to dabble outta bounds. Binding adaptors/alpine Trekkers and skins, snowshoes (not something I would want to carry on top of skis) or how effective would it be to have something like a marker duke/Barron or dynastar exclusive tram binding on an downhill ski/boot and skins. How do they perform as a majority resort binding (which they ain't) etc.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Thought it might be fun to look at giving us folk options to have a play out back (and make it home :-)

[John Deere]

I have used Freerides in bounds on fat skis (and not holding back....drops, fast groomers etc etc) now for around 4 years with standard DH boots. Its not a problem unless your racing or something.

With Barons and Dukes (why most people would need to go past Barons to Dukes is beyond me..DIN12 is enough!!) it can only be better inbounds than with Freerides.

Trekkers truly do suck!!! Snowshoes for a skier negate part of the advantage of skiing over boarding in the BC.

To me the best 80/20 (or bigger) Resort/BC setup is a 90mm under foot ski with a set of Barons, if you go 50/50 go for freerides, if its 20/80, then consider a dynafit rig.

[Coopski]

Sweet. To be honest I think long term that's what I will probably look at. I've read good things about the barrons and to me it seems like the most logical way to allow me to explore around. I'm most likely to want to poke around the edges of the resorts (real side/slack country stuff) so for the mean time that's what I might to.

[BlueHue]

I've had basically had the same experience as JD with AT Freeride bindings on my downhill setup for the last few seasons with no problems. They handle just about anything I through at them (admittedly I'm a long way off being hucking stomping extreme gnarly steep skiing pro ski god who pushes their gear to the limit). I also use AT boots (Scarpa Denali TT's) as part of my setup both in and out of bounds with no problems, they perform almost as well as any downhill boot I've had and any loss in performance is more than compensated by the flexibility of using a touring gear set up on resort days. I'm loosing count of the number of in resort days I've skied on my downhill gear not long after fresh snow only to find myself staring beyond the boundary at some very nice looking face just a little beyond bootpacking reach wondering why the hell I left my touring gear at home... hence touring gear goes everywhere with me now!

You might want to eventually look at AT boots too although they do not come cheaply. Try downhill boots for a while but the more time you spend skinning the more pain downhill boots will give you. They can do it but its far from ideal.

One other thing, I don't know about Perisher but Thredbo has a few sidecountry options nearby that don't require any touring gear, just a willingness to do some tough traverses and a bit of bootpacking. These include Sig Hill, Stanleys (I've not done Stanleys though. just going off what others say) and some variations of the DHG run.

[SA]

Coopski, if you want to go Barons or Dukes make sure you have a good look at the locking/unlocking mechanism. The last time I had a good squizz at it, there was no way I'd choose them over the Freerides.

I still use DH boots; they really don't prevent you from doing anything, IMO.

[Coopski]

Thanks guys.

Just to confirm when you say freerides your talking about the fritschi freerides?

I've also read great things about them. How do you find the fit of the freerides with any boot. I believe some fit better than others?

Whilst were talking shop I know I'm interested and others will be..what skins do you rate? What works well, easy to use, stores away easily etc

Thanks again guys. It's always a great depth of knowledge in here... :happy:

[SA]

Freeride Plus is the one most of us have. There's an older one that is plain Freeride. There might be more recent ones, but I haven't looked.

I've got the G3 skins - they are pretty good. I am limited more by skinning technique than their grip.

Storage wise, most come with some kind of skin saver, like a mesh. I let one of mine blow away at Hotham once (d'oh), but nylon flyscreen works just as well and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

[SA]

Re: the fit, I believe that it's the toe height that's important. I'm not a ski tech, so I defer to those with the knowledge, eg. Paul.

btw - I wouldn't get too hung up with which type of AT gear, especially for occasional use. IMO, the difference between AT types (excl. Dynafit, which requires different boots) is less than the difference going from strictly DH gear to AT in the first place.

[Podlettte]

I've got Volkl Aura's with Fritchi freerides attached. I use them in resort with my alpine boots (Dalbello boots) and slack country (can't really call anything BH and I have done as back country IMO) I use either my downhill boots or AT boots. Which boots i use is dependent on what we've started the day doing ie in resort or slackcountry (SC).

The only reason I don't ski in my Scarpa AT boots (I bought them from Skijackski :) ) is I need new liners so they are more comfy, there's a couple of pressure points.

Skins - er... I use G3 I think, but would LOVE a set that have the tractor tread on them for no other reason than they look cool :D

I would highly recommend demoing the different bindings (paddy's or wilderness sports) before you buy to try out the AT mechanism that switches it from a locked binding to walk mode.

[John Deere]

I have some tractor print ones (naturally) they are BD ascentions.....I also have some G3's....cant really tell the diff in climbing ability IMO.

The are all much of a muchness I reckon and storage is pretty easy, just make sure they are dry.

[Coopski]

Great stuff!

Yep pods that's my plan. I'm hoping when I'm down in august to demo something like the freeride plus or another one which it's name has escaped me..naxo n21 or something like that with my downhill boots so I can see how it feels. I'll then do one of the half day lesson tours with either wilderness or the other one BJ suggested and see how I go.

I'm glad to see a few of you have the AT bindings in and out of resort. I love my skis and did not fancy the idea of having two separate setups.

Here's my fav toyz (excuse the shredder ;-)
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab16/Gusboy333/photo-27.jpg

[John Deere]

Freeride + V Naxo.....Naxo (also Dynastar rebadged) has more hinge points than Freeride+. This makes them better to walk up hill in, but makes them more flexible, ie, worse for downhill.

People that own Naxo seem happy enough with them, but Freerides are not the most popular for nothing, they are pretty bullet proof and they perform well.

What your fitness/general skiing ability like? Thats probably the most limiting factor rather than gear, as much as we all hate to admit it.

[SA]

Coopski - what's your BSL? (note to the rest of you clowns, I said BSL, not ASL :p)

If we ever meet up, I'm happy to give you a go on mine.

[Coopski]

Fitness is a tough one. Am I as fit as I used to be NOOOO!!! Am I overweight...DEFINITELY!! (I used to run 5-7kms a day, tonight I twinged my calf bounding up the stairs ;-)

I train with a group on Saturdays with a mixed crowd including a gal who runs marathons and is strong. I tend to keep up happily and go blow for blow so I'm strong and well stubbourn when it comes to exercise. I'm good at pacing myself. When I hike for example I walk at the same pace with and without load ie I have mates who barrel along like speedy Gonzalez then put 20kgs plus on their back and I'll out walk them every time. So I wouldn't be the fastest up the mountain these days but I would get there without too much fuss.

As for ability it's hard to say. I can ski Black runs parallel, pole plant etc however last year skiing a couple months after having a baby I was a bit of a nervous nelly (probably due to the shear agony an old pubis injury from skiing gave me the whole way through). I'm headed down next weekend and was originally going to knuckledrag for my one day this season but I'm thinking a good 2 hour private lesson on my skis might get me back up to speed. Mind you in saying I can ski black runs etc I naturally like to cruise vs aggressive/fast skiing so I'm the type of person to enjoy a nice long run of varied terrain than say play in the rock garden all day.

Thanks for the feedback re fritschis vs Naxo. I think naxo rebadge them for a few companies. I must say on paper I would lean towards the fritschis as I don't want to have too much flex ie if they will be more resort than out and in initial times less likely to travel long distance I would rather have them stiffer than easier to walk in.

(sorry for the long post-just read it back..:eeek:

[Coopski]

Coopski - what's your BSL? (note to the rest of you clowns, I said BSL, not ASL :p)

If we ever meet up, I'm happy to give you a go on mine.

Ta SA. Not sure with my new boots. I'm a ladies mondo 25.5 but unsure of my boots sole length. I'd have to check it. That being said I'm happy to demo some too. I would hate to take someone off their skis and they would be missing out on some precious ski time. Mind you on a day like today.... :eeeek:

Thankyou for your kind off though.

[SA]

That size will fit.

[Podlettte]

I'm a bit smaller than that other wise i'd have offerred the same.

[John Deere]

You'd probably fit mine, but they are strapped to 185cm skis, so might not be all that fun for you.

[SA]

They'd most likely fit anyway Pods - smalls are up to 300mm, and they have about 7-8mm of leeway, from memory.

[SA]

You'd probably fit mine, but they are strapped to 185cm skis, so might not be all that fun for you.

Passenger!

[SA]

Mine are on 172cms, so probably a little more manageable than JDs :D

[Podlettte]

Mine are on 163cms :)

[Coopski]

Yes. Thanks JD but I have a feeling a really good fast stack would be the result of me on your skis...fun to watch though ;-) but I'm sure you don't want your gear up for grabs in a yard sale which I've a feeling is what would be the result of me on 185s ;-)
my skis are a touch shorter than pods. I think 157s from memory. I know I know they should prob be a touch longer but as I said crusing has always been where I'm at so I guess I've got "comfy" length skis :-)

[Caboose]

Snowboard & snowshoes - u know you want too ....... :cold:

[Blowey]

Hey Coopski. Just bought my other half a Dynafit setup to replace her existing fritschi setup. She has the freeride bindings mounted on a set of 170cm Salomon Verse 5 skis. Probably only ever skied about 15 days on them since they were bought back in 2002-3. Skis are about a 2005 model and the bindings were purchased in either 2002 or 2003. If you like the freerides and are keen to get a pair relatively cheap let me know. She wants to try and sell them as a ski/binding combo.

She also has a pair of Garmont boots with no more than a dozen ski days that we'll be looking to offload. Size 24.5 though.

But this will probably all happen in a few weeks time, after we confrim the Dynafit setup is a goer.

[Coopski]

Thanks and definitely keep me posted blowy.

[John Deere]

Yes. Thanks JD but I have a feeling a really good fast stack would be the result of me on your skis...fun to watch though ;-) but I'm sure you don't want your gear up for grabs in a yard sale which I've a feeling is what would be the result of me on 185s ;-)
my skis are a touch shorter than pods. I think 157s from memory. I know I know they should prob be a touch longer but as I said crusing has always been where I'm at so I guess I've got "comfy" length skis :-)

Normally I go longer for a BC ski to get some extra float. If you are thinking of getting new planks, might I suggest something from the new range of skis with rocker and tradional side cut. You get the benfit of long skis in soft snow with the manouverability of a shorter contact length on the hard pack.

[SA]

Which model boots Blowey?

[Blowey]

Which model boots Blowey?

Garmont She-Ride. Size 24.5.

Not sure if there's anything else that goes with that title. Bought them in 2008. Hardly a scuff mark on them and only heat moulded once. Skied in the resort about 5 days and in Backcountry about 3 days.

[SA]

Nice. Going to stick with Garmont for your missus? I have been drooling about Radiums for a while.

[Blowey]

No. I'm a convert to dynafit after last weekend. Got her a set of Dynafit Zzero4 PX-TF boots. At 1400grams each they are the lightest boots i could find. Dynafit Haute Route womens skis, Dynafit ST bindings, Dynafit speedskins. And all purchased locally from 'thecornicestore' at a competitve price.

[SA]

Interesting. I didn't see AT boots on their site.

[Blowey]

I had to contact them and ask. They can order in lots more stuff than shown on their site - -thats just what they have in stock. They can get Dynafit gear anyway.

[Paul Oberin]

No. I'm a convert to dynafit after last weekend. Got her a set of Dynafit Zzero4 PX-TF boots. At 1400grams each they are the lightest boots i could find. Dynafit Haute Route womens skis, Dynafit ST bindings, Dynafit speedskins. And all purchased locally from 'thecornicestore' at a competitve price.I deal with the Australian importer for Dynafit and he can't supply me at wholesale a price that would compete with overseas shops, so I am wondering how Cornice store is getting them in when the Ausiie importer has an exclusive licence on that brand. I also deal with Cornice store myself and we are talking about importing some product ourselves direct, it is very good seeing a local shop trying to keep prices down.

[Blowey]

I deal with the Australian importer for Dynafit and he can't supply me at wholesale a price that would compete with overseas shops, so I am wondering how Cornice store is getting them in when the Ausiie importer has an exclusive licence on that brand. I also deal with Cornice store myself and we are talking about importing some product ourselves direct, it is very good seeing a local shop trying to keep prices down.

not sure what the go is. But they currently have seven summits skis for $600AUS which seems like a very good deal to me.

[Coopski]

Hmmm. I just got my skis down ready for the weekend. They are 114,75,102 so in realms of your 90 under foot they are prob a touch narrow from what you were saying JD.
Must say they haven't had a good chance to hit deep stuff so I can't comment on their performance. However they are great on groomers crud and fresh so hopefully frogs predicted good falls come off between now and first week of August and I can find some fun deeper stuff to put them through their paces when I'm there. That will help me decide long term if I simply mount a freeride/baron on them or go for a separate ski for outta bounds (which I think divorce would come with it ;-)

[John Deere]

Not too narrow. Ski width is a personal preference, and everyone has an opinion. For me I like 90mm cos it gives me (not necessarily you) a good deal of flexibility to ski on all surfaces. Many say you dont need anything over 70mm, and I have skied on my 65mm Head Supershape Speeds in soft snow by choice a couple of times and had a ball......fell quite spectacularly quite a few times, but still, fun as and really sharpens your technique!! In my experience, width is a great mask for technique flaws, but not a way to really improve technique.

[Coopski]

Cool. I like my skis. Not too skinny, not too fat. They're just right (now they sound like a cereal).

[SA]

Snow snakes. They are evil and always waiting to trip up a narrow ski skier.

[John Deere]

I have met many of them! Mostly non venomous, but still nasty!

[SA]

I often get a sore neck from my encounters ;)

And they don't only lurk for the narrow ski skier - got me in my avatar :D

[John Deere]

They are a swiftly moving beast and often move into ones path when ones speed hits exactly mach schnell!

[Paul Oberin]

not sure what the go is. But they currently have seven summits skis for $600AUS which seems like a very good deal to me.As much as I am all for lowering prices to consumers so we are competitive, I hope all is above board with this equipment, I would love to be able to sell the same product at those prices if I could just buy it a little cheaper. I am in talks with Dynafit Australia with that at the moment. What I was trying to import with Cornice store is some split boards that are not imported here yet.

[Coopski]

SA JD you crack me up! I haven't discussed snow snakes in years but yes they always seem to jump out in front of you just before a large stack. Funny cause they disappear so quickly so no one else ever seems to see them!!!

[John Deere]

True....also the tree roots tend to pop up in the oddest places, like nowhere near any trees!

[Altheau]

Possibly a bit late but any how.

I have barons and they are fine to ski in etc. The mechanisim is not a huge issue (I have had no problems with it) and seriously unless you can get your skins off without taking your skis off then it is not a problem. I know some people here can but I am barley co ordinated enough to ski, let alone try to remove my skins without falling over ;p

[John Deere]

I can get my skins off without unclipping, but if anyone ever video's it, they will probably win a prize from Jo Beth Taylor, or whoever presents that show these days!

[SA]

I thought the vid with JBT was the prize? :outtahere:

[John Deere]

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz280/frosty_nipple_productions/3d7d8819.jpg

Not bad up top today.

[skijacski]

I finally have my camera cords to download photos! Left it in Canberra ......

Nice photo JD - sorry I could not help out - you now have my number. That day I was out near Seaman's hut.

[John Deere]

No worries Jax, it was an unplanned detour (obviously) but the snowsnakes would have eaten us alive down DHG!

[Podlettte]

Lucky we didn't ski hey?

[BlueHue]

Actually if we'd done my original plan for the ski day we would have been there already!

[SA]

Snow was nice up top this weekend. Hard skin up though. Someone else's turns.

http://warmtinny.com/gallery2/d/116667-2/R0013972.jpg