X-Country ski gear- advice please.

[kanangra]

It has been a long time since I upgraded my x country gear. I am told there have been many advances over the last 10 years or so? What are people recommending for back country touring skis and bindings these days? Is it true that you can lock your heels in the bindings for more control on down hills? After a break of 15 years or so I'm seriously thinking of getting back into it this year. I suppose I could just hire the stuff but I am interested in getting the gear. I am 6ft. Weigh 80kgs and would mainly use it out in the back country with pack rather than on groomed trails. What do people think? What are people using these days to undertake the classic K to K route for example?

K.

[Moondog55]

I'm sort of in the same boat but a couple of years ago I went to plastic boots and would never go back to leather for skiing
For my touring I use Scarpa T2's with the moldable liner [ allow 3 to 4 hours for fitting properly] and never now suffer from cold feet.
Not much choice in skis here so best to call a reputable shop and ask advice but the slightly shorter and wider modern skis with patterned bases are so much easier to ski on that I am trying hard to save for new skis.
Bindings are better and no, locking the heels down is still a bad idea but locking the boots into the downhill position rather than the walking position is a big step forward. I have not yet had a chance to use the NTN system so I cannot comment there but the boots that use the system are even more comfortable than my T2's
A modern cable binding is a good simple system that is very robust but Voile still make the 75mm rat-trap and it still works for touring.
Modern boots and skis use a very minimal and relaxed Telemark position.
Warning tho, getting a new set-up will hurt your wallet to the smell of burning $100- notes
Boots $300- to $900-
Bindings $80- to $400-
Skis $ OUCH to Double Ouch around $500- middle of the road I guess
I have a spare set of G3 Targa cable bindings here $95-[OBO] and that is a good all-round binding

http://www.crosscountryskier.com.au/gea ... 725594.htm
The Ascent is better for touring as it allows a longer stride with better "Push"
http://www.crosscountryskier.com.au/gea ... 725394.htm

I'm saving for these for my touring
http://www.crosscountryskier.com.au/gea ... 642794.htm

[kanangra]

Thank you very much for that fantastic info.

K.

[Moondog55]

Best advice I can offer is to call one of the better shops and ask for some advice.
I shop for advice at Bogong and SnowSports Wodonga but there are others.
The sellers know these are big purchases for most people and they want buyers to get the right deal and be happy. Getting the rights boots with the right fit is the most important part and that has to be done in person and the fitting is worth paying for
A lot depends on foot shape, if you have a wide foot then Scarpa are a bad boot for you, I have pencil feet and Scarpa fit me well

[kanangra]

I'm in Sydney. Any thoughts up here for me?

Steve

[Moondog55]

No I'm sorry to say, perhaps Paddys in Jindabyne?

[Bluegum Mic]

The guys at wilderness in jindy are pretty darn good. I'll dig up a link to their site

[Bluegum Mic]

Ere you go
http://www.wildernesssports.com.au/
Lots of good info on there site too

[DarrenM]

If you can navigate your way to the backcountry forum on ski dot com, there are plenty of threads about the latest gear and different setups. Lots of friendly knowledgeable people to answer your questions based on a huge range of experience.

I'd consider going a new touring ski with tech bindings, ie Dynafit etc a.d possibly pattern based. But that's just me.

It's fairly $$$ but have noticed a few good second hand setups in the trade sections of the forum. You could try Alpsport in Ryde for a chat, but as others have mentioned jindy options are good, and Rhythm in Cooma are great for all things tour related. I've hired pattern based gear from them also for the odd tour.

I'm hoping to use a Dynafit rig on the K2K this year. After doing it on snow shoes a couple of times and a split board last season, XC or AT would be nice.

[beean]

My understanding is that XC and what's referred to as 'touring' gear is pretty different these days.

I know nothing of XC (except for straight skinny skis, recovery shakes, lycra and 80's-esque sunnies) but I can tell you that a Dynafit setup is the best and lightest option for ski touring.

Something like the TLT Speed Radical or Speed Turn would be ideal. Don't bother looking at the superlight as it has no flat walk mode. I've got the radicals and have found them very reliable, I use them for ski mountaineering and touring. I'm about your size and weight and don't have pre-release issues on the downs.

As for boots, just make sure they're Dynafit compatible and fit well. I've always found Scarpa to be good for wide feet (look for the Mastrale, a great boot), Dynafit and Scott are both not as wide.

I've got no idea what planks people rock back home so I'm no help there...

[Moondog55]

Different animals totally
I am describing XC touring using 75mm duckbill bindings [ or the new NTN system which I have not used]
The Dynafit are downhill skis modified for Alpine touring and while they can be used they are very tiring to cover long distances in.

XC skis do fall into many categories but XC Touring skis still are lighter than Alpine touring gear.
XC Light touring skis are for day trips with a small pack or bumbag and do not need a great big plastic boot and are usually better with a NNN BC boot and binding combination

[beean]

Different animals totally
I am describing XC touring using 75mm duckbill bindings [ or the new NTN system which I have not used]
The Dynafit are downhill skis modified for Alpine touring and while they can be used they are very tiring to cover long distances in.

XC skis do fall into many categories but XC Touring skis still are lighter than Alpine touring gear.
XC Light touring skis are for day trips with a small pack or bumbag and do not need a great big plastic boot and are usually better with a NNN BC boot and binding combination

Ah you mean tele bindings. I thought we were talking about different things, but Kanangra did mention locking the heel..

My bindings weigh 760g for the pair, on par with a lot of the newer tele bindings I think, at least the ones with cables.

[Moondog55]

As distinct from Alpine touring bindings; yes I am.
There is a difference tho between a touring 75mm binding and a dedicated Tele binding, and shades of grey in between.
The "T" in the Scarpa T2 refers both to Telemark and "Terminator" the first of the 75mm duckbill plastic boots

[kanangra]

Yes I meant x country touring gear for overnight use in the back country of the Main Range with pack.

Steve

[Moondog55]

What gear do you have at the moment and what have you used in the past?
Modern XC touring gear is a lot more fun than my old boots and planks; so much so that even a duffer like me can travel without falling over every ten seconds but when towing a sled I resort to snowshoes

[kanangra]

I'm almost too embarrassed to say. It's fit only for a museum. all 70's stuff. Long thin skis 3 point bindings and really crap shoes. Nordic Norm I think was the name? Just as you describe I used to fall over on every down hill.

K.

[Moondog55]

Then decide on your budget and have a talk to some experts
The new touring gear will be a revelation. Start with the boots of course
Nothing at all wrong with long skinny skis on a nice groomed trail but the new wider stuff and generous sidecut makes the newer stuff so much easier to ski downhill; after all almost anybody can plod uphill with enough grip
Nordic norm is still the standard; 75mm duckbill boot and compatible binding, although there are many others for use on trail and racing skis

[climberman]

It has been a long time since I upgraded my x country gear. I am told there have been many advances over the last 10 years or so? What are people recommending for back country touring skis and bindings these days? Is it true that you can lock your heels in the bindings for more control on down hills? After a break of 15 years or so I'm seriously thinking of getting back into it this year. I suppose I could just hire the stuff but I am interested in getting the gear. I am 6ft. Weigh 80kgs and would mainly use it out in the back country with pack rather than on groomed trails. What do people think? What are people using these days to undertake the classic K to K route for example?

K.

Do you want to do telemark turns or alpine (parallel and related) turns or keep doing skinny-ski XC stuff when you tour?

This will dictate which way you should head in modern gear.

There is a plethora of gear within and between all the above.

Modern alpine touring/randonee gear is generally about the same weight as modern telemark gear. XC/New Nordic Norm (NNN) gear is heaps lighter but is kind of a different gig.

[Moondog55]

http://www.alpine-guides.com/skiing/adv ... advice.htm

If you need to know more about tech bindings and boots. Wax;ess skis with a modern duckbill or NTN bindings are about the same weight these days
Personally I find a modern 75mm NN binding a little easier to ski on the flat in
Edit

ANSCO have some fairly modern skis selling on Ebay at the moment if you don't mind waxing or want to use skis, more resort Tele skis or for turning rather than getting the miles in but very very good value

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271543727927 ... EBIDX%3AIT

This iteration of the Kodiak is fun on the slopes, I'm hoping that The Boss will allow tha purchase of a pair when we come home for New York

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281381127736 ... EBIDX%3AIT