My Winter Touring Setup
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- In this video, I describe my winter touring setup. It is a backcountry cross country setup. It works well for traversing rolling backcountry terrain, powder, and gentle downhills.
My skis are Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown Skis, 178cm. The bindings are Voile 3-pin Cable Telemark bindings. The boots are Alpina BC 1575 Backcountry Boots.
With my setup above, and my husband and kids using Altai Skis, we were able to outfit the whole family for backcountry winter touring for about half the cost of one set of alpine touring gear. As well, this fits our style better for hut trips, as we are not bombing down the slopes above treeline.
Thanks for watching.
Opening/closing music: "Digee Dime" by Burlap to Cashmere
Burlap to Cashmere. There’s a blast from the past. What boot is your husband using with the Hok? I use the voile cable and terminator boot. It’s great on steeps and junk snow.
I suggest you put a thin plate on your ski under your sole to prevent snow build up on your ski under your boot. Tape works pretty good.
Nice! Your skis and bindings are a lot beefier than your boots. Your boots are maybe a little soft if you want to ever cut turns. Otherwise, it will be a nice set-up. The cables aren't needed on the flats and they can abraid the boot so you might take them off until you start doing some more challenging vertical. You CAN certainly use those bindings and those skis for telemark skiing including some challenging vertical lift service skiing, but you would want a stiffer boot. Free your heel and free your mind!
+Explorer Mike your timing is perfect.... Just got back from a hut trip and I've been analysing my gear.... What boots would you suggest?
Robin Mills there are lots of good options. I would get a pair of all leather boots with vibram soles. Good leather boots with single piece leather upper has less stitching and is more solid and holds the support for years. Alico, Asolo, even some great used gear on eBay. But your bindings and skis are fine. They will give you good solid performance.
Robin Mills you look like a pretty good skier. Anybody who can confidently zip down a mountain with a pack on like you did in the vid could appreciate a stiffer boot with more positive control.
@@LittlebackbreakersBlogspot I had a pair of Alpina Alaska boots that I used with the same binding as you and a Rossignol BC 110 ski. I practiced my Telemark turn at Whitewater resort for several days and was having difficulty. Someone suggested I try a plastic boot. I bought a pair of used plastic boots on a trial basis in Vancouver and could really see the difference in control. I could even do parallel turns. But those boots were a poor fit and I returned them. My Alpine Alaska boots ending up delaminating at the sole and I ended up with two approaches: a pair of used plastic Scarpa T2X boots for lift-serviced skiing and a pair of plastic Scarpa T4 boots for Ontario backcountry. Compared to the T2X boots, the T4s are lower cut with just two buckles and not as stiff. Although the T4 boots are a little heavier than the Alpina Alaskas and stiffer, I can still use them for a full day of Ontario touring. Recently with the closure of lift-serviced skiing in Ontario due to Covid, I have been using the T4 boots to earn my turns, heading uphill at some of the alpine resorts and skiing down. A benefit to the Covid closure is that I have been able to make some nice turns in fresh untracked snow.
@@Doug762a awesome! I think most people are like you and have a backcountry kit that is constantly evolving!
I don’t think those boots are made to take the cables for your bindings. Maybe consider the Alpina Alaska 3-pin boot, specifically made to take a cable like you have.
this set up seems to be what i'm looking for. cool video, but boy it really has been a struggle trying to figure out want I want for my cross country adventures..
It can be confusing. Since I published video, I have realized I need sturdier boots. I have another video called "Backcountry Cross Country Boot Comparison." You might want to look at that before you buy your good gear. Happy skiing!
Robin Mills hey thanks, I actually have watched a few of your videos. I currently just have a classic xc ski set up but want to get something a bit better for ungroomed adventures. Hopefully I can figure something out for next season.. Unfortunately I live in a rather flat area :(
Nice!
How does your husband's Altai skis (Hoks?) compare to your skis on different terrains (flat, gentle, steep) and snow (soft/powdery vs hardpacked/ snowshoed on)? I have a similar setup as yours, and after a 10th Mtn Division Hut trip, thinking of getting Altai Hoks for steeper sections.
Regarding boots, you could look into Crisipi Antarctic/ Mountain, or Alpina Alaska, or Fischer BCX675.
Your question is a good one... The steeper terrain can be tough with the above setup. After our most recent trip with steep terrain, I have looked into both the Alpina Alaska and the Fischer BCX7675. I have chosen the latter and will post a video soon to that regard. I am definitely in need of stiffer boots.
The Altai Hok skis are not great for steeper terrain. With a grade of about 500 feet altitude change over a mile (or more) you can do okay with the Altai Hok. But we recently had 1000 feet altitude gain over a mile and the Hoks were difficult to control on the steeps. Thanks for watching!
Hey thanks for the quick response! 1000 ft/mile i.e. slope of ~ 11 degree slope is considerable for hiking trails. Compared to the hoks, were the S-98s better to control? (I have 88-60-78 profile skis and am wondering if I should upgrade to S-98/ Epoch, or just get Hoks). Also, how was the experience on hardpacked/icy/ crusty snow (provided you encountered such conditions)? Look forward to seeing the video on BCX675.
+hrishi chandanpurkar the S98's were better to control compared to the hooks. With the skins on, I still struggled on the hard packed snow. The skin is a bit narrow. I might consider a full skin if I will encounter similar slope/snow conditions in the future. Have fun!
Thanks!
Did those 3 pin Alpina boots hold up? I have been hearing mixed reviews. The positive reviews are from people who have only used the boots a few times
Curious if at 4:30 you had the skins on? The video shows putting them on and then skiing but I'm guessing from the glide you're getting that the skins were off?
Also have you tried any products made for skins like skin wax/skin care spray? Wondering how much it improves glide with the skins on and prevents icing as advertised.