Anthony B New Lifes as Touring Skis

Ribss.

Ribss.

Active member
I just purchased a pair of Anthony B New Lifes and was wondering if they would perform well as a touring ski, or if they are too thick or heavy. They are 122 underfoot but are not too heavy in my personal opinion. Also, what touring bindings do you recommend if they are adequate touring skis? I'm totally new to the backcountry scene I could use some help.

Also, if they are not good touring skis, what bindings would you recommend I get?

P.S. I asked this in gear talk already but I need a quick response so im going to post it here too. Thanks!
 
They won't be the greatest for touring, but for just some quick 30 minute slack country trips they would hold their own.

I personally wouldn't want them for any longer type of trips, which is unlikely that you'll be doing that since you're new to the touring game.

 
Awesome I was looking at the barons I think you just helped me make my decision.

And yeah all of my trips are going to be shorter trips with friends for some untouched turns, no long multi-day trips or anything like that. My legs are in pretty good shape too I think I can pull the extra weight.

Thanks for the quick answers!
 
I have the barons on a pair of EP pros, and have done a few long trips on them. Apart from the weight (which is not that bad if you have never had a lighter setup) they are awesome and have worked great for everything.
 
Awesome man thanks for the info all of you really helped me out a lot and gave me some peace of mind. +K to all.

On another note is there any other gear I should be picking up? Do I need a shovel, probe, and beacon for those short trips? Maybe a gear pack? Any info gets karma, thanks.
 
Uh... Not to be that guy but you should have picked up all of that stuff before you even got a touring setup. Also take an avalanche course, venturing into the backcountry without the proper gear and training is a really bad idea. But once you've got all the proper gear and training you're good man! Enjoy the untouched
 
I am going to be taking an avalanche safety course at my school pretty soon here. I'm going to go out with people who know what they are doing and I will have the proper gear, thanks for the help and info though dude.
 
I've done a bunch of touring on the New Lifes including some week-long hut trips. The weight isn't a big deal at all. They're actually very light skis in comparison to others in the category (Hellbents etc.) The only downside IMO is that since they are center mounted they don't kick-turn quite as easily with so much tail -- but not a big deal and you'll get used to it. For slack country use, I'd recommend the Salomon Guardian. Of all the side-country touring bindings I've used it feels the most like a traditional alpine binding on the way down -- without being super heavy. Have fun and be safe out there!
 
I hate to be that kid, but I just broke my Dukes last week. They're supposed to be even beefy-er than the Barons, but still managed to break on their 11th day out. I fell on a small jump and it snapped the plastic under the binding leaving me with a nice long one ski preseason run... I do have a friend who rides the f12s and he rides pretty hard, never had an issue with 'em. Anyways, food for thought- maybe look into other bindings if you plan on hucking your meat at the resort.
 
I just got the new life's as well and I'm also contemplating making them my touring set up for this year. Instead I think I'm going to switch bindings and put the touring setup on my Ak JJ's. They have more taper in the nose and aren't quite center mounted so I'm thinking they will be a bit better to tour with. Are a tad bit heavier tho.

(the jj is 195 while the new life is 194)
 
I'm in love with the New Life's, they're insanely fun to ski. Honestly though they're not the best touring ski for a couple reasons:

-heavier than touring oriented skis

-the rocker profile means very little contact with the snow, you WILL be sliding backwards on some of the steeper skin tracks.

-fatter than necessary, especially in the spring when you're skiing corn, you won't want or need that waist width.

All that said, I toured last season on some volkl chopsticks which are huge and heavy, and I had fun, no regrets.

Next season I'm looking into some K2 coombacks.

Binding wise check out the Salomon Guardian.
 
The Guardian is actually one of the heaviest bindings in its class. The Duke is lighter and the baron is even lighter than that.
I have a pair of Baron's on my Opus' and although i only rode one day on them last year (crappy season here in Tahoe for Powder) they felt really solid and I am really looking forward to touring with them this season.
 
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