Are touring set-ups actually necessary?

D

Dddsz

Active member
As a poor teenager in need of new alpine boots and with no hopes of buying a full set-up, I was hoping somebody could confirm my bias that I don't actually need skins and stuff. If snowboarders can hike lines without dragging skis on their feet, shouldn't it be fine for skiers to bootpack everything?
 
This isn't an actual serious thread right? Yes they are super necessary unless the only backcountry you are doing it like 30 vert.

Go look on tgr there are an unbelievable amount of cheap set ups over there.
 
Snowboarders have split boards. If you're hiking a little booter you made then you'll probably fine but having touring gear will make anything longer doable and enjoyable. Like a previous poster said, check out getting on some used gear first on the forums/gear swaps and get some experience before you drop $1k+ on a new setup.
 
It depends on your objective. I've hiked a lot in regular alpine boots (no walk mode). You can go anyplace someone can go in regular boots or snowboard boots. Personally I don't mind it for even up to a couple hours of booting and you can make good time in the right conditions. Sucks in deep snow though. I've had to give up and quit hiking because the snow was up over my knees and it just wasn't happening. Skins keep you up on top of the weirdness and will let you go where you want on those deeper days.
 
i just bootpacked for two hours this weekend, postholed all the way, while my friends skinned up in 45 minutes. I bought a pair of daymakers and split skins on my way home
 
If you are actually serious about getting to the backcountry, then yes, you really, really do need some sort of touring setup. This isn't to say that you need a full tech kit with Dynafit bindings and tech boots, but you do need at the minimum a set of skins. You can use a frame stye AT binding that accepts alpine boots, like the Salomon Guardian, Marker Duke, or Tyrolia Adrenalin. Or you can get some Daymakers that make your alpine bindings have a tour mode. That way, you don't have to get separate boots from what you already have.

On the flip side, what terrain exactly are you trying to access? If it's lift-accessed out of bounds, where you go through a gate at the top of a resort and have to hike for 15 minutes, then you can probably just boot pack. This would be like Jackson off the top of the tram to Rock Springs or 4 Pines.
 
Apart from established bootpacks that start right next to the car (which there are very few of, but if you find some, let me know) Yes, you need skins and an AT binding/Daymakers. I've taken snowboarders out who think they'll just snowshoe everywhere, and after about one tour in any sort of deeper snow, they're looking for used split board setups (keep in mind they're on snowshoes, which offer a lot more surface area than ski boots).

Look for used setups. Like people mentioned, TGR always has cheap options available, especially now before the season gets started. Don't invest in a ton of gear until you know if you really like touring a lot.

And of course, before you go out buying a bunch of gear, or on a Bootpacking rampage, you should seriously consider taking an AAIRE Course, finding some more experienced mentors, and reading up on avalanche danger, because that is the much more important issue to consider before committing to skiing a lot of BC.
 
Well I'm getting myself my first touring setup as we speak.

Found a pair of used Candide 3.0 for dirt cheap, gonna put some used Marker Tour F10 on them.

Total cost: less than 250 bucks.

The skins and the avi kit will actually be the most expensive items in that setup.

And I'll definitely take an avalanche course at the beginning of the season. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy some side country powder this season!

**This post was edited on Sep 26th 2017 at 3:09:54pm
 
13839433:patagonialuke said:
And of course, before you go out buying a bunch of gear, or on a Bootpacking rampage, you should seriously consider taking an AAIRE Course, finding some more experienced mentors, and reading up on avalanche danger, because that is the much more important issue to consider before committing to skiing a lot of BC.
Click to expand...

this right here. the backcountry is fucking dangerous so dont go without some knowledge
 
People's thoughts on using Candide 2.0 for touring skis, more spring skiing late season tours or when snows conditions are a bit thin. Not a primary touring ski just might put binding freedom on a pair I already own.
 
13840785:Skipatrol001 said:
People's thoughts on using Candide 2.0 for touring skis, more spring skiing late season tours or when snows conditions are a bit thin. Not a primary touring ski just might put binding freedom on a pair I already own.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a blast to be honest! I love me some playful skis with touring bindings, especially, like you said, in thinnner conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top