The "I'm bigger than normal people, but still want to tour" thread

saskskier

saskskier

Active member
This thread is for the big guys. If you are extra tall or extra heavy or both, this is the place for you.

Rather than have everything get lost in the mix, and hopefully help others in the future, I've decided to consolidate my questions, answers and (hopefully) future experiences here.

I'm new and inexperienced with the touring thing, so there will probably be dumb questions, but hopefully others with more experience can chime in. If what I learn or post in here is wrong, feel free to correct.
 
For future reference, I'm 6'4 and 280 (hoping to be around 240 by next season)

Ski size questions:

Is there an ideal size for touring? My everyday ski is a 186 ON3P Jmo, but I also rock my 194 Surface New Life's on a regular basis and am super comfortable with both.

The general impression I get is that an ideal touring ski width is somewhere between 105-115? Does that sound right?

What about length? Are there skis that are 'too long'? I mean a 194 is great for charging, but is it going to be too big for the hike up and/or possibly getting up/around tricky/tight sections? (not that I'm at a place where I'm trying stuff like that)

Should I be looking at something 185-190 or is 190+ still going to work well? Where is the balance between a ski that works well going up and is fun coming back down?
 
13356126:saskskier said:
For future reference, I'm 6'4 and 280 (hoping to be around 240 by next season)

Ski size questions:

Is there an ideal size for touring? My everyday ski is a 186 ON3P Jmo, but I also rock my 194 Surface New Life's on a regular basis and am super comfortable with both.

The general impression I get is that an ideal touring ski width is somewhere between 105-115? Does that sound right?

What about length? Are there skis that are 'too long'? I mean a 194 is great for charging, but is it going to be too big for the hike up and/or possibly getting up/around tricky/tight sections? (not that I'm at a place where I'm trying stuff like that)

Should I be looking at something 185-190 or is 190+ still going to work well? Where is the balance between a ski that works well going up and is fun coming back down?
Click to expand...

I'm only 6'0 170lbs but as far as length, I wouldn't go much shorter. I only have done short side country type tours where I am focused on the downs and I'm on 189cm K2's which feel just about perfect on the down, I don't know if I would want to sacrifice that just to loose a little ski weight. As far as width, I think it really depends on what you are touring. If you are doing gnarly ascents, climbing stuff and are on some kind of tech setup mountaineering type deal then skinny is right on, like 100mm range. If it's all about the down I know plenty of people touring on Pettitors, Bentchetlers, Opus, etc. Personally if I could afford a touring ski I would snag a pair of Steeple 102's just because the lighter weight on the way up is worth it personally and I feel like they should float just fine for anything i might run into. It all comes down to preference and priorities though
 
skis only really matter for the way down. base it off what you plan to be touring to ie pillows, chutes, spines, faces, trees
 
I'm 6'3, 175 pounds. I mostly just have issues with ducking through tight trees and brambles here in the northeast. I have also tipped over in the skin track before, to my embarassment
 
Next question - Bindings!

So from my understanding, with someone as big as myself, chances are a beefy frame binding (Duke, Guardian 16, Adrenalin 16) is probably going to be my best bet. Would something like the Beast 14 or 16 work as well?
 
I use the dukes, but just because they came with some skis I bought on Craigslist. I'm trying to get a lighter set for next year. I am also lighter than you, I think
 
Bump: because I'm big (6'5" 200lb), and starting to get more into touring. Building my first dedicated touring setup, just before the snow hits in the SW Colorado.

189.9 black crows atris

marker kingpin 13

salomon S/Mtn lab boots

BCA magic carpet skins

Super excited to see how this set-up works for me during some BIG mountain touring.

**This post was edited on Dec 13th 2017 at 4:20:08pm

**This post was edited on Dec 13th 2017 at 4:22:46pm
 
13359998:saskskier said:
Next question - Bindings!

So from my understanding, with someone as big as myself, chances are a beefy frame binding (Duke, Guardian 16, Adrenalin 16) is probably going to be my best bet. Would something like the Beast 14 or 16 work as well?
Click to expand...

Are you going to be turning your DIN up to 14 or 16? Besides the people who are sending it real big odds are you probably won't need to set your DIN higher than 10. Unless you're in a no fall zone in the BC it's kind of dangerous to crank up your DIN, you don't want to get a knee injury when you're miles into the wild. I would still reccomend a frame binding if you're just starting out though, it's a natural transition from alpine bindings and it will let you know if you are willing to invest in a true (and usually expensive) pin BC setup.
 
13359998:saskskier said:
Next question - Bindings!

So from my understanding, with someone as big as myself, chances are a beefy frame binding (Duke, Guardian 16, Adrenalin 16) is probably going to be my best bet. Would something like the Beast 14 or 16 work as well?
Click to expand...

are you looking to get a setup for this season or next? If you can wait, maybe hold out for salomon's new binding.

as for pin-bindings; I'm 6'1", 200lbs. I am weightlifter and do CrossFit, so my legs are stronger than most. As such, I can put some serious pressure on a ski and later pressure on a binding. I had issues with pin bindings inadvertently releasing on my when I was skiing groomers back to the lift. but, if you intention is to only ski in the backcountry, then maybe a pin binding will work for you.
 
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