is there a way you can get xc skis to work with mountaineering boots?
i feel like this would save a lot of money & weight in an extended trip...

thanks!

Look up Silvretta 4/500

Yep, Silvretta bindings are great for this. Mountaineering boots don't ski like regular AT boots, but on easy terrain the weight savings can be awesome.

Functionally, the 404 and 500 are about the same. The 500 is just way lighter.

Lot more to getting the weight down and skiing that using mtn boots and Silvrettas.

500s weigh in at 3.5# per pair
404s @ 4.5# per pair.
My Dynafits at 9oz per pair.

You might save money but saving real weight and being able to actually ski will cost money,
unless you have some seriously good skills.

Learn to climb in your ski boots.

Dane1 wrote:Lot more to getting the weight down and skiing that using mtn boots and Silvrettas.

500s weigh in at 3.5# per pair
404s @ 4.5# per pair.
My Dynafits at 9oz per pair.

You might save money but saving real weight and being able to actually ski will cost money,
unless you have some seriously good skills.

Good points - ask yourself, is is a ski trip, or a climbing trip?

I use 500s to approach ice climbs.

I use AT boots to climb ski mountaineering objectives.

There are some new boots out there (TLT5) that climb much better than older AT boots. So, you can swing things a little farther than ever before towards the AT side of things and still climb hard.

TLT 5s have made a bit impact already and they have only been available for a short season in the US and a full season in Europe . More boots like them coming soon.

No longer a reason to ask yourself if it is a skiing or a climbing trip when you look at winter gear. At least three boots out now that will do both very well.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2011/06/part-2.html