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AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:50 am
by JJBrunner
I gots a question for all you internet-mountaineers... :)

I want to get off snowshoes and onto skis. I'm also on a budget. It would be cool to use my plastic boots on skis, but if AT boots fit step-in crampons, I wouldn't be opposed to that idea. I've seen Silvretta bindings, but those aren't exactly cheap. I don't need to be able to tear it up downhill, last time I skied I wasn't bad but I was also 7.... So basically, what's the cheapest, most practical setup you can think of?

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:18 pm
by SpiderSavage
JJ, I scored some AT skis and bindings & skins on Craig's list last winter. If you don't have the dough, keep trolling the used market and take whatever comes your way.

Lets go skiing this winter! I know a great beginner spot up here on the Angeles Crest.

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:37 pm
by bdynkin
Most practical? Get those bindings (http://store.colemans.com/cart/us-gi-sk ... 29.htmlfor) for $10 and mount it on old alpine skis. This will allow you to at least try a ski idea.

FortMental is right - think what you want to do with skis. I'd say in most climbing scenarious snowshoes are more practical.

My experience? I bought Silvretta bindings which were on sale for about $100 years ago and put it on ~25-years old alpine skis that I found on a trash day. Works OK with plastic boots: I'm a very so-so skier but can go down a blue slope in a resort in this set-up. I have to ski carefuly - plastic boots have very little ankle support to ski.

In all those years this set-up worked well on one trip - Ruth Gorge in Alaska. It was horrible on an ice-climbing trip to Quebec (deep/steep snow in the woods). So I use this set-up for fun sometimes but not to approach climbing routes.

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:33 pm
by jackstraw0083
Very good advice from FortMental.

Also, I think that this article on WildSnow would be helpful to you. It is a very well-written article about AT gear/skiing for climbers who aren't necessarily great skiers, and the best ways to get started. But heed its warning, you may grow more addicted to the downhill then the uphill! Hope this helps...

http://www.wildsnow.com/3671/ski-gear-climbing-boots/

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:28 pm
by JJBrunner
What do you think of this plan? (BTW, I don't have AT boots, any reccomendations?)

I'll try to score some Silvretta bindings or equivalent that will work with my plastics and AT boots. I'll find some beater skis to mount them on, as well as skins. Then perhaps I'll obtain a pair of AT boots that will work with my crampons? Then I'll have the option of which boots to wear depending on what I want to do. If I can't find anything by December, I will go to skidazzle in LA to try to find what suits my needs, and I'll bring my plastic boots to try with different setups.

I'm guessing 90% of my usage at first will be in the San Gabriels to practice skiing (Mt Baldy and such). I've been dying to drag skis up to the Palisade region since I went there and a skier utilizing a splitboard ski-style cruised by me on the way back while I suffered... For right now, I'm mostly looking to make the winter ascents and descents more enjoyable. But I can see myself expanding my usage later...I played hockey for a long time so hopefully I can pick skiing up fairly quickly.

Spider, I'm totally up for skiing with you when I get myself going with the whole ski thing. I'm also down for climbing anything whenever... But when I get skis, as far as that goes, I'm used to getting thrown on hard stuff right off the bat...no need for any of that begginer stuff! My first(and only) time snowboarding my friends put me on a double black diamond high up on Mammoth Mountain...I survived and came out uninjured but I got to take a nice long, FAST slide on my stomach headfirst for about 100 yards on an icy section near the top of the mountain. I handled the other areas fine...

Thanks everybody who responded thus far! One last thing, what's the cheapest you think I could get a ski system going for?

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:16 pm
by JJBrunner
FortMental wrote:... Try power straps too!

...

Remember, have fun and spend money on wine and women. Not gear. Unless you're a tool.


Probably the best piece of advice I've heard! I'll keep it in mind. What are power straps? And any ideas where to pick up Silvrettas? I can't find anything less than $150 on ebay and nothin' on craigslist... Thanks!

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:37 pm
by JJBrunner
And since I'm learning so much I guess I'll keep going!

I think my new plan (my plans change by the hour) is to just get an AT ski setup and not worry about the compatability with my plastic boots.

Whats the difference between an AT ski boot and a ski boot?

Will any AT boot fit my step-in crampons?

What should I get!?!

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:03 am
by JJBrunner
Ok thanks! I'm done with my questions here. I'll probably put off getting my own for awhile and slowly try what I can. When I get more money, I'll tear it up in the BC. Snowshoes here I come this winter! (I should probably get a pair of snowshoes first since I borrow them everytime I need snowshoes...) Maybe I'll carry a sled with me so I can make those descents quicker!

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:32 am
by SpiderSavage
Snowshoes suck. You can't traverse. (same problem with snowboards)

Skiis rule.

2nd that FtMental idea. Tons o good old boards in the thrift stores around here. I've got an extra pair of skins. We'll go to Mt. Winston as soon as the snow gets 3 ft deep up there.

Re: AT Ski Setup

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:44 am
by Joe White
SpiderSavage wrote:Snowshoes suck. You can't traverse. (same problem with snowboards)

Skiis rule.


I've actually found that depending on the terrain, snowshoes can be faster. I love backcountry skiing, but sometimes I leave that behind in favor for the MSR Denali's....now there's a great snowshoe.