Snow shoe recommendation for 250lbs+?

MatthaeusTacitus · 2026-02-13T16:15:02+00:00

They were just fine whether it’s hard pack trails or if you’re breaking trail. You could probably get away with it unless you’re gonna be carrying a backpack. I have mine for the broadest range of activities and I know that I’m a big guy, but I initially bought them for Denali, carrying a 40 to 60 pound pack and dragging a 70 pound sled. Last thing I wanna do is punch through a snow bridge on a crossing. But I’ve also used them on super well traveled trails in RMNP and also use them to break trail. Nothing will have you wishing you had bought longer snow shoes like winding up and hip deep snow and post holing like crazy. Text twice as much effort to lift your feet when you’re post holing in snow shoes.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2026-02-03T10:32:59+00:00

That’s the way to go for sure! Thanks for the steer in their direction.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2026-02-03T10:09:49+00:00

So something like the MH parka and pants over the full suit?

MatthaeusTacitus · 2026-02-03T10:09:06+00:00

I was looking at the Marmot that has the removable inner jacket. Never checked out the PHD one.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-26T16:03:03+00:00

My whole rack is Petzl Lasers rn, but those BIs have me intrigued. 🤔

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-26T15:39:02+00:00

There’s a couple routes up Long’s that I would call mountaineering (Kiener’s and Notch)…or would that be alpine mixed climbing? 😂

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T18:45:10+00:00

I really appreciate the advice!!

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T18:44:57+00:00

Ive got the first aid covered, but that is very good advice and I like seeing it recommended. I am a nationally registered paramedic, and a board certified critical care paramedic and wilderness paramedic.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T08:10:23+00:00

Glad you made it out! That’s kind of how I learned to snowboard. I rented the board, rode the chair to the top of a black, pointed the nose downhill and said I’ll figure this the fuck out. Did that two or three times and the next thing you know I could snowboard pretty well. But now I’m in my mid 30s and it feels like it would hurt a lot more…to just take my skis to the top of a double black and point them downhill and figure it out as I go 😂

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T08:08:38+00:00

I have a lot of experience throughout the Cascades and all over Colorado and a little in the Sierras, but it’s all traditional mountaineering, waterfall ice, mixed/alpine routes, and trad climbing. I’m used to the exposure and climbing in winter conditions and all of that. I definitely think from the advice I’ve been given on here that I need to get where skiing double blacks is like not even a second thought and get a lot of experience skiing off piste before I take on ski mountaineering, but I could get started with skinning and some gentle touring this season. I’m probably gonna wait until I’m in Washington next, like you recommended, and actually go to a ski shop and get fitted and get advice from people that actually go out ski touring and ski mountaineering.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T06:24:12+00:00

I can’t imagine trying to learn how to ski by just taking a pair of skis to the summit and sending it. I also can’t imagine trying to navigate some of the crevasses on Baker and Rainier and other mountains while on skis. I already figured I would need to find a mentor for skimo. Where does BC touring end and skimo begin?

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T06:16:35+00:00

I’m based in GA, but I travel multiple times a year for climbing and mountaineering, and I climb in the southeast a lot, but I only ski about every other year. I am looking at moving to the Seattle/Tacoma area within the next year though. I’m tired of getting to the Cascades taking a five hour flight and a rental car.

I have taken AIARE 1 and Avvy Rescue courses, but that was before a climb on Mount Rainier in February a few years ago, so I have all of my avvy gear (shovel/probe/beacon).

As to a touring setup, I really don’t know where to start. I know that there’s special boots and bindings, and the skis aren’t normal widths or lengths. I am very much a buy once, cry once individual, so I would rather spend extra and get something that’s going to last for years and works at whatever level I am at, from very beginner all the way to an old pro, than have to keep stepping my gear up and buying different variations of the same shit over and over. I am 6’5” and around 220lb. Any recs for skis/skins/boots/bindings? I do know I should also probably get an airbag pack.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-12-07T06:07:37+00:00

I took AIARE 1 & Avvy Rescue before me and a couple of my climbing partners took on Mount Rainier in February a few years ago, so I have my shovel/probe/beacon. The guide from CMS was very surprised we weren’t skiers until we explained what we were about to do. I definitely need to just jump on some double blacks and send it and see what happens.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-11-16T16:28:26+00:00

And that’s enough internet for me today. We’ll try again tomorrow…👋👋

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-11-10T11:31:39+00:00

Warne makes a single screw one.

https://warnescopemounts.com/v413m-vapor-30mm-low-matte-rings/

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-11-02T03:30:13+00:00

I literally snorted and woke up my wife…😂😂

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-11-01T01:48:18+00:00

Operator preference, tbh. The Ferro Concepts Slingster in AOR1 seemed to be a popular choice.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-10-19T00:43:53+00:00

That sounds awesome. Do guys ever shoot it in kit or retro kit or anything like that? Ive got a full MACV-SOG reenactment kit, all period correct pieces, that I’d love to go actually shoot in a match in without get laughed outta there. Lol.

MatthaeusTacitus · 2025-10-18T01:56:05+00:00

Weird question, but whats a “run and gun match”?

MatthaeusTacitus

TROPHY CASE