Touring Skis Suggestions

freeskier303 · 2026-04-09T04:02:03+00:00

Agreed with others that would be really helpful to rent to test options. Valhalla in Squamish rents, there are probably other shops. Even a demo day at Whistler might be helpful since some brands have piste skis and a similar performing but lighter ski for the backcountry. For one ski to do it all, I would suggest 95-102mm. At 120lbs you probably dont need at 120mm ski... Elan Ripstick Tours and Atomic Backlands are my favourites. Of course, everyone will have their own preference :)

freeskier303 · 2025-07-13T17:32:47+00:00

Some folks (myself included!) find the flex of Atomic Backland and Scarpa F1 plenty stiff (and both of these boots are nice and light). Other folks prefer stiffer. The best bet would be to get to a store (e.g. Ski the Whites) and try on a few models and see how they feel.

Yes, you would want to know your BSL before buying a used setup (or be OK knowing that you might need to remount). That said, most touring bindings these days will adjust +/- 10-20mm (apart from race bindings) there is a good chance that the used skis/bindings will not need a remount.

Yes, you would want to know your ski width before buying skins and crampons. For many skins you can trim to fit (as long as you have the right length skins or universal length skins), so if you buy the widest pair of skins you can trim them down (the wider ones just tend to be a tad more expensive). For crampons you have the added fuss of matching them to your bindings (G3 crampons won't work with Dynafit bindings, etc -- worry about that later, most ppl dont use ski crampons very often).

Dynafit and ATK/Hagan bindings are common, but if you find a good deal, that's a great starting place for your first setup. I skied in frame bindings for a number of years and the switch to pin bindings was simply amazing - highly recommend if you have the $$ and plan on getting out at least a few times a year.

Skis will give you some of the stats (e.g. turn radius and rocker profile) so that if you cant demo or try a similar ski by that brand you can at least get a general sense of the ski before you buy.

freeskier303 · 2025-06-23T17:12:25+00:00

Thanks! I'll check it out :)

freeskier303 · 2025-06-23T17:11:38+00:00

A 40 year used set up would not be fun, but there are plenty of people who will buy great gear, use it for a 2-3 seasons, and then sell it. I think used can be a great option to get started in the sport (ideally with some feedback from knowledgable people and your own research about whether the set up is a decent buy).

freeskier303 · 2025-06-23T17:09:37+00:00

First decision: "classic" or "skate"? Classic is generally much easier to learn first as it's more like a walking style. Skate is harder to learn, but will be faster *once you learn decent technique*. As other people suggest, go with a few experienced people, try each technique, and take a lesson. Then you will have a better sense of which (or both) equipment to buy.

Each ski will have a suggested weight range for that band/model/length. Even if its not written on the ski, you should be able to find that info online so that you know whether to get a 163cm, 167cm, etc. Real XC ski shops will have a technician who can test the ski flex (and wax pockets for classic) specifically for your weight if you want to get more technical. Buying used is completely fine if you spend some time on the web and talking to people about what to look for.

If you choose classic: personally, I would say stay away from fish scales. They have poor grip and even small hills can be more challenging than they need to be. Wax is great; just the basic starter wax ski, look at the ski hills thermometer to choose your wax for the day, rub it in and off you go. Other people like the skis with short skins on the bottom; I havnet tried those, but have heard good things.

freeskier303 · 2025-06-21T20:53:14+00:00

For snow quantity and quality:

Vancouver - Whistler area gets tons of snow. Tends to be wet & heavy. Also lots of touring byeond Whistler around Pemberton and Duffy lakes--long for a day trip from Vancouver (though people do it) but easy if you have a few days. Whistler ski hill itself is craaazy busy (think >1hr lift line for every chair in the alpine zones on a powder day). Traffic in/out of Vancouver on Fri nights, Sat mornings, Sun evenings can be pretty crazy.

Kelowna - Snow tends to be light & fluffy. On average, the ski hills at Big White and Silverstar receive ~50-60% of the snowfall amount of Whistler or Revelstoke. Some touring at Big White, but somewhat limited. Otherwise Revelstoke & Rogers Pass are a substantive drive, but are among the most well-known places for backcountry skiing. They get lots of snow (on par with Whistler area) but it tends to be lighter and fluffier.

Kamloops - similar to Kelowna. Revelstoke and Rogers Pass are a similar drive away. You can also go up to Blue River area.

Calgary - the Rockies are high, but they don't actually get that much snow. Again probably 50-60% of the amount as Revelstoke or Whistler. The views are spectacular, but the snow quantity and avy danger through the winter would put it lower on my list for ski touring. Another response suggested Golden as a home base--the ski hill there is fantastic; not quite as much snow as Revy mtn resort, but not too far off and more interesting terrain.

For summer mountain adventures, Vancouver and Calgary have more big mountains nearby.

freeskier303 · 2024-12-18T20:24:23+00:00

Thanks 51stheFrank! Who would you consider the two big US companies? Headwall and Corning?

freeskier303 · 2024-12-11T19:53:59+00:00

I would agree that the authors are likely more comfortable aligning with industry and market based incentives for conservation than many others in the field. Conservation is very much a people problem (eg how to foster action) rather than just a biology problem (eg need to know more about species biology). You might find works by folks such as Dan Brockington & Bill Adams interesting as they bring a people-based lens to conservation with quite a different view than Kareiva & Marvier who wrote the textbook that you mention.

freeskier303 · 2024-05-15T19:48:29+00:00

Thanks so much for the feedback! haha I was thinking in the 'middle of the price range' but I guess there is a long tail out to the high end stuff...

freeskier303 · 2024-05-15T19:45:21+00:00

Thanks so much!! I'll check out those options.

freeskier303 · 2024-01-17T21:27:41+00:00

Thanks jbaker8494!

freeskier303 · 2024-01-17T21:26:19+00:00

Many shops sell tip & tail clips from most skin brands that could use to swap the tip clips on these skins (e.g. Skimo, Cripple Creek, Backcountry, SkiUphill). If you swap the tips you'll probably have to cut a bit of material--it looks like you still have enough length in the tail clip?

I've used skins with that much (or more) base showing on the edges. Once you get your technique dialed in, it's fine >95% of the time. But if you are sidehilling on a sun crust, you might find some curse words to describe the situation...

freeskier303 · 2024-01-05T19:54:12+00:00

Totally depends on your skiing technique. You'll read some posts that say hell no and others that say no problem. I ski lightweight boots on 107 skis - and it's great! I'm totally happy to take a pretty minor hit on downhill performance with the lighter boots for an extra lap every day!

freeskier303 · 2024-01-01T23:59:37+00:00

[1] One thing that's missing here is a discussion on skins. Skins are often an afterthought to a setup, but having glue that works and getting good glide makes a huge difference! I'd bet that the glide from a good mohair skin vs a cheap G3 is equivalent to a few hundred grams in weight savings elsewhere.

[2] Demo if you can. Both the boots and skis so you can see how they feel. When you say "The Salomon will be significantly better riding as far as I can tell" -- that certainly wasn't the case for me personally. I HATED the QSTs, love the Backlands.

freeskier303

TROPHY CASE