Need help getting set up for AT

[switters1974]

I'd like to get set up for AT this winter. I've been wanting to get into it anyway, and this winter seems like an ideal time to start, since I think it's likely the resort skiing experience won't be great (and they may even have to close again). I plan to do a couple tours with local guides to get up to speed early in the winter, and of course a couple of avalanche classes.

A couple local friends have recommended the Voile HyperCharger as a good all-mountain backcountry ski, with the ION 12 bindings. Do you think that's a good option? I'm an advanced/expert alpine skier but totally new to backcountry. And then maybe the Voile skins?

What about poles. Can I use my alpine poles, or are backcountry poles different (lighter)?

And boots? I have Atomic Hawx Ultra 120, which are pretty light. Will these work?

Also considering the Raven with their new TourLock system. I have a pair of 4RNT MSP99s that I really love, and I've heard great things about the Ravens.

Thanks in advance!

[whyturn]

Boots have their own thread “what’s wrong with my boots”
Boots are very specific
I like my voile and that is a good mid fat
Where are you touring? Ion is good and I like tecton personally
Have no info on voile skins
Get the avy gear and learn how to use it



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[switters1974]

Thanks! I live in Park City. Will likely be touring in the Uintas and Cottonwoods for a start. Already have most of the avy gear including a Black Diamond Jet Force air bag. Just need to learn how to use it better now.

[Buzzworthy]

Everything about this post is scary and clearly looks like a troll.

[rod9301]

I had the ions and i switched to Salomon mtn, lighter and they ski better, and more bomber.



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[mall walker]

I'd like to get set up for AT this winter. I've been wanting to get into it anyway, and this winter seems like an ideal time to start, since I think it's likely the resort skiing experience won't be great (and they may even have to close again). I plan to do a couple tours with local guides to get up to speed early in the winter, and of course a couple of avalanche classes.

A couple local friends have recommended the Voile HyperCharger as a good all-mountain backcountry ski, with the ION 12 bindings. Do you think that's a good option? I'm an advanced/expert alpine skier but totally new to backcountry. And then maybe the Voile skins?

What about poles. Can I use my alpine poles, or are backcountry poles different (lighter)?

And boots? I have Atomic Hawx Ultra 120, which are pretty light. Will these work?

Also considering the Raven with their new TourLock system. I have a pair of 4RNT MSP99s that I really love, and I've heard great things about the Ravens.

Thanks in advance!

As a general piece of advice, don't use the "new" anything for touring. That new TourLock system (which looks insanely bad and prone to icing/failure imo), give it a season or 2 to shake out. Same with any new binding. The regular Raven + Ion12 is pretty well proven. Poles are poles... weight doesn't matter. Some people like adjustable range. You generally want, if using a fixed length pole, a longer pole for touring than in the resort because you actually use them going up, for balance and occasionally leverage and whatnot. Boots should fit, this outweighs any other boot-related concern by 5x at least. Beyond that they should walk and ski well. Weight imo is the least important factor (and I run < 200g bindings on all my touring skis, tour 100+ days a year and think Ions are heavy as bricks)

Re: tour lock, and not directed at OP: wtf is wrong with tail clips btw? Dynafit has something like that too. A solution desperately searching for a problem.

[whyturn]

Thanks! I live in Park City. Will likely be touring in the Uintas and Cottonwoods for a start. Already have most of the avy gear including a Black Diamond Jet Force air bag. Just need to learn how to use it better now.

Well then park city. I would also suggest providing some stoke to the forum maybe look in free thread in gear swap and donate to the community. Provide some pics or stoke. Be careful out there.


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[snowaddict91]

Thanks! I live in Park City. Will likely be touring in the Uintas and Cottonwoods for a start. Already have most of the avy gear including a Black Diamond Jet Force air bag. Just need to learn how to use it better now.

You already own an air bag but haven't taken an avy course? Pump the brakes a bit, find some used gear off a friend and get out there. You will figure out what works, what doesn't and what your gear preferences are. No one can make those decisions for you. Some like lighter boots or lighter skis, some like heavier, its all trade offs.

I'd start with a 105mm underfoot ski, any modern tech binding, and use your hawx to start. That will get you out there. Plenty of people blow their wad on flashy new gear only to realize it isn't their cup of tea.

Stick around the forum, contribute like whyturn said, and when winter starts you will probably find someone on here willing to take you out as you gain experience, particularly if you are already a solid skier.

[XXX-er]

That voile is a great ski but I would just look around for a lightly used 2yr old tech ski/ binding/ skin setup which will cost way less than buying new

[switters1974]

Thanks, everyone. Appreciate the help. I was signed up for the AIARE Avalanche 1 & 2 courses and bought the probe and shovel for those, then Covid hit and they both got canceled. Prior to that I had read Avalanche Essentials by Bruce Temper and Snow Sense by Jill Fredston and Doug Fresler. I was doing some out-of-bounds skiing at resorts and also did a couple of snow cat days, and I got the air bag for those because I got freaked out by the avalanche books. Temper breaks down the stages of avalanche awareness, where stage 1 is when you don't even know what you don't know (most dangerous), and then stage 2 is when you're extremely cautious because you know exactly how much you don't know. I was in stage 2 when I bought that airbag!

I've been looking around for used gear and not seeing much. But I'll keep my eyes peeled, and I'll stick around the forum and learn and contribute as much as I can! Thanks again!

[gregL]

A couple local friends have recommended the Voile HyperCharger as a good all-mountain backcountry ski, with the ION 12 bindings. Do you think that's a good option? I'm an advanced/expert alpine skier but totally new to backcountry. And then maybe the Voile skins?

Do you trust those friends, and do you have similar tastes in alpine skis? That's a fine setup, but far from the only option around.

What about poles. Can I use my alpine poles, or are backcountry poles different (lighter)?

Any pole is fine as long as it has a powder basket. Backcountry poles are often actually heavier, but do adjust in length. How often do I adjust them? Usually never.

And boots? I have Atomic Hawx Ultra 120, which are pretty light. Will these work?

They are fine until you do a bunch more touring and decide you want something different.

Also considering the Raven with their new TourLock system. I have a pair of 4RNT MSP99s that I really love, and I've heard great things about the Ravens.

Raven is a fine ski. Not sure about the TourLock system, is that the skin fix that Hoji has been working on?

[thefortrees]

Any ski that you like will do the trick to get you started, no need to over think it.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

I pretty much always post something like this for questions like this:

Get something cheap or something that you can sell without losing much $$$. You won't know what you like until you've done this a bunch. If you become obsessed you will go through a bunch of pairs of skis until you hit on the right ones. If you don't become obsessed, well, it still makes sense to be cheap at this stage. Voile skis tend to be reasonably priced, but don't go on sale much. I think resale tends to be pretty good as well. I don't like them much, but they'd be a fine choice.

Bindings are similar. Often the simplest bindings are the most reliable (as well as light). But they might be less adjustable or have less reliable release and/or retention than more complex, heavier bindings. People prefer different types of bindings for good reasons that you won't fully appreciate until you've used them a bunch. I would never buy Ions, for example, but they are a reliable, proven product that works just fine. Getting what your partners use or what you can get a great deal on makes sense.

As far as skins go, people who are new to skinning tend to appreciate lots of grip, then eventually realize that good skinning technique makes maximum grip unnecessary. Good glide, however, always saves you energy. Then again, the Wasatch is notorious for it's steep skin tracks, so you'll probably be happier with something like BD Ascensions or G3 High Tractions, both of which I hate.

[switters1974]

Our AT rental packages are equipped with either frame or tech (Dynafit) touring bindings, and they’re picked for our fleet because they’re perfect for the Wasatch Mountains.

I pretty much always post something like this for questions like this:

Get something cheap or something that you can sell without losing much $$$. You won't know what you like until you've done this a bunch. If you become obsessed you will go through a bunch of pairs of skis until you hit on the right ones. If you don't become obsessed, well, it still makes sense to be cheap at this stage. Voile skis tend to be reasonably priced, but don't go on sale much. I think resale tends to be pretty good as well. I don't like them much, but they'd be a fine choice.

Bindings are similar. Often the simplest bindings are the most reliable (as well as light). But they might be less adjustable or have less reliable release and/or retention than more complex, heavier bindings. People prefer different types of bindings for good reasons that you won't fully appreciate until you've used them a bunch. I would never buy Ions, for example, but they are a reliable, proven product that works just fine. Getting what your partners use or what you can get a great deal on makes sense.

As far as skins go, people who are new to skinning tend to appreciate lots of grip, then eventually realize that good skinning technique makes maximum grip unnecessary. Good glide, however, always saves you energy. Then again, the Wasatch is notorious for it's steep skin tracks, so you'll probably be happier with something like BD Ascensions or G3 High Tractions, both of which I hate.

That makes a lot of sense, and it's similar to how I learned what alpine/downhill gear I like. I did a lot of demos and bought used stuff. I just remembered that there's a shop in Park City called White Pine Touring. They demo AT setups. So, if I can't find used stuff to purchase I could do that until I figure out what works best. They'll know what works well in the Wasatch, which as you suggested, is important.

[cat in january]

Put up a wtb ad here can save a lot of money and good chance you can get it without shipping. I ski a shorter touring ski partly due to my short legs

I need adjustable poles. Just lengthen when I start walking and shorten just before I stop is easy. I am used to a xc stride

Going with a guide is smart I would try to go somewhere exciting meaning not The Wasatch. Not knocking the wasatch as definitely top 5 bc runs was off Kessler Peak

Maybe more avy classes will be in the field with smaller numbers

Sure there are beacon parks at some ski area there. These are a great resource to use. Many have buried duffles. Break down your pack and practice probing. Get fast

[galibier_numero_un]

This place is getting soft. No demands for pix of girlfriends ...

Seriously, buying used (@iSBD's and others' advice) is the way to go. Just remember ... sooner or later, all of your skis are rock skis ;-)

... Thom

[gregL]

Our AT rental packages are equipped with either frame or tech (Dynafit) touring bindings, and they’re picked for our fleet because they’re perfect for the Wasatch Mountains

Really? I bet they chose DPS for their rental fleet because they're made in SLC, they know someone there, and/or they are getting a killer deal on them. Plenty of other skis would work as well in the Wasatch Mountains . . .