Ski recommendations?

[Jfrost353]

Hey all, buying my first resort uphill/backcountry setup and looking for some recommendations on skis. I currently ski Sheeva 9s and Salomon 106s in bounds and love having a stable ski with little chatter.
Will be splitting use of these skis between resort uphill and mellow backcountry, so looking for something that stays stable on downhills/steeps and can cut through crud and chop well. Located in CO so pretty much looking at all conditions.

some that I’m considering:
Nordica unleashed 98
Vokllblaze 94
Salomon mountain 96

thanks!

 

[SarahXC]

I have the unleashed 98 for resort and like them a lot. The do pretty well in the crud/fun playful balance in my opinion. I do feel like it is a more center mounted ski and with the twin tip might be challenging for skins (you can get twin tip tail clips but it’s one more thing to figure out) and might be hard for kick turn in the skin track with there being more ski behind your foot. I don’t know this for a fact since I have alpine bindings on mine but maybe someone else with chime in….

 

[echo_VT]

People I know tend to like the Atomic Backlands or the Volkl Blazes for that first step into backcountry. I just saw a Nordica Santa Ana backcountry specific ski that the owner seems to like well.

That said, the heavier the ski, the harder it is to do laps unless you're quite strong. On the counterpoint, the heavier skis will be helpful in variable snow conditions and it sounds like you prefer to prioritize that.

Best of luck @Jfrost353 and let us know what you do.

There's also the matter of bindings! And skins. Both of which should not be overlooked

 

[Verve]

What length do you like? They discontinued the Blizzard Hustle but I think there are still lots kicking around at a discount. For your stability desires (and for the resort skinning focus) I think a 50/50 ski like the Hustle makes sense - with a Shift, Duke, or similar binding.

I think the Nordica @echo_VT is thinking of is the Unlimited, which I agree could be a good option. They are on the light side of the 50/50 spectrum.

 

[Pequenita]

I ski the Volkl Blaze 94W inbounds with alpine bindings and have contemplated putting tech bindings on them for backcountry (I'm not a fan of 50/50 setups, but that's a me thing). They have been great when there is fresh snow, deep snow, and when all that gets skied out. I've used them in both Tahoe and Utah. They are a little too wide (knees) if the day is spent doing groomers.

 

[3beeches]

I started to think about buying AT skis + two years ago. I ended up with boots that are AT binding compatible but everything else is downhill only. Over Christmas was with family members who have AT set-ups so I have started to think again about buying. Appreciate input on the forum. I found SkiMo website with a line-up for women. Wondering about Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women, Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women - 2021/22, Dynafit Blacklight 88 Ski - Women. They are lighter than other skis which appeals to me for uphill. I ski in new england so do worry about downhill. With bindings I leaning towards ATK bc of what I have read but wonder which model to go with. Anyone have a good experience with a shop in new england?

 

[vilen13]

@echo_VT I'm always curious with Atomic backland. So it is on the heavier side ya?

 

[echo_VT]

@vilen13 It looks like the 100 width is 1300+ g per ski and 107 width is 1500 g per ski which is still pretty lightweight

to be fair, the DPS pagoda tour is around the same specs

 

[Beckster]

After ditching my super lightweight AT gear…I’m now on the Scott Superguide 95. It’s like the holy grail of the one quiver AT ski for me. It does everything. It carves, floats, busts through crud & crusted powder, stable on icy conditions and zippy at high speed which is great in the trees.
Not the lightest but worth the extra weight for performance.
My climbs are usually 2-5 hours with a 17lb pack going up and 13lb pack skiing down (after fluids & food consumed, skins packed and wearing helmet). Always consider how much extra you weigh with a pack when selecting your AT ski; it makes a difference!

I’m very happy with my Fritschi Vipec Evo binding as well. High safety rating, easy to use, convert and offers solid control transfer into the ski.

 

[echo_VT]

@3beeches i have that set up — movement alp tracks 95w 162 and the dps r10 bindings which I believe are ATK under the hood.

I would not say the set up is great for New England. It thrives in blower powder but anything else it does not shine.

I would recommend Mountain Ops in Stowe for a shop. Best of luck!

 

[alr]

I started to think about buying AT skis + two years ago. I ended up with boots that are AT binding compatible but everything else is downhill only. Over Christmas was with family members who have AT set-ups so I have started to think again about buying. Appreciate input on the forum. I found SkiMo website with a line-up for women. Wondering about Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women, Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women - 2021/22, Dynafit Blacklight 88 Ski - Women. They are lighter than other skis which appeals to me for uphill. I ski in new england so do worry about downhill. With bindings I leaning towards ATK bc of what I have read but wonder which model to go with. Anyone have a good experience with a shop in new england?

I just did my first uphill experience with Inclusive Ski Touring (did it at Whaleback) https://inclusiveskitouring.org/ I rented equipment at Whaleback and they had me on Blizzard Zero G (I think at 88 waist) with Marker Kingpin bindings. These skis were very light and a bit long for me so I was fairly cautious on the two decents I did on them. They were fine, but not sure if they would "fun" to go downhill on. After doing the clinic, I started looking at some options for used set up for binding and ski (I already own AT capable boots like you), and then I came to the conclusion that I am going to remount my Atomic Vantage 95 C W skis with an AT binding. I don't use these skis much anymore for downhill, but I know they work since I have skied them plenty around here before I got my Armada Reliance 82 ti's. Anyway, I contacted Skin Monster in Boston because they are literally the closest shop to me that knows about AT gear and I am going to see about bindings next week. I believe there are several shops in North Conway, NH that can help you with AT gear. Vermont is full of shops too that have this expertise, but I am less familiar with what town/city has the most of them.

 

[alr]

After ditching my super lightweight AT gear…I’m now on the Scott Superguide 95. It’s like the holy grail of the one quiver AT ski for me. It does everything. It carves, floats, busts through crud & crusted powder, stable on icy conditions and zippy at high speed which is great in the trees.
Not the lightest but worth the extra weight for performance.
My climbs are usually 2-5 hours with a 17lb pack going up and 13lb pack skiing down (after fluids & food consumed, skins packed and wearing helmet). Always consider how much extra you weigh with a pack when selecting your AT ski; it makes a difference!

I’m very happy with my Fritschi Vipec Evo binding as well. High safety rating, easy to use, convert and offers solid control transfer into the ski.

I am lookign to get some existing skis I own remounted from Marker Griffons to something AT and I was asking Ski Monster about the Vipecs and they sort of poo pooed them saying they didn't like the plastic in the heel piece adjustment or the brake assembly. Have either of these things been an issue at all for you? This person prefers kingpins.

 

[Beckster]

I am lookign to get some existing skis I own remounted from Marker Griffons to something AT and I was asking Ski Monster about the Vipecs and they sort of poo pooed them saying they didn't like the plastic in the heel piece adjustment or the brake assembly. Have either of these things been an issue at all for you? This person prefers kingpins.

I’ve never had an issue with the Vipecs but some of my friends have issues with the lighter Evo.
The Vipec is sturdy and I like that the heal lifts are easy to adjust with my poles.
They are made right here in Switzerland.