Hi All! I took an Intro to Backcountry class yesterday and am considering some gear. I bought boots after the class because I was swimming (width-wise) in the rentals and there's no way I could do a 3-day Avy 1 class in them.
I was on the 2019 Armada Trace 98 (size 156) for the Intro class, but it was tough to tell how they skied because the boots were so big that I wasn't really getting a good connection to the ski. So I definitely want to check them out again, as well as demo other skis.
So today, I went to the four shops I know in Tahoe (North Lake) that rent backcountry gear, and these are my options for demo. I'm thinking of something in the 100-ish range to be a one-ski quiver.
- Armada Trace 98, 156
- Elan Ripstick 102, 156
- DPS Ushi A94, 157
- DPS Yvette A100, 163 - too long?
- Armada Trace 88, 156 - too narrow for a one-quiver?
- G3 Seeker Elle 100, 154 - too light for Sierra cement?
- Icelantic Mystic 97, 155
That's just what I can demo locally in my size. I'm 5'1", 115-120-ish lbs, depending.... This will be a specific touring setup for the Tahoe area. I have separate boots and skis for the resorts. I will likley not be a storm chaser. Since my husband isn't interested in touring, I'd have to plan/sign up for tours in advance.
Thoughts on the list? Other skis I should research that I might not be able to demo?
Anyway, this is what I currently have - which is quite a bit, since I've been skiing for a long time, and I'm a pack rat. Suggestions welcome for the blank spaces. :-)
Boots: Dynafit Hoji PX
Skis:
Bindings:
Skins:
Poles:
Pack: Osprey Kresta 30 XS/S - love that they make packs for short torsos
Puffies: Patagonia Nano Air / Patagonia Nano Puff / Arcteryx Cerium LT
Top layers/fleece: SmartWool Smartloft Hoodie / various fleece options
Top base: various SmartWool
Bottom base: various SmartWool / Patagonia capilene
Softshell: Mountain Hardware - it's 5+ years old, don't remember the model, but it's an awesome purple, Marmot biking wind jacket (6+ years old, don't remember the model)
Hardshell: Outdoor Research - about 4 years old, don't remember the model, Arcteryx hard shell (discontinued model and I can't remember the name, I want to say it started with an L) / Haglofs Roc Spirit
Pants: Marmot Tour Pant (softshell) / Arcteryx Sentinel (hardshell) / Marmot Cheeky pants (hardshell with insulated, removable shorts)
Helmet: Pret
Goggles: Smith I/Os
Gloves: Various Hestra including Heli Glove, Heli Lobster/3-finger, Ergo Grip, Kobolt Czone (their work glove), and Dakine glove liners
Beacon: Mammut Barryvox
Shovel: Mammut Alugator Light - it's pink!
Probe: BD QuickDraw Probe Tour 280