Thanks
@WaterGirl. I don't really have (m)any partners for this. I have some friends who did the Intro and Avy class a few years ago, but they haven't gone back out for a few years, so I wouldn't go alone with them based on their experience. I figure I'll likely sign up for a tour or two at the local shop to start. My husband isn't really interested in backcountry - and I do love the resort skiing - so I need to balance my time.
I joined a FB group for SF Backcountry skiers, but they all seem really advanced, so it's a bit intimidating.
I'd love to try the Ripstick 94s - the shop that demos the 102 also carries the 94, but they don't have any in their demo fleet.
Tahoe Backcountry Ladies - what do you ski and what do you see out there? Recommendations on skis? Or widths?
HELLO!!! I'll be a Tahoe backcountry partner if you're looking for friends!
I took a Women's Intro to Backcountry Touring at Alpenglow Expeditions in January, and
highly recommend the experience. I love learning environments with no men.
My husband and I then took the AIARE 1 course in January, and we've been out a few times since (7 times total, including guided tours.) We're strong intermediate skiers, and we've mostly been on easy/moderate tours (max ~7mi/2500ft elevation.)
We're aiming for ~15 days in the backcountry this year. (Probably 1 resort + 1 backcountry tour a weekend.)
For equipment: We both have 50/50 setups.
Me: 5'3" (160 cm), 130 pounds
Skis: Elan Ripstick 102s at 163cm.
They've got a lot of rocker on them, so they ski shorter -- I haven't noticed the length being a problem. I was also considering the 94s, but I've appreciated the extra width -- they've been great on breakable crust. They're also SO FUN!! I love skis with a short turn radius, and these skis are so poppy and playful.
Bindings: Black Diamond Fritschi Tecton.
These are basically the Vipecs with an alpine heel. Fritschi updated the step-in, and they're
really easy to get in/out of.
I was optimizing for safety -- I wanted something with elastic travel in the toe, and something that would reliably release. I've tested the release in walk mode, and can confirm that I come out of the bindings in a bad fall when skinning uphill.
They're a little heavy for a pure AT setup, but they feel really solid. (I think they weigh ~80g more than the Dynafit Rotation?)
Skins: Pomoca Climb Pro S-Glide
I like the glide! I haven't had that much trouble with the grip going uphill. The glue's sticky enough to stay on the ski, but releases well -- I can take the skins off without taking my ski off, and I can unpeel the skin without struggling.
The Pomoca skins also come with a great trimming tool, that handles the offset for you. Not a big deal, though -- ski stores will trim skins for a small fee.
Boots: Atomic Hawx XTD
I also demoed the Blizzard Sheeva 10s with the Marker Kingpin bindings, and the Blizzard Ascensionist skins. The setup was quite heavy, and I didn't like the bindings as much -- the brake occasionally deployed when skinning. :(
The glue on the BD skins was annoying -- it was
really sticky. I also wanted a little more glide, since the route we took had a long approach.
Him: 5'8", 220 pounds
Skis: Black Crow Navis Freebird (102 underfoot), 169cm.
"best ski I've ever had"
Bindings: Dynafit Rotation 10
He has a bad knee, so he was also looking for elastic travel. He seems to like the bindings a lot!
Skins: Pomoca Climb 2.0 Skins
Boots: Fischer Free Ranger