Newbie Questions on a Light BC Setup

[JVSki]

Hey all!

I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice on a light BC setup for low-angle touring and turns in the woods. I'm a pretty experienced XC skier, but as a recent transplant from Virginia to Boise, Idaho, I'm hoping to explore off trail more and develop my (extremely mediocre) tele skills this winter. My wife and I have signed up for a 2-day intro to backcountry skiing course locally in February and have a trip planned to Yellowstone next month for some touring, so we're working on the skills side of thing, but could use some equipment advice!

I'm coming off a pair of older Rossi BC70s and Alpina Alaskas and looking mainly at more downhill-oriented XCD style setups like the Fischer S-Bound 112 or the Altai Kom that'd be appropriate for touring for turns in mellower back country terrain. I'm struggling to parse out the pros and cons of those two, let alone what boot/binding system would be the way to go though, so more than happy for any opinions or advice you all have...thanks!

[greatgt]

Anything as wide as a 112 will not cruise as well as a waxable BC 70 type of ski.....Been skiing the Fischer E109 for a couple of years and they cruise well and do the TURN wicked good.....Don't care for the Rocker that much but overall it's a very good BC ski.....Stick with some leathers as they give back lots!....Good luck! TM

[connyro]

Considering that you already have good bc cruising skis and are looking for something more dh oriented, the 112s or Koms should work mounted with 3pins or switchbacks. Other skis to consider: Voile Objectives bc or any 'bc' scaled Voiles for that matter. heavy duty leathers or light plastic boots like Excursions or t4s would be my suggestion for this type of setup.

Use the search here to find info about above mentioned skis and boots. LOTS has been written about them all.

[lilcliffy]

Hello and welcome JVSki!

I have pair of Koms and Annums/Guides (similar weight and dimensions to the S112)- I have not skied the S112 in several years.

The Kom is heavy, wide and a ton of fun- especially skiing trees. They are wide and heavy so they need a stiff rigid Telemark boot if you want to charge and drive them. While I do frequently shuffle and float around on the Kom in a leather boot- I always use my T4 if I want to charge and drive them. I have the 162 Kom which I find a bit short and unstable at speed. I still feel that 173 or 178 Voile V6 would be much better for what I would personally would use either of these skis for- skiing steep trees in deep snow. The Kom is great but it is heavy, short and slow- I think I would try a V6 before I try a longer Kom.

BTW- if I had more open forest or was touring above treeline- I would want the longer effective edge of a ski like the Vector or the Charger (as opposed to the V6)- or I would probably end up with both for different times of the year and different snow conditions.

Regardless- if you are thinking of going as wide as the Kom (or wider) I would definitly recommend a modern plastic Telemark boot.

Find the boot and the ski- then figure out the binding.
Gareth

[phoenix]

Lots of good input here so far. I've been liking the Objective's or Annum's for what I believe you're aiming for; as well as the Kom's. Having skied 2 of the 3, on both Alaska's and Excursions, I am also of the opinion that it's pushing it skiing these widths with the Alaska's if you really want to be turn confidently. Excursions/T4's etc. bump it up a good notch in that case.

Cables will also give you more confidence, I've been on 3 pins on my Objectives and other lighter touring skis; this category is well suited to the 3 pin cables (as Nils suggests with his Kom's). Those could be used with Alaska's or plastics, with or without cables.

I also remember some very nice touring/turning on some 70'ish waisted Karhu's, whichever one was the next thinner after the Annum's, years ago. They worked quite well with a solid leather or light plastic boot, as I recall.

[JVSki]

Awesome, thank you all for the insight! That confirms some of my thinking, and I'm definitely leaning towards the T4 and a 3 pin/cable setup after digesting your insight...that'll also provide some contrast with my BC70s and a distinct quiver slot for the new setup.

I hadn't considered the Voile skis, I thought they were strictly AT setups, but will definitely dig into those as well, thanks for the tip Honestly though I think stock levels might be the deciding factor at this point!

Of the skis you all have mentioned, any thoughts on what the best generalist setup would be? I think whatever I end up with for now is going to be all the budget will bear this season...really appreciate your all's guidance!

[freeheelfreemind]

I do a lot of XCD backcountry touring & downhill with a lot of trail breaking. I wanted to find the best ski for my needs.

I have been skiing my S-Bound 112s nearly every day for about two weeks now. My setup is a bit different, but it works. I have a machine inserts I installed (like a quiver killer). 1) Voile 3-pin cable binding with my Alaska 75s. 2) Classic Chili Bindings with my plastic boots.

Typically for XCd, I have my cables in my backpack, until I need them for a sustained downhill. I love the Voile 3-pin with my leather boots for touring a lot. The S-Bound 112s are slow on the touring, but I love the way they climb the hills. I am climbing hills straight-up when I used to have to herringbone my way up with my BC-65s or 90s. Also, the wide ski and curved tip has been great for breaking trail (12-18 inches sometimes) - pops right out of the snow on every step.

I love running my classic Chili Bindings, which are beefier than the Voile 3-pin, and I use those with my plastic boots, now I can do yoyos on my local hills for my xcD skiing.

I love getting out away from the crowds near Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, or ... and I can do that with my S-bounds.

Lastly, I seriously considered the Koms, but it's was too wide for touring - the waist is, I believe, 98mm, whereas the s-bound's are 78mm.

[lowangle al]

I don't think the Koms are too wide for touring, that's what there're made for. They would go well with your Chili bindings IMO.

[lowangle al]

JVSki, I agree with others on going with the T4 for maximum DH fun.

[Woodserson]

I don't think the Koms are too wide for touring, that's what there're made for. They would go well with your Chili bindings IMO.

Agreed. Big time float, short turn fun. Fun fun fun ski