Best ski/binding setup for mixed terrain

[Skiing to Explore]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for the best setup to explore mixed terrain. Basically, enjoying the downhills without having to inhibit forward progress to go back uphill is my main objective. I'm trying to cover lots of ground and keep moving while enjoying the downhills as much as possible.

I ski fairly long distances, somewhere in the 10-15 miles range on average. The terrain I come across is highly variable from steep up/down to mellow cruising. I'm often on hiking trails, snowmobile trails, backcountry ski trails, and occasionally pop out onto a resort. Quite often I ski all of those in a day. Most of my skiing is based out of Bolton/Camel's Hump area.

I currently have Sbounds 98 with a stiff NNN BC boot. The EZ skin has been great, but I use it sparingly and often just suffer up short steep sections and only put it on when I know it'll be an extended steep climb. I also have a pair of light AT skis that feel like overkill a lot of the time except for that one long extended downhill that is on my tour. When I use AT skis I'm mostly leaving them in tour mode with skins on for sections of downhill I'd much rather be in ski mode, but I don't want to transfer for such a short section just to go uphill again after. The Sbounds are great until I'm on steep slopes in the woods, and then I'm really just survival skiing (cutting across the slope, side slipping, etc.).

Is there a setup out there that allows me to ski confidently down steep terrain and seamlessly transition to going back uphill? The sbounds almost do it for me, but not quite. Would a 3 pin cable binding on a a pair of sbounds be what I'm looking for? The Voile Objective BC ski also has me intrigued...

Thanks for the help!

[Woodserson]

Yo. Thanks for joining us! I do much of the same skiing you're doing.

How much do you weight and what length S-Bound are you on?

I'm 155-160lbs and I have a tough time bending the S-Bound 98 in a 189cm, but better on the 179cm. Unfortunately, the shorter ski is much more draggy in the shorter length especially on hardpack.

Right now I'm on an Asnes FT62 in a 188cm for this kind of skiing and I love the ski to death, it's wonderful, but no waxless version (yet), but there's an integrated short skin system (Fischer actually ripped Asnes' idea off) that works wonderfully, but the hassle of on/off in our neck of the woods can get tiring, as you've found with your AT setup...(which is overkill for this type of skiing, you are correct.) Asnes Rabb 68 is a little more tuned like the SBound 98 in stiffness and rocker profile and I ski this in a 180cm for harder weirder snow conditions where the shorter length is appreciated. Also only available in a wax version, unfortunately. These skis are expensive and can be hard to source in North America. But this is a "cult forum" for Asnes, so be ready for these suggestions.

For Waxless skis in this class I think the SBound98 is pretty tops if you can figure out the right length for you and accept the slight negatives, or try the Madshus Epoch, but no skin system there. I have not skied the Epochs but they are a bit softer and easier to turn than the Sbounds from all the buddies I've skied with who have them.

I run a Voile Traverse binding and Alpina Alaska 75mm boots for all my setups in this particular class. Great deals right now, Backcountry had the boots for $150 the other day, fwiw.

I also have and absolutely love, LOVE, my Objective BC's. I run them with Voile Hardwires and T4's which is a roaring good combo. I have skied them over the Headwall at Tucks, the Alps, the local ski area, random hills off the side of a road, those skis are so fun to turn and so capable it boggles my mind. Some of us here have skied them with softer boots (Pheonix, Johnny) in different configurations, but my skills are not there yet. If' I'm putting down miles though, the FT62 is my ticket in this terrain.

All these skis are light and easily tossed, they work inbounds fine, as good or better as the Sbounds, but keep that in mind. No magic bullets and all that.

[Woodserson]

OH, and Altai KOM of course. But it's less distance capable. I like it for going up, and then down. It's short so not great glide (like my short Sbound 98s with the draggy scales), but holy Ullr that is a fun ski that can do it all. Breaks great trail but a pain to Kick&Glide on flats for miles. I have never had a bad day on my KOMs and I there are days I regret not taking them. They are the shizzzzzzz

youtube 1234maceo for some hot Kom action

[Skiing to Explore]

Thanks for all the info! I'll do some more research tomorrow and check out everything you mentioned.

I'm 170lbs on a 179cm s-bound. I've only ever skiied that length s-bound.

[Nick BC]

I'm about 140 lbs and ski the 179 SBound 98. I found way less drag in the scales, in XC mode, than my 190 Glittertinds, which were the Madshus recommendation for my weight. Maybe, Fischer has dialled it in.

[Rodbelan]

I'm about 140 lbs and ski the 179 SBound 98. I found way less drag in the scales, in XC mode, than my 190 Glittertinds, which were the Madshus recommendation for my weight. Maybe, Fischer has dialled it in.

Man, you need the Waxable ones... they are great...
Madshus is the way to go! (Just kidding... I want all those Asnes lover to jump in and show their passion).

[Skiing to Explore]

Since I already have the s-bounds, and enjoy them, I'll stick with those for lighter touring.

It seems my options for covering ground and having a blast on the downhills are the Objective BC or the Altai KOM. I'm really looking for a waxless ski, because I know if I have a waxable one I'd only ever use it with skins. KOMs sound fun but maybe not quite suitable for the slog I often put in during the day. Guess that leaves the Objectives.

For boot/binding setup, I'm thinking the Voile Traverse binding and a lighter boot, like the Alpina Alaska's. Or would I be better served with something like the Hardwires and the T4? Is the ability to take off the cable that beneficial?
Are the T4s light enough to be enjoyable on longer tours?

[lowangle al]

Hi skiing to Explore, I do similar skiing to you and my quiver of one ski is the Voile Ultra vector with T4s. I can regularly tour 8 to 10 miles in around three hours and I'm over 60 years old. If I took a twenty minute break and ate something I'd probably get another 4 or five miles in. They K&G good enough that I enjoy skiing the flats. The only condition that I found them lacking was on steep hard wind packed snow, where I was wishing I was on a more narrow ski or had a taller beefier boot.

[12gaugesage]

T4s are pretty great, definitely better for turning than touring, but totally tourable. The Scott Excursions might be a dash better for touring as they are a bit softer. I only own T4s, but I have fondled the Excursions.
They won't feel spectacular on low angle, firm terrain, but in powder I like the stiffness, gives you a more stable platform.

Have you considered just trying a T4/Excursion w/ 3 pin bindings on your S98s?
The S98s are great descenders IMO, and pretty light. Possibly a more powerful boot might give you what you need?

I think most of us would love a burlier NNNBC boot option, something in between the X6/Alaska/Svartisen and the T4/Excursions. Seems like options may be on their way in some form. Hopefully we'll reap the benefits of the AT/Skimo technology trickle down.

[Woodserson]

Yes, good advice here from everyone.

I would keep your SBound 98's in the 179. They are kind of ideal and you have them in the correct size. A more stable foot platform would help you here with the turnability. I would consider adding a cabled 75mm binding, like the Voile 3pin or Traverse (same binding, just 10mm rise). I'm not sure if you're coming from a telemark background but you'll get better control quicker with the 75mm than the practice you will need to master the downhill on the NNN-BC binding.

Then, you can get a soft boot, like the Alaska 75mm and see how it goes maybe before spending $$$ on a new set-up. If you go for an Objective or KOM and get a stiffer boot, like the Excursion or T4, they'll work on the re-mounted SBounds also for those days when you want more control on the Sbounds, so the 98 can be used in a wider range of applications.

While some here don't mind longer distance K&G with T4's, I do. Drives me nuts, but horses for courses. That being said it's a great boot, one of my primary drivers, it is a very capable boot that can do so much. Almost an essential.

Between the Objective and KOM... the KOM is cheaper than the Objective... is the slight decrease in K&G worth the couple hundred bucks? I don't know, personal question. The KOM though is a swivel and schmear machine that'll sneak through the tightest of spots, the Objective is also very turny, but more ski-like. Lots of think about for the next 7months...