Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

... I mean tech bindings and according plastic boots (Dynafit)... at the golf course!

What's wrong with ski shops? Do they fell on their heads?

I was skiing once in a relatively steep mature forest North of Quebec City (7 years ago maybe?). One guy — he became a friend — saw us (me and GF) skiing in narrow kick waxed alpine touring skis (70 mm waist), 3 pin and Excursion. He said «hey, that seems like fun skiing, where can I get the gear?» I directed him to a store that carries that sort of stuff... He came back to me saying «men, I can't afford that stuff... the guy mounted a 1500$ bill...». He explained that even if he detailed what he was going to do with the gear, they wanted him to buy tech bindings and skis, etc. I told him to not bother; I did the shopping for him.

Man, sometimes, the shops are killing the sport...

Rodbelan wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:54 am

... I mean tech bindings and according plastic boots (Dynafit)... at the golf course!

What's wrong with ski shops? Do they fell on their heads?

I was skiing once in a relatively steep mature forest North of Quebec City (7 years ago maybe?). One guy — he became a friend — saw us (me and GF) skiing in narrow kick waxed alpine touring skis (70 mm waist), 3 pin and Excursion. He said «hey, that seems like fun skiing, where can I get the gear?» I directed him to a store that carries that sort of stuff... He came back to me saying «men, I can't afford that stuff... the guy mounted a 1500$ bill...». He explained that even if he detailed what he was going to do with the gear, they wanted him to buy tech bindings and skis, etc. I told him to not bother; I did the shopping for him.

Man, sometimes, the shops are killing the sport...

One can get 3pin skis and leather boots on craiglist for under $100 if patient. I got boots for $50 and 12 pairs of skis for a case of Budweiser.

I bought a set of replacement pads ($100) for my alpine boots ($80) that have tech inserts as the boots have a walk mode. Finding tech bundings cheap will be the challenge.

I;ve seen people here on the groomed nordic trails shuffling along in TXPros and AT Boots. typically its a couple or a small group....I think its just run what you brung. if you own it use it. no harm no foul

Having worked in a few shops i see that's hard to find people who are 'creative' with building a setup.

The categorys are clear, Downhill is with plastic boots and big skis, big skins and expensive tech bindings, even in telemark... But alot of employees don't know the more niche sports like Telemark, Backcountry XC or god forbid xcD with waxable skis...

And most of the enthusiasts of these sports aren't ready to work in a skishop for a skishop salary...

But yeah, sometimes the people who do mostly ski touring and maybe go to the golf course sometime, they bring what they have. Or other people don't want to hear what a shop employee has to say and really want that big Touring Freeride ski with the AXL bindings to go ride on the plaines d'abraham (city parc in québec)...

I showed up to my first skimo race 2 years ago with: TXPro, OutlawX, 106width Summitcones in 178cm with full width and length skins. I literally had no idea that what I was using weighed 5X of dedicated race gear. but that experience hooked me

I routinely meet skiers that are using AT gear on easy and moderate XC trails. Not a big deal to me, but it's extra work for them. And not very esthetic.

Yes, the shops are big on AT gear. And people I know. Even if you actually just want downhill gear for ski lifts or XCD gear. It’s crept in everywhere. My old alpine boots came undone and I fitted some new ones, turns out they were pretty much AT boots, with dynafit inserts, but a bit heavier and with “grip walk” instead of Vibram lugged soles.

It would probably make more sense for most people to get a set of downhill gear and also a set of some Fischer SBounds or similar for messing around low angle backcountry trails.

DG99 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:53 pm

Yes, the shops are big on AT gear. And people I know. Even if you actually just want downhill gear for ski lifts or XCD gear. It’s crept in everywhere.

After always renting, this year I bought some (used) boots of my own. Two features I was wanting aside from sizing was replaceable pads, walk mode, and tech/dyna options. Bought some replacement pads with tech/dyna inserts and I think they're Walk to Ride soles or sumthin, but it keeps my options open without needing another pair of boots, and my Marker bindings can be adjusted to work with either pads. Now it's just lie-in-wait for some inexpensive 2-pin bindings, perhaps taking to partial sets to make one whole pair.

Truth is, I'm neither a tele' nor alpine purist, I just like getting out and enjoy sliding downhill be it on skis, sled, avy shovel, or a lunch tray poached from the cafeteria in high school only to have to take a chemistry test with bleeding, lymphing knuckles because I didn't wear gloves -- thank gawd it was scantron* and I could get those brown paper towels from the sink.

Dab, answer, dab-dab, answer, dab, ...

* #2 pencil, machine read, multiple choice

Skinning around on full AT gear on moderate inclines definitely strikes me as ridiculous.... but... some of that AT gear is ridiculously light. I want that lightness in my XCD setup.

I have no interest in paying AT prices for XCD gear, but if this shockingly expensive AT binding can weight 51grams (https://skimo.co/dynafit-p49-bindings, couldn't Rottefella maybe find a way to shed just a bit of weight from their backcountry bindings and boot outsoles without having to fully reinvent the wheel?

In my eyes, one big step forward would be if Rottefella learned to play a bit nicer with others in regards to boot construction. Vibram outsoles for NNN BC boots would be great.