telemark binding with brakes and ski crampons

[Robin, Wales]

I'm looking to buy some new skis. I presently have Atomic Backland 95s (164 - I'm 5' 8") with Rottofella Freedom bindings. I have Scarpa Pro boots (2025 version).

I'm going a little wider and longer for my new skis.

My present bindings have brakes and I can fit ski crampons.

I have hut to hut toured in the Alps on my kit, resort skied and out of bounds in the Alps, and day toured Scotland, Tromso, Senja, Lofoten. So I'm climbing then skiing off in all sorts of conditions. All my friends tour on Alpine kit and we have been touring together for years - I'm the only tele skier in the group so have nobody to discuss kit with.

I can't find any NTN bindings on line that will take brakes and ski crampons apart from the Freedoms. Are there other solutions?

[fisheater]

Hello,
I don’t have any expertise in NTN. I ski TTS and 75 mm. I did check, Meidjo has available brakes, but no crampons. Lynx has crampons, but no brakes. 22 Designs Outlaw has both brakes and crampons available. However, I don’t read about anyone that is touring in the big mountains on Outlaw or Freedom for that matter. I’m sure some do, but nobody is writing about it.
Here is a link to a site in North America that is more big mountain touring oriented.
https://www.backcountrytalk.com/forum/b ... -bar-grill
You may not be able to post. The forum owner was frustrated by bots, if you can’t post let me know, I’ll ask your question for you. The search function works well, and there is a lot of innovation over there.

[Robin, Wales]

Thanks. Am I on the wrong forum for mountain telemark touring on the type of terrain in my photo?

[phoenix]

Beautiful photo Robin! The Backcountry Talk forum on the Earn Your Turns website will probably have more to offer on your situation. More folks skiing the type of gear and terrain that you do. I visit both forums.

[Robin, Wales]

Thanks...I'll head over there.

[SimonO]

Hi Robin,

Nice photo!

I ski with meidjos and they can fit both breaks and crampons. You just need to make sure that he crampons are wide enough to get around the breaks and get the crampon interface:
https://inwildoutdoor.com/en/products/t ... -interface

[telerat]

Meidjo can indeed use crampons and you need the adapter SimonO links to above.

It is Dynafit crampon compatible, but due to the higher stack height of Meidjo InWild also has higher crampons:
https://inwildoutdoor.com/en/products/t ... s/crampons

I have used Meidjo for several years, both inbounds and on tours and think they are great, especially after doing a tour on Rottefella Freeride. I have not got crampons though. My friend have used Freedom for many years and tours, and he is very happy with them. He went with Meidjo on his new touring skis last year and has a bit mixed feelings, but likes the light weight.

With longer, wider and possibly heavier skis I would consider continuing with Freedom, but Meidjo is a great alternative. If so consider the Powder Casing kit to reduce snow packing, even if it looses the flat walk mode.

Backcountrytalk will likely have more people that can help you than this more XCD focused forum.

[Robin, Wales]

Many thanks for everyone's advice.

The photo was taken on Lofoten. It's a beautiful place to ski tour. Climbs are around 1000m, so not too bad.....and you ski back to the beach!

I'll keep researching bindings. I was thinking about Meidjo.
But may just get Freedom bindings again. I've used the set I have for 6 winters. The only PITA has been when they freeze up or ball up. If I did go for a slightly wider ski (102 ish) then I may mount the Freedom without the brakes (if that's possible) and use a leash.

The brakes on my Freedoms are only useful for security during sketchy transitions....but perhaps something like a Plum longer ankle leash would do the same job (leash first, then step in).

Having said that, in 6 winters I have never had a ski release using Freedoms, despite some spectacular falls! At 65 this year perhaps I should start to think about a releasable tele binding?

[telerat]

Lofoten and many other places in northern, as well as southern Norway, are great for skiing. Many places are also quite spectacular.

Freedoms are releasable, just like Freeride and Meidjo, but releasability is not in all directions and not as reliable as on alpine gear. Any other telemark binding might also release, and I have released from old Rottefella Riva 3 bindings without leashes and was happy that time. I would not count release from non-releasable bindings and like the release possibility with Meidjo/Freedom/Freeride.

[Robin, Wales]

Thanks,

My present thoughts are to go with perhaps Elan Ripstik 96 in 168 length (my old skis are Atomic Backland 95 in 164) and the Meidjo 3 bindings, no brakes. Skiing Norway and the Alps is very inconsistent - you can get everything in one day - powder, ice, crust, wind slab, spring, slush. I could be skinning up on consequential steep icy slopes using ski crampons for 200m - then have perfect neve for the next 200m - then powder for the next 200m - then 50m of boot crampons and ice axe to a summit - same on the way down. So I can't say "here is my set of skis for the resort and here is my powder set, and here is my hardpack set etc etc. I need one set up for everything.

I have managed that with my old set up of Backlands 95 with Freedoms but my skis and bindings are pretty well trashed now. I bought that set-up in 2017 I think and that's all I've skied for everything each year. Except for Norway hut to hut tours when I use lightweight Nordic touring kit (hardangervidda, jotunheimen, hallingskarvet et al).

I'm hoping that the slightly longer and slightly wider Ripstiks (and their rocker profile) will make powder a touch easier - and the Meidjo 3 with the toe tech will help with edging on harder snow. And the whole set-up will be a little lighter. I'm not looking for miracles - a 10% improvement on my present set-up would be fine!

For info: I'm 5'7" and weigh 155 lbs - I'm 64, reasonably fit, and a solid intermediate telemark skier. I'm very comfortable in all off-piste conditions on moderate terrain. I've not worn a set of downhill boots for over 20 years - all my skiing is free heel. I had 7 weeks skiing this winter, a mix of resort and touring in the Alps and Norway - all on my Backland 95s and Freedom bindings.