Easy backcountry Trails

[awf170]

Would really like to start getting into some backcountry skiing next year. SO what are some good easier trails, right now I know of Cardigan and Firescrew, GoS slides trail, and the Sureburn. What else would be good. By easy i dont really mean that it is that is flat and really lame, i just mean easy for BC standards.

I would like to get some AT binding but i probably wont... so i would just probably snowshoe up if it is needed. Anyway this may sound stupid but you need AT boots right, you just cant use regular ski boots right :dunce:

 

[JimG.]

You can use alpine boots with AT bindings...lot's of folks do.

 

[awf170]

You can use alpine boots with AT bindings...lot's of folks do.

nice, but it is a lot better skinning with AT boots though, right?

 

[JimG.]

Definitely more comfortable having the hinged cuff.

 

[awf170]

Definitely more comfortable having the hinged cuff.

so what do you use???

 

[JimG.]

My everyday ski boot is the Garmont Adrenalin. It's an AT boot that's designed to be as stiff as an alpine ski boot.

That's one thing about most AT boots...as stiff as they might be advertised to be, they are nowhere near as stiff as regular alpine boots. That throws alot of folks off when they try to ski them.

The Adrenalins addressed that issue extremely well. The biggest adjustment I had to make with them was to get used to the lightness (1/2 of an alpine boot). Felt like I had bedroom slippers on the first few runs.

 

[awf170]

My everyday ski boot is the Garmont Adrenalin. It's an AT boot that's designed to be as stiff as an alpine ski boot.

That's one thing about most AT boots...as stiff as they might be advertised to be, they are nowhere near as stiff as regular alpine boots. That throws alot of folks off when they try to ski them.

The Adrenalins addressed that issue extremely well. The biggest adjustment I had to make with them was to get used to the lightness (1/2 of an alpine boot). Felt like I had bedroom slippers on the first few runs.

so how much does an average AT binding cost and boot. And what is the performance difference against a alpine ski and boot. You cant use a AT boot on alpine skis right.

 

[NHpowderhound]

The Adrenaline is the Caddilac of AT boots. I use my Atomic alpine boots but am looking to get some dedicated AT boots.
As Jim said, stiffness and downhill preformance is compromised but comfort for the ascent is gained. I got blisters a couple times last year from skinning with my downhill boots.Although I had never had that problem before. But I was also glad to have them a couple times in very deep wet snow.
If you want to get into the BC start by getting the bible of backcountry by David Goodman "Backcountry Skiing Adventures in Maine and NH" Healso publishes a VT/NY edition. Try Doublehead in Jackson.
((*
*))NHPH

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, here are some good resources you'd like:

For Maine and New Hampshire:



And for Vermont and New York:



I have the NH/ME one and it has some good trips in it arranged by ability. Good advice. The VT/NY is interesting as well. Both are published by AMC and are easily found at EMS, LL Bean, etc. I got my copy on closeout at the Discount Book Store in the Tilton Tanger Outlet strip (RIGHT off of I93) for like $5 because it had a small typo. They have a lot of good outdoors books there.

Good reads for you, Austin :wink:

 

[JimG.]

so how much does an average AT binding cost and boot. And what is the performance difference against a alpine ski and boot. You cant use a AT boot on alpine skis right.

Figure no more than $250 for a solid Randonee binding like the Fritschi Freeride.

NHPH is right about the Adrenalin...few ski boots are as expensive. With a pro-form discount and some begging, mine ran $550 with custom footbeds and all the boot fitting. There are other rigid AT boots out there (the Dynafit Denali and Lowa Struktura come to mind) for less. The Garmonts are totally worth it.

AT boots are softer than alpine boots. Alot are softer laterally which is bad for the downhill but good for the touring. So it's a trade-off. Most of us would prefer the more robust boots mentioned above. Even those are softer than a regular alpine boot. I guess it depends on your definition of stiffness. I much prefer boots that are flexible fore and aft but very stiff laterally. Again, My Garmonts are perfect.

I've seen people ski AT boots with alpine bindings just fine. In fact, my Garmonts have 2 sets of soles, one for DIN adjustable alpine bindings and the other the rubber AT sole. You can switch from alpine to AT by removing 11 screws and changing soles.

 

[Treeliner]

I picked up the NY/VT edition of that book, and really enjoyed reading it. There are tons of different backcountry spots that are discussed for all ability levels. One of the spots is even in Massachusetts.

I've got my eye on two spots to try next winter for the first time. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the places discussed in these books? I'd be interested to hear what some who has done them would have to say.

 

[bvibert]

I've seen people ski AT boots with alpine bindings just fine. In fact, my Garmonts have 2 sets of soles, one for DIN adjustable alpine bindings and the other the rubber AT sole. You can switch from alpine to AT by removing 11 screws and changing soles.

I think the only issue with using AT boots in alpine bindings is that the rubber will drag on the toe piece not allowing the binding to release properly. Thats why some come with two soles like Jim mentions.

 

[riverc0il]

Figure no more than $250 for a solid Randonee binding like the Fritschi Freeride.

prices have gone up my friend :lol: freeride is going for $335 and will likely be going up more next season. word is that all the imported backcountry gear is getting jacked up due to exchange rates next season. used freeride or two seasons ago new maybe for $250, but no shop will have a new current season freeride that cheap.

regarding binding choice, the freeride and naxo both allow for standard alpine boots. last season i rode the freeride with xwave 10 alpine boots which is a crazy heavy setup. it wasn't so bad though on the skin up, certainly tolerable over a 3 mile skin. sucks hiking with them on the pack or boot laddering it which is why i upgrade to a gride AT binding. i believe the freeride and naxo are the only AT bindings that will take an alpine boot, though i may have forgotten one other maybe? those are the two to look at if you don't have the cash for the AT boot yet. the reverse is generally not recoommended (AT boot in alpine binding) due to the vibrim rockered sole, but it has and can be done. if you already have an alpine boot though, i can't see the point and if you want a boot that goes both ways, the adrenelin is the way to go.

regarding easy BC trails, take your pick, lol. sherburne was my first official BC descent which was fun. skin up the TFT is only 2 hours, nice rest stop, and the sherbie is a great rollercoaster ride, not hard at all. lost ski areas are a great option since they will be right near the rode and a short skin/hike. goodman's books are really the best place to start looking, trails are described very accurately for difficulty level and the maps and distances give you a solid idea of what type of tour you are looking at. moosilauke might be another good option, but i can not recommend that out of experience unfortunately.

 

[JimG.]

prices have gone up my friend :lol: freeride is going for $335 and will likely be going up more next season. word is that all the imported backcountry gear is getting jacked up due to exchange rates next season. used freeride or two seasons ago new maybe for $250, but no shop will have a new current season freeride that cheap.

Hee Hee...didn't want to scare Austin away; I figure he's Ebaying all this stuff as we speak. If he looks he might find an old freeride for $250.

The exchange rates are brutal right now.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

AT Boots are definitely better for climbing. I'd love to find something stiffer, but I can't justify replacing my Scarpa Denali's for the amount of use I get out of them.

Be careful with AT Boots on Alpine Bindings. There can definitely be a friction issue.

A low-cost way to get into BC would be skins and Backcountry Access' "Alpine Trekkers" http://www.backcountryaccess.com/bca_products/alpine_trekker.php Pop them in place, skin up, get to the top, pull off the skins, throw the trekkers in you pack and ski down on your regular alpine gear. Even though I have a full AT set up, I still use these from time to time.

 

[riverc0il]

good call from the sled hauler on the trekkers. definitely the cheapest way to go if you need to get out there ASAP and can't afford the gear. though you'll also need the skins which run 100 a pop for anything decent.

 

[dmc]

Or your can just get a splitboard...

 

[awf170]

thanks guys that book looks awsome, while i was at stowe 2 years ago i looked through the vermount NY one.... mt marcy looks sick! Right now it looks like sleds idea is the best... DMC that might be helpfull if i snowboarded :lol: :wink: those things are so cool though

ohh ya sled how much those things cost

 

[Big Game]

Or your can just get a splitboard...

Few weeks from getting one...heard of any deals?

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

thanks guys that book looks awsome, while i was at stowe 2 years ago i looked through the vermount NY one.... mt marcy looks sick! Right now it looks like sleds idea is the best... DMC that might be helpfull if i snowboarded :lol: :wink: those things are so cool though

ohh ya sled how much those things cost

I just got a little bit of sticker shock when I Googled it http://www.bentgate.net/altrekbybaca.html and it came up at $170 something. I think I paid $90 bucks for mine, but I think gas was about a buck a gallon then :roll:

They have their pluses (price and descent capability) and their minuses (climbing), but, as I mentioned, I still find uses for them, so the pluses are still there for me (sometimes).