Help me pick introductory X-C / B-C gear

[MichaelJ]

So the time has come for me to get skis, boots, and bindings. The trick is that I have no idea exactly what I want. I searched various bulletin boards and read other threads but none of them help me out.

So here's the scoop.

I'm looking to do cross-country skiing. Most of it ungroomed. I've been on simple touring skis at Windblown and Sunday River and am able to handle intermediate trails, with the intentions of being highly advanced by the end of this winter.

I'm thinking of anything from the local golf course to Weston to Great Brook Farm for practice, and trips like up Zealand Road and in the x-c trail to the hut. Greeley Ponds. The Wilderness Trail. Sections of the Catamount Trail. And the biggie ... up the road to Abol Campground in Baxter State Park. Some of these are with a day pack, others would be pulling a sled. In the future, as I learn alpine downhill (on rental skis), I hope to progress my snowplowing into backcountry turns, but this first equipment purchase does not have to be a catch-all (unless one is appropriate).

So what kind of rig do I want? Something with a bit of edge to them? I've been recommended the 3-pin binding as the best for the backcountry. Does that fit with the kind of skiing I hope to do, or would the boots be brutally overkill?

Looking at the Catamount Trail web site, they have suggestions such as the Karhu Pyxis and the Rossignol Tempo Ridge & Tempo Peak. Do those fit the bill?

There are just too many options for me to figure this out on my own ... help!
:roll:

 

[SAB]

The trick in picking gear for the backcountry lies in where you think you may go with it in the future. Actually, this statement applies mostly to boots, so let's start there.

For pure backcountry like you mentioned, either a 3 pin or a NNN-BC boot work well. The advantage with the NNN-BC is that they tend to be a little lighter and a little cheaper than a reasonable 3 pin backcountry boot. Here is where your long-term goals come in. The down side with NNN-BC is that if you want to "grow" into steeper backcountry terrain, the equipment pretty much everyone uses is 3-pin because the boots and bindings are beefier and can push the ski around better. Of course, like I mentioned above, this also means they are heavier.

If you go 3-pin, one logical choice for a backcountry boot is the Scarpa T-3. Garmont and Crispi also make good backcountry/tele plastic boots and have similar models. The trick here is to try them on and see which fits your foot the best. For example - Garmont makes great boots, but for some reason they just don't fit my feet right so I end up in Scarpas. If you go NNN-BC, I don't know much about specific models.

As for skiis, the Karhu Pyxis looks like a nice ski. I like to have a waxless backcountry ski (I waxed for years, but in the backcountry I would rather not have to carry 3 lbs. of waxing supplies). Also, I like a wood core ski. They are a little heavier, but more durable. The only backcountry ski in the Karhu line that has a wood core is the Pyxis. Fisher also makes a nice line of waxless, wood core, metal edge backcountry skiis. I think the model roughly equivalent to the Pyxis is called the Outbound Crown. They also have wider models that would turn easier, but would be slower on just kick-and-glide skiing. Finally, Rossi makes some good skiis, and I'm sure has a model that competes with these, but I don't know much about them. Here in the East, Kahrus tend to be very popular I'm sure partly because their North American headquarters are in Burlington, VT.

For poles - buy adjustable. Definately more money, but the flexibility is worth the cost.

One final note - I have 3 pin bindings on all my skiis. I also have 2 pairs of boots: lighter ones for backcountry and heavier ones for lift-served or backcountry telemarking. Finally, I also have 3 pairs of skiis for various uses. It's nice to have the ability to pair any boot on any ski. Also, I can borrow my wife's skiis and she mine for the same reason, because she has 3-pin backcountry boots too. So if you think you may ever venture in telemarking, I think 3-pin is the way to go. If you think backcountry is all you'll ever want to do, the lightness of the NNN-BC equipment probably make it a better choice.

SAB

 

[MichaelJ]

I do want to grow into steeper terrain in the future. Although I'm not sure how far in the future that is, you make a good point about going with the 3-pin in order to have boots and skis that are all compatible. I think I'll have to actually put some on my feet to understand if something for a 3-pin is too much and I want to back down to NNN-BC.

I've also been told that 3-pin is emminently more maintainable in the backcountry if something goes wrong, and that NNN-BC tend to have freeze-up problems?

The Pyxis is one of the skis recommended on the Catamount Trail web site, so that means we're thinking on the same wavelength.

Thanks - this is great information, and I'm another step closer to knowing enough to walk into a shop and try the right things out!

 

[MichaelJ]

In a week I'll get my Fischer Outbound Crowns with Garmont Excursions. Bring on the snow!