Recommendations for a (used) backcountry s

[roark]

Darn you Steve, Austin, etc. All your talk has got me looking at the backcountry more.

I'm looking to pick up a used pair that would be suitable for backcountry use. As a pair of fritschis or naxo's will take up the majority of my budget - and the ski will likely take a beating anyway - I'm thinking used for the skis.

I expect I'd want something reasonably lightweight for climbing. Mid-fat-ish waist for some float should I be lucky enough to encounter some pow. Not too aggressive sidecut so it tracks ok on flats. Preferably only drilled once. And cheap. Other considerations?

 

[AHM]

My thoughts...........

Hit up a swap at a major ski area, like SB, Stowe, or even the K's swap. Look for something that is at least 74 mm. I would go more for 80 or 90 mm as you can then use the ski as an eastern touring ski and a western resort ski and a western touring ski. A fritschi or naxo is a fine binding out west as you will not be hammering ice bumps.

The base condition does not matter (sorry to you guys whose bases look brand new, but it doesn't matter, it's a touring ski, it's gonna go over all kinds of junk) so if the ski is hammered or the edges are beat no biggie. Yes, you will be doing some night touring, but you'll come down an easy run or groomer, cus when it's not lit, it goes pretty slow.

Skis I would consider in no particular order (these will be a couple years old so they will be available at a swap): Fischer big stix 75, K2 axis, seth vicious, dynastar 8800, Rossi XXX or B2 with 80 mm waist, salomon double pepper, or pocket rocket if you are light weight, Fischer big stix 84. That should give you some ideas.

Size: This is tough because in the east, you may want it a bit shorter for woods skiing, but west or spring corn the longer board is better. So, you'll need to make that call. Finally,.............................enjoy.

 

[riverc0il]

Darn you Steve, Austin, etc. All your talk has got me looking at the backcountry more.

cool. all my talking about BC is not by accident, i certainly want more people aboard. the earn your turns spirit is something i have really enjoyed and would love to see more people getting into it.

I'm looking to pick up a used pair that would be suitable for backcountry use. As a pair of fritschis or naxo's will take up the majority of my budget - and the ski will likely take a beating anyway - I'm thinking used for the skis.

I expect I'd want something reasonably lightweight for climbing. Mid-fat-ish waist for some float should I be lucky enough to encounter some pow. Not too aggressive sidecut so it tracks ok on flats. Preferably only drilled once. And cheap. Other considerations?

as with any ski decision (am i beating a dead horse yet), the compromise factor is even more prevent with backcountry gear. regarding weight, you need to ask yourself "does it really matter?" to me it didn't, i went with a fairly heavy weight setup as downhill performance was more important than lighter touring setup. if you only plan on doing one or two runs a day with short approaches and not much flat touring, who really cares about the weight? if you want to do marathon BC days and lots of touring with flat approaches, weight should be a primary consideration.

AHM brings up a good point that BC skis take a beating and who cares about the bases. you wouldn't even believe what my skis looked like by the end of last season. not so much base damage and core shots (actually i don't think i had any core shots) but just dirty, grity. those skis got walked over a lot of dirt and mud. but whatev.

don't sell yourself short on powder. are you really going to hike 2k verts to ski some scraped down crapy BC trail? nah, you could yoyo your favorite local mountain and ski crappy scraped down trails. a primary reason for touring is to get away from the masses and find some powder. 80-90 waist at least. i have 89 under foot on my touring skis and i wouldn't suffer anything less for something i want to put a touring binding on. cuts in really nice on the presi routes as well.

you KNOW you want to !!! :lol:

 

[awf170]

you KNOW you want to !!! :lol:

I got mine for $150, new. Yes, I will never stop bragging about this.

Anyway, Steve and AHM pretty much covered everything I was going to. All I got to say is go 80mm waist or above. Length is tough choice in my opinion. Go short for glades or go long for Mt. Washington. Screw it, just buy two skis.:wink:

Actually buy these, now!
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=2038828

Here is the thread about them:
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60264

So very tempting, must not buy, don't need more crap, must sell other crap first.

 

[roark]

You're killing me Austin! (although I could tell you about the deal I got on my M666's....)

I'm more inclined to go for something a bit wider and probably used as I would expect to beat the $hit out of it. Must..... resist.....

I still haven't told the wife about the SAC skins purchase - I couldn't resist. If freerdrides come up on SAC I'm done for... it's a damn good thing I bring in more $$$ than her otherwise I'd be living out of the car!

Nicely placed link Steve.

 

[riverc0il]

I got mine for $150, new. Yes, I will never stop bragging about this.

actually, you got intuitiv bigs (previous years model) yea yea yea, same thing, different top sheet, but still so the discount was pretty big for a three year old ski. sure helps being a runt and needing small skis. you won't be laughing when you outgrow them! :lol: :lol: though still, that is a remarkable price, even for a three year old ski, nice find.

 

[awf170]

actually, you got intuitiv bigs (previous years model) so the discount was pretty big for a three year old ski. sure helps being a runt and needing small skis. you won't be laughing when you outgrow them! :lol: :lol: though still, that is a remarkable price, even for a three year old ski, nice find.

Yes, but they are the same exact ski. Roark look for Intuitiv Bigs, Inspired Bigs, or Little Big Fats, they are all the same exact ski as the 8800 just way cheaper. And I'm not a runt, I'm just small boned.:wink: I'm up to a big 135 now though, so I think I maybe out growing them... actually why the heck aren't you on the 188, sissy. According to your ski sizing I think I could use them until I get to 200 pounds.

 

[riverc0il]

actually why the heck aren't you on the 188, sissy. According to your ski sizing I think I could use them until I get to 200 pounds.

because dynastar doesn't have 180 sizing in those skis silly. 178 is close enough that site i link to below has a monster deal on the super nobis (which they have the incorrect dimensions listed for, btw). you can call me a sissy for not getting the super, but whatev.

 

[Marc]

Hmm.... I'm thinking about those Aztec's. Anyone know the measurements on those? $176 shipped, apparently with the coupon from Overstock with a new shipping address.

 

[Marc]

Nm, they're 78 mm waist for a 175. And 175 would be my choice length.