Hey all, oregon guy here. My family (gf, 2 dogs, myself) are making a trip mid February towards northern Idaho and Montana. Any recommendations for entry to mid level locations to tour? Big pluses for split terrain with me being more experienced and skilled, I'd love to push the limits but not put my gal and pups in harms way.

Hi,

Myself and some friends will be in your lovely neighborhood and we are looking for a ski guide on Feb 21, or 22. We are very good skiers looking for the overall general mountain tour. Not backcountry. English speaking.

Is this something you folks do?

thx

I'm 186cm 215lbs, an advanced skier, got 1pair of skis for groomers but need a second one for turing+powder. I know those two will do, but I'm interested in their performance on groomers (as sometimes I use a lift to find line) and ice. What would you recommend?

salomon qst 106 at 189cm vs faction agent 3 at 183cm

I’m currently in search of a spring ski for long days and volcanoes. Thinking under 92 for a waist.

I currently have a host of touring skis 100mm and up. I’m 6 ft 2 and 165lbs.

Looking for feedback:

I’ve been looking at:

• armada locator 88
• movement alp tracks 90
• dynafit blacklight 88
• dps pagoda tour 90

These would have ATK haute route 10s mounted.

I have pin holes in my touring boots, but am struggling to decide between pin or shift bindings? What’s the biggest difference? Or both compatible with pin hole boots? I am in Japan and plan on doing day trips in the back country and skiing down deep powder.

I know it’s early (not even 2025 yet!) but message me if you have one that you’re not able to commit to. Thanks!

Looking for advice regarding a pair of boots I just bought for an AT setup. This is my first AT set up. I got a pair of Moment Deathwish Tours 112 mm underfoot with Moment Voyager (ATK) bindings. I recently went to a bootfitter and was sold a pair of Dalbello Cabrio Free 120. They are super comfortable, but after I purchased them, I got worried about weight. I envision skiing 50/50 resort/backcountry in the PNW and would like to use them to go up and down Hood, Adams, St Helens, South Sister, etc. I have wide feet, so I think my boot options may be limited. My bootfitter had me try on Dynafit Radical Pro, but told me the slight pressure in the instep would be exacerbated when skiing them and advised me against them. I have an appointment with bootfitter to reevaluate my boot options, but in the meantime wanted to know if anyone has any experience touring with this boot, or one similar in weight (1980g). Any input is appreciated

I’ve taken Avy rescue, read ‘how to stay alive in avalanche terrain’ twice (beginning of past two seasons), practice with my beacon at resorts, read forecasts, and watch Youtube videos + free seminars for avy info/awareness. What will taking a $700 class give me that doing all that other stuff won’t? I don’t have any close friends that ski tour, so I’ve been wanting to go with strangers from Facebook groups (in Denver), but since I haven’t taken the class, many people pass on me. I feel like I have a solid risk tolerance, I won’t ski above 30 degrees in considerable or 34 degrees in moderate danger, pay close attention to aspects/warning signs, etc. What about the course will make me considerably safer in the backcountry?

I recently had a conversation with a friend where he said that if avalanche airbag packs were $300, they'd be a standard piece of the safety kit like a beacon or a probe. In essence, the only reason the packs aren't more widely adopted is the cost.

Obviously I try to be as safe as I can-- checking the avy forecast, monitoring conditions, being aware of the terrain etc. but do you all think the reason avy packs aren't as common is just the high cost barrier to entry? It's really been making me consider if this is an investment in safety I should be making since I inevitably do end up in avalanche terrain.

Edit: Thanks everyone! Summarizing some thoughts from below:

Cons of avy bag

-Price

-Weight

-A higher weight could lead to unsafe situation in a time critical scenario when you have to get off the mountain

-Safety halo- skiing more dangerous terrain because you feel safer increases risk

-Will not save you from trauma i.e. not helpful if you hit a tree

Pros of an avy bag

-Increases life expectancy in potential avalanche scenarios by decreasing risk of burial, potentially shielding against some trauma, and increasing visibility

Ultimately, I think I'm buying one. I don't think it is going to affect my risk tolerance and the weight is a hit I'm willing to take.

Hey Snowboarders and Skiers!

I’m in the market for a new avalanche backpack and could use some input. Here’s my setup:

• 70% resort backcountry laps
• 20% splitboard tours
• 10% POW surf tours

It’s important that the bag carries well since I like to throw in some freestyle action here and there. It also needs to handle carrying my POW surfer, snowshoes, or snowboard comfortably.

I’ve been eyeing a few options and have some specific questions. Maybe someone here can help me out?

BCA Float E2 25

• Is it really as bulky as people say?
• Is it big enough for day tours (skins, layers, food, drone, etc.)?

Ortovox Litric Freeride 18/28

• How does the snowboard and snowshoe carry system hold up?
• Can the safety leg strap be tucked away when not in use?

Mammut RAS 3.0

• How long does it take to swap the system between different packs?

Would love to hear your experiences or suggestions. Thanks in advance, and happy shredding!

Hey all,

I’m currently debating between the Salomon Alpha Boa 130 and the Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 for my next pair of ski boots, and I’d love to get your input.

Here’s my situation: • I don’t currently have a touring setup, but I’m planning to pick up a pair of backcountry or freeride skis with touring capabilities in the future. This is why the Alpha Boa 130 has caught my eye—it seems to offer more versatility with its walk mode and compatibility with GripWalk bindings. • That said, I haven’t had the chance to try on the Alpha Boa 130 yet. I did, however, try on the S/Pro Alpha 130, and it fit me really well. From what I’ve read, the Alpha Boa 130 is built on a similar last and has a comparable fit, but I’m unsure how the Boa system and the other design changes might feel.

So, the big question: Should I prioritize the Alpha Boa 130 for its future touring potential, or go with the S/Pro Alpha 130 since I know it fits well right now?

A few other details: • I ski mostly resort right now, with a mix of steep trails and off-piste terrain. • I’d describe myself as an advanced skier, and I like a stiff boot for control.

Does anyone know the brand and model for the zipper that holds the booster section on the primary frame of the pack? I am wanting to make my own booster but don't want to cannibalize the old booster for the zipper. Hoping to just buy the zipper directly. Want to do this to have a backpack that is specifically designed to my needs in a pack for longer and/or more technical days/trips 35L doesn't cut it. Feel confident I can do this without interfering the airbag system at all.

Anyone have or know where to get a template for the new Tyrolia Almonte binding? Can’t seem to find one anyone. I’ve mounted skis for years and it pains me to have to pay someone else to do it.

I’m looking for a hybrid resort/touring setup and could use some advice. I enjoy hiking and plan to try backcountry touring this season. I just got fitted with Salomon Shift Pro AT boots.

I live in LA and ski Mammoth, so I expect to tour the Eastern Sierra. I also visit SLC frequently and may tour the Wasatch. Plus, I spend a couple of weeks in Hokkaido each year and hope to do guided tours there. I skied 50+ days last season.

I’m hesitant about a full AT setup since reliable mountains are a few hours away, and big climbs seem intimidating. I want a setup that can handle resorts during multi-day trips. I’m 5’11”, 160 lbs, an advanced skier, athletic, and ski aggressively in open terrain but cautiously in trees and bumps. Lately, I’ve been practicing switch, small spins, and side hits.

My current quiver consists of Latigo (78 mm, 177 cm) with SPX 11s, Atomic X9 WB (176 cm), Sender Free 110 (191 cm) with Pivot 15s, and Line Pescado with Pivot 14s. I considered adding a CAST Freetour upgrade kit to my SF110 but worry it’s too heavy for longer tours. CAST still appeals to me since I could also convert my Pescado for Japan with a Second Ski kit. I know these setups are heavy and will impact uphill segments, but I like how the Pivots perform.

What do y’all think?

Looking for some fleece/insulation layers with put zips and/or large zippered chest pockets that double as vents. My shell has pit zips and chest pockets with pass-through in the pocket; would love if my insulation layer had the same/similar features.

-prefer “alpine” fit or V-shaped over “boxy” or oversized fit -must fit a larger frame/braid shoulders -prefer wool to plastic, but poly fleece isn’t a deal-breaker -having very thin/breathable material at the pits instead of zippers is ok too -ideally it’ll have backpack compatible chest and/or napoleon-style pockets which double as vents -body-mapped materials on the back for additional venting & body mapped materials on front to block wind would be a nice bonus -hood is nice, but not necessary -strongly prefer helmet-compatible hood or none at all

Maybe instead of zippers it’s a polartec alpha fleece interior bonded to a hardface/windstopper fleece/body-mapped exterior?

Does such a product exist?

My ripstick 96 blacks are starting to delam and have become noticeably softer as they age. They have over 150 days on them between resort and backcountry. My backcountry days are usually 1200’ 1&done headlamp tours after I get the kids to bed, so not huge mileage. I have a 115mm setup as well, so i’m looking for the 90-100 range.

I’ve been really happy with the ripstick’s relatively tight turning radius and downhill performance given its 1550g weight. So I would definitely consider just getting another pair, but thought I’d get some opinions on what else is out there.

Declivity, woodsman, or deathwish are all in contention but don’t check all the boxes.

I brought a new par of Touring skis for this season (faction agent 3) but i dont know what bindings to get. Lookt at the Salomon mtm, fishers new binding, dynafit radical and so on. I dont have the budget to get a par of atk freeraiders so looking to buy something cheaper than 630€. I want a binding thats more on the Downhill side rather than a uphill but not a shift of duke! Plz Give me some advice.

Question for the horde. Toured yesterday on my new setup - Dynafit Radicals mounted on Blizzard Hustles. In my first kicks noticed my boot catching on back of binding at the back of my stride. Being the ever-observant gent that I am, I switch over to downhill mode and was sumbitched and unable to lock boot into the binding. So, back tot he car, a few right turn twists to the heel adjustment, tested boot and again all was fine without body weight to counter flex the ski. As I was climbing boot continued to stick. Added a few skin-track twists to the heel adjustment and got it mostly right. At transition to downhill was barely able to stomp boot into lockdown, but finally did so. To make a long story long, here’s my question. The shop mounted and adjusted the boots and binding right, but obviously couldn’t compensate for my body weight in the ski and the ensuing counter flex. How much latitude do I have on adjusting the binding to prevent the boot from sticking in the ski up and the creating easier entry into downhill mode before I over-correct and create a pre-release situation, which has happened to me on DFit Rotations (another story for another time)? Should I just adjust while weighting the ski until the the correct distance between boot and heel? Or return to the shop and let them figure it out? Let me know your thoughts/experience.

Does anybody have experience using these yet curious about both the uphill and the downhill feel

I live in Glenwood Springs, CO. I usually go touring by Sunlight, however I want to start branching out into new backcountry zones. Looking for suggestions on safe terrain (low-angle, perhaps in or near trees) that I can check out. Anything from Glenwood to Aspen. Thanks in advance!

Has anyone used the litric tour pack? I’ve had a bca float e2 and now an Osprey Soelden Pro 32, and have really disliked both of them for a few reasons: Firstly, the alpride system takes up so much space in the pack and really reduces the packable volume, whereas the litric system looks to take up much less space. Also, the BCA and Osprey both use a two-piece system of metal hardware for adjusting shoulder straps, and the main shoulder strap adjusters slip. The 2nd piece is there to keep slack out of the loose end of the strap adjustment, but it’s not adjustable on the fly at all. I’ve talked to Osprey and they even acknowledged this and basically said “we know it sucks.” Myself and everyone I know adjusts their shoulder straps throughout the day, so it’s a bit nuts that these packs have been designed to not be adjusted.

With all that being said, I’m curious if anyone has used the Litric Tour packs from Ortovox and what their thoughts are overall. Any praises or gripes are appreciated!

Does anyone have any good recommendations for maps for Japan? I’ve typically used onx or CalTopo in the USA and like the ability to see slope shading. Unfortunately it looks like maps for Japan are significantly less detailed on these tools… so I am curious if anyone has used any other apps / websites for mapping?

Hey everyone, new to the group. Was looking to start avidly backpacking more to secluded or off the beaten path spots for boarding, and I wanted to know if anyone in New England had any spots in western MA and NH. Definitely trying to build up my technical skills too, so anything with ice walls or head walls would be cool too.