Member of the Month

BigPurpleSkiSuit
July, 2020

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Looking to get into A.T.

profile picture
jackson_sandell
Posts: 22
So I'm taking an avalanche course at my local college I believe around March 23rd or so, and I have been itching to go get some skis at a local used sports shop. However, I've done a bit of research and I know about the safety aspects of A.T. skiing, but not really sure about the skis I need. I have two skis currently, one as an everyday/mixed powder ski, and some Nordica Patrons for the extra deep days, which as of now if you live in Colorado, we haven't gotten much of those. I'm looking to add a 3rd ski to my "collection", particularly a more backcountry/AT ski. They have some Armada Norwalks, Rossi S7's, Sir Francis Bacons, Genomes, Black Diamond Megawatt, and some other pairs. The only pair set up for AT with AT bindings are the S7's, I'll attach a photo of them. I'm looking for more of a "budget" set up, just to get some experience with AT skiing. Any suggestions?
Feb 24 2017 7:34PM
profile picture
jackson_sandell
Posts: 22
These are the S7's.
Feb 24 2017 7:35PM
profile picture
Casey
Posts: 6066
The thing about it is that anything that makes a setup good for one thing is going to make it bad for another. Fat skis are going to be more of a pain to lug up the hill every step but you are going to have more fun in powder skiing down. I would just go for it, and your next setup you can make decisions based on what you liked or didn't like. That's what I did. I used an old pair of skis and bought some cheap Fritschis off ebay. It was enough to get me going and after a few years on those I decided that I would be okay to bump up on weight for 90% of what I was doing so I got Duke's and fatter skis.
Feb 24 2017 8:33PM
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2560
You have two options in my opinion for budget set up.
1. Buy someone's older heavier gear (you could get something for a good price). Will most likely be a frame setup.
2. Start hitting up AT rental shops and try and grab AT rental gear as they are swapping out old gear for next year. Still expect to pay 400-800 for a whole set up, but if it's a tech toe setup it will be way way lighter.
Any newer gear will be expensive as hell.
Feb 24 2017 9:20PM
profile picture
jackson_sandell
Posts: 22
50KalYou have two options in my opinion for budget set up.
1. Buy someone's older heavier gear (you could get something for a good price). Will most likely be a frame setup.
2. Start hitting up AT rental shops and try and grab AT rental gear as they are swapping out old gear for next year. Still expect to pay 400-800 for a whole set up, but if it's a tech toe setup it will be way way lighter.
Any newer gear will be expensive as hell.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Diamond-Megawatt-powder-rocker-skis-/272567601850?hash=item3f764b8aba:g:vfwAAOSw3v5YsB8c What do you think about these? Pretty inexpensive skis and I don't need to pay for shipping and they look to be in pretty good condition.
Feb 24 2017 9:22PM
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2560
I've never skied the megawatt ski. At 188 and 151-125-131 that's a super deep day burly ski. I don't know what kind of skier you are but if you are a a hard charger, large in size it would fit you. One thing you need to think about when buying a AT ski is the skins. They are not cheap as well. The bigger the skin the bigger the price.

Just like regular skis it all comes down to personal ridding ability and what you will use them for. Most places in Colorado will have uphill rentals. I say rent some different setups and see what you like best. Some people like super light boots like AT race boots others prefer something closer to an alpine boots. It all comes down to personal preference.
Feb 24 2017 9:36PM
profile picture
treebeard
Posts: 3558
the megawatt is not a good touring ski. absurdly wide and only good for the deepest days, it's not something you'll want to lug uphill at all

i'm selling my setup right now: https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/850522/FS--Volkl-Gotama-184cm-AT-setup?#p-13791865
would be willing to go under $300

also, this avy course at your college. is it just a single-day awareness course, or a real AIARE level 1?
Feb 25 2017 3:58PM
profile picture
jackson_sandell
Posts: 22
treebeardthe megawatt is not a good touring ski. absurdly wide and only good for the deepest days, it's not something you'll want to lug uphill at all

i'm selling my setup right now: https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/850522/FS--Volkl-Gotama-184cm-AT-setup?#p-13791865
would be willing to go under $300

also, this avy course at your college. is it just a single-day awareness course, or a real AIARE level 1?


It's a real AIARE level 1.
Feb 27 2017 8:22AM
profile picture
patagonialuke
Posts: 1421
Choosing skis for BC is not very different than choosing a regular alpine ski, you just have to pay more consideration to weight and think about what kind of terrain you'll be skiing most often - where are you planning on skiing?

I'd echo the others and say to get what you can get for cheap and go from there. Keep in mind that you also need skins, a beacon, probe, and shovel. The S7's would probably be a decent option, and the SFB's could also be a good choice (Cy has been skiing those with some G3 IONS). The Megawatt's would not be very versatile. After a while on your first setup you can figure out what kind of ski you like, how much you want to emphasize downhill performance vs. weight savings, etc.
Feb 27 2017 11:32AM
All times are Eastern (-4)