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Best gear to get for a certain terrain

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AngePEP
Posts: 2 - Karma: 22
Hello everybody,

Happy New Ski Season!

I live in Western Newfoundland where we have rolling hills of about 500-700 metres maximum. There are some lovely opportunities for downhill in an average day but I reckon roughly 80-90%% of the day here would be going slightly up or on flats.

I just started backcountry skiing a few years ago and my set-up right now is the classic soft boot with the duckbill and the Voilé 3-pin cable binding which is perfect for the ups and flats but going down is a different story...

Having skiied alpine all my life, I find it incredibly frustrating to be at the top of a beautiful downhill and know that I'm going to spend a good part of it falling when - if only I had an alpine boot and binding, I would have so much fun going down.

I could take the time to learn to proper telemark, I know, I know... but I'm looking for an easier out than that :) So I'm wondering what the skiers out there might recommend for the terrain here? Some people around here are moving into AT gear while the majority have a hard plastic telemark boot and switchback binding system.

Does anybody have any recommendations? To reiterate, I'd be looking for something that is light and flexible for flats but will stiffen up enough to be able to parallel ski on the way down.

Any help anybody might be able to offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time and take care.
Jan 13 2020 3:09PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 4618 - Karma: 45,419
I don't have any answers to your questions because I'm still a touring novice but how do you like western NL? Where do you usually go touring? Been thinking about moving up there in a few years
Jan 13 2020 3:23PM
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cozyco
Posts: 360 - Karma: 825
I d take a look into a set up with light tech bindings. Weight matters more the longer your tours are. lPlum R170s, Dynafit Speed Turns are the most popular options afaik. An old Dynafit TLT aka low tech (think 1995-2010) works imo as well if not better. You can grab those used for 50-100 euros here. The market might be a bit more pricey in NA since tech bindings aren t as widely spread there. Super light, really durable, easy to use and IF there s an emergency in the backcountry you can repair them with just a knife.

The downside is that you have to invest into touring boots which have to be tech binding compatible. With good AT boots (not this Technica Cochise bullcrap) you ll fly in the flats as well as uphill, and downhill you will still have fun with them. They feel like hiking boots when you re in walkmode. Affordable are for example old Dynafit TLT 5, 6 or 7s, the Neos or Scarpa F1.

Oh, I almost forgot. Good skins make a huge difference (looking at you BD and G3 with your heavy and slow carpets)
Jan 13 2020 5:20PM
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AngePEP
Posts: 2 - Karma: 22
Hi Cozyco,
That’s incredibly helpful.😊
Thank you kindly for taking the time to answer my question.
I’ll get started on my search straightaway!
Take care and I hope you have an awesome season.
cozycoI d take a look into a set up with light tech bindings. Weight matters more the longer your tours are. lPlum R170s, Dynafit Speed Turns are the most popular options afaik. An old Dynafit TLT aka low tech (think 1995-2010) works imo as well if not better. You can grab those used for 50-100 euros here. The market might be a bit more pricey in NA since tech bindings aren t as widely spread there. Super light, really durable, easy to use and IF there s an emergency in the backcountry you can repair them with just a knife.

The downside is that you have to invest into touring boots which have to be tech binding compatible. With good AT boots (not this Technica Cochise bullcrap) you ll fly in the flats as well as uphill, and downhill you will still have fun with them. They feel like hiking boots when you re in walkmode. Affordable are for example old Dynafit TLT 5, 6 or 7s, the Neos or Scarpa F1.

Oh, I almost forgot. Good skins make a huge difference (looking at you BD and G3 with your heavy and slow carpets)
Jan 14 2020 9:10AM
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AngePEP
Posts: 2 - Karma: 22
Good morning Pinkcamo,

If I tell you that I think Western Newfoundland is the best place in the world, you would probably (rightfully) suspect that I am from here and am, thus, hugely and uncontrollably biased.

But I think it’s awesome. 😊

We go in the Long Range Mountains (specifically in Gros Morne National Park) but many people spend time in the Blow Me Down Mountains as well.

Maybe you’ll find your way here someday. 😊

Take care!
pinkcamo1000I don't have any answers to your questions because I'm still a touring novice but how do you like western NL? Where do you usually go touring? Been thinking about moving up there in a few years
Jan 14 2020 9:21AM
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cozyco
Posts: 360 - Karma: 825
AngePEPHi Cozyco,
That’s incredibly helpful.😊
Thank you kindly for taking the time to answer my question.
I’ll get started on my search straightaway!
Take care and I hope you have an awesome season.


Appreciate it. Last but not least. If you ever look for gear reviews never listen to any ski, boot or binding reviews online except https://www.wildsnow.com/ every other stuff is hot garbage, poorly researched and product placement.
Good luck with your search, have a fantastic season and stay safe out there! If you have any more questions regarding ski randonnée or expédition feel free to shoot me a private message.
Jan 14 2020 9:24AM
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wass41
Posts: 65 - Karma: 177
Interesting that it’s almost all tele skiers up there. Everywhere I’ve been in the back country is 99% AT binding. On that note any type of dynafit binding and boot system would work if you want AT, Solomon switchback is cool but if downhill is a small amount of the time, it might a little overkill. If you do want to stick with tele, if you upgrade to a really sturdy new boot and binding, you can pretty much ski down alpine style without any issues. The NTN bindings and boot setup are night and day compared to an old 3 pin in terms of stability.

**This post was edited on Jan 20th 2020 at 11:15:09am
Jan 20 2020 11:12AM
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animator
Posts: 4546 - Karma: 26,203
cozycoAppreciate it. Last but not least. If you ever look for gear reviews never listen to any ski, boot or binding reviews online except https://www.wildsnow.com/ every other stuff is hot garbage, poorly researched and product placement.
Good luck with your search, have a fantastic season and stay safe out there! If you have any more questions regarding ski randonnée or expédition feel free to shoot me a private message.

False, Blister Reviews are super solid
Jan 26 2020 6:20PM
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killa_trees
Posts: 97 - Karma: 104
Just stumbled onto this thread, some friends and I are hoping to check out Newfoundland in late March, hmu if you'd be interested in going on a tour. We're thinking we'll mostly be based in Woody Point

I also have some old dynafits speed turns that I could bring up to you if you're in the market. They treated me well on an entry level setup for two seasons but when I decided to upgrade the skis I set up new bindings as well
Feb 23 2020 6:21PM
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