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April, 2025

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Backcountry setup advice

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Hellalit
Posts: 137 - Karma: 546
Hello Yall,

I want to begin by letting yall know that I am entirely unfamiliar with backcountry skiing, so I ask that you all cut me some slack here. I'm 5'11 and 145 lbs, an aggressive skier, and come from a park background for the last decade. I'll be flying to CO next season, and unfortunately, I won't be able to bring my whole quiver. I'll be skiing Inbounds at Copper, but I will also be touring with friends. Therefore, I'm seeking an adequate 50/50 setup with a profile more suited for freestyle skiing. (AKA TWIN and less directional profile). I own an extra set of PIV 15s, which I plan to slap CAST on (Yes, I know, heavy)).

I am looking at the following skills (not ranked):


wide plus (Hahaha, does anyone have experience touring on Vish?)
Arv/Arw Ul 106
depart (might sound lame but light af)
WC 108 tour
DW 104 tour
Jeff tour or 50/50 100/108 (pricey AF)
faction la machina two mini
4frnt Raven or Hoji
line vision 98/108
bent 110 (??)



I'd also like to note that this list has a wide range of ski profiles, so I might sound insane to some of you experienced Backcountry riders.

All feedback and criticism are welcome!

**This thread was edited on Apr 16th 2024 at 8:04:36pm

**This thread was edited on Apr 16th 2024 at 8:05:11pm

**This thread was edited on Apr 16th 2024 at 8:05:20pm
a year ago
2 0
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swaggrandpa
Posts: 161 - Karma: 1,847
Cast is definitely the way to go if you already have pivots and wanna ski park, wouldn't be trusting anything else. Id honestly suggest some reckoner 112's, they're pretty playful in the backcountry, still charge though, I don't know how they are in the park as I dont ski much park but id imagine they'd hang.

The 4frnt's are gonna be stiff and fast is all I can say about those.
I've heard great things about the visions inbounds and outbounds, and can charge in both.
The bents would be a sick all around ski too, they're pretty light if you want to save some weight, and are super playful from what I've heard.
Never skied or know much about the others to be honest.
a year ago
4 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,895
Are you the one that didn’t snap their Vishnus at the bird?

and tour depart would be sick.
a year ago
4 0
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Hellalit
Posts: 137 - Karma: 546
mikemAre you the one that didn’t snap their Vishnus at the bird?

and tour depart would be sick.


Yes 😂 thats me. And yeah, about the departs, only wish they had a larger size than a 180, cant blame em tho, it is a pro model ski for the team riders.
a year ago
1 1
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Hellalit
Posts: 137 - Karma: 546
swaggrandpaCast is definitely the way to go if you already have pivots and wanna ski park, wouldn't be trusting anything else. Id honestly suggest some reckoner 112's, they're pretty playful in the backcountry, still charge though, I don't know how they are in the park as I dont ski much park but id imagine they'd hang.

The 4frnt's are gonna be stiff and fast is all I can say about those.
I've heard great things about the visions inbounds and outbounds, and can charge in both.
The bents would be a sick all around ski too, they're pretty light if you want to save some weight, and are super playful from what I've heard.
Never skied or know much about the others to be honest.


Alright, the only thing id say about the reck 112 is burlyness, wont always be a pow day
a year ago
2 0
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4707 - Karma: 20,044
If you’re looking at the wct or dwt there is absolutely zero reason to use cast and pivots on them. Those should only be used with dedicated touring bindings ideally voyagers. You defeat the entire purpose of a tour layup using heavy ass bindings. If you’re going to use cast then get the regular WC or DW
a year ago
4 3
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,803
PartyBullshiitIf you’re looking at the wct or dwt there is absolutely zero reason to use cast and pivots on them. Those should only be used with dedicated touring bindings ideally voyagers. You defeat the entire purpose of a tour layup using heavy ass bindings. If you’re going to use cast then get the regular WC or DW


I second that. Using heavy ass bindings on light ass skis just amplifies how light and chattery they already are. It's more weight driving a light ski.
a year ago
3 1
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,803
HellalitHello Yall,

I am looking at the following skills (not ranked):


wide plus (Hahaha, does anyone have experience touring on Vish?)
Arv/Arw Ul 106
depart (might sound lame but light af)
WC 108 tour
DW 104 tour
Jeff tour or 50/50 100/108 (pricey AF)
faction la machina two mini
4frnt Raven or Hoji
line vision 98/108
bent 110 (??)


Bent 110 would be a very good ski for bc freestyle. Aka: pulling whack shit off everything. Might not be the biggest charger but will be tons of fun on mellower more playful terrain. Haven't skied any of the others but have some more suggestions. Blizzard rustler 11. I know, more directional but that ski is a riot. Super playful and a very energetic on snow feel but is now slouch in the freestyle realm. Check out @magicmarkxxs on ig.
a year ago
1 1
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SlushSeason
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 8,908
Line Visions are light and great on the uphill, but i don't like them much on the downhill. I wouldn't want to have them as my resort ski every day
a year ago
0 1
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4707 - Karma: 20,044
Are you willing to go full tour set up?

if so solid sale for a 184

https://www.bentgate.com/moment-wildcat-tour-108-ski-22-23.html?id=99437535

really good sale on the full size in 179

https://www.momentskis.com/collections/skiburger/products/22-23-wildcat-tour
a year ago
2 0
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Twig
Posts: 6469 - Karma: 61,984
The depart is a very very good ski but you will likely find it too short in pow. I agree that if you're putting CAST on the ski, there's no point going for a touring layup. The Visions aren't great resort skis IMO, they are true touring skis, and the same with the ARV UL, just get the regular 106 if that's what you go for. The new one is lighter and softer in the tip.

The Bent 110 (or even the new 100, which is a banger of a ski IMO) could be a great option. It's a light ski anyway and is pretty good at most things except being a bit dull on groomers. I also think the Vishnu Wide (Plus?) could be a great shout if you've skied and liked Vishnus. I toured on the Wide with Daymakers and it was fine. I haven't skied the Plus but the regular Wide was plenty light enough to tour and afaik the weight difference to go up to Plus isn't huge. I'm also about to try the new Icelantic Nomad 106 which also looks like a great ski and feels super light and could also hit the spot you're talking about.
a year ago
4 0
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Disvo
Posts: 234 - Karma: 520
on3ps are always the move
a year ago
0 3
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