After some experience of ski touring on BC skis in rolling terrain, I’ve decided to start touring in alpine terrain. I’m at the process of buying my first AT setup. So now I’m researching different options. I have decided on boots and bindings - Dynafit TLT5 and Dynafit TLT Speed (’au vieux campeur’ has good deals on them at the moment). But I’m still confused about the choice of skis, especially in terms of width.

Most of the skis listed at http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Gear/Touring-Skis have less than 78mm underfoot. The following article http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0653-learning-ski-touring/ says that 75-80mm is a good compromise between floatation in powder. Blog entry at http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/at_skis_tips/at_ski_tips.htm says that 79mm is the optimal width for touring skis. However, Martin Volken (the author of ‘Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering’ book) says in his interview http://www.justgetout.net/Wenatchee/18413 that he would choose 85-90mm as an all-around-ski. Moreover, most of the posters on telemarktalk.com forum choose 90-100mm as an all-around-skis.

After all this information I’m confused about the choice. I understand that all-condition skis don’t exist, but I cannot afford more than one pair of skis. So, I will be using the same skis in different conditions (powder, late spring snow, crust, ice and etc.). I will be doing all my touring trips in the Northern and Western Alps which don’t have dry climate, so there won’t be many powder days. I will be doing trips not for turns and descents, but for travel in winter terrain, basically I see it as a winter extension of my 3-season backpacking trips. In an avalanche terrain I’m not planning to do anything steep which is above 30°. However I will start and end my trips well below the treeline in forested areas around 1000m, so a good turning ability is required. With clothes and a backpack I’m around 65-70kg. and my height is 169cm. Do you have any recommendations on ski dimensions (width and height) I should be looking for?

Thanks

North Americans tend to use wider skis than in Europe. I’m not 100% sure why this is.

With ski weights coming down I think you can go bigger than 80mm if you want. The advantage is that you will be able to deal with crust and light powder better. I would say something around 85mm and less than 3kg a pair is not unreasonable. Remember that light skis are more fragile and/or more expensive (due to the use of exotic materials).

I have a couple of caveats. In Europe you will probably be following a skin track that was made with <80mm skis so you will be remaking any preexisting track if you go wider, which is harder work. Wide skis are less sure on hard traverses and put more load on ski bindings.

Thanks for the reply. Since I’m relatively lightweight I’m leaning toward 78-82mm range. Currently I’m considering the following models:
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-tourisme/mauja-ski.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-tourisme/se7en-summit-ski.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-freeride/freecross-ski.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-tourisme/stigma-ski.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-freeride/ski-altitrail-powder.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-freeride/tour-x-superlight-ski.html
http://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/nos-produits/ski-materiel-chaussure-et-entretien/ski/mixte/rando-freeride/mustagh-ata-superlight-ski.html (this ski is a little bit out of my range with its 86mm underfoot, but it’s as light as 80mm models)

Do you have any recommendations about height? I’m 169cm, so I’m thinking of heights in 158-164 range, is it reasonable?

7 Summit is a good solid ski, if you get the version with the inserts (no need to drill the ski) make you get the right binding to go with it, you need one of the Dynafit ST/FT models. Hand screw in the screws and don’t over torque, don’t use a power screw driver or you will rip the inserts out.

The Powder might be a nice choice too, personally I think it is slightly more skiable than the 7 summits and Dynastar have sorted the reliability problems (batch of skis which didn’t have a reinforcing plate beneath the binding area so they would snap).

You should be able to get a good price on these skis somewhere. Get your height or a bit less if you will be doing normal European style touring which often involves skiing approaches on tracks or in trees where you need a shortish ski that is quite to turn. Go longer if you are doing “big mountain” skiing. You know, spending all your time at Chamonix skiing of the Aiguille du Midi.

I’ll have a look at the other choices later when I’m home and post some information from the Montagnes Magazine review.

Everyone rates the Movement Iki too.

I don’t think any of these skis have any rocker, which may be something you are interested in.

Thanks for the suggestions, Iki Movement seem to be really nice skis and what is more important lightweight. And ‘Au Vieux Campeur’ has a discount on them at the moment. So I guess I will stick my choice with the Iki Movement. They don’t have any rocker, but I’m not interested in it that much since it’s best for powder.

Now I have to decide on the length. Movement Iki are sold in 158cm, 168cm, and 178cm. But I’m not sure if I should get 158cm or 168cm skis. I will definitely be doing European style with approaches in trees, but I’m not sure if I should get 158cm or 168cm skis given that my height is 169cm and I’m quite light in terms of weight.

I have used a pair of 80mms for a few years now and am getting increasingly bugged by the lack of flotation. I would definitely head for 85mms with the bit of extra effort in following trails a decent trade off

vbg - 12 January 2012 01:22 AM

but I’m not sure if I should get 158cm or 168cm skis given that my height is 169cm and I’m quite light in terms of weight.

I would go for 168 cm I think, although I’ve skied some quite steep and deep stuff on 130cm Wedze skis (I’m 177cm)

I’ve been using the Dynafit 7 summit super light since last easter and they have performed well in all the conditions I’ve tried (last easter - sugar with a breakable crust - hard ice, this winter powder and hard pack), I’ve also used them in steep couloirs with good effect. At only 78mm they are obviously at the ‘narrow end’ but have the advantage of being very light. I find them very easy to turn and are well suited to short turns. At the other end of the spectrum I’ve also a pair of K2 Coombacks at over 100mm wide they’re great in powder and I’ve touring bindings on them. Great fun in the right conditions, but I’d always go back to the 7 summits for anything serious.

We do have some experience of the other skis you mention:
the Mauja’s are very stiff; might be ok for heavier more powerful skiers.All Volkl seem to be stiff.
The Stigma was too heavy and tiring on a multi-day trip with a sizeable sac.
The Altitrail Powder was great in powder on wide open slopes, good grip on hard snow in traverse etc, but was difficult to turn quickly and manoeuvre in the trees.

but perhaps we are just not particularly strong skiers!
Anything for an easy life where touring is concerned....

Thanks for the replies.

My first post somehow disappeared - which was that we have Iki (his) and Random (hers) with which we are very pleased. Light, lively, good in the trees, nice rebound in deep snow, relatively narrow under foot but this doesn;t seem to matter in a dedicated touring ski. Tried several Dynafits including 7Summits but found them ponderous and dull,if “safe”. Between us we have had at least 6 pairs of Movement skis, so the brand obviously suits us. They have all been very durable.Go shorter than your height for fun in the trees and easy kick turns.

nevachalet - 15 January 2012 05:42 PM

My first post somehow disappeared.

It is a bug, I’m investigating why that happens sometimes but it is very annoying.