That's a hard question when you don't get to ski nearly enough. What got me thinking about that was this clip from Dynafit:
Hoji is a boss - everyone knows that. All the high-end Dynafit gear has his fingerprints all over it, and a 4FRNT ski designer worked with Dynafit on the new freeride skis they're now selling. It would seem to be natural for skiers to look up to him as someone worth emulating, even if we can never reach his metaphorical heights. I sure wish I could ski more like him.
In that clip is another dude. His name is Trevor Hunt, and he has his own website (Coast Steep Skier). He hasn't been active lately, but make no mistake, this guy can climb and ski. He is skiing faces where I'd want two tools in hand and to be front-pointing all the way down. Trevor is also refreshingly humble and honest about his achievements - read about some of his descents at your own leisure.
In an interview from some time ago, he discusses the gear he uses (here), and it's pretty much the binary opposite to what Hoji uses...which makes sense, as they are very different skiers.
If I had to pick, I'd say that I'd want to be more Hunt than Hoji...but then again, must they be mutually exclusive?
They don't have to be if you're willing to rip open the billfold compulsively, I guess.
So, this is where I'm at, and where I'm going with gear its relative applications.
SKIS
DPS skis = overrated
I took a set of DPS RPCs to Japan. To be honest, they were probably mounted too far forward (as in almost +2cm), and that made me feel like the tails stretched almost endlessly behind me. They felt grabby on firm snow, and no better than the other skis I used on the softer stuff. Again, I will say that the mounting position definitely had an effect on their performance, but at the end of the day the cost of this ski isn't worth the performance. These things retailed for about $1500 AUD - I could buy two Voile or Dynafit skis for that price. They cost double, but do not ski twice as well. Hoping to sell them soon.
Looking for a new home
Dynafit Huascaran = underrated
When you first lay eyes on this ski, it looks unsightly. Green monsters and odd symbols adorn it. However, its appearance grows on you in a similar way to your appreciation of its capabilities. This is an awesome BC powder ski. It's light, simple, plenty wide and just works. It has a great early rise tip, and none of that rockered tail bullshit. The 177cm was agile enough to get between trees whilst providing ample float. To top it off, they are on sale everywhere - buy em before they go extinct!
Highly acclaimed and highly attractive
Ultimate Quiver
I'm seeing a quiver of about 4 skis as being ideal. Here's the roles I've identified and what I see filling them:
- Powder ski (110+ underfoot, but not stupidly heavy and not overly rockered)
Huascaran. Probably the best wide ski for human powered skiing. A good alternative could be the Voile V8. I went with Huascaran on price.
Ducking a branch results in a good view of the Huascarans at play
- Freeride-orientated ski (100+ underfoot, heavier, descent focused)
The Dynafit Chugach has been getting favorable reports from the US, even if the Euros seem less enamored with it. The design and weight are spot on for what I'm after. I also had a day on these skis in Japan, and they were both powerful and agile. Yes, I could have got a 4FRNT, K2 or some other ski, but I went with Dynafit (more on why later).
They just arrived in the mail the other day - they look like a beautifully crafted ski. The rocker profile is also very noticeable throughout, but the tails remain reasonably flat. Looking forward to skiing these this southern winter.
I've got a pair of Voile Vectors (180cm) for this slot. Have yet to ski them, but looking forward to getting on them soon. I thought about the Cho Oyu and Denali, but both have had some less flattering reports (Denali for breaking near the front binding mount, Cho for being slightly grabby), whereas the Vector is spoken of highly in every review I've seen. I would love to try the Cho Oyu though, and could see it having a spot in the quiver.
Dynafit Denali - seemed great, but are they durable?
- Ski mountaineering (80ish underfoot, shorter, firm snow specialist)
This spot has been the most difficult to figure out. There's a variety of skis that sound good out there: Dynafit has the Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak. Movement has a couple of promising skis (but they have a tendency to snap easily according to reports). Trab are an option too if you feel like you have too much money. In the end, I've decided to wait for Voile to release the Objective ski - sounds like it could be the ideal ski for alpinists (Voile skis for 2016).
I've ended up gravitating towards Dynafit and Voile skis for a reason - they are designed for the backcountry. They aren't skis that a downhill company make to get a slice of the market. With Dynafit especially, their skis are named after mountains that are skied down using that very ski (such as the Broad Peak). Vectors were used for descents on Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring recently. These are skis with BC street cred, Wildsnow Ultimate Quiver endorsement and the descents to back it up
As a BC skier, not only am I dropping serious coin on these purchases, but these skis need to be able to do the job when you have to be completely self-reliant. As a result, I see no reason to shop elsewhere for skis right now.
Meet the family
Binding Quiver
From top to bottom: Beast 14, ATK Free Raider 14, Radical toe and Expedition heel / Kreuzspitze heel on Hagan adjustment plates
ATK Free Raider 14 - a great binding for powder skis
ATK have been described as the high-end jewelry store of bindings - super expensive and amazingly crafted. I'd agree with that assessment after using the ATK Free Raider 14. For soft snow, this binding is fantastic. It has everything you need and more; two heel lift positions, fore/aft adjustability at the heel for different boots and outstanding toe retention. Even when I toured, I never locked the toe, which gives a little more reassurance in avalanche terrain.
The whole package comes in at about 700 grams for the pair- which is not obscenely far above many skimo race setups. I did use the spacer that supports the heel, although I'm sure it'd be just fine without it (unless you're doing some serious drops/terrain).
I can thoroughly recommend this binding - just be aware that it has a wide and unusual mounting pattern (60mmx60mm), and that the ski brakes may not be as effective on firmer snow.
Radical toe / Kreuzspitze heel combo
This is the first setup I skied. Will still have a place due to their extremely light weight, simplicity and release in the heel (as in the heel unit does rotate). Will end up being my race bindings when I get into skimo racing.
Dynafit Expedition
Bought these for steep no-fall skiing - just like they say on the box. Will be using these for serious terrain with toes locked...these might not get used for a while until I get some more competence, but they'll be nice to have for alpine descents and skimo objectives. As used by Trev and Benedikt Bohm - enough said.
Dynafit Beast 14
Along with the Chugach, this is me exploring the 'freeride' aspect of ski touring. When I did try the Denali and Chugach, they were both mounted with the Radical 2.0. I did notice that my skiing felt more fluid and forgiving, and I'm keen to see how the Beast goes in terms of elasticity. I went with the Beast rather than the Kingpin because of the lateral toe movement - this might be the biggest game changer for tech bindings (more than making a tech binding look like an alpine binding).
Now for some numbers...
Heaviest setup
Chugach - Beast - Vulcan = 8.7kg
Performance setup
Vector - Beast - Vulcan = 7.9kg
Lighter powder setup
Huascaran - ATK - TLT6 = 7.1kg
Ligher performance setup
Vector - Expedition - Vulcan = 6.8kg
Ski mountaineering setup (assuming about 1.2kg for Objective)
Objective - Expedition - TLT6 = 5.7kg
Absolute lightest setup (assuming about 1.2kg for Objective)
Objective - Expedition - Evo = 4.4kg
Ski backpacks
I've been using my Black Diamond Speed 55 (a few years old now) for skiing. It's a simple, light alpine pack that does the job.
Speed 55 at Bogong
Having acquired the Saga 40, I've decided to try to go so smaller packs for skiing. 55 liters was great for getting all my stuff into the hills, but too big for the reduced loads needed for a day based out of your tent or hut. I'm also interested in having more features (diagonal ski carriage for one).
The plan now is to use a 35-40 liter pack as the central item. I think this is the right size for day tours with the kind of gear I'll be getting around with. I also have two Ortlieb bags (about 10 liters each) that I'll use as external pods to attach to my pack. That should give me the 55 liter capacity that I need for the initial move in, and then a light agile pack for the days working out of the tent/hut.
Black Diamond Saga 40
I exercise conservative BC choices when ski mountaineering. You kind of have to if you solo and you want to be alive to do it next season.
I bought this pack as an added safety measure - if I'm alone and an avalanche takes me, I know I'll need all the help I can get. Staying on or near the surface is pretty much the only way to survive whilst soloing.
Black Diamond Saga 40
This is a good, solid pack with a reasonable capacity. It definitely is not a 40 liter pack with the battery, fan and airbag stowed in various spots throughout. I'd say 35 is about right. Which makes it suitable for day trips or shorter hut based trips. The external options for stowing gear are also limited; the avalanche tool pocket is great, but the airbag itself limits strapping gear to the sides and top of the pack. It would have been nice to at least have the option to attach stuff to the exterior, even if it meant not being able to use the airbag (for long glacial approaches, for example).
Team Weasel
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