Need a recommendation for newbie snow addict

Printable View

11-19-2004, 06:01 PM
watersnowdirt

Need a recommendation for newbie snow addict

Ok - let me just declare my JONGedness outright and save you the trouble. I snowboard, and only ski in rare circumstances, and I really haven't done much backcountry or cross country, so I found myself at a loss when asked by a friend about the following.

She wants to buy only one set up for herself.

She wants to be able to do backcountry adventures with her boyfriend, who will not go to liftserved mountains.

She wants to be able to go to liftserved mountains with the same set up.

She wants to be able to cross country, but also hike for some stuff.

My guess is that what she needs is a randonne (good god I have now idea how to spell that) set up, but would a straight up tele set up work for her if she is willing to commit to learning?

So, fire away with thoughts and opinions on this and, well, any other relevant or non-relevant topic.
11-19-2004, 06:04 PM
Duder

Freeheel Randonee or splitboard. Refer to current issue of Couloir for set up options.

Duder Opinion: Sounds like your friend and her significant other are BC snobs. Nothing wrong with inbounds.
11-19-2004, 06:06 PM
hop

some DII's or DIII's (I'm guessing she doesn't need high din radness) on some short midfats. K2 Dawn Patrol, Dynastar LBF, something along those lines.
11-19-2004, 06:10 PM
watersnowdirt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duder

Duder Opinion: Sounds like your friend and her significant other are BC snobs. Nothing wrong with inbounds.

just not his thing, that's all. but she wants to be able to go, so that's why she wants to find one good set up that will accomodate all those parameters, or something close. I did toss out the quiver idea :).

What are DIIs?
11-19-2004, 06:15 PM
Telenater

Getting a single setup that meets all of those goals and performs well in each will be virtually impossible.

The closest I can think of is an ultra light tele setup. Garmont Excursions, Fisher S-bounds (or similar with scales), and 3 pin bindings. But that's oriented more towards cross country and light bc with a little descent thrown in.

However, if she wishes to use it at a resort both she and the people she's skiing with will need to be very patient. The learning curve will be slow and brutal for making tele turns and the set up will probably not do well for parallell turns.

Even light AT setups aren't that great for actual cross-country application (and a split board is about the worst option for cross country skiing).

edit:
DII = Fritchi Diamir II (a few years old AT binding imported by Black Diamond, replaced by the Diamir III).
11-19-2004, 06:16 PM
lph

she shouldn't even bother. she needs a quiver of AT LEAST 5 pairs of skis. the one ski quiver DOES NOT EXIST!!! ;)
11-19-2004, 06:18 PM
Theodore

Quote:

Originally Posted by watersnowdirt

What are DIIs?

Diamir II's. Bindings.
11-19-2004, 06:22 PM
eDub

More of a Question than an outright recommendation: What about Freerides on something like the Phat Love?
11-19-2004, 06:33 PM
watersnowdirt

Quote:

Originally Posted by lph

she shouldn't even bother. she needs a quiver of AT LEAST 5 pairs of skis. the one ski quiver DOES NOT EXIST!!! ;)

I told her that 8 or 9 pairs would just about cut it, but this is the look I got: :eek:
11-19-2004, 06:54 PM
Yossarian

i would think DIIIs + Phat Luvs + Stiffer AT boot would work for her...
No?
11-19-2004, 06:55 PM
Arty50

Quote:

Originally Posted by watersnowdirt

Ok - let me just declare my JONGedness outright and save you the trouble. I snowboard, and only ski in rare circumstances, and I really haven't done much backcountry or cross country, so I found myself at a loss when asked by a friend about the following.

What does "only ski in rare circumstances" mean? Hell freezing over, monkeys flying, the pope shitting in the woods? Oh wait, that last one's a guarantee. Sorry

Quote:

She wants to buy only one set up for herself.

Don't we all.

Quote:

She wants to be able to do backcountry adventures with her boyfriend, who will not go to liftserved mountains.

Hippies smell funny.

Quote:

She wants to be able to go to liftserved mountains with the same set up.

[Frenchy accent]Tis is possible.[/Frenchy accent]

Quote:

She wants to be able to cross country, but also hike for some stuff.

And I'd like to buy a car that gets 70 mpg, has a top speed of 200 mph, has full time 4wd, can seat 12, and fits in really small parking places.

Quote:

My guess is that what she needs is a randonne (good god I have now idea how to spell that) set up, but would a straight up tele set up work for her if she is willing to commit to learning?

Yes, she needs a setup that begins with that funny R word. Or AT for short. Fritschi Escape/Explore (same but different color; name changed Diamir III) bindings and a ski appropriate for her level. Something with a 60-75 mm waist for a beginner, or the answer to all our problems...Pocket Rockets (Edit: Phat Luv would be gud too). Oh and tele would work...but as with anyone asking about tele I only have one question, "Why????" Oh wait, make that two, "Do you like patchouli?"

Quote:

So, fire away with thoughts and opinions on this and, well, any other relevant or non-relevant topic.

Hopefully I've covered all of the above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lph

she shouldn't even bother. she needs a quiver of AT LEAST 5 pairs of skis. the one ski quiver DOES NOT EXIST!!! ;)

And one final note. I'm sure your mother has given you the perfect advice many times in your past, "Listen to your brother." :D
11-19-2004, 07:40 PM
Dantheman

Gotta go with Cletus and Hop on this one, their suggestion would be perfect. My mom is actually looking at the same kind of setup right now.