School me on getting your kids into the backcountry

[GeorgiaSnow]

Kids are all strong skiers now. Older [emoji638] are starting to express interest in going into the backcountry with dad. Can’t afford entire bc setups so curious about using approach skis vs snowshoes vs binding adapters. Also open to any other wisdom for this topic. Any and all help appreciated.

[meter-man]

Kids are all strong skiers now. Older [emoji638] are starting to express interest in going into the backcountry with dad. Can’t afford entire bc setups so curious about using approach skis vs snowshoes vs binding adapters. Also open to any other wisdom for this topic. Any and all help appreciated.

I have twins (12 yo), so that informs our choices. (Hand-me-downs don't exist within our family.) I got them Contour Adapters a couple seasons ago - these things: https://skimo.co/contour-kids-tourin...ECm9bq1qPIf0A9

Those are fine for single tours or not much vert.

If I had hand-me-down opportunities, I would get one of those Dynafit for kids setups. These things: https://www.dynafit.com/en-us/youngstar-collection

Set your sights down - I take them out in sub-30* terrain so no avy hazard, and we just skin laps. They skate ski, so skinning is no problem for them. They absolutely love backcountry skiing.

Once their feet stop growing, I'll get them proper touring boots and pin bindings. Then, we'll invest in more formalized avy training (whether from Dad or from AIARE or both), but for now, we're still in building love of the sport. Skinning uphill is way hard for little kids, so be sure to adjust your goals way down.

On the other hand, my buddy and his 9 yo have skied Shasta in a day (7500' vert), so YMMV...

[GeorgiaSnow]

We do have a hand me down situation if I could find a good deal. Was definitely eyeing those contours but then I’d also have to have snag skins. Was wondering if approach skis and boots would be easier than that setup and I couldn’t carry skis and boots up on my back.

Definitely planning easy, sub [emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]] degree objectives till they love it and would only step out in a really good scenario.

[garyfromterrace]

Only did a couple of laps with the boy w adapters (probably he was 8 or 9). Obviously not perfect, but it's something. When he was 11 or 12 I started mounting frame touring bindings on his skis. By 14 he was in touring boots. Start slow, keep it fun, introduce concepts of snow craft early and often. I would think you've got considerable experience if you're dragging your kids into Avi terrain, but if you're just skinning up a closed mountain not needed of course.

[gaijin]

My kids (9 ,12, and maybe the 15yo) will be joining me this spring in the high alpine, low angle. It's a chair ride, then a 2hr staircase, then a walk out to a safe tent zone. We'll ski one descent the next day. No touring gear necessary. I call it The Beach. The highest peak in the region, killer views, mild skiing, and perfect for falling in love with the BC vibe and ski camping.

On the topic of adapters-- I saw a new one in my Insta feed that I missed to save. I was something like TJIHLKS.se -- It looked like a modernized, better AlpineTrekker. Similar to those contours, but aluminum. Both seem ideal to me, as I started my BC life with Trekkers. Skins are the financial crux because of how hard it is to make them last for more than one pair of skis.

Second-hand might be the way to go for skins. Lots of wanna-be BC skiers out there who bought skins, used them once 5 years ago, and recently decided to sell them.

Those old K2 (for snowboarders) approach skis might be a legit solution, especially if you're willing to carry their skis to reduce the misery of new, young muscles trying to climb.

In the meantime, we're just booting up The Stairway to Heaven, traversing out to the tent zone, carving out seating, cooking something, and sipping hot cocoa before bed and in the sunrise. Ski down, get burgers, hit an onsen. We'll get techie with Avi science later.

Those clear, sunny, warm skies in May/June on the glacier are perfect, imo.

[GeorgiaSnow]

Gajin, that sounds amazing. I want to do that.[emoji23] don’t think I have that ideal of a setup but definitely aiming for something fun or easy. I did snag a lightly used set of pomoca skins from REI resupply that are missing tail hardwear on one skin. Thinking about removing the tail hardwear on the other and trying to make them work for several skis since Pomoca glue tends to work really well. Then adapters would make a lot of sense.

[XXX-er]

everything is a lot easier when they hit puberty and grow ime

[GeorgiaSnow]

Follow up from previous post. Took the 10 year old out today for the first time. Found a deal on some carbon drift boards and figured that would be a more versatile option for multiple kids. They worked pretty great for my son. I think me carrying his skis/boots and him just having those on with comfy snow boots was a win. Ended up being fairly snowy and windy when we transitioned up top, which made getting his feet into his ski boots tricky. I’d be interested in one of those ski boot adapters like bcs has but I wonder how much more difficult it might make the uphill. Overall, he had a blast and felt legit accomplishment when we made it back to the car. About 4 miles round trip.

Also, excited that these will work as loaners for friends who want to get out but don’t have any gear or one planking friends.

[GeorgiaSnow]

[ATTACH]5[emoji646][emoji644]416[/ATTACH][ATTACH]5[emoji646][emoji644]417[/ATTACH]

[Core Shot]

Cool kid stoke

My boys went sidecountry when at their age I would be in jail if shit went wrong. But a body finder on the kid and a lead guide and a sweep guide is the same shit you would get by paying out the ass for pro guides.

The only other thing I would add is that it’s a great time to teach them about terrain traps. Snow stability. One at a time to safe spaces. Heuristics. Etc. even if you’re on 30 degrees.
Hell. Dig a pit. Show them weak layers.

If you teach them fresh pow is a free for all to be gang skied it doesn’t set the right tone for older years.
Not judging. Just sharing my kids love of pow and how I tried to teach them.

[rudy]

I started mine out on the kids version of Fritschi bindings (look similiar to the Tyrolia Ambition) that fit kids boots that I picked up on here relatively cheap. Skins can be found super cheap of free but I had to remove the tail clips and reattach. I'd also recommend some skeets or similiar so that if the skin track is steep/icy it will give them extra purchase. My older son is not averse to some suffering and took the uphill in stride while my younger son went out a few times and decided "this is why they invented lifts, right?". Still worse it to get out away from the crowds and spend some quality time with your kids.

Once they move into adult sized boots it's easier as you can buy marker tours or the like for cheap or get a hybrid boot and some cheap dynafits.

[rudy]

[~mikey b]

start em young

[~mikey b]

have fun

[~mikey b]

set them up properly

[~mikey b]

ski fun, safe terrain

[GeorgiaSnow]

Torrent of kid stoke! Love it.

We stayed under 30 today for sure but we got to see some faceted snow and talk about the persistent slab problem we know and love in Colorado.

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Great photos, Mike, and way to go with the no-longer-little guy.

[~mikey b]

the tall boy