Questions tagged [alpine-touring]

Questions about alpine touring

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Effects of different wood in ski core construction

In ski construction, the wood core dictates much of how a ski flexes, rebounds, and absorbs vibrations. Ignoring other construction details (e.g., fiberglass/carbon fiber layup, base material, edge ...
erfink's user avatar
  • 4,157
6 votes
3 answers
497 views

Is there a technique for downhill skiing with heavy backpack?

I did ski-touring in the past with a small backpack (10 kg); it was fun. I have recently done a short ski tour with a heavy backpack (20 kg, including camping gear); it was pretty much pure suffering ...
anatolyg's user avatar
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15 votes
4 answers
402 views

Is there a practical risk when wearing an avalanche beacon on your top layer?

There are two "rules" which are commonly stated with how to wear an avalanche beacon which are closely related, but not quite the same: You should wear it over your bottom layer. The avalanche beacon ...
imsodin's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can you "kick and glide" and climb without skins in Alpine Touring ski gear?

I am wondering about the "cross country like" aspects of Alpine Touring gear. I am in Ontario Canada, where hills as small as 75 meters can be referred to as "mountains". I'm a ...
Cameron Roberts's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
87 views

Are there any ski touring routes in the Austrian\Swiss Alps suitable for kids?

I would like to go for a week on skialp tour with kids (3 adults, 3 kids ~8 years old) this winter (end of December to January). I would like to go from hut to hut as some kids are too small to stay ...
user1209304's user avatar
  • 1,387
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Protecting climbing skins without a protective mesh

During my recent ski touring trip I have forgotten the protective mesh of my climbing skins in the car. I have noticed my mistake when on the top of the mountain, but by then it was way too late. Not ...
april rain's user avatar
  • 3,474
24 votes
5 answers
6k views

Is this image of a skier skinning up a very steep slope rotated?

In another question someone posted a photo of a skier going up an apparently extremely steep slope on skins. This slope looks so steep that skinning would be really difficult (especially on an icy ...
Felix's user avatar
  • 6,789
11 votes
4 answers
8k views

Are AT skis unsuited for downhill skiing at a resort?

I rent out a lot of alpine touring (AT) skis. We advise people not to use these skis for downhill resort skiing. Part of that is because we don't want people renting out the skis (which we rent at a ...
jturitto's user avatar
  • 111
27 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do electronics interfere with avalanche beacons?

I have been told that electronics can possibly interfere with avalanche beacons (cell phones, radios, etc., but even flashlights). Is there any truth to this? A source would be helpful, ideally from a ...
Felix's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are "Dynafit"/tech ski boots compatible with frame-style touring bindings?

I'm new to alpine touring skiing, and I'd like to purchase some new (more comfortable) AT boots. I currently have frame-style bindings on my AT skis. I'd like an "upgrade path". Can I purchase and use ...
jonathanbell's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Most comfortable way to adjust boots while in tour mode on AT skis?

I'm new to alpine touring and skiing in general. As such I (stupidly?) bought some beginners (cheap) alpine ski boots. They don't seem to have a lot of flex in them, even when they are in "hike" mode (...
jonathanbell's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
109 views

Boot toe wiggles in frame touring binding - is this ok?

I just got my first set of frame touring bindings (I have not toured before, but want to start). I am using my alpine boots with Tyrolia Aambition (10 and 13 models that are both frame touring ...
Cass's user avatar
  • 51
4 votes
2 answers
950 views

Are there any kid sized alpine touring ski boots and bindings?

Do any kid size (205 mm or 32 EU) ski touring boots and bindings exist? The smallest size I'm able to find is 220 mm, 35 EU.
user1209304's user avatar
  • 1,387
11 votes
3 answers
4k views

What are the use cases for ski crampons over boot crampons?

When you have both ski crampons and boot crampons, in what cases should either be used? This is the type of ski crampon I have in mind. Thanks to @imsodin for providing the link to the picture.
Sean Kolk's user avatar
  • 583
4 votes
1 answer
248 views

What is a good length for first back country skis?

I am looking for my first skitour skis. I have main focus 90% on ascent, and 10% on descent (mostly on piste). I am 184 cm heigh, and weight is 87kg. What should I consider? my weight? inclusive a ...
andilabs's user avatar
  • 203
3 votes
2 answers
274 views

How to learn ski touring

I love the idea of ski touring. However, I wonder what would be the best way to learn it. Should I focus on learning alpine and cross-country skiing and then combine the two, or should I rather just ...
Paul Paulsen's user avatar
  • 4,329
11 votes
3 answers
2k views

Backcountry Skiing Bindings compatible with soft boots

I love downhill and cross country skiing and am getting into back country skiing. Cross country boots are great for comfort because they're soft. Downhill boots are great for turning in part because ...
have_beard_will_ski's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Which ski binding for alpine touring?

Being a ski-novice I want to start doing alpine ski tours, that means mountaineering with ski. I don't want the ski to be mainly used in 'downhill powdering'. Because of long uphill sections, weight ...
Wills's user avatar
  • 12.1k
7 votes
1 answer
725 views

What's faster on packed, gradual terrain; skinning or booting up with skis on back?

We hiked a well-packed gradual trail in New England (Mt. Moosilauke in NH) and debated what would be faster - skinning up on AT skis or just boots with skis on your back. Argument for skis on the ...
mattsolar's user avatar
  • 678
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

How steep of a slope can you skin up in AT gear?

At what pitch does it become more effective to zig-zag up and/or lose the skis entirely?
mattsolar's user avatar
  • 678
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Will using kick-wax on my alpine touring skis ruin the bases?

My favourite backcountry ski area has a really long approach along a groomed trail. I started putting a bit of kick wax on the base of my skis so I could make better time on the flat instead of ...
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 53.4k
7 votes
2 answers
139 views

What is a tour book used for?

I recently started to write a little tour book. The main reason for this was, I was told some guides want to see this as requirement to take you along. Is this true? If so, for which tours/...
Wills's user avatar
  • 12.1k
5 votes
1 answer
261 views

Gloves for alpine tours in summer

I own Haglöfs Grepp Glove which are quite thin but have a Windstopper membrane. I like those gloves because they offer great grip. But I am also a bit confused because I got really cold fingers on my ...
Wills's user avatar
  • 12.1k
11 votes
2 answers
313 views

How to begin in alpine tours

I know it's probably too risky to make alpine tours alone, especially when you go over glaciers. I joined DAV to be insured while in the mountains and to be able to use the offerings like courses and ...
Wills's user avatar
  • 12.1k
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Getting Alpine Touring (a.k.a Randonee) boots for big feet

I wear US 14 / Euro 48 size shoes, and Alpine Touring / Randonee boots don't appear to be available at online retailers (e.g. REI and Backcountry.com) despite some manufacturers making them in this ...
ryanjdillon's user avatar