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Ski, Binding, & Avi Gear Help For Touring in Whistler

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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
My Info: 5'10, 130, 26.5 FT's, I currently own Rossi S4's with PX10's. I ride a 6.5 DIN on my s4's but I've grown so I'd probably go to an 8. I refuse to own K2, don't even mention it, same goes for salomon skis, I'll ride their bindings though. I like how Rossi's ski, their light and solid, very stable.

So I'm heading out to whistler, bc for feb-may next season and I need to get some new gear. I'm thinking of picking up a pair of 178 Scimitar's with fks 140's for my park/all-mountain ski, I can only really bring two pairs out and I need something to fill the gap between my s4's and pow sticks. My other option is to go for a more versatile daily driver touring/pow ski with a 110ish waist and then keep my s4's. The second isn't a bad option for me, a 110 waisted ski would keep things lighter.

1. Pow Skis: I'm pretty friging picky when it comes to skis. I like a stiff (I'm light so mid-stiff), nimble, lightweight, fast edge to edge, and durable ski that can handle everything from waist deep to crud to groomers to a bit of touring. I like a ski to be playful in the sense that I can whip it around really fast when I need to, I don't really care about skiing switch in pow, I might do a bit of jumping but most likely it will be the odd 360 or back flip into pow. I like cliffs, pillows, steep trees, open bowls, and tight chutes, so basically everything, haha. Right now I'm looking at JJ's, BG's, Caylors, and Chetlers, I'd go for the 181-186 ski. My main concern is weight, once I add a touring binding, things could get heavy, I'm a pretty light guy so I don't want my skis to out weigh me in a sense that its hard to control them. For the 110 waisted ski's I'm looking at live free's, blog's, sfb's, and S6's (not sure of the new name).

I demoed some Czar's back in Jackson and I hated them, I felt like I had rockets on a crash course strapped to my feet, they were so heavy and stiff. I do get 30-55% off most mainstream brands like Rossi, Atomic, Armada, and Salomon because of a connection at a local ski store, I can special order anything in. I know that everyone raives about on3p but is it worth the extra money when I need to pay for rent.

2. Bindings: Non-touring I'm going fks 140's 100%, I just have no idea where to start with touring bindings. Realistically I'm probably going to be doing short side country tours to start, and then some day trips, nothing overnight. I'm planing on purchasing a beacon/probe/shovel/avalung/skins/etc and I'm going to take a course when I get out west.

I know that people have been raving about the new Salomon/atomic's (discounted), as well as the MFD Plates (I don't get a discount on the plate, only the binding). The other option would be dukes or barons, between the two I'm leaning more towards the baron, I'll lose all the weight I can.

3. Avi Gear: This is my least concern right now but I thought I'd throw it in so I don't have to make a new thread. I'm probably going for a Tracker 2, but I have no idea where to start with a shovel and probe. I found this, it gets me the avalung and a smaller pack for when I don't have camera gear. As for skin's I can't start looking till I buy skis.

http://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-bandit-avalung-package

Thanks guys, I know this was long but I hate GT threads with no detail just as much as you do,
Zack.
May 31 2012 11:28AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I'm an expert skier, I can ski pretty much anything inbounds at whistler or jackson hole. I just though I'd throw that in there even though it was implied.
May 31 2012 11:44AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565

I was in Whistler this year from January-Late March, whilst there I skied with 191 caylors as a daily driver, slackcountry touring and day touring. At first I used trekkers with them, this of course was unstable and generally irritating. After breaking the toepiece of the trekkers I got a refund and invested in some barons as I could get them on a decent price and ride at 11. Caylors may feel heavy hand but when you're skiing them you don't notice it. Also I didn't really have an issue touring with them I found I was no slower then anybody else I toured with, which was a real mix including dukes,fritschis,dynafit and MFD. Of course my change over were a bit slower as for barons/duke you have to remove your ski and lock them down into alpine mode. For a short review of the caylors downhill performance just check my blog.

For transcievers I like to go as simple as possible, I use a Mammut Element. It has a number of advantages over the Tracker2, I found the display to be much more intuitive and it's directional arrows have a 340 degree display where as the Tracker2's is much smaller.

With regards to avalung I own the Bandit Pack, at 16ltr I find the size perfect for catskiing and slackcountry touring but for day touring it is much too small last I was stashing my lunch in every spare pocket I had, even knee pockets and skins went under my jacket. The next three sizes up are the Agent(20ltr) and the Covert (28ltr) and the Outlaw (32ltr). If I were you I would go for the Covert as it is a much better allround option than the Bandit. Alternatively you may want to consider getting the Avalung Sling, as this allows you to add the avalung feature to any existing pack you have. So if you do buy multiple packs in the long run it will save you money as I am sure you already know packs without avalungs are much cheaper than packs with, this is an option I am considering when my Bandit Pack is worn out.

I fyou've got any more questions just PM me, Joey

May 31 2012 2:26PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^+k, that was really helpful. Caylor's seem like an awesome ski they would just be more expensive and I haven't seen any used here or on TGR. There are a ton of 186 BG's on TGR, but I've that next year's are gonna be a lot different and more versatile. I'm leaning towards the BG's right now, any thoughts?
May 31 2012 3:00PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I say that because they seem like a very agile ski, easy to swing them around in pow. There are multiple pairs in good condition for relatively cheap on TGR, many including dukes or barons which is even better.
May 31 2012 3:06PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Barons.

Whatever modern beacon, as long as you practise with it. I like Trackers Mammut.

The biggest metal shovel blade that will fit in your pack. Extensible shaft. D-grip. Ortovox Kodiak or Voile Telepro or one of the Mammut ones.

280cm probe minimum. I like BD.
May 31 2012 4:14PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^thanks, I'll check that stuff out.
May 31 2012 8:05PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Don't get the Kodiak. That thing blows. Not sturdy at all.

There's one, and one shovel only that will saves peoples lives: Voile Telepro. Get it. If you don't you let people die. It's cheap, light and extremely sturdy.

As for probes, I have a 265cm iProbe which I really like. It helps a LOT, let me tell you that. I have done courses and I've got the Austrian degree for avalanche safety so I know what I'm talking about.

Beacon: Anything with 3 antenna's. Mammut Pulse, Pieps DSP and Tracker 2 are your best options if you ask me. I have the DSP and really like it, in the end though, it doesn't matter. As with most things PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. You NEED to learn how to use it, otherwise you won't have any idea what you're doing.
Jun 1 2012 5:14AM
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50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
MFD alltime plate with FKS 140 is want I think Im going to get with my 12-13 BG. It will be heavier then most setups but I want the reliability of FKS on my ski. And If you do alot of skiing you'll get used touring with a heavier setup. It probably tire you more (then any other lightweight tour binding) on the first couple times you go out but after that it would just make you stronger and you'll get the FKS on your touring ski.
Jun 1 2012 11:03AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I plan on taking a good course obviously and practising a ton, your life and your friend's lives aren't worth risking just for some face shots. I also wont be venturing out when the avi risk is high, but thats just common sense.
Jun 1 2012 11:48AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Yeah but the MFD plates are so heavy, I'm a light guy so I need to shed all the weight I can, not to mention I'll most likely be caring a good amount of camera gear so it adds up. I'm leaning towards the gardian, I can get them discounted so we'll see. As for ski's next years BG's sound amazing, are you gonna get the tour or regular version?
Jun 1 2012 11:49AM
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967
as for skis, czech out the Rossi Sickle. You said already you like Rossi's line. Sickle has a subtle, continuous rocker and is 111 underfoot. I'd immagine with the rocker profile, touring wouldn't be that bad. Plus the ski fucking rips.
Jun 1 2012 1:52PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Yeah, the sickle has crossed my mind, its extremely light and quick edge to edge, and I've heard people rave about the rocker profile. I'm leaning more towards a ski 115 or skinnier, more of a daily driver, it'll keep the weight down and I think I'll like it better, I think that I'm going to find 120+ skis to be too heavy. I can also keep my s4's for park and groomers if I go s6's or for a similar ski.
Jun 1 2012 2:01PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Anyone skied the 186 sickle? I don't think that 174 would be long enough for a ski like that.
Jun 1 2012 2:03PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
I'm not sure yet. I could go either way and it's still gonna be a sick ski. I might just suck it up and get the regular with FKS cause Im a Lifty. I can only afford so much gear on my budget. 
Jun 1 2012 2:55PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Yeah, I'm only really thinking about this now do that I I see a good deal over the summer I can jump on it. I'm gonna be working for minimum wage do this stuff adds up when I also need a new jackets an all the BC gear.
Jun 1 2012 3:08PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
I hear you man. Busting my ass at the BLM and living dirt poor so I can get new gear in the fall. Don't worry about the money aspect as much. Make a realistic goals for gear and what you absolutely need.

EX: I'd love to get a Brand new jacket for next season but I'm gonna end up going to a ski swap and getting some good cheap Jacket. By doing this I save $200-300 dollars and can afford Brand new FKS bindings.
Things like that is how guys like us live in Mountains with brand new gear. 
Jun 1 2012 4:51PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Pretty sure there's a review on Blister.
Jun 2 2012 3:51AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^Yah, I've seen it. Any opinions on 185 JJ's?
Jun 3 2012 5:52PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,502
Have you considered the Rocker 115 with a gardian binding. The rocker skis are pretty lite weight compared to most pow skis. The flatter tail would also be good whilst touring.

A freind of mine was using the 115 with dynafit bindings for the second half of the season. Great lite weight daily setup. Boot wise he uses a cool dynafit/alpine hybrid boot.
Jun 3 2012 6:04PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^I refuse to purchase salomon skis.
Jun 3 2012 6:06PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,502
haha well your missing out on some quality powder skis
Jun 3 2012 6:07PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
We'll I'm not missing out on skis that will break after a week.
Jun 3 2012 6:25PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,502
^ if that is really your opinion on salomon skis, I think you need to take a look at them again. Yes about 5 years ago the suspects had issues, but there pow and all mountain skis are great. The Rocker 2 has had 3 seasons now, and we are still to warranty one. So maybe be a little more open minded, and test some out next season.

They wont defiantly be the ski for you, but dismissing them off hand, is not a great idea.
Jun 3 2012 6:36PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,502
ns logic strikes again. the suspects have been solid skis for the past few seasons
Jun 3 2012 10:03PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Okay, well we all have our opinions, either way I'm not buying salomon.

Time to back on topic....

185 JJ's? They have a pretty short turn radius which is nice, I ski a lot of trees. They also seem like a ski you could lay out at speed on bigger lines because they are pretty stiff under foot. Thoughts?
Jun 3 2012 10:08PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,502
The JJ is a great ski, but its not much of a charger. the tip and tail are soft which make it pretty playfull, it does have a pretty short turn radius though so it will not suit everyone. Your young and id guess pretty lite though so it may work ok for you. Probably not the best daily ski for whistler, but you could get alot worse. Maybe look at teh TST, thats a good whistler daily driver.

Why dont you wait untill your here, and then come to the various demo centres and shops and test out some skis. The snow here is fairly heavy so you may be surprised what skis will work best for you.

Where are you planning on working once your here? You may well get pro deel from your new job, which may open up more options then your currently have.
Jun 3 2012 10:12PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^No. If you read my OP then you'd know I'm only coming out for 4 months so I'm not going to get hired at a ski shop nor do I want to, I'm planning on skiing the entire time I'm out here. I have connections at a local shop but I'll still get a better deal if I buy used over the summer. As for demo's that would mean waiting till february and then I'd have to pay full price at a random shop, I couldn't even get a discount at my local store. No thanks.
Jun 3 2012 10:47PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Picking up a pair of barons on here for $125 shipped. I was leaning towards the new solly's but that is just too good a deal to pass up. Anyone else have any opinions on skis?
Jun 6 2012 1:23PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
ON3P is a heavier ski, unless you want to look into the Tour version of the Billy Goat that'll be released in the fall.

Personally, for what little touring I do, I dont mind the extra weight on my setup, and I enjoy having a stable and sturdy ski on the way down.
Jun 6 2012 1:55PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Bump. Because I got a really good deal on bindings I might be able to justify next years BG's.
Jun 8 2012 12:29PM
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