New to ski touring

Yeah they work as long as you dont use pin bindings

I've been touring in my Wallisch pros for three years now with a frame binding. The weight sucks and bring tape for when you get blisters but youll be fine

No_Gorby_GapSo i want to get into short side country trips and I was wondering if I bought a binding like the marker dukes and used my full tilt classics if it would work. Mostly asking if the full tilts would work.

“Side country” is a pretty misleading term. Anything outside the resort boundary is considered backcountry. Just be sure you’re being safe about backcountry skiing, ie partner, beacon, shovel, probe, etc.

Second this notion! take an avy class and know before you go. Personally I would stay away from dukes and try to find a pin set up and get some boots it'll be a world of difference and if you get into it you won't want dukes.

I currently have a setup with Barons and some Salomon X Pro boots. Obviously not ideal for touring (Heavy, stiff, etc.) Can't say I'd recommend it for all day, steep grade, lengthy tours. However, it gets the job done. In my case I didn't want to buy new boots yet and so I just leave the buckle undone and do the velcro pretty loose so my foot doesn't flex out of the shell.

If you're looking into purchasing a setup consider what you want it for, and if it's relatively short tours, or maybe not an everyday thing yes you can for sure get away with a setup like this like I have. If you want to use it a ton, lean more towards a true tech setup or at least boots with a walk/tour mode. But again for money, laziness, or whatever reason I have made mine work, as you most likely can too.

Regardless, as the others said, be prepared and smart no matter where you go out there.

Since you primary ski at white pass, your likely referring to the hogsback. As long as you don’t go too far below the gunsight area, the hike isn’t that bad. Most people just bootpack it but good boots really make longer skins easier. If your going to invest any money get a shovel/probe/beacon first, then bindings,boots and skis.

My advice to anyone trying to get into this. Daymakers and good skins. Water. Solid backpack. Snacks. Shovel. And never go alone unless you know the area well enough.


I only say daymakers cause I’ve gotten fucked up using dynafits. But honestly for the amount I actually tour they’re perfect. And I get to ride my normal setup (nomad 105 w/ jesters) down. If I was more into it I’d have a lighter setup but if you’re just starting out/ dabbling that’s how I’d go.

darthlobster603My advice to anyone trying to get into this. Daymakers and good skins. Water. Solid backpack. Snacks. Shovel. And never go alone unless you know the area well enough.


I only say daymakers cause I’ve gotten fucked up using dynafits. But honestly for the amount I actually tour they’re perfect. And I get to ride my normal setup (nomad 105 w/ jesters) down. If I was more into it I’d have a lighter setup but if you’re just starting out/ dabbling that’s how I’d go.

wish i read this earlier, going now from a full touring pin setup with boots that kill my feet back to daymakers + alpine boots