Cheapest Backcountry Setup Possible?

Second hand online classifieds for skis, bindings, skins. Buy boots new if you can

I had a buddy buy some rentals skis with shitty frame bindings (fritshci) skins and boots for like $600. None of the gear is great but if your just getting into it thats a steal

What exactly is a frame binding? Why do people not like them?

What's your budget let's start there

skigumbyWhat exactly is a frame binding? Why do people not like them?

This is what I was talking about but their are more burly types that marker, salomon, and tyrolia make

Key points on why they are not popular
- Heavier then pin bindings
- Specifically in the case of light weight frames like pictured they are not knowen for being very durable
- Power transfer from your boot to ski is affected since you are higher and thus further from the ski

However they allow you to use a none pin specific boot so that can be a money saver, like I said if you are trying to get in for cheap then I wouldent be to picky. Find something fairly light and the right size and you will have a good time

Give snowshoes a try (it will be awful and very inefficient), but it will give you an opportunity to decide if you are remotely interested in backcountry skiing. It is not for everyone.

If you even remotely enjoy going out with snowshoes, then you will love skiing with a decent setup. Depending on your interest/budget you might be better buying a setup that you will enjoy. Buy a ski you enjoy skiing. Nothing sucks more than skinning a few hours to ski something you dread.

Also, (depending on where you live) budget for a probe, shovel, beacon, and time to practice with them.

Backcountry skiing is super fun. Also, the folks you go out with make or break the day, way more so than any gear. Go with folks that are safe and fun to ski with.

Have fun and good luck!

Telemark.

I went backcountry skiing for the first time using my regular on-piste skis and snowshoes... it was awesome! Should save me some money for now...

DingoSeanTelemark.

Laws of scarcity are starting to apply.

just wait for this spring/fall when every muppet who got a $2500 touring set up this year realizes technical snowshoeing uphill isn’t for them.

cobra_commanderLaws of scarcity are starting to apply.

just wait for this spring/fall when every muppet who got a $2500 touring set up this year realizes technical snowshoeing uphill isn’t for them.

“Wait, I have to hike? In inclement weather? I have to be fit? Oh no... get me back on a chairlift “

DingoSean“Wait, I have to hike? In inclement weather? I have to be fit? Oh no... get me back on a chairlift “

We already see a lot of shifts at resorts...

finderWe already see a lot of shifts at resorts...

Good for the industry. silly for the customer.

I stay far away from shifts...

i got used skis boots and bindings for $280. skins on sale in spring for $100, new beacon shovel probe as christmas gifts. if you can keep it under $600 id say thats a win

TL;DR Try to find used BCA alpine trekkers and used skins, then upgrade as you get more into touring/backcountry and know what you like or need.



Used skins 50-100e + used BCA alpine trekkers if you can find any, got mine for 50e many years ago. Daymakers are another option but they are 300+ dollars new.

I used trekkers for few seasons, 3-6days of 300-800m vertical hiking each winter with my park skis and boots, they work well enough as i was not doing anything crazy.

2018 i did a week long touring trip to Norway, every day was around 900-1200m vertical and some of it on steeper terrain. Didnt have to turn back because of them, but their added height and fiddling with them every transistion was a bit problematic for me at some spots.

Next season i bought used frame bindings for around 100e installed them on my fischer rangers, skied on them for next 2 seasons and last season i bought used touring boots, pin bindings and skins for 320e combined, got my dads old blizzard zeroG skis for light weigth setup. Im planning on replacing frame bindings on my fischers with CAST at some point to have 2 pairs of touring skis.

It all depends where you are planning on skiing and how long or heavy days you are doing to be.

Did 1200m vertical on trekkers, 1400m vertical on frames and some couloir bootbacking. It is tiring but doable and on the way down you have proper bindings and boots, that said, i had 0 days on my frame+fischers last season after i got my pin touring set :) .



https://www.daymakertouring.com/collections/alpine-adapters/products/alpine-touring-adapters

https://www.snowcountry.eu/bca-alpine-tracker.html

**This post was edited on Jan 9th 2023 at 2:44:33pm

bit late but the only right answer is used. browse fb marketplace until you see skis + bindings + skins for like 600, find some boots somewhere, and you have the whole thing for the price of skis new.

prettySteezy03bit late but the only right answer is used. browse fb marketplace until you see skis + bindings + skins for like 600, find some boots somewhere, and you have the whole thing for the price of skis new.

Yeah, I got my skis+skins+bindings for literally $600 CAD. The boots were another $300 CAD. I'm in Ontario but had the advantage of being in Nelson when I bought them off of FB Marketplace.

I might have the cheapest ever early/late season AT setup ever

99 manufacturing date Dynafit Tourlite bindings I pulled off a pair of moment skis that I purchased and flipped for equal price with a pair of demo bindings I had hanging around... mounted on some fairly trashed but completely useable old black diamond Havocs I acquired for beers and some still useable skins purchased used for 50$ from a backcountry rental fleet.

The most expensive thing in the whole setup is the crampons that cost me like 60$ or something. It's actually downright hilarious how good this setup is in soft spring snow in the sierras.

Fuck frame bindings. Tbh I don't think anyone should be using them. Can't afford tech bindings? Buy used. Hell, I'd rather drill door hinges to each ski and boot than use frames again.

bored in class so I'm gonna post a full build.

https://www.evo.com/outlet/alpine-touring-ski-bindings/black-diamond-fritschi-xenic-10#image=185426/765307/fritschi-xenic-10-alpine-touring-ski-bindings-2022-.jpg
a real pin binding with a release value..$150

https://www.evo.com/outlet/skis/black-diamond-helio-recon-105#image=163686/649613/clone.jpg
obvi insert whatever facebook marketplace ski you find
but, these seem pretty serviceable brand new 1800g @ 105 underfoot ... $300

https://www.evo.com/outlet/alpine-touring-ski-boots/k2-mindbender-120#image=182190/722430/k2-mindbender-120-alpine-touring-ski-boots-2022-.jpg
Boots are obviously a different ball game but they aren't super hard to find used and on sale
these mind-bender 120's are in my size so chose them ... $270

https://www.evo.com/outlet/climbing-skins/contour-hybrid-free-split#image=209276/854344/contour-hybrid-free-split-climbing-skins-.jpg
never used split skins cool idea but seems sorta fucked.. $68

seems like a cool setup all things considered I'm sus about the $150 pin binding