I live in Colorado, mainly looking at a mix of sidecountry and backcountry skiing. Need to know which one will perform better as an overall ski. Thanks.

I'm looking to get a new pack in the 40-45 liter range, for 1-2 night hut trips. Last year I did my first trip using an old hiking pack and it weighed 41 pounds all in. Any recommendations or reasons to favor one of these top targets? From research so far my top picks are the Ortovox Peak 45 (first choice but so hard to find in the US in a bright color which I favor for visibility), Deuter Freescape Pro 40(+10), and maybe the Mammut Trion 50. Main things I've been considering: weight (these all run around 1500 grams), price (these retail $230-$260 - i haven't short listed the Raide, Hyperlite or Narronna due to price), dedicated front-access avy pocket, compression straps to secure the load when bag isn't so full after dropping gear at the hut, ability to carry A-frame or diagonal, and bright color. The two things that are steering me towards the Ortovox Peak 45 are dimensions (I like how it's slightly wider and not as tall as the others) and max load. I've read a bunch on bags in this community thread but wonder if anyone has reasons for favoring one of these or something else I haven't short listed. Thanks!

Hello,

I'm wondering about the best value for money for a ski touring trip this winter.

If you have any ideas for advice on how to be the most economical, I'm interested.

My profile: Sporty Comfortable ski touring Parisian

Thanks in advance, Etienne

So I m getting the new qst 100 skis and i wondering are the tyrolia attack 14 gw 115 mm brake width compatible with my skis, is there better bindings that fit my 1100 cad price with the skis and bind together. I m 123 lb and 5’3

I'm moving to summit county and planning on getting into backcountry skiing. I was wondering what the best way to get a budget friendly touring set up would be? Would it be best to buy it used with touring bindings already with it and remount them, or try and find some holiday deals and buy them separately?

Also any recommending skis or bindings would be much appreciated! Just trying to keep it a little on the cheaper side to make sure it's something I want to invest in moving forward.

Any help is much appreciated!

Hello friends,

i plan to go japan for snowboarding.

But, im not a newbie, i ride swallow board 190 cm, and this is pretty the most exciting board for powder like Niseko mountains ...

my question is here:

do you know good company to fly from europe or south asia who dont overcharge snowboard like this?

weight no more than 4kg, but length over 185 ...

including boots, pant and warm vest, no more than 10kg.

or maybe you know where to rent that kind of board in niseko or around ?

Also, fastest and cheapest way airport to niseko towns ?

Visa needed or just need fly ticket 30 day ?

swiss snow

Fun day from a couple years ago! One of my favorite days in the mountains and pivotal in my budding ski mountaineering addiction

Hey all- I’m doing a hut trip this winter in BC with golden alpine holidays for a week in the esplanades and I’m starting to get excited! This will be guided and catered.

While I still have plenty of time to space out purchases, get strong, etc. I’m looking to get advice on all things you wish you bought or thought about before your first hut trip! We’ll be coming from New England. I have experience with ski touring but most of this is in resort skiing and it makes me a little nervous about true back country, as the back country we do have experience with is low angle tight tree skiing, which won’t be quite like what we’re doing in Canada. We’ll be taking an avalanche course ahead of time and I want to do everything I can to feel as prepared as possible. Help me get excited and prepared! Some things I have questions on: Did you bring multiple pairs of skins? How many? What was the skill level like across groups (there will be 10 of us, 8 of which are going to be strangers)

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to consolidate Forest Service offices into distant hubs threatens local expertise, winter recreation, and public input. We need the backcountry community to submit comments on the USDA's plan to phase out regional offices and consolidate into five city "hubs."

Been doing more weekend loops with 4–6 friends where cell service drops quick, and our “yell and wait” method is… not great. Whistles help, but I want some cheap, simple radios to keep the group synced when we spread out or split at junctions. Not looking to replace my inReach, just fill the gaps for quick comms.

I’ve seen a bunch of budget FRS sets recommended. A buddy’s old Motorola Talkabout worked fine until the battery tanked mid-day. I also keep seeing those slim pocketable ones (like the Retevis style) pop up—people say they’re light with decent audio, but not super water resistant and often still micro usb. True in real-world use? How’s range in timbered canyons vs ridge-to-ridge? Do they survive light rain/snow and glove fumbling?

I’d love something under ~$30–50 per radio, USB-C would be nice, and I don’t want to mess with programming or ham stuff. Also, privacy codes aren’t actually private, right? What’s worked for you all on day hikes, ski tree laps, or car-to-car?

Mods, please let me know if this breaks the rules. The gear is specific, and I would like to give this crowd first dibs.

Used once in some deep slack country short laps; Airbag was deployed and repacked twice for testing.

Here's a link to the Backcountry.com archive for more details.

If this gets a thumbs up and you prefer backpacks, like me, I have a Mammat Ride Protection 30L I want to rehome too.

Pretty fun day summer skiing!

Alright folks, I’ve been combing the internet hunting for my new touring pack for this season, and I’d love everyone’s own personal favorites/recommendations as well as why!

What I’m looking for: -Big hip belt buckle, easy to buckle with gloves -25-34L volume -dedicated avy tools pouch -compacts well with less stuff -long torso(21”+) -A frame ski carry -internal frame -at least one larger hip belt pocket. -flexibility to fashion an ice tool carry of some kind -bonus points for a hip belt with options. I ski with a large camera so I’m always looking for good mounting options for that bag while skiing.

Currently I’ve narrowed down between the MHW powabunga 32 and the jones higher 32 but I’m sure there are brands I haven’t investigated. The raide packs while looking great for everything I want are out of my price range for a backpack (400-800 bucks is new ski territory👀)

I’ve currently have the following: - MHW snowskiwoski 40, love this pack, it’s my big day/multi sport pack. It’s 22” torso fits me well, its hip belt is mediocre at best. I might replace the hip belt with something from hyperlite or whatnot. -osprey soledon 32, not a fan, the torso being 18” is far too short and puts a pressure point on my lower back. Packs tend to sit higher for me due to my wider shoulders and large traps. It also didn’t pack very well in my experience. This is what I want to replace. -Dynafit speed 25+3, again love this pack. Fits perfectly with its 21” torso. It lacks a large hip belt buckle and a dedicated avy tools pouch. Also lacks a good ski carry. It’s my short low angle no snow checks backpack. Also a surprisingly good 14ers and traveling backpack! I’ve considered sewing on a new hip belt strap…

Thanks for everyone’s input!

hi guys, anyone have experience with any of these guiding companies in Alagna Valsesia / Monte Rosa? Thanks for any recs/insights!

Alagna Guides: https://alagnaskiguides.com/

Unusual: https://www.unusualexperience.it/en

Guide Alpine Alagna: https://guidealagna.com/

I’m based in Colorado and most of my tours end up being a mix of long climbs on firm skin tracks followed by descents that are rarely perfect powder. My current setup is borrowed and feels too heavy on the uphill, but I also don’t want something so light that it gets sketchy on the way down.

EDIT: Grabbed a pair of backcountry skis arriving today, reviews say they float through mixed snow on long tours while staying light for those 4-5k vert hauls.

I’m aiming for something around 100–105 underfoot that can handle variable snow without beating me up, and still be light enough for 4–5k ft days. Anyone riding a pair in that range they’d recommend? Would love to hear what’s worked for you on long days out.

I'm getting really frustrated by how much delta/forward lean the Rotation has. Can't stand how it skis. Has anyone here seen lifter plates for the toe piece? I haven't had any luck on the Google. I may end up custom making some if I can figure out a ling screw.

Thanks!

Hey all — I’ve been frustrated with how bulky ski/snowboard racks are, especially when you’re not actually using them. They’re noisy, kill gas mileage (or EV range), and kind of ruin the look of your car.

I’m working on a design concept for a roof rack accessory that folds completely flat behind your crossbars when not in use — so it’s quiet, efficient, and sleeker. I’d really value the community’s feedback before I go any further.

Here’s a short anonymous survey (takes ~3 minutes): https://forms.gle/p5kS4vjadGRNKr136

I’m not selling anything, just trying to validate whether this idea actually resonates with people who ski/ride a lot. Your input will directly shape whether this project moves forward.

Thanks in advance — and if you’ve got horror stories about existing racks, I’d love to hear those too in the comments.

Probably the scariest line i’ve ever skied. I’m lucky nothing serious happened🫣 Stay safe guys !

(Zugspitze in Germany 🇩🇪)

Reupload, it was a wrong account. Sorry !

If you want to try to work towards doing all your own mounting, maintenence, etc, and buy jig(s) that preferable are cheap, well made, and preferably one single jig is capable of doing the widest variety of bindings possible, what should you look into?

I want to put my first tech bindings on a cheap pair of skis just so I like it... lots of options and opinions on custom 3D printed jigs, etc...

And you cant use a jig really well unless you also have the thing that holds the jig and widens or narrows based on bsl as well... right? That's a separate tool that holds the jig?

Any advice much appreciated, thank you

Edit: I could've sworn I've heard multiple people say that paper jigs are great for rigid din bindings or even frame bindings but tech bindings have too tight tolerances for the slightly larger margin of error you recieve when using paper templates

Perhaps I am mistaken!

Even if I used paper templates, do I still need some kind of vise specifically designed for holding skis or do most guys just use bar clamps?

Need some opinions on theses 3. Really like the sound of unleashed 108s. As well as sender free 110s. But also hearing the m-free 108s are good.

Advanced/expert. 6.1ft 88kg Love to charge as well as be playful on hips and pop side hits. European skier with a trip to Japan next year.

I about to purchase a pair of QST Echo 106’s and I’m now trying to decide on bindings so I can start venturing into the backcountry this season. For context:

• I’m 174cm / 63kg (5′9″ and 140 lbs).
• Based in Tokyo, Japan skiing at Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Myoko Kogen.
• This ski will be my dedicated touring setup as I already have QST Blanks for resort powpow and tree skiing. I think it will be closer to 50/50 ski, more for tours and backcountry missions but also i want to be able to use it in resorts.
• Price difference between the two bindings is negligible.

My two options:

• Salomon/Atomic/Armada Shift2 13
• Dynafit Rotation 14
• Wildcard suggestions?

I know the general tradeoffs (Shifts = more alpine-like performance downhill, heavier, fiddly transitions vs Rotations = lighter, smoother on the uphill, less confidence for charging on the down). But since the Echo is already on the lighter, touring-oriented side, I’m curious what people with similar setups or skiing in Japan would recommend anecdotally.

Would love to hear your experiences, especially from anyone touring in Japan powder with either setup.

Anyone gonna be jumping into the new Zipfit touring liners this season? Im a splitboarder that put 80 days on hardboots last year for the first time and my feet have never felt better after switching. Id like to go all in with zipfits for max comfort but Im concerned about the longevity of the new liners with them having moldable foam lowers. Could the GFTs be worth the slight weight penalty?