Approach ski rig

I've got a set of silvretta bindings that fit my Nepal Cubes really well. They're just attached to some super old Tua skia. I want to get a set of lighter, more shaped skis, that have fish-scales on them, for longer approaches. I plan on getting climbing skins too, but my experience touring on skins vs scales is that for all but the steepest hills, fish scales win. Any suggestions on the best ski that fits that bill? I looked at the rossignol bc125s. I know Fischer has something similar, but I don't recall what.

To be clear, I already have a Tele-rig that I use for downhill and backcountry stuff, and a cross-country rig that I use for just touring. I am not too concerned about downhill performance, but I do want enough shape to the ski that I'm not fighting to turn it like I do with my cross-country gear, and I don't want to carry an extra pair of boots.

Check out the Altai Skis 

Voile Objective BC 

If you think scales beat skins, I have to think that you haven't approached a lot of ice that requires real approaches. Scales are great for approach skis and I think that's a great plan, but you're going to want skins, too. As soon as terrain gets icy (after cycles of freeze/thaw) scales are useless. If it's over about 20-degrees, scales just won't cut it. The Vector BCs are awesome (go with a shorter ski for approaches than typical BC skis), so are the Rossignol BC scaled skis. Both have great shape and the scales work when the angle is low. I've brought them up on Denali, into the Canadian Rockies, Cascades, etc.

G3 also has some scaled BC skis which might interest you.

Petsfed wrote:

I've got a set of silvretta bindings that fit my Nepal Cubes really well. They're just attached to some super old Tua skia. I want to get a set of lighter, more shaped skis, that have fish-scales on them, for longer approaches. I plan on getting climbing skins too, but my experience touring on skins vs scales is that for all but the steepest hills, fish scales win. Any suggestions on the best ski that fits that bill? I looked at the rossignol bc125s. I know Fischer has something similar, but I don't recall what.

To be clear, I already have a Tele-rig that I use for downhill and backcountry stuff, and a cross-country rig that I use for just touring. I am not too concerned about downhill performance, but I do want enough shape to the ski that I'm not fighting to turn it like I do with my cross-country gear, and I don't want to carry an extra pair of boots.

Clint, i don’t like being a jerk, so i’m just going to quote my original post, with the only change being the bold.

The local shop has Fischer skis, so that’s what i’m going with. The s-bound 125 is about 2 pounds heavier, but about half the price of the voile. Rossignols seem to be comparable in price, but only about half a pound lighter per pair than the Fischer’s.

Lots of camber on the Fischers, could be a little dicey getting down without lateral stiffness in your boot. I have heard good things about the Voiles.

I'm sure you already know this but some may not.

Some people tie a cord to the tips of their skis and then to their knees to keep them forward when descending. Looks terrifying but buddies say it works. 

Never enough opportunities to bring these things up: http://www.alpcontrol.com/carac.html

Jacon wrote:

Never enough opportunities to bring these things up: http://www.alpcontrol.com/carac.html

Jacon - do those things really work? 

Seriously though, which modern AT bindings do work with ice climbing boots? My dad has an old (1980's) pair of Ramer bindings. They kind of suck. But I did ski half of denali with them :-)

JohnnyG wrote:

Jacon - do those things really work? 

Seriously though, which modern AT bindings do work with ice climbing boots? My dad has an old (1980's) pair of Ramer bindings. They kind of suck. But I did ski half of denali with them :-)

None. Until manufacturers start putting tech inserts into ice boots your only option is silverettas, bringing two pairs or climbing in a rando boot (which isn't so bad for non mushroomed routes). 

I have no idea if they work.  I just think they're batshit crazy.  

Splitboard and mountaineering boots work well you bunch of two plankers!

Beean wrote:

None. Until manufacturers start putting tech inserts into ice boots your only option is silverettas, bringing two pairs or climbing in a rando boot (which isn't so bad for non mushroomed routes). 

La Sportiva Nepal Tops in Fritschi Diamir bindings (back in 2004)... we did not do any real downhill though!

Beean wrote:

None. Until manufacturers start putting tech inserts into ice boots your only option is silverettas, bringing two pairs or climbing in a rando boot (which isn't so bad for non mushroomed routes). 

Or getting tech inserts installed in your climbing boots 

Eric and Lucie wrote:

La Sportiva Nepal Tops in Fritshci Diamir bindings (back in 2004)... we did not do any real downhill though!

Well if we're doing that.. how about drilling a little hole in the toes and heels of your ice boots to enjoy tech goodness!

i've used some fischer 88s and they've been great! never needed anything more than fishscale for the approaches 

I have the Rossignol bc 125's fitted with Fritschi Eagle bindings. There's a little camber on the skis. The bindings work great with ice climbing boots.

The Fischer S-bounds are good, but I can attest to the fact that the Rossignol BC125s are better. That's what I have, in the 165cm length. The S-bounds are a little softer than the BC125s. I've done a lot of pure skiing in my 125s and I love them. Just my two cents...if choosing between the Fischers and Rossignols...go Rossignol. The Voiles are awesome, but definitely more expensive and probably not really all that better if going short. They have the best base, but that may not be a deciding factor based on the several hundred dollar price difference.

Budget for lots and lots of blister tape for your heels, and tape before you even feel a hot spot.  It will happen skinning in climbing boots.

Also, the knee cord tip is legit.  You can ride backseat and actually control your skis.

If you go the Rossi BC 125 route, just know that they aren't meant to be mounted with any kind of AT binding. It's still a XC ski and has a very supple core; if you take a weird fall or try to ski anything too crazy, there's a good chance the binding will rip out. I've seen these skis come into the shop, and once the binding rips out, there's not much you can do to repair it; also, Rossi will not warranty them.

It’s not my intent to do any kind of downhill skiing with this rig. I simply want the ability to kick-and-glide on the approach, and. Don’t want to carry extra boots, or climb in ski boots, or to always have skins on the skis during the tour in.

I *want* a XC ski that fits on my climbing boots, because I already have a capable downhill tele rig for resort and backcountry days, and a capable NNN BC rig for cross-country on days i’m not climbing.