Approach ski rig

Petsfed wrote:

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.

This kickstarter looks like it might cover your use case.

Those snowshoe ski things aren't a new invention and the number of used ones collecting dust in the used gear shop confirm my suspicions that they would be a very niche tool and wholly inadequate if you weren't a snowboarder.

Been riding a non fishscale version of G3's FINDr 86's and love them. The fishscale version of the FINDr goes down to 78 waist as well. https://us-store.genuineguidegear.com/products/findr-xcd-86

DavisMeschke Guillotine wrote:

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.

How do the NNN BC bindings mount? Just curious. Screws? How does it differ from the AT set-up? As I said, I'm using Fritschi Eagles, and for the same overall purpose as the OP. I'm very pleased with their performance as an approach ski but I wouldn't do proper ski mountaineering with them.

clint helander wrote:

Those snowshoe ski things aren't a new invention and the number of used ones collecting dust in the used gear shop confirm my suspicions that they would be a very niche tool and wholly inadequate if you weren't a snowboarder.

That's my feeling too. These would be tediously slow for going down where a standard approach ski would do just fine.

clint helander wrote:

Those snowshoe ski things aren't a new invention and the number of used ones collecting dust in the used gear shop confirm my suspicions that they would be a very niche tool and wholly inadequate if you weren't a snowboarder.

Indeed. Who else remembers the Trek Bushwacker ski from the mid "70s? Super wide, super short. Never really caught on.

Doug S wrote:

How do the NNN BC bindings mount? Just curious. Screws? How does it differ from the AT set-up? As I said, I'm using Fritschi Eagles, and for the same overall purpose as the OP. I'm very pleased with their performance as an approach ski but I wouldn't do proper ski mountaineering with them.

They mount just like any other binding, the difference being the screws used to mount a XC binding are much longer because of the soft core in a Nordic ski. An NNN binding is meant to be used very minimally on the downhill. The binding just isn't meant to take the forces an alpine or AT binding is designed to take.

if you aren't doing any downhill in them, you don't have to worry. I wasn't sure what exactly Petsfed was doing with the setup, so I just thought I'd throw in my .02, especially with a few people recommending the Rossi skis.

Arc'teryx has boots that are supposed to climb as well as any good plastic and are compatible with tech bindings. Seems like the best answer, if you can drop $800+ on boots.

For the scale v skin thing, I can't hardly move unless it's downhill on my smooth at ski's, if I had scales, I could get through many sections that aren't really worth stopping and putting skins on for. Mine are also downhill and I wouldn't want scales for that.

DavisMeschke Guillotine wrote:

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.

I mounted silvretta 500s on mine. I have skied the holy hell out of them all over Alaska...on Denali, week long ski traverses, big descents and some mega wipeouts!!! I have numerous friends who mounted silvretta or tech bindings on them and my shop has never had a problem with returns from busted bindings on skis. Just my $.02

clint helander wrote:

I mounted silvretta 500s on mine. I have skied the holy hell out of them all over Alaska...on Denali, week long ski traverses, big descents and some mega wipeouts!!! I have numerous friends who mounted silvretta or tech bindings on them and my shop has never had a problem with returns from busted bindings on skis. Just my $.02

Nice. I'm about to mount some Dynafit Speed Radicals on mine. It's comforting to know that the precedent has been set. Dumb question... but are your friends bothering to mount the heel pieces? I've been debating back and forth myself.