Approach ski’s

Looking for some Ski’s to mount my silverettas on, I want to be able to ski out to ice climbs in my climbing boots, I don’t ski, I just simply want a ski to cover ground.  What are my options?

Get something with scales underfoot.  They will save you from putting your skins on for rolling terrain.  Every skier ever will say it will kill your pow turns but if you don't know I don't think you'll care; not to mention you'll be wearing climbing boots.

I have an older version of these. 

https://www.fischersports.com/sk_en/s-bound-98-crown/skin-334

Skimo race skis with full cut nylon skins. Maybe add a pair of straight cut mohair skins if it’s a long approach that isn’t steep. Of course this is an expensive way to go and fish scales could be nice.  But this is what Colin Haley uses I believe. (At least it was in his gear list for his solo of beggeya)

Porter McMichael wrote: Skimo race skis with full cut nylon skins. Maybe add a pair of straight cut mohair skins if it’s a long approach that isn’t steep. Of course this is an expensive way to go and fish scales could be nice.  But this is what Colin Haley uses I believe. (At least it was in his gear list for his solo of beggeya)

You could make it to the base of the north buttress in under an hour using a couple ski straps and 2x4's. 

Get a shitty pair of skis with skins, don't spend more than 50 bucks.

Skins are the way to go if its uphill. Haven't tried them, but black diamond is making an approach specific ski:
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/glidelite-147-BD13010300001471.html#start=4 

I like the Rossignol BC line- they have scales, but you can put skins on them as well.
https://www.rossignol.com/us/rossignol-bc-90-positrack-skis-nordic-rhewf20-000-2018-2019.html

I agree with don't spend much on the ski. I consider myself an advanced skiier and have tried mountain boots on skis, ok for up, and absolutely horrible on the down. Maybe you know the downhill limitations, but you may not be using them much after the first attempt.

I'd say going to skis+ skins route is nice since you can keep the skins on for the downhill. That way you won't be completely scared shitless since mountain boots are garbage for any sort of actual skiing downhill.

Also you can pick them up for way cheaper than trying to find a beater pair of scale skis

Jeff Bone wrote: I agree with don't spend much on the ski. I consider myself an advanced skiier and have tried mountain boots on skis, ok for up, and absolutely horrible on the down. Maybe you know the downhill limitations, but you may not be using them much after the first attempt.

Pizza and prayer is SOP :-)

if you don't ski, "performance" is not an issue.  find a cheap (or free) pair of secondhand lightweight alpine skis a bit shorter than you are tall.  In a place like Stanley, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a pair of "junkers" for free.  with cold dry snow like Stanley usually has, you might get by with just x-c touring waxes on the bases for moderate/low angle terrain.  if you don't want to invest in skins, but occasionally need to pull a steeper uphill, a trick we used to use when I was a kid (think 1960s) was to just wrap a length of cord around each ski underfoot.  plenty of traction for the uphill,  & remove to glide back down.  and if you're open to learning - well, alpine ski boots when I learned to ski were less supportive than modern alpine climbing boots, and I have skied off mountains such as Rainier, Hood, and Denali in mountaineering boots without difficulty.

Thank for all the advice peoples!  I’ll be using these for approaches on shores of Lake Superior in Michigan so no downhill at all really, I think I’ll go with some Rossi BC ski’s.

If you're not a skier I would just go with a pair of MSR Lightening Ascent snow shoes and call it a day...

Curt Haire wrote: if you don't ski, "performance" is not an issue.  find a cheap (or free) pair of secondhand lightweight alpine skis a bit shorter than you are tall.  In a place like Stanley, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a pair of "junkers" for free.  with cold dry snow like Stanley usually has, you might get by with just x-c touring waxes on the bases for moderate/low angle terrain.  if you don't want to invest in skins, but occasionally need to pull a steeper uphill, a trick we used to use when I was a kid (think 1960s) was to just wrap a length of cord around each ski underfoot.  plenty of traction for the uphill,  & remove to glide back down.  and if you're open to learning - well, alpine ski boots when I learned to ski were less supportive than modern alpine climbing boots, and I have skied off mountains such as Rainier, Hood, and Denali in mountaineering boots without difficulty.

Dats jus cuz you da Man! Curt!

For that area, some nnn or nnn bc bindings and light boots with waxless (scales), wide, metal edged Nordic skis would work for a lot of stuff. Then just change into your climbing boots. A good setup would be very light. Snowshoes also are good in heavy trees, lots of creek crossings, etc.

People who say you can't ski in mountain boots... it's like saying you can't rock climb in mountain boots. You can, if your goal is getting up and down. But I am terrible and inexperienced at alpine skiing.

I am a pretty solid skier but with full winter climbing pack it's definatly survival sking  ith my setup. part of that is I over thought the mounting and tried to compensate for the curverture of my boots. I should have simply mounted them straight on the ski. they are squirly as fck... 

I am trying to avoid having to carry my boots in my pack, every ounce counts when you need to get out and up climbs like HMR on the shores of superior.  I did it last year on traditional XC ski’s and even following in my partners tracks it was a terrible experience.  On the other hand, if all my climbing partners are on ski’s and I try and snowshoe in I’ll probably be catching them mid trail on their way out! Lol.