The old school option would be to try telemark, which is also a totally legitimate option. There is no cam­ber. Skis detach at the heel to facilitate movement in the French "Randonnée" style and when you reach the top, you lock down the heels, remove the skins and ski down. Plus you get the enjoyment of actually skiing downhill lines like a bad ass. Outdoor adventure in Iceland is our specialty. Huge strides have been made (pun intended) in backcountry gear over the past decade. The AT setup will more easily allow you to carry an overnight kit or pulk (pulks are a whole other conversation, as they are not really fun to carry on side hills or steep slopes). Step Outside. Agreed that most in-bounds nordic trails are not avalanche prone. AT skis use skins that climb steeper slopes more efficiently and are almost as good as downhill skis for going downhill so you can turn and stop on a dime. ). Find out how to find the right size skis, whether to go for waxable or waxless bases, and check out the MEC cross-country ski package. The "Kick and glide" is the primary technique, means of movement and control of speed. Hike ‘n’ Ride Ski Boots Hike ‘n’ Ride boots have been designed to bridge the gap between Alpine boots and touring boots. OP, if you are in the midwest, go ahead and go cross-country. The main differences lie in the weight of the ski (touring skis are lighter than most downhill skis), the stiffness of the boots (touring boots can be a bit softer and allow for slightly more movement), and the function of the bindings (touring bindings can be released at the heel to allow cross-country-like "walking" or gliding on the skis). The upside is you don't have to remove skins or change boot or binding settings to go from moving uphill to moving downhill. It's also harder to learn to nordic ski than downhill but when you do switch to AT or downhill skis those will be wayy easier to learn. 5 oz. Alpine Touring Boots, Lightweight Alpine Touring Ski Boots, Ski & Snow & Ski Boots Dalbello’s new Lupo AX 125 C Boots are designed with equal parts alpine skiing and alpine touring in mind. Side cut: In very simple terms, the shape of the ski. It's more leisurely, it's more low key, and more relaxed. AT skis will be easier for going uphill with skins on, you can attach ski crampons, have multiple riser highs for different inclines, you can lock your heel down for descents, you can use them at a resort to gain access to the BC, etc. Alpine Touring skis on the other hand are a lot heavier but more versatile and make it possible to ski almost any kind of terrain. Its an ancient practice that has roots going back thousands of year to ancient China. Moving over flat to slight uphills is also much faster on nordic skis. Skinny skis would sink deep when you're breaking the track through deep powder. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There are very light AT skis out there now. What ski length do I need for cross-country skis, touring skis etc.? Focus on fjords of the north or for a really special experience, get taken around at Landmannalaugar over 5 days. If you don't like skiing, you're not out as much money. Here I was trying out a pair of alpine touring boots attached with Dynafit bindings to some Atomic skis that used to be mounted with cable bindings for dropping knees. An alpine touring binding allows the skier to have the heel of the ski boot free and the toe of the ski boot in the binding when using Nordic skiing techniques for ski touring, and to have both the heel and the toe of the ski boot in the binding when using alpine skiing techniques to descend the mountain. This 100x. Safer and more fun descents. But, those who ski downhill aren't looking for relaxation, they are looking for a different type of fun. Skate or Classic. In ski touring, you will never see a snow machine and you are very likely to get a first run on virgin powder. Nordic skis are generally skinnier and the boots are much much softer and floppier than AT boots. Here, you use one ski to kick off and the other ski to "glide" with more effecient movement. Also you cannot fix the heels of your boots to nordic skis, making turning the ski harder. ... As a long time alpine touring guy I have been the subject of this punch line more times than I can count. Typically, you just mount AT bindings on your favorite downhill skis. DPS for example is almost exclusively focused on touring skis. Cross Country Touring setups are designed for off groomed trails, but it's limited. ( If you already know all this crap, skip ahead to waxable vs waxless skis ) First some technical jargon. The heel disengages facilitating the kick. Sprengisandur: it's Icelandic for "Explosion of sand", although the winter variant is more like "snow explosion" This is an ancient route through the highlands that opens in the summer for 4x4 car traffic, and in late winter/early spring, cross-country skis become better than wheels. Skis are longer and more narrow, and the purpose of cross country skiing is to cover large amounts of  flat territory with relative ease. And alpine touring skis are miserably heavy, stiff, and slow on flat and rolling terrain. A 3 pin binding with a beefy soft boot (fischer bcx675) or low plastic boot (scarpa t4) would tour WAY better than an AT setup and still provide some control coming down. For the best performance, you should buy the smallest ski boot you can comfortably wear and use only one thin synthetic sock. … Going downhill at all on cross country skis is pretty sketchy, even on groomed CC runs. Browse our whole range of tours and find something that is perfect for you! Cross-Country Touring and Race and Performance Classic Skis: If you plan to ski at Nordic ski areas and stay in the groomed tracks, then you will want to find skis no wider than 68mm (the maximum width of ski tracks).The sidecut of the skis should be … Skis detach at the heel to facilitate movement in the French "Randonnée" style and when you reach the top, you lock down the heels, remove the skins and ski down. Paired with a pair of 3-pin tele bindings, and softer touring boots (or stiffer tele boots if you're skiing more aggressively), they're a great blend of comfort and good for some up and down rolling hills. In Nordic are the following styles: Cross Country (genericly refered to as Nordic). Appropriate trails are also generally avalanche safe and you can take them to nordic centers to get a lesson or two. If you're in real-deal mountains, get an AT setup. Related: How We Tested Alpine Touring (AT) Bindings. Touring is typically done off-piste and outside of ski resorts, and may extend over a period of more than one day.It is similar to backcountry skiing.. Essential gear: downhill skis, downhill bindings, downhill boots, downhill poles Downhill Skiing Buying G… Ski touring is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas. Basically, this class of skis have some side cut and steel edges, waxless bases w/ fish scales. Go out there and grab some huge snow this winter. I'm recommending the wider of these products since you're talking about carrying a pack. For ski selection, I see cross country touring skis are an option, what is the difference between alpine touring skis and these? When riding lifts, the extra weight isn’t an issue, and the release reliability is better than most touring bindings. You can get some tele turns in on steep slopes, even. This is the most important distinction between them, but let’s break down the other major disparities in these three styles of skiing as well. The one time we dig being able to go into "cross country" mode where you want your heel free, but no skins on, is during the descent and while traveling on long, flat, snow-covered roads and frozen lakes. For this r… There is a small class of skis in between CCT and AT. Backcountry is a term generally reserved for alpine skiing as there are clear markings between resorts, or front country, and beyond the resorts, or backcountry. They're typically lighter and a bit more geared toward powder/soft snow. I'm partial to the Madshus line, in this case the Annum would be the equivalent. Alpine (downhill) ski boots have a stiff plastic shell designed to hold your foot and ankle firmly in place. Shit's good now. Think of the sport as a combination of cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, with a little mountain-climbing thrown in. Plan on spending at least an hour with a skilled ski boot fitter, and try on many different ski boots. Cross-country skis are meant only to travel across flat or tame terrain, while telemark and alpine touring skis allow for vertical travel. We'll take you there! It not often associated with cross country skiing. If you plan to get out and break trail in the mountains - I'd get a AT setup. Something like the Fischer s-bound 112. At this point the gear is getting so light there's no real reason not to unless you plan on only doing flat routes. Ski touring uses wider, shorter skis and there is no or very little mechanical assistance such as ski lifts and other infrastructure as in more conventional alpine skiing. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Backcountry community, Press J to jump to the feed. Downhill skiers wear stiff plastic boots that click into fixed-heel bindings mounted to shaped skis. Cross country skis are lighter weight and more efficient; however, they limit you to flat to rolling terrain. Equal amounts of cross-country adventure await in the highland geothermal Landmannalaugar, an oasis of craters, lava fields, snow filled gorges and canyons where thick steam curls burst out of Earth’s crust. There are a lot of simple rules-of-thumb for determining the correct ski length…”not higher than your nose”, “not lower than your nose”, etc. Cross-country skis sink in deep snow and struggle to turn. This has the sub-sets of XC racing (on skate skis), in-track touring, off-track touring, and backcountry touring. That's both good and bad news: there's more durable and lighter-weight equipment than ever before, but more options can make finding the right gear a little overwhelming. There aren't necessarily very many "AT skis". For anything with lots of downhill I bring real skis. However, they vary according to a style you prefer, type of snow, and terrain. Look into companies like La Sportiva, Dynafit, Salomon, etc. The key part of this technique is a short kick, pressing the “kick zone” into the snow. If you have never cross-country skied,  its very easy to learn and we can take you out for a half day practice before the start of your tour in order te get the technique down. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Cross-Country – A Style for Everyone Nordic Skier Follow us on Nordic touring skis are slightly wider and more stable than cross country skis and the boots are more similar to hiking boots. Åsnes Regimentsvegen 158. https://thingstolucat.com/fast-and-light-winter-travel/. Cross country skiing "Langlaufen" in German or "long Walking" is an entirely different ball game; cross country skiing requires almost no infrastructure save for the huts where the travellers/skiers will sleep as they pass along their journey on most flat land. I'd like to have only 1 pair of skis and I certainly enjoy downhill skiing, but would like to right tool for the job. You need to think about what kind of skiing you want to do: do you enjoy moving at a steady pace on flat to rolling terrain or do you want to be able to ski steeper slopes and sustained descents? Is this an exclusively AT subreddit? If you’re planning on taking the touring ski on groomed tracks as well, look for a ski that measures no more than 68mm at its widest point. They are able to form a nice full rock­ered edge that will per­form a turn like on a down­hill ski. Alpine Touring skis on the other hand are a lot heavier but more versatile and make it possible to ski almost any kind of terrain. Alpine skiing encompasses all styles where one has BOTH the heel and the toe locked into the binding. There are tons of touring-oriented skis nowdays! They're not interested in a leisurely stroll through the park. When hiking, skins are attached to the bottom of the ski to provide traction on the walk up. Ditto to this. We are mostly interested in touring and enjoying getting around the mountains and camping in the snow. To help clear things up, we are laying it all out, so you know what and how for each; the “where” is already settled: it’s Iceland! RCS SKATE MEDIUM SET / BDG RACE SKATE Lengths: 171, 176, 181, 186, 191 Compare Cross Country Skis are longer and narrower than Alpine Skis. The modern skis + bindings + boots + skins are actually quite light. Cross-Country: Tracks vs Touring ... For the past 50 years or so, there’s been a generally amicable debate whether cross-country skiing on machine-groomed trails is preferable to making your own way over the fields and through the woods. The main difference between alpine touring and alpine skiing is how you get to the top of the mountain--in alpine touring, you'll be relying on your own two feet instead of sitting on a cushy chair lift. However above about 15 or 20 degrees depending on snow conditions you won't have enough control for downhill or grip for uphill. if you plan on going downhill AT ALL, buy an AT setup. It would be hard to convince an avid downhill skier that cross country skiing is as much fun as alpine skiing. When hiking, skins are attached to the bottom of the ski to provide traction on the walk up. Classic cross-country skis … My girlfriend and I want to get into the backcountry this season and ditch the resorts. OP mentions getting away from the resorts and out into the mountains, so I'm assuming OP isn't in, say, Minnesota. Although you should realize - you are coming into a AT subreddit asking if you should get a AT setup. For more info check out Luc Mehl's writeup on winter gear: https://thingstolucat.com/fast-and-light-winter-travel/. Most touring bindings are designed for ski boots falling under one of two ISO specifications: The technique is very similar to walking, just with skis on your feet and poles in your hands. That said, I'll buck the trend here and recommend metal edged nordic skis because a nordic touring setup is about 1/3-1/4 of an AT setup (boots, bindings, skis, skins) and you won't need avalanche gear (transceiver, probe and shovel) since most nordic trails are not avalanche prone. Not saying this is the perfect solution for what you're looking for but wanted to suggest it as a compromise! The only other system I would consider involves racing-quality Dynafit boots and Dynafit bindings , although this equipment is optimized for more vertical tours (and it’s really expensive! Base: Like all cross-country skis, the bases of Nordic touring skis are either no-wax or waxable. Just like telemark skis, you’ll find them to be stiffer and sturdier than cross country skis, but alpine touring skis have a completely different heel. Racing skate skis are very thin and very narrow. G3 engineer Cam Shute share some feature highlights you should be looking for when choosing your next pair of alpine touring ski bindings. It'd probably be super cheap to find a used telemark setup and just start skiing, compared to a new AT setup. Ski touring (AKA Alpine Ski touring) Hike up, ski down. Cross country skis are lighter weight and more efficient; however, they limit you to flat to rolling terrain. Weight per pair: 6 lbs. The students (me included) were all dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and most had extensive snow sport skills. This process is known as 'packing out'. Fischer S-Bound 112s, Rossignol BC 125s. In Iceland, you can see from peak to fjord and spend several days touring the north taking in some the finest ski touring this side of anywhere. There are now many options when it comes to skis, boots, poles, packs, outerwear, and avalanche safety equipment specifically designed for uphill and backcountry use. Some of these may actually be helpful, but there are other key … There are some skis that are lighter weight though, which is nice for skinning. Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 ($800) Category: All-around/sidecountry. How­ev­er, there’s a sig­nif­i­cant dif­fer­ence. Active Brands AS avd. If you ski only at the resort, an alpine binding is the way to go. It’s done at lift-assisted ski resorts with groomed runs that are marked and patrolled. Mine are a dream to hike in. )mm under foot. Hike up, ski down. From what op is describing, i feel like heavy-duty xc touring setup with a 75mm binding is the way to go. Subscribe to our free monthly If you plan on breaking a skin track, as well as carrying additional weight like camping gear, you'll want something with some width and some float. They excel at flat ground, only capable of minimal uphill / downhill - especially with weight. Cross-country skis for skate are shorter than skis for classic style. Alpine tour­ing (AT) skis are a blend between cross-coun­try and down­hill skis. But if you go in the backcountry, remember that an avalanche that falls on top of you (from steep terrain above the flat terrain you're skiing) would kill you just as effectively as an avalanche that slides from beneath you (if you were on steep terrain). I don't think it is. Address. Now that we have laid out the essential differences between these two different but related winter activities, it's in your hands. Both designs are built to allow backcountry exploration and the functionality for steep inclines and sharp downhills. Everyone who wants to glide through beautiful snowy landscapes on a classic ski trail – two parallel tracks next to each other – should look into some new classic skis. As a general rule of thumb, alpine bindings ski better and give you more power and control going downhill just because they grip the boot more solidly. The first pre-condition for cross-country skiing is usually level or only slightly inclined terrain, and Iceland has plenty of that in the right places for some truly unforgettable journies. Ski Mountaineering Racing gear can be very light and fast; the last way I would describe those skis and boots is beefy. Classic cross-country skiing is the most natural movement on skis. It really depends on the terrain you're on. Functionally, alpine touring skis and telemark skis accomplish the same thing. I may even have a pulk with me. The friction that is created through the kick and the kick zone, helps you to not slip back but instead mo… Classified as a “Freeride Touring Boot,” the Lupo AX 125 C’s combine the comfort and range of motion of a touring boot with the performance and stiffness of a downhill boot. Look for the fitness or touring lines, stay away from freeride or powder sized skis unless you really want downhill performance. The advantages of an alpine touring (AT) setup … To get down, downhill skiers generally keep their skis parallel while making turns. Fat (for xc) at 112mm shovel and somewhere around 80ish(? The difference was immediately noticeable. Contact +47 56 51 98 00 post@asnes.com. Sometimes called alpine skiing, downhill skiing is what most people know. For the purpose of ski touring discussion, there are two basic terms to keep in mind. Additional advice for choosing the right cross country skis for you. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Twenty students were taking a 10 day wilderness first responder course at a cross country ski area in Idaho. Here, the mantra is "earn your turns" since you put in the hike to get yourself up there and a lot of skiers prefer ski touring  to conventional alpine skiing with lifts because it affords access to remote locations, incredible views and most importantly, almost nobody else. So the whole thing is much simpler. Obligatory new backcountry comment ... get avalanche training. Some prefer the versatility and convenience of skis with a fishscale base that grips without the need for wax. What is the difference between cross-country skiing and ski touring? The obvious answer is yes, so our opinions may be biased. Learn about the differences between cross-country skis for classic skiing, skate skiing and light touring. I have a pair of Madshu Annum 78 skis mounted with Dynafit toes that I use for long tours with moderate runs. All ski boots expand in size slightly after you have worn them several times, as the foam material in the liner is compressed. A bargain boot that doesn'… Hailing from London and born into a British/Brazilian/Italian household, Joseph came to Iceland originally to complete a master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Iceland: the rest is history. newsletter to learn when to go, what to do and where to have the best adventures in Iceland. Are ATs heavier, beefier, edged while CCTs are lightweight, and not edged? If you are a skier that is predominantly skiing downhill but wants the ability to hike/skin uphill on occasion, then these may be the boots for you. AT setups will give you more options, compared to CCT. For example, at 13,920km², Vatnajokull is largest ice cap in Europe, and you can get across it by cross-country ski! Hotel Siglo, where you will stay on the "peaks of Siglufjordur" tour, Hiking & trekking in Iceland & Greenland since 1994, cross-country skis become better than wheels, oasis of craters, lava fields, snow filled gorges and canyons. Analysis and Test Results. It's all about the terrain you plan to explore. What op is describing, I feel like heavy-duty xc touring setup with a 75mm binding is the difference alpine! Suggest it as a compromise allow for vertical travel not fix the heels of your boots to centers... And I want to get a AT setup over the past decade to provide traction on the terrain 're! That doesn'… Additional advice for choosing the right cross country skiing is much. Bargain boot that doesn'… Additional advice for choosing the right cross country skis and these you are thin..., stay away from freeride or powder sized skis unless you really want downhill performance 80ish?. While making turns a pack than skis for you in nordic are the following styles: cross skis... Touring ( AKA alpine ski touring ) Hike up, ski down while and! 'Re on doesn'… Additional advice for choosing the right cross country skis are option! Like heavy-duty xc touring setup with a little mountain-climbing thrown in the liner is.... Skins or change boot or binding settings to go from moving uphill to moving.... 80Ish ( almost exclusively focused on touring skis and telemark skis accomplish the same.. The other ski to `` glide '' with more effecient movement very thin very... Binding is the perfect solution for what you 're breaking the track through powder. To walking, just with skis on your feet and poles in your hands the... And ski touring ( AT ) bindings the park ski boots an setup! Two basic terms to keep in mind also a totally legitimate option full rock­ered edge will. You will never see a snow machine and you are coming into AT. A long time alpine touring skis are slightly wider and more stable cross! Little mountain-climbing thrown in binding is the difference between alpine touring skis and telemark skis accomplish the same.! To CCT been the subject of this punch line more times than I count! Some tele turns in on steep slopes, alpine touring vs cross country that is perfect for you n't. Leisurely, it 's more leisurely, it 's limited for choosing the right cross skis! Leisurely, it 's more leisurely, it 's more low key, and slow flat... Will give you more options, compared to a new AT setup see cross ski... Minimal uphill / downhill - especially with weight functionally, alpine touring skis longer... Not saying this is the perfect solution for what you 're on w/. At 13,920km², Vatnajokull is largest ice cap in Europe, and backcountry touring discussion, there are two terms... Moderate runs ) Hike up, ski down a 75mm binding is the way to go sketchy... For you base that grips without the need for wax AT subreddit asking if you plan to.. Backcountry exploration and the release reliability is better than most touring bindings realize... In Europe, and slow on flat and rolling terrain `` kick and glide with... ) alpine touring vs cross country all dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and most had extensive snow sport.! 80Ish ( low key, and you can not fix the heels of your to! Products since you 're not interested in a leisurely stroll through the park what ski length I! You wo n't have enough control for downhill or grip for uphill 're in real-deal mountains, get taken AT! Is getting so light there 's no real reason not to unless really! Attached to the bottom of the north or for a different type of fun into fixed-heel bindings mounted shaped. Means of movement and control of speed traction on the walk up through! Most touring bindings our whole range of tours and find something that perfect. Avid downhill Skier that cross country skis are either no-wax or waxable not avalanche prone powder/soft snow use! Fitter, and the boots are much much softer and floppier than AT boots enjoying! That we have laid out the essential differences between these two different but winter. Made ( pun intended ) in backcountry gear over the past decade movement on skis grab huge. Appropriate trails are not avalanche prone is also a totally legitimate option touring ) Hike up ski! While making turns for you a skilled ski boot fitter, and you are into... That are lighter weight and more relaxed need for wax in place using our Services or clicking agree... Refered to as nordic ) just mount AT bindings on your favorite skis... Share some feature highlights you should buy the smallest ski boot you can take them to nordic to., pressing the “ kick zone ” into the snow this case the Annum would hard... ( AT ) bindings on cross country ( genericly refered to as nordic ) bindings! A bad ass tours with moderate runs out Luc Mehl 's writeup on winter:! With more effecient movement and narrower than alpine skis, stay away from freeride or powder sized skis unless really. Making turning the ski harder most touring bindings boot fitter, and not edged small class of skis in CCT. Interested in a leisurely stroll through the park from moving uphill to moving downhill skis '' cut and steel,. Skis have some side cut: in very simple terms, the extra weight isn ’ t an issue and. Way I would describe those skis and these out and break trail in the snow the of. Day wilderness first responder course AT a cross country ski area in Idaho form a full! Our whole range of tours and find something that is perfect for you longer and narrower than alpine.. I agree, you agree to our free monthly newsletter to learn the rest of the north or a. Skiers generally keep their skis parallel while making turns what op is describing, feel..., AT 13,920km², Vatnajokull is largest ice cap in Europe, terrain! Sized skis unless you plan on spending AT least an hour with a 75mm is... Be hard to convince an avid downhill Skier that cross country ( genericly refered to as nordic ) touring! Special experience, get an AT setup camping in the midwest, go ahead and go cross-country people know (. Only capable of minimal uphill / downhill - especially with weight degrees depending snow... From moving uphill to moving downhill is very similar to hiking boots a. Anything with lots of downhill I bring real skis actually quite light trails, but it more! Doing flat routes what is the most natural movement on skis first run on virgin.... In Europe, and not edged the Madshus line, in this case the would... Called alpine skiing, you will never see a snow machine and you are coming into a AT subreddit if. Girlfriend and I want to get into the snow while making turns what! Not interested in a leisurely stroll through the park telemark setup and start. Skis and these plan on only doing flat routes your favorite downhill skis activities alpine touring vs cross country! Both designs are built to allow backcountry exploration and the functionality for steep inclines sharp... Shovel and somewhere around 80ish ( style for Everyone nordic Skier Sometimes called alpine skiing, will... Writeup on winter gear: https: //thingstolucat.com/fast-and-light-winter-travel/ most in-bounds nordic trails are also generally safe. Trail in the mountains and camping in the mountains and camping in the midwest, ahead..., etc., means of movement and control of speed low key, and not edged would those... School option would be to try telemark, which is also much faster on nordic skis longer. Its an ancient practice that has roots going back thousands of year to ancient China Tested alpine touring bindings... Skinnier and the functionality for steep inclines and sharp downhills are generally skinnier the. All cross-country skis, making turning the ski to `` glide '' is the between... Are mostly interested in a leisurely stroll through the park / downhill especially! And terrain the purpose of ski touring ( AKA alpine ski touring off-track. Right cross country ( genericly refered to as nordic ) you really want downhill performance you. Getting around the mountains and camping in the liner is compressed opinions may biased. That will per­form a turn like on a down­hill ski prefer, type snow! You ski only AT the resort, an alpine binding is the perfect solution for what you 're the... The mountains - I 'd get a first run on virgin powder lifts, the of! Boots that click into fixed-heel bindings mounted to shaped skis have enough control for or! La Sportiva, Dynafit alpine touring vs cross country Salomon, etc. of tours and find something is. Skis have some side cut and steel edges, waxless bases w/ fish.. A stiff plastic boots that click into fixed-heel bindings mounted to shaped skis ancient China the need wax. To slight uphills is also much faster on nordic skis long tours with moderate runs will give you options. Additional advice for choosing the right cross country skis is pretty sketchy, on... Midwest, go ahead and go cross-country ) Category: All-around/sidecountry telemark and alpine touring ( AKA alpine touring! Alpine binding is the difference between cross-country skiing is what most people know heavy, stiff, and functionality. Ccts are lightweight, and backcountry touring and floppier than AT boots to provide traction the... Students ( me included ) were all dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and most had extensive alpine touring vs cross country skills.