lengths of AT skis

[geordie]

I'm pondering getting into the AT ski gig. (Despite this year's snow anomoly.) Hagan and few other brands sell approach skis in the 120/130 cm length. Has anyone used super short skis like this? Even 160/170 cm seems short for a tall climber and gear. I'm not interested in world class ski performance, just a better way to get to and from climbs.

 

[Colin]

I find 140 cm to be ideal for me. Using such short skis is a miracle! I can now easily ski steep slopes or difficult conditions in my climbing boots, while using 160's I could pretty much only do kick turns. Also, attaching some cord from below you're knee to the ski tip can really help, as it mimicks high-back ski boots.

[Ade]

I've been contemplating the same solution as geordie. AT bindings with (cheap) short skis for approaches to routes etc.

Colin, how tall/heavy are you (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm 200lbs and wondering how short is too short?

Ade

[Rodchester]

I have a pair of Hagans that are 170 cm with Silverretta 400 bindings. The are very basicand while not really short they are still easy to ski. I am 6 ft. about 190lbs.

If you intend to ski with your regular mountainering boots, I would say good luck. I know some who can do it, and do it fairly well, but it takes a lot of skill and works you like a beast of burden. It can work on very basic approaches and descents.

If you go too short you will loose flotation, especially in powder and with climbing gear weight.

If you use Randonee boots you can ski and climb in them. They take cramp-ons. Depending on the type/brand, they can climb better or ski better.

This is an area that is to each there own. Many ways to do it and none are the only way. Each has positives and negatives. For my non-talented ass, the Randonee boots make all of the difference.

Good luck.

ps: make sure that the binding takes a mountaineering plastic boot. Some like Diamar Fritschi (Spelling?) do not.

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Have a nice day.

[Colin]

Ade,

That is a good point. I only weigh 120 pounds, and I am only 5'6". There definitely is a flotation drawback to using 140 cm skis (When I just go backcountry skiing, I use WIDE 170's). However, I think that the loss in flotation is well made up for in the ability to easily ski steep challenging slopes in your normal climbing boots (The cord from below your knee to your ski tip is just as important though). I don't like climbing in ski boots, and changing boots at the base of a climb is definitely out of the question. Because of this, I think that short skis are by far the best option. Perhaps WIDE 150's would be a little bit better for your weight though.

[seeker]

this may help. im 5'8 #185. i normally ski wide 170 w/randonee boots and can go almost anywhere. last year due to injury i used old 150 cm GLM skis and found that you cant go fast because of lenghth but had all kinds of control on steeps and cliffs that i wouldnt even look at before. i did several 4 day traverses in canada and had good enough flotation even with a full pack. many people used short skis like this in the 70's. also try this. i skied for 10 yrs exclusively in my plastic climbing boots on 170's.i used ski boot liners and cuffs from old k2 ski boots with an instep strap that ollowed me to adjust the ankle angle perfectely [no shims].it was easy to put them on and off as comfort and climbing dictated. a cord is not needed using this system.they worked great and were only a little softer than my tourlites. i still use them occasionally when i dont want to use my touring boots for a climb. so, try it, you'll like it!

[newmandan]

Most super-short (<160cm) skis are kiddie skis, with the exception of approach skis; Dynafit makes one, too, in 130cm. But for skiing down, both kinds are soft, and the former aren't built to carry lugs like me.

But now there's another option. Mini-skis are in vogue for lessons now, and maunfacturers make short versions built to hold a full-sized adult. Stevens uses a series from Rossignol -- wide and parabolic -- and while they aren't marketed to individuals, you can get 'em and mount AT bindings.

Dan

[This message has been edited by dann (edited 02-19-2001).]