What’s Best for the Midwest?

Here is our plain, unfiltered advice:

If you have to choose just one set-up for backcountry skiing in the midwest, go with an 80-100mm underfoot ski with fishscales and a 3-pin binding, optional skins, and a hard shell, 75mm boot. This is the most versatile set-up, with far superior traverse and equally enjoyable down to the Alpine Touring set-up

• Are you mainly traversing, as in winter camping on lakes? 
  • If so, GO TO narrower ski, more camber, retain metal edges, and go to a stiff leather boot.
    

• Are you seeking the steepest, gnarliest terrain you can find at any cost? 
  • IF so, GO TO alpine touring set-up, with alpine boot, ski and skins, but avoid frame bindings.
• Do you want to make turns but are absolutely unwilling to learn the telemark turn? 
  • If So,GO TO alpine touring set-up, with alpine boot, ski and skins, but avoid frame bindings.
• Do you need a set-up that will rock the Mountain West, and you won’t mind the slog on the approach at home? 
  • If so, GO TO alpine touring set-up, with alpine boot, ski and skins, but avoid frame bindings.