Gear Advice for the Midwest
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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 fish scales 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
Then, some reasons for choosing otherwise…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