Approach Skis

[RjBlake]

I've been trying to pick up some approach skis in the various spring sales. I found this blog post from Andy Kirpatrick which reviews some of the options for approach skis, and thought it might be interesting to a broader audience: https://andy-kirkpatrick.com/blog/view/approachskis

[johngassel]

Awesome share Rob. For me, this is incredibly timely too. I actually just sold my snowboard last night (kept my splitboard though) and I've been really wanting to take the plunge into learning to ski for real. This seems like a good way to learn (cheaply) and functional for me in a lot of cases becuase my main goal in skiing is as a means for approaching climbs.

[cwoodall]

Woah! That's a pretty neat idea. Not too costly either.

What do you use on the boot side for these? I guess it looks like you can just use a mountaineering boot. Seems like reasonably high risk to me, but maybe there is something I am not seeing.

[rbirk]

Boots... that's a tough one. In the past I heard the Dynafit TLT5 was the boot to get, but then every year they made these boots better for skiing and less good for climbing and with latest models they no longer have the front bail groove..

I have wanted AT skis for some time. Some day!

[cwoodall]

Wow this is a whole thing. Looks cool.

I found these bindings as well in my little bit of research:

http://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/u ... rettyPhoto

They also seem to have a whole ski + universal binding set-up for around $300.

http://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/h ... ated-2016/

Look interesting. Seems like a lot of people are using the Silvretta 500 bindings too.

I am not completely sold on this idea yet

[jeffkittredge]

i have silvretta 500 on Hagan ultra light. Good combo for ice climbing boots. I always leave skins on, or too out of control for a non-skier.

[RjBlake]

I'm wondering if you couldn't manufacture an adapter plate that would attach to mountaineering boots like a crampon, and the adapter would interface with the ski binding. Like so: (google slide link)

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14dq_wFATFlOm9QTwMHevhGCrti4e4cPokE8zKu9c_O8/edit?usp=sharing

[mattdrayer]

Maybe something like this kit from Voile?

https://www.backcountry.com/voile-split ... -plate-kit

[cwoodall]

I like the idea Rob!