Spring touring setup

Yes, I know it's still January, and the fresh snow is still piling up outside. I'll never complain about skiing powder, but I am trying to prepare for a couple trips I have planned this spring.

I'd like to put together a lightweight, somewhat narrow setup for spring skiing. My primary use case is spring corn skiing, long traverses (I’d like to do an Enchantments traverse this winter, plus a Chiwaukum traverse this spring), and ski mountaineering (Baker CD, Adams SW Chutes, etc).

My criteria are – 1) solid feeling on steep/firm snow, 2) fun to ski on corn, and 3) light weight (must be less than 7lbs total, ideally closer to 6). I’m thinking a waist width of 90-95 so they still have some utility for slush season and will provide some floatation for potential spring storms. Length will be somewhere around 180 – I’m 6’4” but going shorter than normal to save weight and add some ‘turniness’ in tight spots. I’d also like relatively flat (not rockered) tails for utility in ski mountaineering situations, and preferably some rocker in the tips. I’m a bigger guy and will frequently use these skis with an overnight pack, so I prefer a ski that is not a noodle. I'm a good skier, but tend to ski somewhat conservatively in the BC. Priority tends more towards a ski being safe and solid, less towards bombing chutes and hucking cliffs (obviously).

For some background, my current BC setup is Dynafit Huascarans mounted with G3 Ions. They’re fat winter skis at 114, lots of fun in powder, but not so great on hardpack or corn. They’re the 186 version and weigh about 8lbs total. I generally like the G3 bindings.

I have three questions for the group –


1) Am I missing anything super important in my criteria list for a spring ski? Does my suggested width seem reasonable for what I’d like to accomplish?

2) My shortlist (based on price and meeting my specs on paper) looks like this:
a. BD Link 95
b. BD Helio 95
c. BD Helio 88
d. K2 Wayback 88
e. K2 Wayback 96
f. Icelantic Vanguard 97

Anyone have experience with skis on this list? BD Helio is probably the ‘best’ option, but pretty expensive. BD Link is 10oz heavier, but about half the price. I’m concerned about the Link being too ‘soft,’ but haven’t skied one yet. I have no experience on K2 skis, though they seem a popular and reliable choice, if somewhat uninspiring. Curious about the Icelantic, have always been intrigued by their skis but have yet to try one. Am I missing any 'obvious' candidates? I know about Fischer Hannibal, but left it off due to worries about 'durability'.

3) Bindings – I have a pair of Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0s that are waiting to be mounted. They’re light and simple, which I like, though I haven’t used them. I am at least mildly concerned after hearing some reports that the ‘speed’ style toe does not provide adequate retention for heavier skiers. I know this can be a divisive question, but curious about any personal experience with the speed toe or the Speed Turn 2.0 in general. My alternatives include a) sell bindings and buy G3 Ion LT or Radical Ft, or b) sell the speed toes and replace with radical toes, keep the turn heels.

Thanks for your input!

I'd add the G3 Findr and the Salomon MTN 95.

I'll first say there are other who are way more knowledgeable than myself.

don't think you're missing anything..but you could probably get away with going narrower if you desired. I'm a fair bit smaller than you but have a lot of fun on a hagan cirrus~ ski. 76 or 78 underfoot.. love it on SW chutes.

can't speak to toes but is it really endemic, 220lbs+ pops out of toes or something? feel like there would be caveats and warnings all over if it were so. but maybe i'm missing them, due to not being that size.

I am about your size and have blizzard zero g 95s for this purpose in a 185 they weight ~6lbs. They also make an even lighter 85mm option, but I wanted something better in variable and mush. They are stiff and poppy, but not super damp (no light ski is), my research last year indicated these were the best skiing option in the weight class for a big strong skier. Mine have a tts setup so I have no input on the bindings.

I am a big guy, 6'4" & 240#. I have skied the speed turn 2 on fat skis and really skinny skis in all sorts of conditions and haven't noticed any toe pre-release even with a 50# pack, but I tend to keep my skis on the ground and don't straightline much.

For pure spring skiing, skinier is better IMO. I have been spring touring on old Atomic tourcaps, ~70 mm underfoot, and I absolutely love them. If you want something more versatile, I would say that 85 - 95 mm should be your target.

I love rocker on Winter/storm skis, but don't really miss it in true corn. I find rocker and slightly wider skis to be much more fun than skinny normally cambered skis in slush conditions.

See you in the chutes...

G3 zenoxide 88 has been great for me. The findr is the replacement.