Spring touring setup

90-95 is a great width for a do-all spring ski.

I'm ~6', 180-190 (oops!), and exclusively ski Speeds, Comforts, and Speed Turn 1.0s. I don't ski hard, but at a DIN of 7 (335mm BSL), I stay in. The only place that I see pre-releases is on boilerplate/chattery snow. I no longer seek out boilerplate/chattery snow. One broken ankle from a locked toe is enough for my lifetime.

I can provide a little color for the Icelantic. I'm still evaluating the Vanguard 107 (not the 97), but I heartily recommend you demo before you buy.  It's a turny ski with a more-forward mount (I mounted boot-center on the boot-center mark, which the sidecut really wants you to do).

Edgehold has been excellent, but it wants to be skied very differently from every other ski I own. It is torsionally stiff, and pleasantly stiff/supportive underfoot. I detuned tips and tails last night, and am looking forward to the weekend for another go-round.

So far, the construction/build quality has been up to Icelantic's advertised-par. They're pretty skis, and have, in my very limited experience, resisted both scratches and rocks well.

The weight of my 107s is above spec. If weight is an issue for you (for any ski), bring a properly calibrated scale to the shop. Many manufacturers ship higher-mass skis than they advertise.

I'll make a MeasuredMass post about the ski in the future, but only once I've given the ski a chance to fully demonstrate its habits for me.

For now, I recommend a demo.

I use speed turn as well and haven't had many issues. Lock the toes on no-fall territory.

Don't forget ski crampons

I'll put in another vote for the blizzard zero g 95's... I was looking for a new lightweight summer ski with a 95ish waist and thats what I ended up with.

DPS Cassiar 95 tour1.

Im on the Pure Cassiar 95 and its a burly stick for groomers, hard pack and corn.I find myself skiing on them more and more even in the deeper stuff. Love them.

The tour 1 version is even lighter and getting great reviews.

Also a fair bit smaller than you (5'9" 135), but I've been doing well with 177 Huascarans and 170 ancient Dynastar Altitrail Verticals (75mm waist). Have skied both with speed rad, current use rad 2 st on the Huascarans.  The Huascarans have been awesome whenever there's a crust to smash through or heavy cream, but the 75mm sticks are great on ice and corn (e.g. Adams SW Chutes).

Thanks for all the input!

River, Charlie, Kam, and Todd, thanks for quieting my fears on the Speed Turns. I certainly want to like them, so looks like I'll be giving them a try.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about the Findr and Synapse from G3 - I hadn't even considered them, but they certainly seem worth a look.

Charlie, thanks for the insight on the Vanguard. I'm certainly still interested. Know of anywhere in the greater Seattle area that offers demos? Maybe someone will have some at Vertfest this year? Thanks also for the advice about ski weights, I'll certainly take that into consideration.

Scotsman, I've been lusting after a pair of DPS skis since they first came to market. The Cassiar 95 seems like a ripper...plus only 1600g in the Pure 3 is pretty sweet. I may need to do some serious looking at their lineup... and my budgets... Are you skiing the Cassiar inbounds as well? If so, what does your binding setup look like?

A question for the folks who suggested the Blizzard Zero G - I've heard it is a fairly 'demanding' ski. Has that been your experience? While I do enjoy the feeling of a super high performance ski, I'm hoping this particular setup will be one that is friendlier to tired legs and a heavy pack.