One ski quiver gear question?

Looking for a new all mountain setup for both in-bounds and touring. Basically a middle of the road ski to do everything, excel at nothing. I'm a decent skiier... but not great, certainly not as good as some of you. Lapping GV at crystal or an easy spring tour on worm flows or camp muir is my happy place.


Pretty sure I want to go with a frame binding. Freeride pros, specifically, since that is what I have now and I know em and trust em.

For the skis... I was looking at maybe dynafit meteorites or atomic backland 102s... cheap but a little heavy... both seem similar and an ideal all-mtn ski. Maybe Dhaulagiris if I feel like spending a little more to save a pound on each leg? You folks think those are good choices for a middle-of-the-road setup?

Thanks!

IMHO, if you're looking for a one ski quiver for both in-bounds and moderate touring, and you're using frame bindings I would vote for Atomic Backland 102. Skiing performance trumps uphill performance for sure in your case. Backlands are very lightweight for what they are, and you can get a good deal on them now - new for $350 - $399 if you shop around online.

Praxis Rx

I would really discourage you from frame bindings if you are willing to consider other options.
I understand the attraction of them and used them exclusively in my earlier years of starting to tour and used them extensively in- bounds.

Grew to hate the stack height and sloppiness of frame bindings and the weight.... Muir is a long tour on heavy assed bindings.

I would normally say Kingpins a better choice ( my wife has all her skis with these) but recently there has been a lot of reports on toe pins shears and the heel unit breaking... check out a thread on TGR.
Personally, most everybody that I know that uses them hasn't had the same problems and really like them. I bought a pair ,mounted them, skied them once and gave them away.
I'm a tech weenie all the way both in-bounds and touring.

I've skied resort exclusively on tech bindings for over 5 years. 3- 4 days a week, every winter , long days on the resort.Im not hucking cliffs nor straight-lining powder bowl  mind you and I've never had ANY problems. Dedicated Alpine Gear skiers will be rolling their eyes at this.

Your post does not mention boots... the most important pice of equipment iMO.

Kingpins and the hybrid side country tech style binding all require tech toes on your boots.
If you don't have tech toes on current your boots I can see why you might be committed to frame bindings. I would invest in a good pair of modern AT boots if you don't have them. Good modern AT boots will change your skiing life.

Backland a great ski as others have noted and 102 is a great width. I like the Black Crow Navis Freebird  which is their touring line.( also 102mm). Absolutely terrific ski IMO.

Thanks for the responses! I already have a pair of nice modern AT boots. No worries on that front. Just replacing my (very)old skis/bindings.

For the tech bindings... how reliable is the release? I like to fall more than is strictly necessary... and a release I trust is pretty important to me. Maybe I'm worrying too much about that if the difference is negligible?

In terms of technical appraisal of tech binding release versus frame.... over my pay grade. However, there are volumes about it if you google it.

I can only offer personal anecdotal experience, namely that my tech bindings have always released when they needed to and I've never suffered any injuries after over 5 years  of 100 day seasons.

Now my hardtail mountain bike is another thing and falling off that has put me in the emergency room three times in the last two years and I have the stitches to prove it.