Building Your First Backcountry Ski Setup
Backcountry Guide
Building Your First Backcountry Ski Setup
Touring advice from the shop on the Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont
A touring setup comes down to four pieces: boots, bindings, skis and skins. Every choice is a trade between weight on the way up and control on the way down. Around Stowe, where the terrain is steep and the snow is rarely predictable, control matters more than most people expect.
Start with boots
Boots matter more than anything else in your kit. A boot that fits makes every other piece work better. A boot that hurts will ruin the day no matter what skis you are on.
Touring boots have a walk mode for climbing and tech inserts for pin bindings. Lighter models climb beautifully, while stiffer ones give you the support to ski steep, firm snow with confidence. For most people learning here, a boot with real downhill support is the better place to start. Try on a few touring boots with our bootfitters, and bring the socks you ski in.
Choose bindings for how you ski
Pin bindings are the lightest and the most efficient on the climb. Hybrid and frame bindings feel more like an alpine binding and work with more boots, at the cost of some weight. If you plan to split your time between resort laps and the backcountry, that extra security is often worth carrying. Browse AT bindings and telemark bindings.
Pick a ski you trust on steep snow
You want a ski that turns quickly in tight trees and holds an edge when the snow turns firm, because it will. A mid-width ski with a predictable feel is a strong first choice. Ultralight skis are a joy on the climb, but they can feel nervous on steep, icy terrain, so think about where most of your turns will happen. Our touring skis cover the whole range.
Fit your skins to your skis
Skins are your engine. Mohair glides more easily, nylon grips harder and lasts longer, and blends sit in between. What matters most is fit. A skin trimmed to cover the base and leave the edges exposed grips far better on a steep skin track. We cut skins to fit in the shop. See climbing skins.
Pack for Vermont
Bring a pack with a warm puffy, spare gloves, a headlamp, a small repair kit and a first aid kit. Add ski crampons for icy mornings. For steeper, open terrain, carry a beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them.
Gear from this post
Make it easy
Not sure where to start? Rent a touring setup and learn on the resort, or grab one of our ski and skin packages. We will mount your bindings and cut your skins so everything is ready when you are.
MountainOps Outdoor Gear
Questions about touring around Stowe? Stop by the Big Red Barn at 4081 Mountain Road or call (802) 253-4531.
Shop backcountry gearRent a touring setup
