equipment for back country

[donna d]

I would like to update my x-country skiis and boots to back country for the catamount trail. Could someone give me a few ideas of costs involved, what to start with (expert downhill, but have never tele)and where to find skins? Thanks.

[Peaks]

Probably the place to get started with backcountry gear might be to go to Outdoor Gear, Clothing & Footwear at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), and search under skiing gear for backcountry gear.

Skis: $200 to $400
Bindings: $50 to $80
Boots: $125 to $150
Poles: $40 to $50.

Watch for sales. Ski equipment usually goes on sale starting around Feb 1.

Where to find skins: where every backcountry ski gear is found, usually at outfitters rather than alpine ski shops that cater to the downhill crowd. I don't know where you live, but there is probably a local outfitter, or a chain store like EMS or REI

[daniel g]

hello Donna, A good source is backcountry.com
Also If you want to rent back country and telemark skis I have been told Mountain Travelers in Rutland on rt. 4 can help.
Also look for events where they demo products at the Nordic and Alpine Areas.
I am sking on Alpina's line of bc skis.
Dan G.

[PeterW]

I highly recommend this site for no-nonsense advice on equipment for BC-skiing that actually involves some traveling (ie, not just up&down, or slack-country skiing from resorts).