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Ski binding for ice climbing boot?

Original Post
Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35

Hi,

Tried googling for a bit already but can't find it, that if there is a binding let you attach your ice climbing boots (i.e. La sportiva trango Prime) to the ski for some crosscountry skiing.

In this post, he used a plastic boot with a short ski setup scottishhills.com/html/modu…

Not sure if there is something equivalent for ice climbing boots?

This article pointed out that climbing boots with ski binding may not be as safe as with AT boot. wildsnow.com/3671/ski-gear-… What do you think?

Thanks

David Appelhans · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 410

If your ice boots accept step in crampons with a heel and toe bail, they are essentially the same as plastic boots as far as being able to clip into a ski setup. Plastic boots are just warmer boots.

Try looking at Silveretta bindings, they are the most common solution.

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

Yes, some climbing boots will fit into AT bindings (my Asolo Evoluzione boots work with Silvretta bindings). But it's not much fun trying to control AT skis with flexible boots, especially if you're also wearning a heavy pack. As Lou Dawson says, it's like working construction in ballet slippers. Having tried it once or twice I'd just as soon leave the skis behind and wear snowshoes.

For easy/moderate climbing I sometimes wear crampons with AT boots. That way I get to enjoy the skiing, and I can also use Dynafit bindings, which helps with weight on the approach.

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35
Martin le Roux wrote:Yes, some climbing boots will fit into AT bindings (my Asolo Evoluzione boots work with Silvretta bindings). But it's not much fun trying to control AT skis with flexible boots, especially if you're also wearning a heavy pack. As Lou Dawson says, it's like working construction in ballet slippers. Having tried it once or twice I'd just as soon leave the skis behind and wear snowshoes. For easy/moderate climbing I sometimes wear crampons with AT boots. That way I get to enjoy the skiing, and I can also use Dynafit bindings, which helps with weight on the approach.
So Martin, even with the Asolo plastic boot, is it still too flexible for skiing?
Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401
Bang wrote: So Martin, even with the Asolo plastic boot, is it still too flexible for skiing?
They'll work for survival skiing, but like I said it's not fun. They're fairly stiff for a mountaineering boot, but nowhere near as stiff as an AT boot.
Cory Harelson · · Boise, ID · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 2,410

You could go the other route and climb in your AT boots . . . I might give it a go this winter. Here is an article on the matter laced with cool photos:

AT Boots for Climbing

JohnnyG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 10
Martin le Roux wrote: I'd just as soon leave the skis behind and wear snowshoes.
Blasphemous!
Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

While never trying this specific solutions I have played around over the years with down hilling in XC gear and XC in downhill gear etc...

Depends on you expectations and how you pair the ski/boot. If you are putting climbing boots on a ski you will get the best results with a very soft easy flexing ski.

Even when skiing sucks it still beats snow shoes most of the time in my opinion.

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35
Cory wrote:You could go the other route and climb in your AT boots . . . I might give it a go this winter. Here is an article on the matter laced with cool photos: AT Boots for Climbing
Thanks for the link. The reason I am hesitating to go that direction is because I already have the ice climbing boot, so don't want to drop another 3-400 bucks for a pair of AT ski boots yet.
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70

Silvretta Pure...but like the other dudes say: zero fun skiing in soft boots--in fact, it's an easy way to nuke an ankle...so beware. good luck!

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35
coppolillo wrote:Silvretta Pure...but like the other dudes say: zero fun skiing in soft boots--in fact, it's an easy way to nuke an ankle...so beware. good luck!
Thanks! Yeah nuking the ankle will be my main concern here. I guess sometime, for certain thing, one just have to give or take. I gotta choose to do one thing or the other, both are not really meaned to be done together :/
Dane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 562

Trango Prime has one of the softest cuffs available on a mtn boot. Great for mixed, terrible even for the best on a pair of skis.

The Salewa bindings will likely weigh more than a decent pair of skis and equal to the weight of your Primes. You'll want short and skinny skis with your Primes if you decide to set that combo up.

That specific combo will work on flat or up hill approaches. It will be the down hill that you'll wish you were back on snow shoes.

Skis are always better than snow shoes *if* you know how to ski. But you learn how to ski at a ski area with lifts, not in the back country. At some point most ask how well will a ski boot climb...'cuz "these boots" (any climbing boot) suck for skiing. Thankfully now a few select ski boots will climb pretty well. Still no climbing boot that will ski very well in comparison. That may change in the next few years but it has not happened yet. (but obviously they are coming) There are some very good skiers who can use a climbing boot to good effect on skis but they are few and far between. And all of them will tell you an AT boot...any AT boot will ski better.

skiing in mtn boots and short skis

Lee Runyon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

If you want to buy a pair. I'm posting a pair for sale

Lee Runyon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

If you want to buy a pair. I'm posting a pair for sale

Ghost · · Burlington, VT · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 107

Older FRITSCHI scout's can be adjusted to fit some mountaineering boots. I've seen them set up to take Baturas and Spantiks. But just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Many Silvretta bindings can easily take a boot that's automatic crampon compatible.

While these work just fine for approaches, they're borderline miserable to actually ski in....

Doug S · · W Pa · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 55
TimVT wrote:Older FRITSCHI scout's can be adjusted to fit some mountaineering boots.
I've currently outfitted a set of Fritschi Eagles on a pair of BC touring skis. My Salewa Vert Pros fit well. Like everyone else says, this set-up is strictly for approach. The skiing will never be bad enough to warrant snow shoes. However, the advantage of the Fritschi bindings is that they can easily adjust to also fit a pair of Randonee boots for more aggressive skiing, and you can still use crampons if needed. You need to make appropriate adjustment to your fore/aft position so that either boots will ski well. Tough to get a shop to do that for you.
Dane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 562

Almost 4 years later and still nothing really great out there IMO between real climbing boots and real ski boots. Although the most recent crop of skimo boots have been a hit or miss...mostly miss the last few years.

Of all the boots I have used recently the older Dynafit TLT5 seems the best for me if you want to really ski and climb in them. For a approach ski/ climbing boot that will also ski decently, the current PDG or Scarpa Alien are OK if you can get a decent fit. Forewarned though either will also trash your feet quickly if the fit isn't right.

Manuel Bermúdez · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2017 · Points: 0

A SOLUTION ??
Kyle vH · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 16
Dane wrote: Almost 4 years later and still nothing really great out there IMO between real climbing boots and real ski boots. Although the most recent crop of skimo boots have been a hit or miss...mostly miss the last few years. Of all the boots I have used recently the older Dynafit TLT5 seems the best for me if you want to really ski and climb in them. For a approach ski/ climbing boot that will also ski decently, the current PDG or Scarpa Alien are OK if you can get a decent fit. Forewarned though either will also trash your feet quickly if the fit isn't right.

I second this. Definitely look into Skimo as in-between option. Its a compromise, but workable. I use Scarpa Alien for backcountry ski, ascend with crampons with needed...

Tapawingo Markey · · Reno? · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 75

Checkout the Arcteryx Procline. If you have anything over an average width foot it might not work, but it skis/tours well. Allows for lateral movement and has a great cuff range while in walk mode. 

Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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