Cheap Approach Ski Setup Options

My ski knowledge is limited so bare with me.

I am looking for an approach ski set up that will fit mountaineering boots mostly for the midwest, so rivers and snowmobiles trails. Basically, something faster than snowshoes.

For the skis, probably something with fish scales or maybe even built-in skins somewhere around 100mm wide or more, maybe metal edges. There are plenty of options out there. Can I mount any binding type to these?

The biggest thing I am looking for is bindings. Are silverettas my only option? What else is out there that works? Any universal style strap on bindings work with rigid mountaineering boots? Reminder, not looking at spending a fortune. I am okay with a mediumly janky set up.

Ideas? or people have something for sale?

School me!

Try this:
​Tracker Skis​​​

M Mobes wrote: marquette-backcountry.com/p…

They are pretty heavy, and no metal edge. 

jon jugenheimer wrote:

They are pretty heavy, and no metal edge. 

The competition is slim. The Altai Hoks seem to be the best of the three for going down with metal edges but the Marquette skis look to be right in the middle of the pack. The skis Malcolm mentioned seem to be the best for going up with snowshoe like metal ridges but good luck going down. Ive always wanted to add a tool to the winter hike arsenal and I think all of them are like enduro motorcycles, they all lack something. 

Have a pair of Voile Vector BC's. They have fish scales, metal edges, 96 underfoot and very light. Amazing for long, not super steep approaches, then slap skins on and you can fly up anything steep. Barely notice the effect of the fish scales on the way down. Would probably work well with something like BD GlideLite bindings. Let me know if you're interested.

M Mobes wrote:

The competition is slim. The Altai Hoks seem to be the best of the three for going down with metal edges but the Marquette skis look to be right in the middle of the pack. The skis Malcolm mentioned seem to be the best for going up with snowshoe like metal ridges but good luck going down. Ive always wanted to add a tool to the winter hike arsenal and I think all of them are like enduro motorcycles, they all lack something. 

I think BD has an approach ski as well...

I just got apair of skinny fish scales with edges  reasonably cheap, $129.00  but got shut down looking for bindings.  nothing Silvretta 404 or newer  under 300 bucks...….  Found 50 yr old  Ramur  army surplus cables for $39.00 with shipping.. not committed to mounting them  but will if nothing else shows up... 

Fritschi Eagle bindings. You're prob going to have to mount them yourself. If your climbing boots are size 12 or smaller, get the medium size binding.

You can make a really durable and simple approach ski binding with these parts. I prefer to T-nut them into the ski to ensure they will never pull out. Mount them on whatever trashed old ski you can get for cheap (make sure the ski is wider than the touring bracket).

I prefer mohair skins for flat approaches, since they have more glide than nylon skins.

https://www.voile.com/voile-mtn-plate-kit.html
(don't get the slider pin, use a bolt/nut and some loctite)

https://www.voile.com/voile-slider-track.html

https://www.voile.com/voile-touring-bracket.html

https://www.voile.com/voile-splitboard-dual-height-climbing-heels.html

I've got silvretta 500's and 404's if anyone needs them.

Andy Kirkpatrick recommends the Hagan Offlimits with Silvretta bindings if you can find them. He has a pretty good article on approach skis called Not Bloody Snowshoes. I've used a short pair of skiboards with Silvrettas a couple times this year, but I'm making the transition over to a full AT setup personally. 

Taylor Krosbakken wrote: My ski knowledge is limited so bare with me.

I am looking for an approach ski set up that will fit mountaineering boots mostly for the midwest, so rivers and snowmobiles trails. Basically, something faster than snowshoes.

For the skis, probably something with fish scales or maybe even built-in skins somewhere around 100mm wide or more, maybe metal edges. There are plenty of options out there. Can I mount any binding type to these?

The biggest thing I am looking for is bindings. Are silverettas my only option? What else is out there that works? Any universal style strap on bindings work with rigid mountaineering boots? Reminder, not looking at spending a fortune. I am okay with a mediumly janky set up.

Ideas? or people have something for sale?

School me!

I can't tell-- is this to approach ice climbs or not? Either way, I would just get a complete Nordic ski setup, probably with scales. This can be purchased used for cheap. 

It's flat, you don't need a setup that locks down your heels. 

 If you need to bring mountaineering boots just carry them. This will be pounds lighter and cheaper and more efficient than anything recommended above

Save yourself the trouble with fritschi bindings and mountain boots. I had that setup and tried that. I'm an advanced skier and it was a nightmare. Will rub your heels raw in under a mile and the downhill is horrendous survival skiing. AT gear is so good and easy to find used at this point, I would just toss the climbing boots in the pack and go that route.

If you want to stay the route of using a mountaineering boot with no boot switching. Fritschi Freeride and Eagle bindings will both take a mountaineering boot. Find some cheap used skis and mohair skins. Or the BD system is on sale. ​https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en/glidelite-127-BD13010100001271.html​​​

Yeah skis + mountaineering boots suck for the down...but he lives in Minnesota not the rockies.

mpech wrote:

I can't tell-- is this to approach ice climbs or not? Either way, I would just get a complete Nordic ski setup, probably with scales. This can be purchased used for cheap. 

It's flat, you don't need a setup that locks down your heels. 

 If you need to bring mountaineering boots just carry them. This will be pounds lighter and cheaper and more efficient than anything recommended above

Yes. To approach ice climbs. I actually already own cross country skis (Fish scale 60mm wide). I was just hoping to not carry my boots and thinking something a bit wider. Maybe carrying boots is not as unreasonable as I was thinking. 

Hudson Hyams wrote: Have a pair of Voile Vector BC's. They have fish scales, metal edges, 96 underfoot and very light. Amazing for long, not super steep approaches, then slap skins on and you can fly up anything steep. Barely notice the effect of the fish scales on the way down. Would probably work well with something like BD GlideLite bindings. Let me know if you're interested.

I don't think the BD glidlite or any "universal" binding will work with mountaineering boots because the boot needs to flex at the ball of the foot. 

christoph benells wrote: You can make a really durable and simple approach ski binding with these parts. I prefer to T-nut them into the ski to ensure they will never pull out. Mount them on whatever trashed old ski you can get for cheap (make sure the ski is wider than the touring bracket).

I prefer mohair skins for flat approaches, since they have more glide than nylon skins.

https://www.voile.com/voile-mtn-plate-kit.html
(don't get the slider pin, use a bolt/nut and some loctite)

https://www.voile.com/voile-slider-track.html

https://www.voile.com/voile-touring-bracket.html

https://www.voile.com/voile-splitboard-dual-height-climbing-heels.html

I skied 30 miles across the juneau icefield on a similar setup 7 or 8 years ago.

This looks like a cool option. Thanks!

Taylor Krosbakken wrote:

Yes. To approach ice climbs. I actually already own cross country skis (Fish scale 60mm wide). I was just hoping to not carry my boots and thinking something a bit wider. Maybe carrying boots is not as unreasonable as I was thinking. 

And you are correct I don't need to lock down my heels.  

just use your current set up then, it's the lightest most efficient option out there.... 

It just seems silly to carry my boots.

What if people make fun of me.....

I would like a bit wider skis though. 

I once carried my boots for 5 days to get to some unclimbed ice. I didn't want to have to climb in ski boots and didn't want the hassle of skiing for that long in mountaineering boots.