What Are Backcountry Downhill Skis?

Backcountry skiing involves using skis that work as downhill skis and cross country skis. Two styles of backcountry skiing exist - telemarking and alpine touring. The style will likely depend on whether you approach backcountry skiing from a background of cross country or downhill skiing. People with experience in cross country skiing often prefer telemarking, and downhill skiers often prefer alpine touring.

Telemark Skis

Telemark skis have a side cut and metal edge to help turn on hard or crusty snow. Older telemark skis are narrower than downhill skis, but more modern skis are about the same width.

Telemark Bindings

There are several types of telemark bindings. With the advent of wider skis and plastic boots, cable bindings have recently become popular. However, three pin toe bindings are lighter and preferred by some skiers. Regardless of the type of binding, it's important that the binding's quick release be set properly to avoid serious leg injury in a fall. Telemark bindings leave the heel loose, requiring a different turning technique than downhill skis.

Telemark Boots

Several kinds of telemark boots exist. More traditional boots are leather. Some leather boots use plastic cuffs to help with downhill turning and some modern telemark boots are entirely hard plastic. Plastic boots are generally better for newer, wider skis.

Alpine Touring Skis

Skis designed for alpine are generally lighter, shorter and wider than traditional downhill skis. They tend to be more flexible than downhill skis and provide good torsional rigidity to help turn on hard or crusty snow.

Alpine Touring Bindings

Alpine touring bindings offer an option to lock the heel down for a more traditional style of downhill skiing. The heel can be unlocked for flat and uphill touring. Some AT bindings use a traditional plate binding, but some newer and lighter bindings attach at the toe with a heel lock down plate, using the stiffness of the boot sole for primary binding stiffness.

Alpine Touring Boots

Alpine touring boots look like traditional hard plastic ski boots, but they have a lugged sole for traction when walking. The ankle cuff can be released to flex when walking. Crampons can be bought to fit alpine touring ski boots for added usage flexibility.

References

• Ski Mountaineering Gear
• Telemarktips.com
• About Alpine Touring Skiis and Gear