I moved from the hottest desert to Alaska, time to ski!

[HopefulLaugh]

I'm trying to settle on a set of skis and bindings that bits my desires and maybe understand I'm thinking about this the wrong way.

I have been waiting all summer for what I thought were perfect, black diamond glidelite trekker skis. They're cheap, steel edge, and my goals are to be able to travel trails I would otherwise be hiking and have some fun on the down slopes as well as climb a few mountains and ski down when I get more confident.

The season is Here and these trekkers are still out of stock. Looking at XC and backcountry skis, I'm looking at least a thousand dollars if not more to get started. Are there any similar skis to the trekkers with mohair integrated? Am I pidgeonholing myself too much, or are shorthand wide skis like this good enough to dabble in different conditions while I figure out what I like.

 

[Philpug]

I'm trying to settle on a set of skis and bindings that bits my desires and maybe understand I'm thinking about this the wrong way.

I have been waiting all summer for what I thought were perfect, black diamond glidelite trekker skis. They're cheap, steel edge, and my goals are to be able to travel trails I would otherwise be hiking and have some fun on the down slopes as well as climb a few mountains and ski down when I get more confident.

The season is Here and these trekkers are still out of stock. Looking at XC and backcountry skis, I'm looking at least a thousand dollars if not more to get started. Are there any similar skis to the trekkers with mohair integrated? Am I pidgeonholing myself too much, or are shorthand wide skis like this good enough to dabble in different conditions while I figure out what I like.

Where in AK are you? If near Girwood, Powderhorn is a great shop. In Anchorage, SkiAK has a knowledgable staff. Both places are no BS.

 

[Wendy]

@HopefulLaugh
I can understand why you'd want the GlideLites...they are super fun and versatile. However, if the snow is crusty or icy, then the mohair skins aren't so great for traction and the crampons of a snowshoe work better.

But to answer your question: Yes, the GlideLites are versatile and fun enough to purchase and use for snowy adventures, especially if you are not well-versed in longer traditional backcountry Nordic skis.

I know that there is another company that makes a ski similar to BD's GlideLite. I saw them in a shop in MN this past winter. I'd guess they were a Finnish/Nordic brand. (?) I bet that @cantunamunch would be able to tell you what they are!

Perhaps the GlideLites just haven't come out of manufacturing this season yet? I was told there would be a few improvements to this year's new model over last year's.

 

[cantunamunch]

I can certainly see how OP's expenses are multiplying especially for some of these more obscure brands. Particularly if he's looking to buy a burly next-to-tele boot to go with it.

More 'skiable' options:
Altai make something called a Hokk https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-skis-with-universal-pivot-bindings-copy/
might be available through LL Bean: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/125220?page=altai-hok-145-ski/universal-pivot-binding
Hagan make something called "Off Trace" that comes with mohair but is closer to to a nordic ski.
Karhu make a Jakt ski https://nordicx.com/en/Nordic-Skis/Touring-Skis/KARHU-JAKT-Backcountry-Ski.html
Marquette used to do a backcountry ski, OP may be able to find one https://www.backcountry.com/marquette-backcountry-marquette-backcountry-ski (Yes, the infamous trademark lawsuit was about these)

Less 'skiable', more for snowshoeing along except OP will hate postholed, rutted, or crusty snow:

BCS: https://thebackcountryswell.com/product/bcs-approach-skis/
Drifter : https://www.powsurf.com/product/drift-boards-2/
Union make a Rover 1 that is *very* comparable to snowhshoes (read: don't expect much edgeability even if you lift the little toe edge)

Union Rover Carbon Approach Skis - 100 cm - 2022/2023 | REI Co-op

A lighter alternative to splitboarding, these 100 cm Union Rover Carbon approach skis save your legs for the ride down, thanks to a carbon construction that weighs 400 g less than the standard Rovers.

www.rei.com

I cannot recommend any of those products for use on trails that see a lot of foot traffic - don't expect to use them on the hiking path unless you're the first one up after a storm. If you are...well stay safe. Learn about the dangers in your area - avalanches, tree wells. Go with a buddy if you can.

 

[HopefulLaugh]

I can certainly see how OP's expenses are multiplying especially for some of these more obscure brands. Particularly if he's looking to buy a burly next-to-tele boot to go with it.

More 'skiable' options:
Altai make something called a Hokk https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-skis-with-universal-pivot-bindings-copy/
might be available through LL Bean: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/125220?page=altai-hok-145-ski/universal-pivot-binding
Hagan make something called "Off Trace" that comes with mohair but is closer to to a nordic ski.
Karhu make a Jakt ski https://nordicx.com/en/Nordic-Skis/Touring-Skis/KARHU-JAKT-Backcountry-Ski.html
Marquette used to do a backcountry ski, OP may be able to find one https://www.backcountry.com/marquette-backcountry-marquette-backcountry-ski (Yes, the infamous trademark lawsuit was about these)

Less 'skiable', more for snowshoeing along except OP will hate postholed, rutted, or crusty snow:

BCS: https://thebackcountryswell.com/product/bcs-approach-skis/
Drifter : https://www.powsurf.com/product/drift-boards-2/
Union make a Rover 1 that is *very* comparable to snowhshoes (read: don't expect much edgeability even if you lift the little toe edge)

Union Rover Carbon Approach Skis - 100 cm - 2022/2023 | REI Co-op

A lighter alternative to splitboarding, these 100 cm Union Rover Carbon approach skis save your legs for the ride down, thanks to a carbon construction that weighs 400 g less than the standard Rovers.

www.rei.com

I cannot recommend any of those products for use on trails that see a lot of foot traffic - don't expect to use them on the hiking path unless you're the first one up after a storm. If you are...well stay safe. Learn about the dangers in your area - avalanches, tree wells. Go with a buddy if you can.

The hogan's look the best, but alas all of these are out of stock too. I'll keep camping on these to hopefully snag something.

I'm not really a fan of those approach style skis, they look too single purposes. If I want snow shoes I'll bring snow shoes on my back

 

[Wendy]

The hogan's look the best, but alas all of these are out of stock too. I'll keep camping on these to hopefully snag something.

I'm not really a fan of those approach style skis, they look too single purposes. If I want snow shoes I'll bring snow shoes on my back

When I lived in CO for a year, I had a pair of backcountry skis and boots. I carried snowshoes on my pack for when I encountered crusty uphill climbs. It worked well and gave me the versatility of a nice glide and security for the climb. Granted, that’s a bigger outlay of $, and I accumulated mine gradually. (skis first, then got beefier boots a few years later to fit the bindings, then snowshoes).
But that was also before something like the GlideLites or Hoks were a thing.

 

[Wendy]

I can certainly see how OP's expenses are multiplying especially for some of these more obscure brands. Particularly if he's looking to buy a burly next-to-tele boot to go with it.

More 'skiable' options:
Altai make something called a Hokk https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-skis-with-universal-pivot-bindings-copy/
might be available through LL Bean: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/125220?page=altai-hok-145-ski/universal-pivot-binding
Hagan make something called "Off Trace" that comes with mohair but is closer to to a nordic ski.
Karhu make a Jakt ski https://nordicx.com/en/Nordic-Skis/Touring-Skis/KARHU-JAKT-Backcountry-Ski.html
Marquette used to do a backcountry ski, OP may be able to find one https://www.backcountry.com/marquette-backcountry-marquette-backcountry-ski (Yes, the infamous trademark lawsuit was about these)

Less 'skiable', more for snowshoeing along except OP will hate postholed, rutted, or crusty snow:

BCS: https://thebackcountryswell.com/product/bcs-approach-skis/
Drifter : https://www.powsurf.com/product/drift-boards-2/
Union make a Rover 1 that is *very* comparable to snowhshoes (read: don't expect much edgeability even if you lift the little toe edge)

Union Rover Carbon Approach Skis - 100 cm - 2022/2023 | REI Co-op

A lighter alternative to splitboarding, these 100 cm Union Rover Carbon approach skis save your legs for the ride down, thanks to a carbon construction that weighs 400 g less than the standard Rovers.

www.rei.com

I cannot recommend any of those products for use on trails that see a lot of foot traffic - don't expect to use them on the hiking path unless you're the first one up after a storm. If you are...well stay safe. Learn about the dangers in your area - avalanches, tree wells. Go with a buddy if you can.

The hogan's look the best, but alas all of these are out of stock too. I'll keep camping on these to hopefully snag something.

I'm not really a fan of those approach style skis, they look too single purposes. If I want snow shoes I'll bring snow shoes on my back

When I logged into LLBean, I was able to put a pair of 145cm altai hoks in my cart. I don’t live in AK, maybe it’s a warehouse thing? Did you try that?

 

[Tricia]

@HopefulLaugh First, let me say, your username is great.
Now, you posted this in "new to skiing". Are you a true beginner or are you just new to Alaska and buying a new ski set up?
That may be helpful information for those who are knowledgeable about the type of skis you're looking to purchase.

 

[cantunamunch]

The hogan's look the best, but alas all of these are out of stock too. I'll keep camping on these to hopefully snag something.

I'm not really a fan of those approach style skis, they look too single purposes. If I want snow shoes I'll bring snow shoes on my back

Something more for you to camp out on: OAC The XCD GT looks promising as an alternative to the Hagan above.

Backcountry skis | Varuste.net English

Buy Backcountry skis quickly at a low price in Varuste.net. Click and order now or visit our shop.

varuste.net

 

[cantunamunch]

Turns out Icelantic make snow mobility skis for military use:

Skis

serketusa.com

 

[cantunamunch]

If OP or anyone else is camped out watching this thread, REI now have Salomon Escape Outracks:

https://www.rei.com/product/224758/salomon-escape-outrack-universal-skis-with-whitewoods-outlander-bindings

 

[cantunamunch]

Here is something fun for hikers:

Nordic-Step

The patented NORDIC-STEP™ adjustable cross-country ski boot allows multiple users to share a single set of cross-country skis regardless of shoe size or shoe/boot preference.

nordic-step.com