AT Bindings

[clg898]

Does anyone have any suggestions about AT bindings? My brother gave up his alpine gear years ago and has been on me to pick up telemark... I'm close, but I think AT gear would be more my speed. I'm thinking about taking my rock skis and throwing a pair of AT bindings on them.

I was looking at the Fritschi Diamir Freeride bindings and I'm tempted. I can't seem to find them anywhere for less than $285. Has anyone ever seen them on sale?

How miserable would I be trying to use these with my technia Icon X boots? Not exactly the most comfy, flexible boots around.

Finally... winter seems to be here! :skismile:

[RR]

My Langes fit my Silvretta 500 AT bindings but those large boots really are a chore to stride more than a few hundred meters, 'specially going up!

It occurs to me that if you aren't using DIN settings above 9, the regular Damirs would be fine. If you get to North Conway stop in at the IME and see what's available on consignment in the basement...my Silvrettas came with servicable skis (I like the skis, as it happens) and set me back only 75 bucks. I saw used Damirs, but went with Silvrettas because they work with my climbing boots.

Check the consignments just up the road in Intervale where some nice gear can be found in the basement at the Ragged Mountain shop.

[clg898]

RR, thanks for the info. I love stopping in IME and Ragged Mtn. I haven't had any luck yet, but I'll keep looking.

I'm leaning toward the Freeride for a couple of reasons. I'm a fairly big guy, about 6'3" and 200# and tend to be tough on stuff. My alpine gear is set at 8 and I do occassionally have it pre-release, which I live with on lift-serviced stuff, but don't like in the backcountry. 9 would probably be fine for me in the backcountry, so the regular Diamir's would work, but for the extrat $35 or so the Freerides looked a bit beefier and more likely to hold up to my abuse.

[RR]

The Freerides also come with accessories like brakes and crampons...good choice.

[Freebird]

Here are some good pages about Telemark and AT gear. The first one is a little old, hasn't been updated in a while, but it still gets the message across. The other ones are what I seem to be some of the "preferred" choices from what I've seen out there and from most I've talked to using the stuff...

A lot depends on what you want to use your AT gear for... Skiiing? or as an efficient means to approach a larger climb? That'll also determine which boot you want. Sounds like you want the skiing variety, excellent choice.

Gear and retailers:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/EquipInfo/Equipment.html
http://www.bdel.com/gear/backcountry/index.php
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/e_index.htm

Information sites:
http://www.telemarktips.com
http://www.telemarkski.com
http://www.wildsnow.com
http://www.offpistemag.com


I would also agree that the Freeride is probably a better choice than the Diamir. I would also look at the Naxo sold by BCA, this is the first year it's been available in the US. It has a triple hinge in the front so touring is a more natural feel.

http://bcaccess.com/bcaproducts/naxo/naxo_main.php

I free'd my heel two years ago and I INSTANTLY, and I mean INSTANTLY (before I was done with my 2nd turn) fell in love with Telemark. Granted I can't ski the same terrain as I can with my alpine gear, nor do I think I ever will be able to. Therefore I still alpine even more than telemark, but when I have the chance, I'll drop the knee. Now I know why snowboarders love snowboarding. I've often mistaken shots of guys (or gals) in deep pow as skiing a snowboard when they were on tele (and vica verca). Luckily having poles or not usually eventually allows me to figure it out.
Telemark is definitely a refreshing feel to skiing.

Anyway, I also know a few people that ski exclusively on their AT gear (which is what it sounds like you were hinting at). Does anyone have experience with a boot like the Denali when trying to really push it on the paved trails? Any binding experience when pushed hard, say in the bumps? Unfortunately I don't have any usage experience on the AT gear ($$$). I just keep up on the chatter going around so that I know what I want when I do have the $$.

Sorry for the long post, hope that helps any and all out there find what they need. I know I spent HOURS upon HOURS looking for this stuff years ago.