I have a funny foot that has been quite frustrating from a boot-fitting perspective. I have already seen a few fitters including SkimoCo in SLC. I have fairly narrow heels, a 99mm last, but a very protrusive instep bone with fairly high overall instep (my instep bone sticks out like 2mm, so the buckle has to sit behind my bone to address both heel lift and instep pressure.

I have skied the Backland XTD 26.5 (more or less the only mid-weight boot that fit my foot) for the last two seasons and am really not impressed with the durability: after about 20 days (avg. 3-4k backcountry days), there was a little cuff play that I chalked up to break-in, and after about 40, there was ~3mm of vertical play and maybe 1mm of fore-aft. I replaced the pivots (after having an absolute nightmare acquiring them), just to find out that the play was significant enough to have eaten into the cuff and still have a 1-2mm of vertical play in the boot that's noticeable while skiing. Atomic was useless when it came to warranty as the pivots are considered a wear item.

Due to my high instep, no bootfitter had even tried to fit me in Zero Gs, but I recently requested to try them and can shockingly fit my foot well in a 25.5: the instep buckles sit more or less perfectly straddling my instep bone. Conveniently, they're also lighter than my Backlands.

I'm wondering how much uphill performance/resistance on bigger days (5K-8K) I would notice the worse friction/walkability in the Zero Gs compared to the Backlands, and if saving ~100g/boot would offset this at all. I don't really want to sacrifice much skiability vs. the XTDs and most of the UL boots anyway have buckles that sit right on my instep, but I have thought about going to the Backland Carbon (which also has an instep buckle that's located such that it does not crush my instep).

Hey everyone,

I’m currently skiing on Black Diamond Helio 95s and really love them, but it’s time for a new pair.

My default thought was to just buy another pair of Helios, but I’m open to exploring other options. I’ve been looking at the Black Crows Camox Freebird and the Blizzard Zero G 95/96.

For anyone who has skied these, how do they compare in terms of ski performance and feel? Is there a noticeable difference in how they ride compared to the Helios?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Hey everyone,

I’m currently skiing on Black Diamond Helio 95s and really love them, but it’s time for a new pair.

My default thought was to just buy another pair of Helios, but I’m open to exploring other options. I’ve been looking at the Black Crows Camox Freebird and the Blizzard Zero G 95/96.

For anyone who has skied these, how do they compare in terms of ski performance and feel? Is there a noticeable difference in how they ride compared to the Helios?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

I have a pair of old Dynafit ST TLT vertical bindings that came off my wife's skis that I'm going to put up for sale.

I don't see the brake width listed on them. Can anyone tell me the right way to measure the binding/brake width?

Any idea what a fair asking price is for a pair that didn't see too much use (maybe 75-100 days area skiing)?

Thanks!

Spooky October snowpack has arrived 🤪

Hope you’re getting stoked on the season already!
I have a 24 month backflip streak on unique spots and jumps here in Colorado. I think I’ve got one each month off piste or backcountry.

Figured I have to share this because I was here at month 11 last year. I’m still doing it, still trying to have fun skiing. Lotta work, lotta planning. Always looking for capable friends to join in

10.14.2026 Indy Pass, CO

Think it used to be 5, at least when I first started buying from them. Bummed to see it (but kinda makes sense with their entry into running shorts et cetera.). Still a fan of Beringia for resort gear but Raide is getting close.

also looks like they nabbed Nikolai Schirmer (guess the black crows restructuring / cash flow issues were accurate?). regardless, never quite understood the black crows push into shells...

s

Need to reglue my skins. What is better the glue sheets or tube glue? If using the sheets what do you use and where do you get it? I can’t seem to locate any.

I’m a 21 year old cinematographer who grew up in Massachusetts and has 19 years of skiing experience. Looking for any snowboarders to connect with to do film/clips anything related to that FREE OF CHARGE

I wanted to see if anyone has tried using fat ebikes to get to their ski spots in the winter vs Snowmobiles. I don't have the means to transport snowmobiles around in the winter but maybe a tracksled (snowdog) or ebikes. Curious if anyone has had success using fat ebikes to follow Forest service roads snowmobiles are using

Hi everyone !

Its not exactly back coutrny skiing but thought you guys might enjoy it !

Here are some pictures of my last expedition ! Skiing on the sea ice between Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven in Nunavut!

We skied during almost 30 days in full autonomy with a few days stuck inside the tent because of storms, with temperatures down to -40°C. Luckily we didn’t meet any polar bears.

It’s the biggest adventure I’ve done and it was quite a challenge. We’ve learned quite a lot during this trip so please be afraid to ask me anything ! On the gear or on the adventure itself.

If you want to see some more photos : https://www.instagram.com/tristan_marek_/

Spreading the word!

Any ideas? Dynafit Support cant help. They do not sell Skistoppers for the Speed Turn. Can i mount a Skistopper for a different manufactur to my Dynafit Speed Turn Binding? Every idea is welcome :-)

Last season I was able to get a pair of fritschi vipec bindings for free due to the heel risers having broken off. My dad, who had just bought his first pair of touring skis with the Vipec evo lost his heel riser on his first outing. I found that there were no heel riser replacements online, despite it seeming like a particularly fragile part, so I 3D-scanned the intact heel riser, experimented and modified the model and 3D printed it.

I used the heel riser throughout the season with no issues and my dad never had any complaints either!

The file was 3D printed using PLA (tried PETG, but PLA seemed to be more durable). Then I inserted screws through the mounting holes that insert into the heel piece of the binding.

link to the file

Hi all,

I tour mainly in central/eastern Switzerland, and I’m planning the Urner Haute Route this March (Andermatt → Engelberg, 4–5 days, ~1500 m up per day). I’m 192 cm, 85 kg, fit, and an expert skier. I do fairly technical tours up to AD+, D-. Most of the time, we deal with firm/bad snow here while touring- of course, there are exceptions with nice powder snow, but it's not the norm. On a powder day, I usually go to Engelberg for freeride.

Current setup: Black Crows Camox Freebird (6 seasons old) with Salomon Shift. I mounted the Shift back when this was my only freeride ski too. I’ve since bought Atris for freeride, so the Shift is now just extra weight on the uphill. Boot: Scarpa Maestrale RS.

Options I’m weighing:

1. Remount the Camox with an ATK Raider 13 Evo (~500 g lighter per foot) and keep the skis.
2. Buy new skis + Raider 13 Evo (or similar).

If you’d go with option 2, what would you pick for a ski that can handle soft snow, but is primarily stable and grippy on firm, technical terrain, and is light enough for several big days back to back?

Thanks!

I’m looking for the Raide forward lean mod for a pre 2024 ZGTP boot. They’re sold out everywhere online. Does anyone have one they want to sell me, or know where I might find one? Thanks!

I am sure some of you who have been around a while may be familiar with the BITS program run by the Alpine Club of Canada Calgary Section. For those of you who are not sure how to really get started in the backcountry, the BITS program helps advanced resort skiers and riders transition to safely exploring the backcountry and bridge the gap from managed ski areas to self sustaining backcountry touring. The program engages 90-100 participants supported by upwards of 40 volunteer trip leaders and tailgunners each winter season.

If you are local to Calgary, Edmonton, Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise, and want to advance your ability and skills to safely navigate the Backcountry, it might be a good fit for you. There are two information nights on October 22 and October 27.

Please note: The program requires an active Alpine Club Membership (~$45 peryear) and the program cost is $50 (which funds leadership development for BITS trip leaders). The Alpine Club is a register Not for Profit.

You can find the events posted on the Alpine Club Calgary Section Calendar.

https://calendar.acccalgary.ca/Event/Detail?eventId=7287

https://calendar.acccalgary.ca/Event/Detail?eventid=7288

Not sure if this post is allowed, but if not, feel free to remove. :)

We're 2 guys from eastern Canada with solid backcountry skills looking for recommendations for an itinerary, places we can't miss. We like backcountry and in bounds, lots of snow, We have good navigation skills and terrain reading abilities and are open to guided options.

We're aiming for the Hokkaido region.

Thanks all !

Cashmere sweaters from Nordstrom rack. This one cost $87 in SLC. It’s lighter than merino wool, breathes better than a synthetic layer, doesn’t smell, feels amazing, wicks moisture, keeps super warm even when soaking wet, and drys faster than anything else that I’ve ever used.

Link to how it skiied: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DehXcQxx-1M/?psln=NXZxbWs1ZzFwZnlu

Finally getting to having a pseudo splitboard setup for really short laps (all I can get in my area), I know a lot of people don’t like these approach skis but I’m doing a maximum of 2 km of proper ascent a day. Figured that having two pairs of bindings suit me the best, so gonna roll with this until there’s really a problem!

- Union Rover carbon 100cm with a modified burton hitchhiker binding, strapped onto a dakine poacher 32L pack. Testing for any movement or jumps and they haven’t budged an inch. Honestly really happy with this downhill pack setup.