Backcountry Skis

[sweeper]

For those of you who like to ski into the backcountry here is a great setup that's cheap.

I've used these skis for about 8 years here in New England and in Alaska at the Army's Northern Warfare School.





These skis are great for not only XC but the cable locks down on the sides for Alpine skiing.



https://colemans.com/shop/cold-weather-gear/u-s-g-i-cross-country-downhill-skis-2-pair/
These universal skis are built with elements of both cross country skiing, and downhill skiing in mind. They are slightly wider like a downhill ski, but they have an arch, and a center groove like a cross country ski. Our government had these skis manufactured in Straumsnes, Norway, by “ASNES”- Skifabrikk A/S. The U.S. Government paid $288.75/pair (at wholesale prices). Don’t miss this great deal!! These skis are tapped for bindings (bindings not included), and have a wood core, tap and torsion box construction. Color: White. All with a 75/65/70 sidecut. Unissued. (about $70 for 2 pair when you add in the shipping)

http://www.asnes.com/ski/

https://colemans.com/shop/cold-weather-gear/u-s-g-i-ski-bindings/
These Ramer(R) Bindings are designed for both Alpine and Cross-Country Skis. They were manufactured by Alpine Research and are designed for use with standard Military Issue boots. Set includes bindings and all required mounting hardware.

And for steep terrain, climbing skins
https://colemans.com/shop/sporting-goods/g-i-ski-climbers-2-pair/

$80 for one complete, $120 for two sets.

The boots are Lowa, I haven't seen them around for a few years.

 

[devils son in law]

Hmmmm They are interesting to look at but not very practical. If the government spent $288 a pr. at wholesale for these many years ago, it goes to show how much waste there is in their spending.

 

[dogbrain]

What's not practical about this setup? We would have killed for gear like this in the 80's. Who knows if the price the government paid was high or not? I just spent $720 on a pair of A/T boots and bindings, and that was on a pro deal with 40% off.

 

[sweeper]

Hmmmm They are interesting to look at but not very practical. If the government spent $288 a pr. at wholesale for these many years ago, it goes to show how much waste there is in their spending.

But how does that make them not practical? New metal edge skis at $70 for 2 pair from a quality company, how can you beat that price?

 

[Canotrouge]

Hmmmm They are interesting to look at but not very practical. If the government spent $288 a pr. at wholesale for these many years ago, it goes to show how much waste there is in their spending.

Sorry, you comment doesn't make any sense! That is a really practical set up actually!!

 

[devils son in law]

I'd suggest you gentlemen buy them then. Working at a ski shop for the last 15 plus years, I can tell you I couldn't give them away. I had a few pair of similar military issue skis in the shop, with similar bindings and they ended up in the dumpster.

If you were looking for a decent set up you could get a metal edge Rossignol BC 70 package ( ski, boots binding, poles) for around $450....that's retail today.

I didn't mean to insult anyone and I should have said "practical, financially".....you get what you pay for.

 

[sweeper]

$450 vs $100.

I've used this setup since the mid 80's, I could spend more money but there are very few places that I would go that I won't take this setup.
The Army still uses them.

 

[dogbrain]

To each his own. I certainly wouldn't use those Rossi skis and BC bindings on a backc country winter camping trip in the mountains. The beauty of the old Ramer beartrap bindings is that you could use any beefy boots like the double boots Sweeper showed in his original post. With just a few spare parts those bindings can be easily repaired in the field, unlike nnn's. plus, after getting to camp you could do some turns.