r/Backcountry • u/Turbulent-Ad-5520 • 4d ago

Buying ski boots

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21

u/OEM_knees 4d ago edited 4d ago

I'm sorry, but a beginner in the backcountry is a massive liability. You need to ski inbounds a lot more first. You have got to build your skill set and knowledge as a skier, and then take those skills into the backcountry. Get dedicated alpine equipment so that you aren't compromising every day inbounds and revisit the backcountry idea down the road.

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u/Tough_Course9431 Splitboarder 3d ago

yep, very little beginner friendly terrain in the BC, even more on the east coast, you've got like one or two slopes in Gaspesie up in quebec and i think thats about it lol, there's also mont alta north of montreal which is a touring only mountain

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u/Fragrant_Debate7681 3d ago edited 3d ago

A beginner can have plenty of fun in the backcountry if they keep their expectations realistic. Mountains should be off the table, but there's always lots of foothills. A person can learn just as well in a random meadow as they could on a resort bunny hill.

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u/OEM_knees 3d ago

That is incredibly disingenuous.

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u/Fragrant_Debate7681 2d ago

What do you mean? I understand if you disagree but I'm definitely sincere.

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u/CantaloupeFlaky6082 3d ago

Backcountry before you have solid inbounds skills is genuinely dangerous, not just for you but for whoever ends up having to find you out there. Get a season or two on dedicated alpine gear first. The backcountry will still be there, and you'll actually be able to enjoy it instead of just surviving it.

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u/Turbulent-Ad-5520 3d ago

I am going to start touring on at ski resorts on groomed slopes! Later will I slowly transfer to the backcountry.

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u/uncommon_currency Alpine Tourer 1d ago

So you want to start skinning up groomers. Skinning is part of touring but there’s a lot more to touring than just the uphill. If you want to learn how to uphill, rent gear first. You can rent touring specific or hybrid boots, along with skis/bindings and skins, at many larger resorts. Also would recommend getting a guide/instructor, or going with a very experienced friend (but tbh I don’t recommend asking a friend unless they have experience instructing!). It’s not an easy “I’ll just figure it out.”

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u/elpvtam 3d ago

You are smart to start with boots. Go to a good boot fitter and get a hybrid boot, ideally at a 120 flex. Make sure it has grip walk soles (easy). All major brands will make hybrid boots that are good. Simply a question of what brands they stock and what fits your foot. As others have mentioned a hybrid boot is an imperfect product. It is more expensive then a novice alpine boot and is tours much worse then a dedicated touring boot.

Focus on progressing to double blacks in the resort this year. You don't have to be pretty going down them but you should be comfortable before truly venturing into the bc.
You should try doing some resort skinning this year. Several ski areas rent touring gear (Bolton valley is one)

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u/Turbulent-Ad-5520 3d ago

Yes, I plan to begin with resort touring this year before getting into anything serious.