 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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No but the reports are that they are OK for short, flat-ish tours but a bit of a nightmare if you're going across a steep side hill. The added weight makes them undesirable for long tours. Also they don't work with a lot of Look/Rossi bindings
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Not used them myself but I understand that they make the whole set up quite heavy especially when used with downhill boots. Accordingly they are ok for occasional use but not generally recommended for multi-day touring. I am sure that the At cew among us will hav emore direct experience.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I used them once for a week, however we were just using skins with a guide to find the best powder. It was not a touring trip as such. The whole group of eight people used them with no problems.
One limitation is that they do not enable the use of ski crampons (harscheisen or couteax as they are often known), which would be a limitation for serious touring. We did manage one steepish climb, which was the Weisshorn - turn left out of the Kleine Matterhorn top station and start climbing, however the snow was in good condition on the ascent and not icy.
I liked them because it meant I could use my normal downhill skis which was great for the descents.
The other disadvantage is that they do add weight which is the opposite of what you normally want with touring gear.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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One limitation is that they do not enable the use of ski crampons
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I think BCA do market a crampon for them .....
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turn left out of the Kleine Matterhorn top station and start climbing
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Isn't that the Breithorn ?
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| ski wrote: |
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turn left out of the Kleine Matterhorn top station and start climbing
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Isn't that the Breithorn ? |
Thank you - I think you are correct!
I knew it was somethinghorn. I seem to recall it took a couple of hours of hot slogging to get up it.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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hellfiresliding, I have not used Trekkers myself, and have heard of guides refusing to take people more than an hour or so off the beaten track with them because of the likelihood of them breaking. As ski says, something like the Frischis or Naxos would do fine as an all-round binding, so I'd go for those rather than getting Trekkers. I have them (F. Freerides) on my skis and find them fine for just about everything - have used them quite happily off-piste, hooning around on-piste, backcountry, bumps (although I wouldn't want to go competition-style in them). Only downside of mine is they are now getting a bit worn at the freeheel release - a known problem with that model, but I am led to believe that the more recent model is a bit beefier. Wouldn't really recommend them for proper racing, but then I wouldn't recommend the skis you'd put them on for proper racing either.
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I've used them. They're not too bad, it's quite difficult to get in and out of them and you really shouldn't plan to use them for long period of times. Great for little excersions though, OK on the way up then you have your alpine set up on the way down which is awesome. Not a bad option for having a little play around but not a real alternative to AT bindings.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've had a pair of Alpine Trekkers for about 10 years and they're fine for day tours, but I got mine before the Diamir binding was available, when touring bindings were really not good in terms of downhill performance. I have used them for various day tours including doing the Breithorn at Zermatt, but only one overnighter doing the Pigne d'Arolla, when we got turned around by bad weather on day two anyway.
They have various problems, as Arno says they're not ideal for traversing steep slopes because of the extra height and slightly precarious feeling, although the extra flex does give you a bit more available ankle rotation meaning it's sometimes possible to get the skins flatter on the slope when traversing, which can be useful. Don't agree with GrahamN's guide about them being notorious for breaking though - what they ARE notorious for is lengthening slightly during the day - you have to watch out for this and carry a coin or something to adjust them.
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FAQ
, because I'd rather tour on my teles 
