4Frnt MSP's as a touring ski

A snowHead

I managed to get a bargain on a 187 MSP this winter but i'm looking to get into a bit of Ski touring. Do you think this ski would be suitable and if so what binding should i go for?

Also looking for a bit of help with regard to skins as i have never used them before and not sure how this would work with a twin tip

Thanks in advance for all you help

A snowHead

If it's only going to be the odd bit of skiing, it's hard to fault Dukes or Barons as bindings - as solid as normal alpine ones for the rest of the time (although not the best for going uphill).

Black Diamond skins work fine with my twins, I assume other brands would too.

Don't see why the MSPs wouldn't be good. I skin on Big Troubles, which a pretty similar. Not the lightest, but pretty versatile.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

The skis aren't too heavy so should be fine. You maybe want to consider buying some harscheisen (ski crampons) in addition to skins. G3 make a twip tip connector for their Alpinist skins, explained here:
http://youtube.com/v/cUyywSZmd4s

You need to Login to know who's really who.

What advantage would the ski crampons add? Sorry but i'm a real beginner when it comes to this

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

1873Chris, useful to give grip when the grounds firm and icy.

You'll need to Register first of course.

1873Chris, as meh says, in springtime when the snow's thawing and freezing I wouldn't tour without them. If you're skinning up something steep early in the day and putting in kick turns to zigzag up the slope, you appreciate having the harscheisen. Without them you may lose grip and slide back and kick turns can be a nightmare as the downhill ski, with all of your weight on it, slides away as you're trying to turn.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Any other add ons that i should buy?

I'm hopefully going to go on a course of some kind to get some training in simple techniques like kick turns and all the basics as i'm totally new to all this

After all it is free

1873Chris, if you don't already have them, it may help to get some Dynafit compatible touring boots as after a bit of day touring you may decide to try a multi-day tour. Skinning with a Dynafit type binding is faster and less tiring and may be an option you wish to consider at some time in the future.

Has anyone done any good courses in Scotland with touring techniques and stuff?

None of the crowd that i ski with are interested in touring and so will be trying to find people to go with and also learn from

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Probably the wrong time to be looking for this stuff Sad

any help from anyone?

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Glenmore Lodge is a good bet.

http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/skiing-courses.asp

Based in the Caingorms. There are loads of folk out and about on touring kit in the winter so you'll find plenty of people to meet up with.

I'd consider an alpine course as well. As you won't be buying a lift pass and have less access to beer (staying in huts), a week's ski touring with a guide often works out a bit cheaper than a resort holiday.

snow reports

Would the G3 twin tip connector work with all types of skins? i'm going to get some Colltex ones
Also where would I get some harscheisen compatible with Salomon Guardians?

Cheers guys

1873Chris, I don;t think the G3 connecter would work unless the skin tail had a similar belt type connection to buckle it onto. But I have used the normal type of connectors on twin tips and not had them come off. I ordered the pair of the G3 twin tip connectors for my new skins and to be honest the standard ones seemed damn secure.

Oh, I ordered mine from the States and saved a fair bit. Decided on the mohair mix for lightness.

Help!!

4Frnt MSP's as a touring ski

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