Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anybody knew of any snow travel options other than telemark skis, cross country skis, or snowshoes. What I'm really looking for is a light weight, short, fat ski, with universal bindings that will fit my trail runners. I guess that I'm kinda hesitant to purchase snowshoes because they are so inefficient on the way down (not to mention not much fun), and rather expensive for a light weight pair.
Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks!

Joshua , think the karver or Mets's are what you are looking for, but I do not know where you can get them. Let me know if you find a source.

A Snow shoe/Ski hybrid is the karhu karver or karver meta?

http://www.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/karhu-karver-skis-backcountry-carver-ski.html

Here is a link to the BPL page on the Karhu Karver

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/5027/index.html

http://www.skiboards.com/product/backcountry/karhu/karhu-meta-120cm.html

I do not know if you can still get them?

Pika mountaineering has sastrugi ski binding that will allow you to use pac boots.

http://www.pikamtn.com/7wintergear.html

The Berwin Backcountry Binding is another similar binding.

http://www.akers-ski.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=37B8&Category_Code=bcbinding

Here is a link to the BPL page on the Karhu Karver

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/5027/index.html

I bought a pair last year and used them a couple of times. Was planning to use them this year but two knee surgeries over the summer put me back into snowshoe only mold. Let me know if you are interested.

Kevin (Paddy)

PaddyBeer (at) aol.com

For those of you who are opposed to using snowshoes (slowshoes) a great ultra-light and versatile option are “fastshoes”. Take a pair of Karhu Karvers , Karhu Meta, or LL Bean Boreals (made by Karhu) Skis and ditch the stock bindings. Instead screw a pair of NEOS Villager Overboots directly to the skis. You would not want to descend the Grand Teton in this set up, but can negotiate moderate mountain terrain. At about 3 pounds per foot they are a much better option then slogging around in slowshoes. The Karhus skis have full metal edges and skin inlays so they glide, climb, and ski well. No fussing with detachable skins. Any trail shoe will work in the NEOS Overboots.

I also use these skis with a light weight three-pin telemark binding. They work great. For boots I recommend Garmont Excursions over Scrapa T3 (http://www.garmontusa.com/621021201.html).

Edited by forrestmccarthy on 12/30/2007 17:39:23 MST.

Thanks for all the great ideas! I definitely find these a better option than snowshoes!

Another option (I have no idea if these are any good but I've been tempted to give them a try): http://www.yupiskishoes.com/index.html