Skis: Volkl Nunataq 186cm

Bindings: Dynafit vertical or radical FT12 with brakes

Skins: BD mix mohair

Shovel: aluminum with extendable handle (maybe BD)

Probe: minimum 280cm long (maybe BD)

Beacon: 3 antennas with marking function (mammut pulse or element, ortovox, pieps)

Poles: Fixed length carbon BD with kevlar reinforcement, with powder baskets. Those are the best. Probably 125cm length.

Pack: BD has some popular ones that work well.

Boots: whatever fits your foot, is comfortable, is light and stiff, good walk mode (maybe some BDs if you have a deal). Intuition liners are generally pretty good and warm. Scarpa Maestrale/RS or Dynafit One/Mercury/Vulcan are good options. Maybe the LaSportiva Spectre? The boots is the trickiest piece of gear. You might go through 3 pairs before you find the best for you (foot shape, skiing style, body shape). The liners can also totally change a boot. You can stiffen up a boot with an Intuition Powerwrap, but you give up on walkability. You might find that a TLT5/6 skis just fine for you and gain a lot on the lightness aspect.

I don't think there is any real backcountry at Big White or Sun Peaks.

Between mec.ca and straight from Black Diamond, you should be able to source everything. If you get this gear, you'll have an awesome set up that will last you a very long time. First things to wear out will be the skis and boots after 100-150 days out.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. I've heard a lot of good things about the Volkl Nunataq and have been told that they are good for my level. I might just go with those instead of BD skis.

Appreciate the answer - it helps a lot.

I would have to agree with JF for the most part. I have been skiing the Nunataq for two years now and love 'em - they can ski everythign in bounds and out. They carve on the groomers and float in the pow, it's no wonder they have won so much praise over the years. They are also really light given their width.

For poles definitley BD as well as skins and a pack, however Mile High Mountaineering has the powderkeg 32 which looks pretty cool. Shovel and probe by BCA and transceiver by Pieps. This would get you top of the line gear that will last you a long time, you may pay a little more but it will increase your fun exponentially. What ever you do look at consider lighter gear, your body will thank you as you get older and also as you spend more time skinning up with it. Your gear selection also needs to handle the snow conditions you will ski 90% of the time so something to think about.

A good way to judge things is to look at the Gear of the Year section on this site for what has won top honours, you can find it here.

Good luck with things!

Julien-- all good advice above.

One thing I cannot stress enough is to keep using the beacon that you took your weekend course with. It may not seem important now, but this will save your life- or likely someone else's life someday due to you being familiar with what you were trained on from Day 1.

There is a myriad of beacons with all sort of functions, options, antennas, this, that.. but at the end of it all it is you being the end user that has to know its functions absolutely cold <excuse the pun>

Is A(lpine)T(ouring) for you? ..have you thought about Telemark? Splitboarding? There are SO many options & being you are at the start of this fantastic new world, believe me you will never look back at 'in bound' or resort skiing again. But it is a very expensive hobby to get started..

What ever you chose, hit up the swaps. MEC has gearswaps in November (although there will be limited Rental or Demo winter stuff for sale until next spring from the previous winter..) Some of the used sports stores have some ok experienced touring gear for sale. Make sure to buy a coffee for your knowledgable friend who is coming along with you to give you advice.

It can be a very expensive endeavour to start this exciting backcountry/slack country season coming up. I would go slow & try to keep your finger on the pulse when buying gear. Puruse the cork boards at MEC for people trying to shed gear.

There are some really good used sports stores in Golden, Revelstoke and Nelson. Also, if you are on a course or trip, do not hesitate to ask the shop you are renting from if there is a chance that business is selling their rentals towards the end of the season. This way, if you like the gear & it fits/works well get the ski number or boot number, write it down & give them a call towards the spring.

I know CMH along the interior gets rid of their guides clothes, packs every so often. While they may not have ski's with touring bindings for sale.. there could be deals. Yamnuska in Canmore has tables of stuff in Calgary each (seasonal) swap.

And- consider joining a club. B(ritish)C(olumbia)M(ountain)C(lub) http://www.bcmc.ca has free rentals of some gear on club trips & on so on. The local A(lpine) C(lub) of C(anada) has really informal meetings each month where you will meet beginners just like yourself who are curious & lookin to partner up & search for gear. Their 'Intro to Backcountry' weekends can be top notch & non intimidating with some real quality people.

Finally, try to get out with as many different people as you can throughout the season. I find that I learn so much from people from different regions of the world. The attitude of Europeans who ski 'off piste' is pretty different from Kiwi's and even different from Americans. Rope skills.. avalanche skills.. touring strategies.. it all makes you better prepared in the short & long run.

Vancouver ACC .. http://www.accvancouver.ca

Congratulations on making the decision - there's no turning back for you now.

Julien

Are you sure you want to venture into (a) backcountry or (b) sidecountry?  There's a big difference in equipment between the two, not to mention cost.  A decent BC set-up (without any training courses) will set you back $4,000+.

I'm a sidecountry guy cause I can't be bothered to shlep 2 hrs up the side of a mountain for 10mins of skiing (a little harsh, but true).

"A decent BC set-up (without any training courses) will set you back $4,000+."

At that price it would be way more than a "decent" set-up.  You don't need top of the line or new equipement to get into the sport.  My initial set-up for skis, bindings boots and skins was $1100 ( it was all new equipement, but past season models).  Sure I've spent some bucks since then, but don't scare people away from the sport!  You really don't need a $1000 pair of boots for your first season.  

My advice?  Buy boots that fit!  Don't worry about the features so much as getting a pair that won't give you blisters, hot spots etc.  Backcountry skiing can be brutal on your feet.  Get a good pair of skis, that you enjoy riding and don't worry about the weight too much.  Sliding weight (ie your ski) is less important than lifting weight.  Dynafit bindings are good in soft snow, but won't really cut it at the hill if you ski hard snow.  

Lastly and most importantly find some good folks who enjoy skiing as much as you do, get in lots of days exploring, learn lots and have a blast.  

Good points 2wheeler.  This is why I made the distinction between Sidecountry and Backcountry.  My estimate for Backcountry equipment is based on mid priced boots/skis, but includes equipment such as (a) avalanche beacon, (b) avalanche airbag, waterproof rucksack, etc.

For Sidecountry (like me) you can get away with a lot less equipment.  The point is, if you want to do true Backcountry, be properly equiped and get proper training.  Neither is cheap.

I would deffintely recommend a light weight set up.

Dynafit or PLUM bindings and a nice pair of wood core skis. My favorite brand is Movement although they are not the easitest to get in Canada these days

I went with the Volkl Nunatag with Dynafit bindings - I have not bought the boots yet but I'm thinking Scarpa. I know from rental nightmares that the BD don't fit my foot properly.

I also got a very good opportunity to get BD gear at a discounted rate so I bought my beacon, shovel and probe from them.

Can't wait to try it all out. Might go this weekend around Elfin lake to test the gear and get a feel for it.

as far as cost (mentioned above) - I got my beacon, shovel and probe for $300. skis, bindings and skins (all brand new) for $1,200 and I now need to buy a pair of boots probably around $550, new Goggles and poles so total gear for this set up is about $2,200.

I already have a 4 season tent and all the camping gear - bought it last year for my avalanche course and mountaineering course.

Can't wait to go play outside now! :)