The S3's are fine for backcountry (a friend uses them). But the main issue is are you boots and bindings backcountry specific? I'd recommend getting a dynafit binding with compatible boots. The boots of course will need to have a walk mode (I have dynafit vulcans for boots)

Thanks Turnipking...I have Salomom Guardians....but don't have a touring boot yet...will check out the Vulcans...soooo many things to get!  :)  Slowly but surely, I will get properly set up...

Hey Powrider, if you alread run the Salomon Guardians just be sure you know that they do not take a touring specific boot as the sole is not ISO compatible, you will have to get a boot with an alpine sole such as the Salomon Quest 120 Max or the Atomic Tracker 110. Click on those links if you want to find out more a bout those boots. 

Have a read of the Guardian review over here and you will see what I mean, the binding is big and heavy but is made for ski touring (not big days) and is limiting in which boot it will accept. If you want to switch over to a boot with tech fittings then the Guardians will have to go.

Hope this helps.

Powrider said:

Hi all...just starting out in alpine touring and planning to sign up for an AST course at Sol Mountain...any pointers on minimum requirements on gear?  Will my Rossi S3's provide enough stability to get me started in the backcountry?  Any pointers would be appreciated!

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Went to Sol last spring for my first tour.  Key thing is when touring you walk 80% and ski 20%.  With that in mind grams matter.  With that in mind get proper AT bindings such as Dynafit or Plum and proper AT boots.  Also the proper skins are crucial.  Sols terrain is quite rolling on the way to the summits so you need to have skins that have sufficient glide as you go up and down knolls on the way.  Mine did not and it was a lot tougher.  G3 or Colltex 100% mohair skins are my recommendation.  I would not recommend using any type of AT hybrid binding where the heal plate lifts with each step. Remember one half pound being lifted by each leg up 2000 metres adds up quickly.  Trust me it matters.  So no matter what anyone tells you get a complete as light as you can AT set up.  We travelled over 80 Kms in 5 days.  Take band aids and moleskin in case you blister up and layer your clothing as you will heat up pretty quick on the ascent.  Have fun!

Appreciate the feedback guys...

So - would I die trying to get through a 1st season with a standard downhill book without a walk mode?

Just getting my feet wet and will probably have a much better understanding of what suits my needs after I build up some experience...not sure if I have to conditioning to log 15 kms/day lifeisgood!  Guess I better start training!  Thanks again guys...very helpful.

Powrider said:

Appreciate the feedback guys...

So - would I die trying to get through a 1st season with a standard downhill book without a walk mode?

Just getting my feet wet and will probably have a much better understanding of what suits my needs after I build up some experience...not sure if I have to conditioning to log 15 kms/day lifeisgood!  Guess I better start training!  Thanks again guys...very helpful.

Given my experience with a quasi downhill AT combo I would not do that again.  This set up was recommended from quasi tourers in a standard ski shop.  This is not to say you cannot get good advice there but ensure the people you talk to have touring experience and save yourself the pain. Happy feet and happy legs mean happy times!

lifeisgood said:

Powrider said:

Appreciate the feedback guys...

So - would I die trying to get through a 1st season with a standard downhill book without a walk mode?

Just getting my feet wet and will probably have a much better understanding of what suits my needs after I build up some experience...not sure if I have to conditioning to log 15 kms/day lifeisgood!  Guess I better start training!  Thanks again guys...very helpful.

Given my experience with a quasi downhill AT combo I would not do that again.  This set up was recommended from quasi tourers in a standard ski shop.  This is not to say you cannot get good advice there but ensure the people you talk to have touring experience and save yourself the pain. Happy feet and happy legs mean happy times!

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I find the best advise for this stuff is to go into the field and see what the full timers use ie. touring guides.  They use the type of equipment they do for a reason.  You will not go wrong using the proper AT gear however its user beware otherwise.  So if you just want to dabble and do the day slack country thing then you maybe okay but if you are going for anymore than that i would not and i stress it again i would not go without LIGHT proper fitted AT gear.  As far as skining distance goes the guide will look at the skill set of the group and determine what works best for everyone.  Aaron the owner and lead guide at Sol has a good idea for this.  Hopefully this is helpful as i "thought" i knew what the proper gear was but after 5 days in the backcountry i knew.  Skin on!   

These forums are helpful so you can learn from all our mistakes!  I have been touring for 13 years and all over BC, AB , USA and Europe.  PLEASE, do yourself a favor and fork over the money upfront (it is expensive but so is buying gear and then having to resell it and buy again) and buy good quality AT boots, bindings and skins.  I skiied hundreads of days in my boots and dynafits before having to replace them and the companies offer excellent warranty service.  Can't tell you how many times I have been staying at a backcountry lodge or hut watching people dealing with problems related to shitty gear (blisters, shinbang, etc).  Consider yourself warned!  

forgot to mention, Sol is awesome, know the owner personally.  Tons of snow, beautiful lodge.

Thanks again John and Life...seems like a consistent message...and it all makes sense..

Getting excited for the season...!

So I am officially booked in at Sol for a mid Dec AST course...pretty excited!

I am also quickly realizing that purchasing the Guardians may have been a mistake.  I was trying to have a 1 ski fits all solution as I will still spend a lot of time with my 9 yr old daughter up at Silver Star....and wasn't really sure about the AT side of things.  I know once I get into it, I will be hooked as I have always wanted to do this....

I should have just bit the bullet and bought a specific setup for touring....Oh well...next year!  

In the mean time... will work with what I have...