Good on you man!  I am by no  means any kind of guru but I grew up on cc gear and worked in a shop during colledge.  

It sounds like you have what is known as "classic" skis with NNN 'New Nordic Norm' boots and bindings.  These are designed for set track trails like out at the Canmore nordic center.  Great cardio workout after you get your stride down.

The next step up from those is NNN-BC bindings. the BC stands for back country.  They look prety much the same except that the bar is a little beefier, the binding a little wider and the boots will probably have some plastic ankle support.  These will allow you to controll a little wider ski, say up to about 60mm width or so.

To control a wider ski than that you get into AT 'alpine touring' set ups that are a fancy version of the normal 'downhill' skis with a releasable heel to allow for walking or Telemark which uses a 75mm wide duckbill on a heavy plastic boot and a free heel, a cross between alpine and CC gear.  The 75mm wide duckbill is what was on CC gear up to about 15 years ago.  The sky is the limit with AT or Telemark gear.  Boots break the bank but get the ones that fit best.  Boots that fit properly is probably the most imprtant thing in any setup right up there with avalanche gear. Second hand boots save a little cash but can lead to pain and missing toenails.  (I know but they were $20)  The skis I'm drooling at are over a grand.  Kijiji can be an excelent source of gear, you have probably missed the gear swaps for the year as they usually happen before the snow flies.

I hope I answered something for you instead of just rambling. I would take you out but I'm a long way from Cowtown.

Check out the Alpine Club of Canada, http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/ there are a lot of helpful souls that can get you out on the snow.  

Thanks Skidadle, I was at the Norseman ski shop today and saw all what you mentioned.  The fellow there was very helpful, being that I had mentioned bc sking he showed those to me and the different bindings that you mentioned. I was under the impression that with bc skis I could head off into the foothills and never be near a ski track. He told me it would be hard with bc skis to ski on a track ,but if I had to ski on a track to get into the virgin areas I could ski beside it.

 So now that you mentioned  AT,and Telemark being wider than bc skis ,I better research the difference. I saw the dckbill boot ,and bindings today,  and was thinking that for my purpose bc skis would do . I guess nothing will keep a person on top if the snow isn't suporting them, Iv'e been in powder that came a foot over my downhill skis.   

 So I'm going to be sinking in powder snow regardless of what ski I have. The main thing as you mentioned would be control of the ski, downhill skiing you just lean back. keep the tips up and if its not to deep you turn. I can see with bc skis ,and no heel suport ,you would have a hard tme.  hmmm, many things to consider.   

 I'm going to check the Alpine ski club you mentioned..

Your note has been very helpful.. Thank You.

Neal

This site can be somewhat useful:

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentP.....sports.jsp

Thanks 2wheeler. I agree it's a very informative site.

Neal

Good to see you're getting out. Lots to know about xc, touring and Tele-whackin'.

If you need some support with people that just want to get out & have minimal experience, I cannot recommend enough the local Meetup groups: http://www.meetup.com

There is a nordic and snowshoeing group in Calgary. They have trips to K Country and other nearby areas.Beginners to expert.. family, fun and inexpensive. Some neat people you meet too

I have used Meetup on other outdoor things and find mostly the groups are informal, not a 'club' type atmosphere and generally not serious & fun. I think you'd get some experiences with a few trips out.

I do find Bragg Creek in summer & winter is often overlooked. So close to Cowtown..

http://www.braggcreekrecreatio.....areas.html

Thanks Dromo, I'm allready a member , but have never joined them in a hike. I'll check out their ski  trips for beginners..

Hi

My thoughts on this post is:

I would go with Backcountry ski gear, that way you would have good control on any hills when your going down.

I would looks for a pair of light skiis with Dynafit bindings, a good pair of boots as light as possible.

There is a lot of good deals on the MEC gear swap and you could outfit yourself with some good equipment.

Ray