How to Buy Alpine Touring (AT) / Randonnée Bindings

Great article from Evo.com.  Touring binding technology is confusing , here is an excellent article to help you sort it out.

How to Buy Alpine Touring (AT) / Randonnée Bindings

Alpine touring (also known as "Randonnée" or "AT") ski bindings allow you to lift your heels naturally while skinning uphill or moving over rolling terrain, then lock your boots down and use regular alpine skiing technique when you want to go downhill. Used in combination with climbing skins and alpine touring boots that have a hinging upper cuff, AT bindings make traveling over snowy ground remarkably fast and efficient. If the idea of skinning uphill under your own power and using conventional alpine technique to ski down appeals to you, consider alpine touring bindings.

Things to consider:

• What type of skiing are you planning to do with this binding? "Burly backcountry lines with air" is different than "fast and light, long-distance touring.”
• Do you plan to use this binding for lift-served skiing as well as touring?
• Does this binding require a specific type of boot?
• Are you willing to carry the extra weight of a heavy AT binding?
• Are you willing to accept the downhill limitations of a light AT binding?

Types of AT Bindings

AT bindings fall into two categories:

Frame Bindings - Frame type bindings have toe and heel pieces connected by a frame or rails and often work with both alpine and alpine touring ski boots.

Tech Bindings – “Tech" type bindings, often referred to by the brand name Dynafit, although there now are several brands that make tech bindings, rely on two sets of pins to hold the toe and heel in place and require a special boot. Tech bindings are lightweight because the “frame” in the system is your rigid boot sole itself. 

There’s a growing selection of both types of AT bindings, offering lots of choices in weight, function, and price.

Up vs. Down

There's compromise involved in any ski, boot, and binding system that goes both up and downhill. What's best for the up - light weight and range of motion - is at odds with what works best for skiing down, namely width, mass, and stiffness of boot and binding.

The best binding for you will vary depending on your skiing style, ability level, fitness level, conditions, and the type of touring you plan to do.

Strength vs. Weight

A burly ski combined with a heavy frame binding will ski as well as most alpine setups and be suitable for heavier skiers or those who ski aggressively in the backcountry. It also appeals to those who can only justify one pair of skis and boots for both lift-served and touring days. The downside is weight - extra pounds on your feet are slower on the uphill, which takes its toll over a long day of touring.

A very light ski and boot with a tech binding will let you fly up the skintrack but for some doesn’t provide the same downhill and release capabilities of a more robust, heavy setup. Tech bindings require a boot with molded-in toe fittings and a slotted heel plate. Some super light tech boots will only work with tech bindings, but many will work with frame bindings as well. Super light setups are appropriate people who plan to use their binding predominately for touring vs. skiing in a resort and don’t plan to catch a lot of air or ski super aggressively. They are great for long trips, spring and summer tours where deep fresh snow and crust are rare, and randonnée racing.

Keep in mind that tech binding release values appear to use the same DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung, a German standards organization) scale as alpine bindings, but are not DIN certified like alpine bindings - the elasticity of tech bindings and the force required to cause a release, won’t necessarily be the same as an alpine binding set at the same number. 

Unlike alpine bindings which release laterally at the toe, all tech bindings currently on the market have a fixed toe and are designed to release initially from the heel in both the lateral and vertical directions. When the boot has travelled far enough out of the normal ski position, it levers the toepiece open and the boot pops out.

Which binding is for you? 

The best bet for many people is to start at the heavier end to get a feel for the sport without jeopardizing their enjoyment of the downhill. Some people simply swap their alpine bindings for AT bindings, get some climbing skins, and head out. That is, with proper backcountry safety gear and knowledge, of course.

Heavier Frame Bindings 

Heavier frame bindings like those from Marker, Salomon, and Atomic have the same sort of retention and elasticity as their alpine counterparts and use many of the same components. These bindings can be used reliably for inbounds skiing by aggressive skiers and are suitable for wide and heavy skis. A beefy frame binding and stiff AT boot can be a good choice for skiers trying to do it all with one setup, or hard charging skiers transitioning from alpine setups. Note: Not all frame bindings are certified for use with all alpine touring soles - check the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure that your boot is compatible with the binding you choose.

Lighter Frame Bindings

Lighter frame bindings from Fritschi and Marker can be the right choice for those who mix touring and lift-served skiing, want to lessen the total weight of their setup, and aren’t as concerned with charging hard and fast. These bindings can often be used with almost any touring boot and will also fit alpine boots. The step-in operation and release settings will be similar to alpine bindings.

Tech Bindings

Choosing a tech binding and boot combination may be the best choice if you plan on touring far or fast. The lighter weight and smoother mechanical action will save you energy on the uphill, and you’ll cover more ground with less fatigue. Light, smooth and less aggressive skiers can use tech setups successfully for inbounds skiing, too.

Keep in mind that most frame bindings function like alpine bindings for entry and exit (the only difference is a locking switch to convert from tour to ski mode), but tech bindings require a short learning curve - this adjustment period might not appeal to everyone, especially newcomers to touring.

Common AT binding questions:

Can I telemark on AT bindings? No. People who are already familiar with telemark technique will sometimes throw in a few tele turns with AT heels unlocked, but they aren’t designed for the stresses of telemark skiing at speed. Furthermore, AT bindings pivot in front of the toe, while telemark bindings and boots are designed to flex at the ball of the foot with a spring for rebound. 

Can I use alpine boots with these bindings? Most frame-type AT bindings have enough toe height adjustment to use with an alpine DIN boot, but tech bindings will not accept them. Also, skinning for long periods in heavy alpine boots that do not have a hinging hike mode can be quite uncomfortable.

Can I use a tech binding for my everyday lift-served skis? Maybe. If you are light, smooth and don't get much air, they might work for regular lift-served skiing, but they are not for everyone. Also, tech bindings do not meet the ISO 9462 standard for alpine binding release and adjustment, and may not perform like the alpine bindings you've been using.

Can I use a tech binding with a wide powder ski? Probably. Wide skis place more stress on the boot/binding connection than narrow ones, but many people use this combination successfully. 

Can I use a frame-type AT binding with big skis as my only setup? Yes. Heavier frame bindings often use the same release mechanisms as their alpine counterparts and are extremely reliable.

How about adapters that let me use the alpine bindings I already own? There are a few adapters that work with alpine bindings which allow you to go into tour mode. 

The SI&I CAST System - This system allows you to use regular alpine bindings for the descent, but slide in a Dynafit Radical toepiece instead of your regular alpine toe for skinning. The CAST system requires a modification to your alpine boots so that they can be used with the Dynafit toes.

The MFD Alltime Plate - Plate is mounted to your skis, alpine bindings are mounted to it, and the MFD plate hinges up and down.

The BCA Alpine Trekker - They fit into your alpine bindings and hold your boots securely while allowing the heels to lift; you remove them and put them in your pack to ski down. 

These options could be a solution if you prefer your alpine bindings with extremely high release values, don’t need to skin far, or aren’t afraid to carry the extra weight uphill.

Thanks to our friends at evo.com for the great info. 

Euro 2014! Day 9

Return to Cervinia

Leaving the hut in the morning we had to make our way on trails in the forrest for the first 2 kilometres.  It could not have been more beautiful walking in the forrest with views of the glaciers hanging overhead.

The plan was to ski up a valley that would allow us to get back down to Cervinia where the trip started and our car was parked.  The trees soon gave way to the high alpine.

Passing stone ruins and old summer huts slowed thing considerably since we could not help but stop and investigate .

Reaching the top of the pass revealed Zermat and the Matterhorn

It was a relaxing ski down the groomed runs of Cervinia which brought us back to vehicle.  This completed the trip, it was a great adventure and I am already looking for ward to planning next years trip!  Contact Aspiring Guides if you think you might be interested.

 Thanks for the great trip!

 Daniel

Graeme

Doug

 Jef

Whitney

Euro 2014! Day 8

Rifugio Ferraro

The goal today was to ski to the valley floor, take a lift to the next ridge and ski tour down to the hut.  It was a simple plan and in order to get to the next valley at the right time of day to get the best snow we left Gnifetti at 7am….big mistake




Descending to the valley meant skiing down a steep narrow run accessed by the local ski area and big moguls covered in churned up piles of frozen slush.  Being accustomed to the smooth off piste, this was a bit of an epic but to the credit of all involved, the cursing was kept to a personal level.


Once we reached the groomed slopes all was forgiven and we cruised on into the small village of Stafal

A lift up the other side of the valley dropped us in corn snow paradise.  Ski touring is a journey where you take what comes but it is the runs like this that go on forever that you remember.

Rifugio Ferraro was built in 1590 and is the highest place in Italy that is occupied year round.  Neither of these points actually meant that it would be a nice place to spend the night and skiing up to the hut we wondered what we might be getting ourselves into.  

 As it turned out, Fausta, the lady that runs the place cooks food like she has been cooped up all winter with no one to serve it to.



The courses of pasta, soup, salad, meats and deserts and cheeses kept coming long after the ability to eat.  Daniel nervous at the task ahead, gets ready to hook into the two kg of excellent cheese we had for a starter.


Going for just one more of a delicacy which is strips of thin white FAT covered in honey and nuts.

It was fantastic!

GO TO DAY 9

Euro 2014! Day 7

Day 6

The hut wardens asked if we wanted breakfast at 3am or 7am.  Since breakfast unfailingly consisted of cereal, little packets of bread and jam, and required no effort from the staff at all I asked if it would be OK if we just got up at 5am and looked after ourselves.  The lady said that would be fine but made it clear that we would have to get ourselves up, I said that would find a way to tough it out.

We wanted an early start for this day because in terms of distance and altitude it would be the biggest day of the trip.  The plan was to continue up the glacier and drop down to Gnifetti Hut back on the Italian side of the mountains.  The pass we had to get over was over 4100m and would be the highest altitude we would have to deal with.

Once again we were made to feel like slackers, getting up at 5am we were faced by the breakfast remains of other parties and after a sleepy breakfast and a bad cup of coffee we were on our way.

Sunrise with Matterhorn in background

The route heads up the left side of the glacier to avoid going under the imposing Northest Face of Mount Lyskamm which has the charming nickname Menschenfresser (man eater).

Once again the wind was the enemy and as we reached the pass there was little time for talk as we put our heads down and carried on in hopes of getting shelter on the southern side of the range.  Reaching the top it was very windy and cold and when I needed a hand finding the way all I needed to do was find Jesus….I did and it worked, he is located just above the slope that leads to the hut on top of a rock.  The bivi in this photo is not Gnefitti Hut.

 Gnifetti is further down and even more precarious.  Gnifetti Hut is an improbable location, like some sort of cartoon it sits precariously on a cliff top propped up by decades of additions and repairs.

Access up and down the cliff to get to the hut is the trickiest part of the day.

View from the bedroom

This hut has been added onto so many times it is rabbit warren of stairs and halls.  If you are on the deck and need to to get to the toilet you better have some time, see below.

GO TO DAY 8

Euro 2014! Day 6

Mont Rosa Hut

For this leg of our trip the mountains are so big you need your passport and a new sim card to go ski touring.  The Matterhorn (or as we like to call it, the Mount Aspiring of the North) sits between the two resorts of Cervinia, in Italy, and Zermat in Switzerland.   We used cable cars to get us up to the divide between the two countries and with a mixture of skiing on piste, chairlifts and touring got ourselves to Mont Rosa Hut.  It was snowing most of the day and visibility was pretty limited until just before we reached the hut.

We had to alter our original route since it involved skiing down through an icefall which was not an option due to the cloud.  I have been trying to figure out how to explain our journey today but have concluded that it’s just not possible.  Like Rugby, you will just have to follow along even though you don’t really understand all the rules.

The first 2000m up was accomplished by a ride in a cable car which disappeared into the clouds.  

After a Disneyland of lifts and skiing we reappeared 30km away under the clouds in Zermat.  Traversing the mother of all lateral moraines, and a little of this and that, got us back on snow about two hours below Mont Rosa Hut.

Some of the this and that

When the cloud cleared in the early afternoon we were looking back down the Grenz Glacier and just above us was …

The Mont Rosa Hut, I will let the photos speak for themselves.  Returning to Mont Rosa Hut after last year was a real treat.  It is hard not to be impressed by place.  

GO TO DAY 7

Euro 2014 Day 5

Lillaz

The plan for the day was simple, ski up a steep 1300m to a pass and then back down 1800m to the town of Lillaz.  Simple except for how steep the 1300m uphill was.  The top graph is for the route we skied (mostly), 1230m ascent over 3.8 km. The bottom graph is the North west Ridge of Mt Aspiring from Colin Todd Hut, 1279 over 3.7 km!

 We shared the hut with a group from the Turin Ski Club who, as was usual for us, left the hut about an hour before we did.  The hill slowly steepened and we could see the 25+ members of the ski club slowly skinning their way up the steepest section of the route.  I was concerned about this part of the climb, which from appearances would require ice ax and crampons.  When the ski club disappeared above having all kept their skis on, I was relieved thinking that it was not as steep as it looked.  It was a mixture of confusion and alarm when we got to the section and found hard snow and protruding rocks with a “you fall-you die” attitude.  As much as I hated to be defeated by the house wives and accountants of Turin,  I had everyone stow their skis and put on crampons.  It was not a hard climb but I followed in wonder at the slight indentations that the ski club had left behind in the ice.  Difficult to to see but if you look carefully you can see Graham front pointing up the gully below.  If there is ever and Olympic skinning event I am confident Turin Ski Club would be bronze, silver and gold.

Every day is a new highlight of the trip but reaching Di Teleccio Pass (3300m) was magnificent.  It was a long hard slog at high elevation but the satisfaction of only having downhill before us and achieving a well earned day off, was the best top out yet.

Skiing down the Di Teleccio Glacier was 8km of spring snow downhill.  Firm at the top, perfect in the middle and soft at the bottom. 

The valley slowly narrowed with signs of habitation appearing in the form of small dams and bridges.  This valley is famous for ice climbing in winter.  I loved this sign.

Before long we joined onto groomed x-country trails and finally a downhill deposited us in Lillaz, at the Ondezana Hotel and its effusive owner Andre.  I was finally realizing that every major downhill run in Italy ends at a pub of some sort.  Selling beer to us at the end of a long day was really shooting fish in a barrel. As it turned out Mara from Pontese worked at this hotel in the winter and Andre just had to call her to let her know we had arrived alright.  We could hear her laughing on the line. 

After an hour being entertained by Andre our transport arrived for the ride to Cervinia, the starting point of the next leg of out trip.  I don't know if we were more excited by the prospect of a shower or the sight of our hotel being dwarfed by the Matterhorn.  Day off tomorrow!

GO TO DAY 6