Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the
Fourteeners! Books and free ski touring news and information here.
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Love it Lou! Couldn’t have been more timely. Two of our friends just arrived from SLC to go to Valdez, and we were talking with out German friend who had just returned from there. He was wondering why we make such big turns, I couldn’t answer other then to say I like to go fast, and make big fast turns. He couldn’t agree though and just stared at us looking puzzled. Love the idea of the turn exchange rate!
What’s strange is that on the piste the Europeans have embraced carving, but when they’re in the backcountry many of them are still making choppy turns. Of course, I frequently make choppy turns as well as I’m not that good at the newer style and sometimes don’t have the skis for it, but it’s fun when the bigger turn style works and it really isn’t that difficult given the right gear and conditions. There is a practical aspect as well, since the smooth larger turns are quite a bit less tiring than making millions of small ones. You lazy new schoolers, I should have known…
come on lou…when did i ever strike you as NOT being lazy:)
i must say, i’ve never been more proud of you and louie than right now. I always knew you had it in you to make those big, pretty arcs.
and by the way, you say you also took a cable car up? perhaps you should do 100 lunges to make up for your lack of exercise today:D
Silly Euros. That guy from the last pic must have had a heart attack when he got done. Good grief!
the guy probably had too much Schnapps 🙂
Funny!
We had a similar experience when we skied in the Wasatch last Spring. Canadian turns:Wasatch turns::your turns:Euro turns…
I’d say the schnapps could be a factor.
Lou,
Since you are in the land where everyone seems to ski tour, seem any kids out there? I am curious to know what information you might provide about children’s AT equipment. My daughers are good alpine and cross country skiers. We have done a few family hut trips, using a combination of them cross country sking and pulled in our sled. They are at the point where an AT set up would be ideal. All I seem to be able to find is children’s tele set ups, not AT. Any suggestions?
Markian
Markian, the trick is to cut down an AT binding so it fits the kid, then just have them use their alpine boots for short fun trips. We used to cut down Ramer bindings, which was super easy. Best binding for such these days seems to be Silvretta Pure, more, you might be able to get the kids model of the Pure, called the Kidz. Check around. Another thing to do is use boots that are a bit large once the kid gets close to being able to use regular length bindings, so as to get them in the bindings at a younger age. I recall with our son that he only toured for a season or two before he was on un-modified bindings, though his boots were somewhat big to make that happen.
Lou,
Thanks for the tip, you have pointed me in the right direction. In comparing the Silveretta Pure Kidz sole legnth compatability, it is the same as the small Fritschi Explore. So it seems there are options out there.
At what age was Louie doing short tours with you? I am not one to push them into it too soon, we mostly focus on having fun. My youngest, age 7, is already asking about tele skiing (which I did for years) and I am thinking that an AT set up offers more options in variable conditions.
Enjoying your postings from Europe, what a great family trip!
Markian