I’ve always had a kind of bipolar perspective on lightweight backcountry ski gear, but lately I’ve been slightly more even-keeled with regards to ski selection. The Crested Butte backcountry is an area that hosts many longish 100% human powered ski tours (Crested Butte Mountain Resort is very much a closed boundary ski area) often with long flat sections on either end of the terrain.

The Mustagh Ata SL in the Elk Mountains

In recent years my preference in backcountry skis has varied between featherweight SkiTrab models all the way up to the >10cm underfoot rockered modern-day behemoths. Both have their distinct advantages, but really CB is “quiver of one” terrain. Enter the Dynafit Mustagh Ata Superlight.

With similar dimensions and heft as a former lightweight tool of mine, the K2 Mt. Baker Superlight, the Mustagh Ata SL has achieved what many feel to be impossible in the lightweight category: a smooth ride without that lightweight twitchy carbon feeling. The specs below are directly from the Dynafit website, I find it helpful to read about how Dynafit perceives their own product:
“The Mustagh Ata Superlight represents the next phase of development for the successful Mustagh Ata model. It is the lightest ski in its class. It is equipped with patented Dynafit Insert technology and sports a modern waist curve. Its 88 mm width at mid-ski and its balanced core structure provide maximum skiing pleasure under all snow conditions. The ski adds very little weight when climbing, making it great for long high mountain tours and expeditions”
Summary
I like to think of this ski as the little brother of the extremely popular Dynafit Manaslu only better suited to more vertical and lending themselves to shorter radius turns. Remember that this is a lightweight ski and will certainly have it’s limitations when compared to large wood core skis that seem to be dominating the market these days. In most conditions, I find the ski to be perfectly suited for consistency like many of the lighter weight skis out there. I appreciate that this ski is on the stiffer side, especially in the tail, and find it to be quite lively and maneuverable. When skiing breakable crust, this ski responds well to aggressive edge release: which is easily accomplished with the low swing weight and responsive feel.

Other skis in this category include  K2’s Wayback (basically the Baker SL) or Black Diamond’s upcoming Aspect, which all have distinctly larger shovels.
Testing Notes
In the 25 days that I have skied the Mustagh Ata Superlights I’ve encountered backcountry snow that has ranged from glorious easy skiing powder to variable crust, crud and mank. Ascents with and without ski crampons. Conditions that I have yet to test: boilerplate ice and spring corn.
The Verdict
Pros: Leightweight, appropriate stiffer flex in tail, ski beautifully in soft snow. As with any light ski, will chatter some.

Cons: weaker skiers may find the skis get pushed around easily/don’t handle variable snow. Could be an effect of a somewhat narrow shovel.

The Mustagh Ata Superlight seems to be a perfect option for those looking for a do-all spring ski mountaineering ski. I’d recommend this ski for anyone looking for a lightweight setup for longer tours and/or spring conditions. Just remember, this lightweight mid-fat platform excelles at shorter radius turns and won’t provide the crud busting prowess of a ski with more mass. Remember to pair such a nicely engineered ski with the best touring binding on the market: the Dynafit ST.

While packing this morning for a day ski touring, it occurred to me that I hadn’t yet done a proper online pack explosion. Given that the spring ski mountaineering season is right around the corner, I thought I would share my gear system with you for longer ski tours. The system described below is by no means completely exhaustive, however this seems to be my baseline, then I add or subtract based on venue and specific goals (i.e. ski the gnar or teach full snow profiles in an avalanche course).

First, let’s start off discussing my pack. The saying goes “the skin track is the signature of the ski guide”. If this is true, then a guide’s backpack is his “trademark” and it should reflect careful attention to detail, and exemplify professionalism and well thought out simplicity. In my quiver of backpacks (and believe me it is a quiver) the two packs that receive the most playing time for skiing are the Arcteryx Arrakis 40 and the Osprey Kode 22.

Arcteryx Arrakis 40
The best features in a ski pack are subtle, yet functional. Perhaps a shovel/probe compartment and a simple ski carry system are all that is truly necessary. I use my Arrakis on more technical terrain or on longer tours where more gear is needed, and use the Kode 22 as my everyday Colorado touring pack. For years, I skied with a simple 35L alpine climbing pack, and still find that simpler is better when it comes to technical packs.

Enough about how sweet my backpacks are, let’s have a look at what I carry inside that beast. This will be my kit for my upcoming European Alps programs: the Haute Route and Berner Oberland as well as most other glaciated ski mountaineering programs. This item-by-item list is perfect for any advanced level recreational ski mountaineer or guest embarking on a glaciated ski tour with a guide. I’ve also included items more guide or “trip-leader” specific items and marked them with an asterisk (**).

• Skis: Dynafit Mustagh Ata Superlight 178cm. Lightweight, responsive, ski great in any conditions. These are a great replacement and a much more lively and better performing ski than the old K2 Mt. Baker Superlight.

• Bindings: Dynafit TLT Vertical ST. Simple, strong and adjustable. The best binding choice for any ski mountaineer.

• Poles: an adjustable carbon two section pole works well. I’ve also been using fixed length poles a lot lately for tours without long flat sections.

• Skins: Mohair or synthetic. Fit to the waist of the ski (don’t get me started)…

• Boots: Garmont Megaride with Intuition liners (my 3rd pair, hoping next years’ Dynafit TLT5 will replace these)

• Dynafit ski crampons aka harscheisen:  These are must! I use ‘em on the steep “locals” tracks here in CB, but they are essential for icy spring conditions.

• Beacon: Mammut Barryvox Pulse

• Shovel: Metal blade, durable.

• Probe: has to be easy to assemble and cannot be ‘probe’ ski poles. minimum of 2m long.

• Hat, Buff, Balaclava- all three especially in high mountains

• Gloves: (2) thin for the uphill, warm/all leather for the down. Pictured are the OR Tangent Gloves- which are money!

• Goggles with light lenses

• Sunglasses or Glacier Glasses

• Digital Camera: I use the Canon G9 mostly because of the ability to shoot in RAW.

• Cell Phone: Blackberry Tour. I know, it’s the PC of smartphones, but I like it because I can land in France and be making calls from my French cell number in seconds! Let’s see you iphone do that!

• **GPS Unit: as well as the knowledge to use it.

• **Tri-Band Radio: I use the Yaesu Vx-6r for it’s waterproof design and ease of use. This powerful tool is very important for emergency communications with outside support, or with other guides in your group.

• Bivy Sack/Tarp: I like the Brooks-Range Guides Tarp. It’s lightweight and simple. Perfect for an emergency shelter system.

• **Rescue Sled: This product is highly specific, but priceless when you need it. Check out Brooks-Range for more information on these great rescue products.

• Basic First Aid Kit: Just basic stuff to stop big bleeds and evacuate a patient.

• Repair Kit: My ever evolving repair kit includes and extra headlamp and is bigger than my first aid kit. My friend, Joe Stock, put together a nice repair kit list that is very similar to my kit. Know your system and it’s weak links. For example, I know that a broken binding toe piece is much harder (if not impossible) to repair than a heel piece in the field. Thus I carry an extra binding toe.

• **Skin Wax and Scraper: Skin wax to keep your skins from balling up, a scraper to clean your partners’ skis off at every transition.

• Insulated Jacket: puffy coat, duvet coat, call it what you will, but this is perhaps the most essential piece in the kit. The OR Transcendent Sweater is an excellent lighter weight coat that suits warmer weather nicely.

Items more specific to glacier travel or technical terrain:

• Harness (lightweight) the CAMP Coral is pictured, others nice light harnesses from Cila0.

• **Crevasse Rescue Kit: This certainly varies, but my non mechanical system uses three locking carabiners, 4 non-locking carabiners, four slings or cords (shoulder length) and one 16cm ice screw and perhaps one cordelette kept in the backpack. All are the lightest possible materials.

• **40m Half Rope: I like the 40m length in order to complete a drop-loop system for adequate crevasse rescue.

• Boot Crampons: Pictured here are my old reliable pair- Step in system, easy to use, relatively light weight. I think these new Grivel Haute-Route crampons will be a great replacement one day.

• Mountaineering Axe: Pictured here is the Petzl Snowracer. I use it because of the steel head, but still very light weight. I don’t personally go any lighter as I’ve had bad experiences with aluminum headed axes… While we’re on the subject of piolets: shorter is better. For me @ 5′11″- 50cm is perfect as it fits inside my pack while skiing, and when terrain is steep enough to necessitate the extra security of an axe, it is the perfect length.

• Vacuum Bottle: a nice stainless steel bottle.

• Water Bottle: an old juice or sports drink bottle works well.

• Food: for me a couple of sandwiches (usually peanut butter and jelly) and plenty of snack food along the way.

• ** items more guide or “trip-leader” specific items and marked them with an asterisk **

Building a system that works well for you will take time, and many of the more expensive items can be rented or demoed from more specific retailers. If you have any questions about any of this gear, please feel free to contact me directly or leave a comment below.Check back with us soon for a post entitled: Ski Mountaineering: How to Dress