Skis vs Snowshoes: The gear - why & when to use one or the other
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2024
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Snowshoes are better in forested terrain with tight turns and upps and downs.
Here in Sweden everybody uses backcountry skis in the mountains and even lower terrain. Almost nobody uses snowshoes.
As you said the right tool for the job is important.
And skiing is more efficient in all but the densest forests.
as he said: for a snow beginner: snow shoes are the was to go and for winter camper beginners :)
The answer is simple: if the trip requires skiing, I bring my skis. If the trip requires snowshoes, I stay home.
🤣🤣🤣
Love your content.
I use both as well. A big detemining factor for me is trip partners. If they are all on snowshoes, I won't bring my skis. Takes the fun out of it if you are the only skier. In my experience snowshoeing does take way longer. But a former MEC coworker was the lone snowshoer on a ski trip of the Garibaldi Neve traverse and he claims he kept up. Hard to believe. The other scenario in which I'll use snowshoes is if I'm bringing in a big load. I'm a decent skier, but I find it difficult to ski powder with a 95L pack full of cherries jubilee ;) or in acuality, a 95L with instructional materials, or extra gear for participants/family members. I did once read in an alpine cabin log book that a previous group had brought cherries jubilee for new years. I could see bringing the brandy, but the ice cream? Always remembered that.
Appreciate the super thanks! Definitely gotta go with the group, individual abilities etc. I always say there’s no one size fits all answer to anything. It’s about going out and having fun right? Have trouble believing a person on snowshoes could keep up with skis but some people are animals!
LOL. I quit my job to be a ski bum back in the day. Best and worst decision of my life! 😂
Haha I haven’t met a snowshoe bum yet!
I didn’t necessarily quit a job to be a snowboard bum years ago in Vermont however I ended getting a job as a snowmobile tour guide so being a paid snowmobile bum wasn’t a bad go of it for a while
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I’m probably the closest you’ll ever see. I work to keep my vehicles gassed up and my cats fed, but almost every night after work I’m out on my snowshoes for an hour or so. Just drive down a logging road, stop at a likely-looking place, and head off in whatever direction. If I didn’t have to work I could totally see myself and the cats traveling in an RV to snowshoe different places LOL
That's a great overview. I've done plenty of resort skiing, and tiny bit of backcountry skiing (plus all kinds of summer backpacking), and never really did understand exactly where snowshoes fit in. Now I do!
Neat! Thanks. I love my MSR Lightning Explore, 26"? They are amazing in deep hilly forest pow. They really keep me (200lb old guy) afloat above forest deadfall. No heavy pack use, though. I match them with a pair of Vasque Snow Junkies. This year and last have been very dry, no snow to speak of. So many snow melts and refreezes.. Nasty stuff.
Snowshoes also allow travel on more extreme or rugged terrain, like peak bagging in the NE, regardless of seasonal timing. Mixed rock and steep icy crap, any snowy time of year.
Yep. Skis can’t go we’re shoes can. You ain’t skiing up and down the AT
Yep I grew up in the north east. Lotta people ski in the whites though. I once did a skimo race crossing from mad river glen along the ridge to sugarbush in vt. Wild day.
@KaneDoesOutdoors Now, living in AK, snowshoes are for packing out fatbike trails and skis rule the backcountry. I'm surprised at how vastly different snow travel is in different regions. 80% skis in the PNW, 80% snowshoes in the NE, 90% skis in Alaska (except for utilitarian travel and movement around local areas where it's all snowshoes).
Great information, my skiing skills are terrible. I would need a NASCAR type roll-cage around me to ski safely.
56” Alaskan snowshoes in the driest deepest powder snow with a 50lbs pack
Gives the floatation that skis cannot give
I completely understand with what you’re saying - my perspective on snowshoes is more from a supplementary use case in shoulder seasons to get me out of trouble. They aren’t my primary tool.
Wide skis can have pretty amazing floatation though!
In the north east we don’t have open terrain. That video with Justin and Marty, that almost doesn’t exist here. It’s mostly tight undulating trail , rough roller coaster Appalachian Trail style places. The skis just can’t handle straight up and down on rough tight stuff.
my thoughts on the hole thing is honestly.... snowshoes feel like such a stupid way to travel across the land after trying these ski tours.... I climb the ADK and the whites all the time and honestly over the next few years I will more then likely fully transition to ski tours and crampons. one thing I just learnet is my mountainering crampos actually clip on my ski touring boots. IT's design for it and with walk mode you can travel accross those steep and icy terrain really well.... For the north east also I would get skins that are super sticky and that doesn't give you much glide which will help a lot for the steeper parts and when it's scrampling steep... you just switch to crampons or above tree line when it's icy you switch to crampons
@@martymorissette unless you’re breaking trail straight up a north east staircase. Or straight down a green tunnel with no maneuvering room. But I guess you understand such variables and are prepared good luck sounds cool
@@mobilewintercamp7515 I think route choices and conditions matter a lot... but their is a hole category of 46ers category for skiing up them in the adks. but you may not pick the steepest routes.... but also serisouly you travel so much faster.... I'm intrigued to try to dial it in in the east.
@martymorissette there’s a big history of skiing in the presidential range as well!
@@martymorissette you guys are totally correct but I’m in Maine right now 15 minutes from the AT and Bigelow preserve. AT trail Horn Pond or Firewarden trail, it ain’t happening. But there are other mountains with possibilities. I’m sure you got some places but there’s a reason why it’s less prevalent here than the west. Kane is correct about the whites also but there’s no doubt that snowshoes can go everywhere but skis can’t. But route choice when available can provide the fun you seek. We are all correct to a degree. Most important Is you enjoy yourself and are safe. Maybe I’ll see you one day when I advance my winter skills, it would be nice 😊❤️🇺🇸❄️☃️🛷🔥⛺️🌄
Its all about the fun...and the efficiency. Sometimes (especially in the deep powder) snowshoes are a must, often they may be viewed as a supplementary means for short distances and around camp. Energy output is a consideration, too. The amount of effort to snowshoe with a pack for miles and miles will burn through your calories/energy. You must be cognizant of dehydration when working hard in the cold, this is a real issue when pounding along for hours on your snowshoes. Otherwise skiing is faster, far more energy efficient and allows for greater distances to be covered. That is a big plus during the shorter daylight hours.
If you’re not used to the type muscular endurance needed for snowshoes (mostly on the hip flexors) you can get in some serious problems! Mix that with dehydration and you’re setting yourself up for rhabdo.
If you enjoy using skis for wilderness travel, you should add some backcountry nordic skis to your quiver. If the terrain isn't too intense, they are way more efficient than backcountry downhill oriented skis. The nordic camber allows most of the ski to glide above the snow surface when sliding your unweighted foot forward. Use them with leather boots or AT boots depending on your preference. I like the Fischer or Asnes options. In good snow conditions it's totally reasonable to confidently ski blue runs in the backcountry on that sort of gear.
Last year the road to the parking lot at Mt Shasta was unplowed basically all winter because they kept breaking snow equipment. I snow shoed from 5k elevation to 10k with about the same MSR snowshoes and a pack (two days of ascent). I got turned around due to weather on the summit attempt FWIW. I trained hard for the event, nonetheless the snowshoeing was basically just a grind. I saw one other person past the first hour or so, and they were back country skiiing and went up to about 7.5k elevation, and I was following their tracks to keep from sinking deeper. Between that experience and this video I'm only asking if I want to make the financial commitment and absorb the learning curve of skiing. The quedstion of which one is "better" to reach steeper objectives isn't a question (skiis are the answer). I mean, I don't want to do 5k elevation in snow shoes again.
Super informative, thanks!!
Thanks for making this video, I haven't found as good an explanation as this.
Awesome video! I love the unfiltered truth. I agree 100%
13:07 I’m no expert, but this really matches my experience. Back in the day, snowshoeing is 2-6 times the effort than Nordic skiing, and it’s not as much fun (skiing, even with no expertise like me). Another case where snowshoeing is better is if there is dense foliage, it is pretty tough to navigate dense forest xc skiing.
Being mediocre resort skier, i still opt for snowshoes most of the time, because i just cant' ride downhill through forest with 10+ kilo pack. I fall like half of the time i plunge down 40 degree steps.
Snowboard allows for much better exeperience under load, but that's another story, no one tours on split.
Skis are great for wide open spaces, like idk, tundra, i guess?
But for day hikes i just prefer snowshoes. Terrain is just so difficult and i picked up skis so late in life, that in the end it is just safer. I carry whole set of traction - 10 point crampons, microspikes and snowshoes, and use them accordingly. Couple of weekends ago when storm polished fairly steep line into ice i've seen a person whose athleticisim i will never achieve (utmb top 100 and tour skis every day), fell and skidded 100m down losing one ski and breaking another. And minute before i was envying them skiers, while slowly progressing down to the hut in crampons. Better safe than sorry, winter kills.
I used to love down hill skiing but give it up after injuries... after failing a few summits from deep snow years back, so i decided to try snowshoing..
Love it but learning they have their place.. i rock the same msr lightning acent, after struggleing alot im thinking i want to try skis for next winter... last year did 17 miles in 2 days.... about 4 miles of breaking trail in 2-3 feet of snow. Me 200 lbs + 55lbs pack , i dont see tails helping since i sink lot more in the front... that was also my first ever backpacking trip hahha
Upper peninsula michigan jan 2023!
That’s the issue with the modern snowshoe design. The classic design had much more surface area all around the foot, including in front of it. I’ve had that problem where adding the tails just makes you sink forward. Most people don’t use snowshoes in deep enough snow to experience the problem, and wide snowshoes wouldn’t sell.
@KaneDoesOutdoors I mainly got them for future summit pushes... you have to admit, they are really easy to walk in being as narrow as they are.
Hopefully next year for me can be;
Skis for deep and long distance
Shoeshoes for steep climbs
Problem with just starting, can't buy all the gear at once. Was just nice the snowshoes at least got me into the backcountry to see if I liked it!
My advice? Ditch the MSRs, if you & your pack weigh much over 150lb they’re too small for anything but hard-packed snow you can almost bareboot on. Atlas makes a similar model, the Range MTN, that comes in 35” length. So the same size as 30” MSRs w/tails but no sinking in the front because of the float behind. Or just go with aggressive tube-framed snowshoes like Tubbs Mountaineer 36 or Garneau Blizzard III 1036. I use both in the mountains of NW Maine with no problems at all. I also have a pair of GV Wide Trail 1242s that works off-trail at over 300lb (I’m 260lb.) They don’t have heel lifters and crampons are less-aggressive aluminum, your arms get a workout from how much your poles are doing but it is doable on all but the steepest slopes.
Awesome video! Ski's look look fun to use and more energy efficient after watching youre videos. The point you made about allways having one or the other during winter season is so true. I have heard s few sad stories of hikers who died because snow just traped them. Keep up the great work!
xtremely good videos! :)
Thanks for the demo of bindings. I'm learning about all the back country ski systems.
I have TSL snowshoes for the icy vertical climbs. Those MSRs look nice and toothy.
what tsl snowshoes do you have? im looking to pickup highlanders since i dont trust hyperflex on traverse or downhill.
I also quite like snowshoes for steep terrain with frequent switchbacks. Avoiding dealing with that in skis is worth the cut in distance. I find there's a lot of routes in mountains where I'll cross a ridge or so, and only hit deep snow for 30% of the route, and it's the steepest part when I wouldn't want skiis anyway. Perfect combo, but not extremely common.
Go with what works for you!
Bad knees are the main reason I snowshoe. That, and I wouldn’t want to put in the effort to learn to ski at 55 years old. I did ski for the first time in my life about 18 years ago when I worked as a lift mechanic, it was great fun but I’m nowhere near graceful enough to ski well.
Another great informative overview, thanks Kane! I have always just done snowshoe (day) trips and am now starting to get into short overnight forays (ie The Point) on them. Any opinion on these newer short “snowshoe-skis” that are coming out (ie OAC KAR 149s, BD Glidelite 147s etc) for a bit longer overnight trips with packs (ie Taylor Lake type trails) for some of us who want to try “skiing” in without the huge investment & steep learning curve? Thx
@justinoutdoors would be the person to answer that. I’m not so sure they are the best thing to learn on though. I like having the that solid boot of a real AT setup. If it’s pretty flat you’ll be ok and get a big efficiency boost. Downhill from Taylor Lake might be a little rock’n’roll.
thanks Kane. I’m sticking to snowshoeing for now to re-learn & enjoy winter camping & travel…. In the end for me it’s the getting out & learning that I’m enjoying and that matters most! Maybe try ski touring in a bit when I have more time to dedicate to learning a new style of skiing with a 40lb pack on! Interesting to hear your take on snowshoes vs skis and their pro’s & cons etc. though! Very informative & interesting to hear your perspective!
Awesome video! Have you gone on a trip with someone who uses a split board, do they slow down the group? I have years of snowboarding experience and want to ditch my snowshoes for the reasons you talked about. Am I better off learning to ski?
Splitboarders are generally slower both on the skin track and at the transitions. Still faster than snowshoes though.
Probably depends on what your objective is as well. I’m more of a natural snowboarder than skier - ten years of skateboarding helped with that. So if I had to go into hard terrain on the downhill it would be better for me to refresh my snowboard brain and go with that. I’d be 10x better on a snowboard after two days than I’ll ever be on skis. I started skiing in my 30s and sometimes I feel like a fish out of water just trying to survive.
Long traverse? Skis win.
Thanks Kane. Question. I did the saw back in 2022 from Norquay and out Skoki. I !saw you and Justin's vid ok Skoki last year in winter. Do y'all do the sawback in winter? I just remember steep Sections especially around Pulsatilla pass. Wondering if its even doable.
Sawback in winter is on my to-do list. Mystic Pass is definitely doable and apparently Pulsatilla Pass can also be done but conditions need to be right. According to the Lake Louise backcountry office they occasionally have people getting permits for trips crossing Pulsatilla, but many have to turn back. I think that’s getting into pretty complex/committing avalanche terrain.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors looking forward to that video! There are some steep parts from what I remember and I’ve done 800 miles of the Southern AT. Getting around the lake at Pulsatilla was uncomfortable for a guy from the South so I don’t think that’s for me when it’s slick. I did Rockwall and Skyline last year so I love your neck of the woods. Appreciate the insight and videos. Keep them coming sir.
@@daveemery8885 not sure when that will happen, definitely not this year! Thanks for the feedback!
I own snowshoes (same model as you) and wear them for just what you say - early/late season or northeast high peaks hiking trails where skis just aren't an option. I'm always happy to take my snowshoes off! What baffles me is how many people wear snowshoes on flat or rolling trails. Have these people never heard of xc skis??
Haha I have no idea. I’m very familiar with the area - ADK High Peaks mostly but also VT green mtns and NH whites.
I tried skiing down Algonquin Peak once and thought I was gonna die.
Maybe they don’t want to spend the money or put in the time to learn. Or maybe they don’t care about going faster or farther. I was never able to pick up the push & glide thing, not on ice skates or rollerblades, but I can left right left like a MF. And I could pick up a pair of trail-walking snowshoes for $100, how much XC gear would $100 get me? Even used gear.
What do you think of Hok skiis as a compromise?
If I was going to use something like that I’d want my alpine touring bindings and boots. They are probably a really interesting option for an experienced skier, but that person would probably just prefer a real touring setup, or backcountry nordic. Some guys mount alpine touring bindings on nordic skis. The durability and warm of alpine touring boots with pin bindings are hard to beat. These hybrid products that try to bridge markets are nice on paper but don’t seem to get much real use.
@KaneDoesOutdoors Thanks for your input! Good insight. I'm not a fan of snowshoes, but not a good skier either, so I'm looking for options.
skis always... you will never ever see me on snowshoes. Walking downhill in snow is a big no for me hahahaha
It’s pretty much a sin.