rvrrat wrote: I am a full blown Tele guy on lite gear. Not for the faint at heart. I use a T-2 Scarpa boot and the older Rotefella Chili binding. One of the first Tele bindings to use a full steel plate across the toe. I like a small 10mm plate under the binding. All the new Tele bindings you get today have a tall plate. BLAH! I want to be closer to my ski. JR
I fully appreciate the "closer to my ski" desire. That's been one of my concerns with the AT bindings that seem to be quite elevated off the deck.
JR, Sorry if this is a dumb question, but are you doing tele turns under kite power/going downhill - or are you skiing it alpine style (keeping your heel on the ski)?
I used to do a lot of Tele skiing when I lived out in CO and could keep up pretty well with my friends on their alpine gear, even in the bumps. But we we don't have a lot of good tele style opportunities here in MI. So...I am thinking something more versatile, plus some boot/binding that is good for modest airs.
Most spots we ride here are either big flat lakes, some gently rolling farm fields, and some lakefront dunes (Lake Michigan)...the daily choice all depending on wind direction and snow coverage/ice thickness, etc. We don't really have the wide blue yonder spaces, or the steep and deep conditions, that you have out there, so I'm thinking a full tele setup might not be the ticket. I completely understand that each system has compromises/benefits/disadvantages...and I suppose it's nice to have a few different setups (and I may have to do just that).
But I think I'll probably try the AT binding and semi soft boot if I can find the right combo. The T-2 boot looks good. I wonder if they are compatible with AT bindings?
So still trying to educate myself to what's out there and start looking for some used gear for next season. Still interested in any opinions/feedback on the boot/binding issue in the AT category.
cheers for the input