Thousand Dollar Joe Backcountry Skiing Gear– 2009 Edition

Rob Dellsy

In 2005 and 2006 Wild Snow profiled $1000 Joe, the budget backcountry skier. I met Joe the other day. He’d said he’d been seduced by the ski lifts to some extent. However, this year, given the economy, he can’t afford a lift pass and decided to get out in the backcountry more, with updated gear. But he still only had a grand for his shopping spree. Here is how he did it, with some choices.

Skis:
– Kahru Jak – $200 – Tramdock.com
– Rossignol Haute Route – $200 (It may be a women’s ski, but sack up.)
– Remount existing alpine skis – $30

Boots:
– Garmont Megaride or something similar – $350 – Tramdock.com

Skins:
– Black Diamond GlideLite STS (55mm) – $40 – GearX
– Climbing Skins Direct (Only around $100, skimp on something else?)

Bindings:
– Dynastar Legend L Naxo 11 – $230 – eBay (Ok, they’re not Lou’s favorite, but he says they’ll still work given that Joe is not a big guy. Also, this time of year you might be able to find Fritschis on Ebay for nearly that price.)

Poles:
Basement/Attic/Dumpster. If they match, 10 points off.

Shovel:
– SnowClaw/BD Super Tour – $39 – EMS (w/ Student Discount, did we mention Joe studies once in a while?)
– CAMP on sale – $24.47 – Backcountryoutlet.com

Beacon:
– Pieps 457 Opti 4 – $189.00 discounted at etailer (defunct link removed 2015).

Probe:
– Ortovox Economic – $34.95 – Backcountry.com

Pack:
– Dump the books and go.

Total around a grand depending on shipping charges, use any remaining money for a binding mount, better skins or probe. Calling all Wildsnowers, any comment suggestions for Joe? Please provide links if possible.

(Guest blogger Rob Dellsy is a starving engineering student in Boston. He spends as much time as possible in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts skiing, ice climbing, and just plain having fun in the snow.)