Been doing a little cross country skiing in all the warm weather. Did about 3/4 of a mile on snowshoes in the copper river valley sugar powder a few weeks back. Postholing up to the nuts 90% of the time and hating life. Was wishing I had my skis the whole time.
I need to look into fat/short skis with skins. I think that could be pretty cool.
I can relate. My last snowshoe outing there was with about an inch ice crust and sugar snow underneath (1-3' depending on where I was at). The inch crust wouldn't keep you afloat at all and it was like stepping on thin ice on a lake- cracking in large chunks. Then you would sink deeply in that crap snow and when you lifted your leg you had to fight both the snow and the crust layer each time- sucked!!!!
I have a pair (actually two, one for my wife) of Altai Hoks- wide, have a long length of skin and universal bindings (use any boots) much more flotation and quicker generally. The drawback for me is descending steeper terrain- I need to get some lessons on slowing/stopping and turning . The skins help a little slowing you down on descents, but I can still pick up too much speed. They climb pretty well, but if really steep (and or icy) snowshoes do much better.
. The skins help a little slowing you down on descents, but I can still pick up too much speed. They climb pretty well, but if really steep (and or icy) snowshoes do much better.