Backcountry Guide Gear Setup '23-24 Season | Pro Picks and Reviews

Behind the majestic beauty of nature, snowy mountains also lurk dangers. Professional guides, who ensure the safety of their guests, act appropriately, and teach the joys of backcountry skiing, are true snow mountain specialists. But what kind of gear do they use? With untouched snowfields stretching out before them, they must adapt to all kinds of slopes and snow conditions. Here, we take a look at the "reliable gear setup to accompany you through the 2023-2024 season," chosen by these pros

*For detailed information about a guide club, click on the guide club name and go to the guide club introduction page on STEEP!

BLUECLIFF｜Tomoo Takimoto

A setup that prioritizes mobility in the mountains

GEAR Setup

Ski: Snowflake Ski | RMP 188cm |
Bindings: Fritschi | VIPEC EVO12
Boots: Scarpa | 4-Quattro SL
Poles: Scott

The RMP188 skis have a large rocker shape at the top, moderate flex in the center, and side curve, making them easy to ride in any condition.
The VIPEC EVO bindings allow for quick transitions between walking and gliding, without the need to remove and put on the boots. The unique tech binding with a release mechanism in the front piece reduces accidental release and ensures high safety. The SCARPA 4 Quattro SL boots are the ultimate boots, offering excellent gliding and walking performance despite their light weight.

---

CIRCLE GAME guide service | Shohei Sasaki

A setup that emphasizes the balance between gliding performance and weight

GEAR Setup

SKI: Vector Glide | nadurra185
BINDINGS: Marker | KINGPIN m-werks12
BOOTS: SALOMON | SHIFT PRO 130AT
POLE: Vector Glide | v stick straight 115cm

As a skier, I don't want to compromise on glide, but I also want it to be as light as possible. While this may seem a bit selfish, I believe this setup is what users are looking for most.

The nadurra is a wide model with a 115mm center, but I was able to enjoy it all season long on this one ski, from deep snow like Mount Asahi to the alpine snow conditions of Mount Rishiri and the corn snow of Mount Tateyama. The skis' side curve is not too sharp, so edge grip is strong and reliable, even when climbing or descending on hard snow

. I've been using the KINGPIN for about six years, and it's one of my most trusted pieces of gear, with no major issues. By following the same rules as other companies' products, such as keeping the toe piece down (spring compressed) when not wearing boots and thoroughly clearing snow before changing modes, the risk of damage should be significantly reduced.

This season I'm using the SALOMON SHIFT PRO, which offers an excellent balance of glide performance and light weight. It holds firmly and provides excellent stability at high speeds and in icy snow. I also trust it because I've never had any trouble switching modes.

I don't think skiers need telescopic poles, and they are lighter and offer much better swing balance. As a guide, I'm often told by customers three or four times a year during the season, "That's not a telescopic pole, is it?" But even if you think I'm being fooled, I encourage you to try using straight poles at least once!

---

COLOR SPORT CLUB ｜Tomohiro Sagawa

A setup with excellent rigidity and power transmission, and excellent gliding and off-road performance

GEAR Setup

SKI:TONES SKI｜KANBA and HANDS
BINDINGS:Marker｜KINGPIN 13
BOOTS:K2｜MINDBENDER120

By using the Marker KINGPIN13 with Japanese-made TONES SKI skis, you can expect a more reliable sense of rigidity and a balanced connection with the snow surface, all of which will not wear out, giving you a sense of dependable quality. The shape of these skis also confirms the excellent gliding feel, from their maneuverability to their ease of handling, the stability underfoot, and the sticky tail. The Marker KINGPIN13 is also lightweight, and the direct feel of its lower setting, closer to the board, is excellent. The flavor and balance are exquisite.

As for the boots, they are reliable boots that you can expect to enhance the gliding feel of skiing, from the reliable rigidity and the feeling of putting on your foot to the sensation of the entire sole gripping the snow surface.

---

IDEHA｜ Takahiro Ishizawa

Recommended setup for telemarkers

GEAR Setup

Skis: K2 | Way Back 106 (179cm)
Bindings: 22 Design | Accelerator
Boots: Scott | Voodoo
Poles: K2 | Dispatch 120

I ski telemark, so I find the WAY BCACK, which is light and flexible, to be much better than a stiff, heavy board. I prefer 75mm cable bindings over NTN. While a sturdy binding with no play like NTN is not bad, I prefer a little play to allow for more freedom in powder, so I think cable is the way to go

Infield ｜Toyo Nakano

A telemark setup that offers the best balance of lightness and gliding performance

GEAR Setup

Ski: Black Diamond | Heliocarbon 104
Bindings: 22 Designs | Lynx
Boots: Scarpa | TX Pro
Poles: Black Diamond | Laser Carbon Pro Poles

As a set of telemark skis for backcountry tours, I feel that this is the easiest combination to use when considering the balance between light weight and smooth gliding. Skis with a center width of 104mm are suitable for everything from deep snow in the dead of winter to early spring when the snow has not yet hardened, so they are the skis I use the most. While it takes some getting used to the tech bindings to master the Lynx, the gliding sensation is the same as the Outlaw X. The best thing about them is that they are lightweight, which significantly reduces stress when walking

---

JUNRINA mountain service | Jun Nagai

Setup for enjoying a variety of snow conditions

GEAR Setup

SKI: Vectorglide｜Polarve Standard (186cm)
BINDINGS: Marker｜KINGPIN m-werks12
BOOTS: ATOMIC｜HAWX ULTRA XTD 130GW
POLE: Vectorglide｜V-stick

In Joshinetsu, where the activities are centered, the snow quality changes drastically due to the influence of sunlight, wind, the difference in altitude between the top and bottom, and the temperature, and we often encounter bad snow. In order to enjoy the diverse snow conditions, you need solid skis. I really like the Polarve's solid edge grip when turning

---

Kagura Powder Station | Kazuya Igarashi

Use different setups depending on the time and situation

GEAR Setup

SKI: K2｜MINDBENDER 116C, WAYBACK 106
BINDINGS: Marker｜KINGPIN m-werks12, alpinist9
BOOTS: K2｜MINDBENDER130 BOA
POLE: BCA｜ SCEPTER CARBON ALUMINUM

K2 skis deliver top performance in a variety of conditions, including powder and backcountry. K2 boots are lightweight and offer a wide range of motion, allowing for increased speed and less fatigue when hiking. They maintain a solid flex during descents, providing a reliable glide. Regarding my individual setup... I've been

using the K2MINDBENDER 116C (186cm) with Marker Kingpin m-werks12 skis from the start of the season through early April in powder and deep powder. The 116c skis offer excellent overall balance and stability, providing excellent maneuverability from slopes to deep powder. In particular, the swing weight at the top of the skis is well-maneuverable in powder, making turn initiation comfortable. I've been

using the WAYBACK106 (179cm) with Alpinist 12 skis for long touring trips, starting with the spring snow in mid-March, on Mt. Gassan, Mt. Chokai, Mt. Tateyama, and Mt. Fuji. The lightweight skis and bindings allow for stable, comfortable climbs, even on long and steep climbs. The excellent balance of wood and carbon fiber and the titanium plate underfoot provide a firm grip on uneven slopes and icy surfaces, providing stability in a variety of conditions. The

MINDBENDER130 BOA boots provide precise support that envelops the entire foot with a simple turn of the BOA boot dial, allowing for quick and reliable turn initiation. Fine adjustments can be made by turning the dial in reverse. When hiking up, the buckle won't hit the snow wall, and when setting up for the run, there's no need to tighten or adjust the buckle; simply tighten the BOA for quick and reliable setup.

KinTouN Backcountry Guide | Kenichi Minegishi

A lightweight setup that doesn't compromise on glide

GEAR Setup

Skis: FOON Skis | Maverick Original Custom 182
Bindings: Fritschi | Tecton 13
Boots: Scarpa | 4-Quattro XT, Maestrale XT, Maestrale RS
Poles: Black Diamond | Laser Carbon Pro

Overall, I focused on a lightweight setup that didn't compromise on glide.
For the FOON SKIS, I chose the surfy MAVERIC as the template and had it customized with a flexible flex to suit my personal preferences, resulting in a unique, one-of-a-kind setup. This setup is best suited to freeriding, using the terrain rather than speed.

For bindings, I've been using the FRITSCHI Tekton 13 for the past few years. While lightweight and featuring pin-tech technology, the toe piece absorbs vibrations, giving the ride a smooth, alpine-like feel. For

boots, I'm using the 4-Quattro XT with a 130 flex, which I think pairs very well with the FOON SKIS MAVERIC. During the powder season, when I make heavy use of lift access, I often use the Quattro XT, while in the spring, when hikes are longer, I often use the supple and easy-to-walk Maestrale XT or RS. For
poles, I've been using the Laser Carbon for years and love their good balance.

---

Kuroda Mountain Guide Office | Kuroda Makoto

Considering that I will be carrying the guests' skis, I decided to bring lightweight gear

GEAR Setup

Skis: VÖLKL Blaze 106, 186cm;
Bindings: Fritschi VIPEC EVO 12
; Boots: Scarpa Maestrale RS;
Poles: Black Diamond Laser Carbon Pro Poles

The BLAZE106 is moderately light and sturdy, making it easy to adapt to a variety of situations. Perhaps the boots could have been a little softer? Since they don't have laces, they don't need to be too stiff. The hinge is positioned low, so it moves well and doesn't cause blistering

---

Niseko Mecca ｜Hisataka Tanaka

A set-up that pursues ease of movement with HOJI's 4LOCK system

GEAR Setup

SKI: 4FRNT | HOJI184cm 4LOCK
BINDINGS: Dynafit | ST ROTATION
BOOTS: TECNICA | ZERO G TOUR PRO
POLE: 4FRNT | UPTRACK POLE

I use the 4FRNT HOJI series 4LOCK system. The full rocker skis allow for easy turns without weight. They excel on steep and crusty slopes. The 4LOCK system comes with POMOCA Free Pro 2.0. The Free Pro 2.0 is the number one compact ski, lightweight, and offers excellent mobility. This reliable system is recommended for those who are having trouble with their ski tail hooks coming off.

I use lightweight skis and boots. Technica Zero G Tour Pro is lightweight yet offers excellent glide performance. My bindings are
Dynafit's ST Rotation 12, which have few plastic parts and are highly rigid. I experience fewer problems on the mountain.

---

Locus guide service ｜ Furuse Kazuya

I like the balance between the excellent gliding performance and the lightweight design

GEAR Setup

SKI: VÖLKL | BLAZE106 (186cm)
BINDINGS: Marker | KINGPIN 13
BOOTS: DALBELLO | CABRIO LV FREE 130 3DWRAP ★
POLE: VÖLKL | TOURISTICK CC

I like the balance between the skis' powerful enough glide for enjoyment and their lightweight design.
The BLAZE106 is truly versatile, and it's perfect for any condition, even in backcountry skiing areas where conditions are uncertain. From deep powder in the high season to carving on packed slopes in spring granular conditions, it's lightweight yet offers excellent buoyancy and carving performance. While there are plenty of skis with more float, lighter weight, and more speed, the most appealing aspect is balance.

When selecting skis, boots, and bindings, I always aim for a consistent design for each of these three components. If these three components are mismatched, the performance of each component will not be fully realized, so I believe this is the most important thing. If I prioritize glide performance, I choose all three components with that same focus; if I prioritize lightness, I choose all three components with that same focus. My setup is somewhere in the middle, and I chose it with an emphasis on a balance between enjoyable glide and a comfortable lightness. I

always choose my gear by exploring the limits of lightness that can be achieved without sacrificing glide performance. The carving performance of the BLAZE series and the grip and reliability of the KINGPIN. The direct gliding feel that comes from the composite lower shell that can only be achieved with a three-piece boot. As the three gears have been repeatedly prototyped and tested within the same group, it's only natural that the concepts are a perfect match, further enhancing the strengths of each gear.

---

---

POWERZONE Hakuba | Mamoru Takahashi

A playful setup in a good way

GEAR Setup

SKI: ZAG | SLAP112 (176cm)
BINDINGS: Blackdiamond | O2
BOOTS: SCARPA | T2 eco

I like the firm flex of my skis, which allows me to carve on the slopes even with a 112cm waist. I use 75mm Norm bindings because I think they are simpler and more reliable than the NTN standard that has recently become mainstream. My boots are 75mm to match the bindings! Telemark skis are more fun when they have some "play" in a good way!

TERUI DAICHI | Daichi Terui

Lightness, rigidity, and ease of handling are harmoniously combined

GEAR Setup

SKI: ATOMC｜BACKLAND100 (180cm)
BINDINGS:ATOMIC｜SHIFT
BOOTS:ATOMIC｜BACKLAND XTD

I prefer skis with a 100mm center so that I can ski easily in any situation. I also like skis that are not too long for my height, with climbing in mind. For boots, I use the ATOMIC BACKLAND Carbon XTD, which was released this season. Not only is it light, but it also has a good hold. The last is also 100mm, so it's a medium last rather than the narrow last that is common in light boots. I think it will be suitable for many skiers

---

RIKI JAPOW GUIDE｜Riki Nakajima

Buoyancy, stability, and lightness are all ideal

GEAR Setup

SKI: Rossignol | Super7
BINDINGS: Look | HM Rotation
BOOTS: Rossignol | All trak pro130gw
POLE: Rossignol | Escaper telescopic safety

The buoyancy, stability, and lightness are all ideal. The boots are also designed for hiking without compromising gliding performance, so they can be used in the mountains

---

Vertical Land ｜Yuki Ito

A great board for enjoying the mountains all year round! Perfect for enjoying the natural terrain

GEAR Setup

Skis: FACTION | LA MACHINE 4 MASSIVE (185cm)
Bindings: G3 | zed12
Boots: LANG | XT3 tour pro
Poles: Black Diamond | Laser Carbon Pro

The FACTION LA MACHINE 4's reverse camber makes it easy to operate in any snow. It's especially helpful in monaka snow or heavy new snow. The G3 Zed12 bindings are easy to put on and have few issues. The LANG XT3 Tour Pro boots are lightweight and have a rubber sole, but they feel like alpine boots. I also recommend them because I don't see many people using them. I

inherited the Paul Black Diamond Laser Carbon from a senior colleague this year, and it's been four years since I started using them. They have an expandable function, but they're reliable and won't break. The simple design, with only the essentials, makes them easy to use on the mountain.

---