First Impressions: Black Diamond Glidelite Ski (“Snow Trekkers”) Review (Video)

Up in Munising, Michigan, we have a lot of ice climbs along Lake Superior that are a far distance from the trail head, or even down an unplowed road followed by some additional trail hiking.

Making the slog into those climbs with a pack full of ice climbing gear can be tedious.  I can’t help but wonder if skiing in with these vs traditional Nordic XC Skis wouldn’t work better.  I could *probably* just pop my mountaineering/climbing boots right into the bindings.

My climbing boots are really rigid, though.  They wouldn’t have the flex that a Nordic boot & binding would have, so I’m curious, but not 100% confident.

Interesting. Thanks Ryan. Have you tried the longer version with metal edge (or the similar length Altais with the metal edge)? Just wondering if it’s a matter of not being able to get an carve at all/ downhill or with any ice..

@jjmcwill Jeff – my very first foray into using a “trekking ski” was exactly for this – ice climbing approaches. For me, it was ice climbing in the Hyalite region of Montana.

My first setup was this: Dynafit 130cm skis with Dynafit bindings that mated to my lace-up Dynafit climbing/ski boots. It was a great setup.

I then evolved to Hoks, using a leather WPB boot in a universal binding, but the downhill performance was pretty scary!

I find that the BD Glidelite’s strike the balance I want between downhill and climbing.

For ice climbing, I’d be awfully tempted to ski in/out of the climbs in trail running shoes with these skis, and just carry my boots.

That said, I’m very curious to see if I could rig my ice climbing boots (a set of leather insulated Scarpas) with a Dynafit toe and mount some Dynafit bindings on the metal-edged 147’s just to see how it would go!

Wow that looks fun!

Thanks for the video. Anyone who has used good snowshoes (ex. MSR Lightning Ascent) in deep, untracked snow can instantly see how much better these BD skis are for that travel. By “better” I  mean less effort and much more speed.

As pictured the BD skis have a form of the old Balata style binding which fits almost any boot, from felt pacs  to trail runners. Personally I’d get BD’s slightly longer metal edged version with a Voile’ release bindings and my Scarpa T3 boots for more control on turns. But well fitting Balata bindings like my Canadian Army version would work for felt pacs in below zero weather. To easily change between the two types of bindings one needs to have epoxied into the skis threaded inserts.

That is one happy dog.

Are you wearing a gaitors over the Forty Below Light Energy TR overboots as I observe snaps and a yellow lower boot covering in the video,  and the picture of the Forty Below Light Energy TR overboot shown in the link looks different?

ALSO….Have you tried different shoes with the ski bindings to compare fit and control with those skis?

@kenlarson – I use the “high gaiter” version of the 40 Below Light Energy TR overboots, so those gaiters are integrated with the overboot.

There is definitely a direct relationship between boot stiffness and ski control while going downhill.

Of course, softer shoes = more comfort on long days!

Been using the OAC KAR 147 with steel edges for the past five years. Also used the AS HOK before. Have used the shorter and longer versions WAP 127 and GT 160… And the 140 is just perfect for pulling pulk and occasional downhill. Yes, I’m from Finland and the factory where these BD and OAC skis are made is just 20km away from my home ;-).

Reviving this old(er) thread.

Ryan, have you, or anyone else, actually tried mounting some pintech bindings on the BD Glidelite 147s (or OACs or Altais) and toured (on gentle terrain) on them with lightweight/skimo boots?

There are a number of skimo boots that are very lightweight with significant (>70 degrees) of cuff motion that might pair with these “skis” for those of us who are less interested in the steeper/technical downhill performance, but would like a setup that tours and climbs decently but has a bit more confidence on the downhill sections than the BD universal bindings.

Yes, I realize the boots are expensive, it might be tricky to mount the bindings, there are three-pin cross country/tele bindings and boots that might work, there are true skimo ski setups that might accomplish what I seek, etc. I am just curious if someone has indeed tried what Ryan suggested earlier.

I’ve been trying to locate these for sale on line.  Every retailer is out, and Black Diamond does not answer emails requesting product status (this product no longer has a page on the BD website).  I’m wondering if the product was discontinued.  Ryan, are you still using yours?  Still happy with them?  Have the bindings proven durable?  Its been two years so how about a follow up report from you?  Thanks.

Bendrix the BD Glidelite trekking skis were rebranded OAC Skinbased KAR 149 trekking skis from OAC Finland. They are available from retailers in the US and Canada. In addition, Decathlon Canada and Europe have a slightly shorter version available. If you like I can introduce you to someone at OAC who can help.

And some great news – despite BD claiming that the skin pads on the bottom of the Glidelites could never be replaced, they are indeed replaceable with the right tools and technique, and a N American retailer may be providing this service soon.

Can you remove the skins, or are they permanently attached?

Thanks for the intel.  I checked out OAC and will be picking up a pair.  Its brushy here, so perhaps the short (not youth) model?  Thoughts?

I’ve been trying to locate these for sale on line. Every retailer is out, and Black Diamond does not answer emails requesting product status (this product no longer has a page on the BD website). I’m wondering if the product was discontinued. Ryan, are you still using yours? Still happy with them? Have the bindings proven durable? Its been two years so how about a follow up report from you? Thanks.

It appears BD has discontinued the Glidelite Skis.

I’m also looking into replacing the skins on mine, even though they are still working. These skis get beat up really bad due to the way they work so well in forest trekking over junk in the snow.

If I can’t figure out a cheap way to replace the skins, I might just put my pair of 147cm Glidelite skis up for sale here. :)

Thanks for the intel. I checked out OAC and will be picking up a pair. Its brushy here, so perhaps the short (not youth) model? Thoughts?

I don’t think the shorter ones have metal edges, do they? That can be a deal breaker for some people.

I use the 147 Glidelites, and they are plenty short for barging through thick forest underbrush.

Overall, coming from someone with a good number of full days on these skis, I think the bindings are the weakest link in the whole system. They squeak and jam up with snow, which are not huge issues, but more dedicated BC or XC bindings would be better.

It is pretty awesome being able to use any footwear I want with the stock bindings though. Trail runners or snow boots, doesn’t matter! Really helps to dial into the temperature range regardless of ski boot compatibility.