Cripple Creek Backcountry Carbondale

Gary and crew at the Vail store are fantastic. I never tried skimo prior to visiting Cripple Creek Backcountry but I went all in on a race package (being a trail runner I had a feeling I’d enjoy skimo) and they gave me a great setup at a great price. I did some online research prior to arriving but I trusted every recommendation that they gave me. They were very thorough in making sure I had the right gear and that I knew how to use it properly, so I went into my first skin at A-Basin 2 days later confident and stoked. The skis (Dynafit PDGs), bindings (Hagan Ultras) and boots (Scarpa Aliens) fit and perform incredibly well. They are experts who clearly enjoy what they do and hopefully I can get out of the front range to join for one of their group skins in the future.

This is the backcountry/touring shop you have been looking for. Huge selection including hard-to-find brands (Plum, Fritschi, Pomoca, etc.). The only shop I could find where I could compare specific top freeride/tech bindings side-by-side. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I tried to buy G3 Ion 12s online and got burned by another shop, not only did Cripple Creek have the part in stock at the same price, but gave great recommendations for the rest of my setup and got me mounted with a full boot fit within an hour. I also highly recommend the online gear selection assistant, this connects you with a human in the shop who gives very detailed recommendations based on your specifications.

The staff at Cripple Creek know what they're talking about! I went in there not really knowing what I needed for a backcountry setup and Doug was patient to walk me through everything and explain the differences. Good selection of high quality gloves, socks, apparel, etc. Also, the store has local beer on tap! How cool is that?

I worked with Paul at CC Carbondale, he's great! He fitted boots and recommended a great pair of skis/bindings. Got me setup for a mostly problem-free first backcountry season! (that's a big deal) I'll be throwing my money at CC when the time comes for a second pair of skis.

Although I was first introduced to Cripple Creek BC by their podcast "Totally Deep," I have since purchased a pair of Voile Objectives as well as custom cut Dynafit Dhaulugiri Speedskins. I have been very satisfied with both and they were shipped very promptly and professionally.

Having done a fair amount of research on A/T gear and constructed scoring matrices for each piece, I thought I knew what I wanted. Searching for the boot that scored highest on my list (the Dynafit Carbonio), Cripple Creek came up as one of the only places that had it in my size. I live in San Diego, where options for backcountry gear is somewhat limited, so I gave Cripple Creek a call to get some expert validation and see about ordering what I needed.
Paul answered the phone and after getting an idea for my objectives (tour the San Juan’s), he immediately made some recommendations on optimal gear for the task. We agreed on bindings (Dynafit Superlite 2.0), so that was a short conversation, but we talked skis and boots extensively. He answered all of my questions and had two pairs of boots shipped to me the next day. When they arrived I spent a couple hours walking around my apartment with the Fischer Travers Carbon on one foot and the Scarpa F1 on the other. The Fischer was a clear winner for me at under 1000 grams, offering incredible range of motion, and generally being more comfortable on my freakishly wide feet. I emailed Paul about the boot decision so he could get the bindings mounted on the Atomic Backland 85’s and apply the DPS Phantom treatment he had recommended. Meanwhile the Scarpas went in a box back to Cripple Creek. The Backland 85’s were a change from my initial intent, which was to go with the Dynafit Carbonio 90’s. Paul and I talked about the pros and cons of the Backland 85 vs the Backland 78, and ultimately I went with the slightly wider version. Almost as an afterthought we talked crampons, and again the conversation led to a change in plans, as I ended up with the Camp USA Skimo Tour Nanotech, rather than the Black Diamond Neve.
By Friday all my gear had arrived and Saturday I took the whole setup for a test run in the Sierras. I planned to summit 14er Mt Tyndall, but didn’t quite make it, settling for a more than adequate all day trial of my new gear, including the crampons. The Atomic Backlands were incredibly light, but provided plenty of stiffness for the downhill; the bindings were crazy light but had a solid bite on my boot through turns in the snow that was sometimes dense, and sometimes icy (I weigh about 180 and had a 30lb pack); the boots were amazing on the uphill, provided plenty of stiffness for the downhill, and were easy to climb up and down rocky terrain with; the crampons worked well with the boots, provided reliable footing in the ice/snow, and were tough enough for climbing up and down rocks. The skins also worked great and got me to the top of the ridge quickly and efficiently.
Overall I could not be happier and could not give a higher recommendation for the gear, and for Cripple Creek Backcountry.

Here’s my setup:
Skis: Atomic Backland 85 w/ DPS Phantom Treatment
Skins: Atomic Backland 85
Bindings: Dynafit Superlite 2.0
Boots: Fischer Travers Carbon
Crampons: Camp USA Skimo Tour Nanotech

These folks were great. Last ones around to have the product I needed late in the season. Patient in explaining exactly what I needed and how to get it. Then shipped quickly at a fair price. Thanks for your help!!

Only place I could find Plum ski crampons to fit my Salomon MTN bindings. Not surprising, because these guys pride themselves on having the best selection of gear that backcountry skiers actually use, not just a few sexy items from a few major brands. Great communication, fast shipping, kept me from having to order from some European website or something.

Fantastic business. Helped pick out a great back country ski rig for myself and my wife. Very helpful and responsive. Fast delivery. Highly recommend.

Dirk at Highlands was an amazing technician! Patient and considerate,
And extremely knowledgeable.
I could not have completed the process of finding the perfect AT boot for me without his inquiry, assessment and calm and methodical demeanor. Thank you Dirk!