Page 1 of 2

another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:52 pm
by ed.lundgren
Hi y'all-

Been lurking through the forums for a while trying to piece together what sort of skis to get for next season, but I figured it might be more efficient and effective to get some direct recommendations.

In short, I've done some moderate off and on track xc skiing for years but don't have much of a DH background to speak of. Lately, I've been getting into more trail-breaking off track skiing in the parks around Lake Tahoe, mostly on rentals that clearly weren't up to the task. I'd like to get more into backcountry XC / touring, perhaps doing more light DH stuff as I progress, but definitely not planning on telemarking down anything steep anytime soon. Mostly a few hour jaunts through rolling hills, some trail-breaking in deeper snow, some following on snowmobile tracks / packed snow. Ideally, I'd be able to ride groomed trails out of the track now and again without feeling too sluggish, but recognizing that "do everything well" skis don't exist, I'd emphasize the off trail skiing.

I'm a fairly big/strong guy (6'2" 215 lbs), so I imagine I'll need to get something on the wider if I'm going to have any success on deeper snow. I have very minimal experience with waxing, so I have a slight preference for waxless / skins, but if there's a waxable ski that seems particularly well-suited to what I'm doing, learning to wax isn't a dealbreaker.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 8:12 am
by greatgt
Go skinny....go long.....and take a slice out of White world......TM

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:41 pm
by Woodserson
What's your budget, Ed? Fischer Sbound 98, 112 or Madhsus Annum, Epoch good places to start. Then, there's ASNES. Do you have da fevah?

Things are a bit slow, be patient.

WELCOME

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:04 am
by Johnny
Yep, Madshus skis are a very good starting point. They are affordable and pretty easy to find here in NA. For long waxless BC skis, check out the Epoch as Woods said, but also the BC55 MGV and the EON 62... They could be exactly what you are looking for... 8-)

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:06 am
by ed.lundgren
Nice, thanks for the recs!

No strict budget, but I'm asking this question in the middle of the US summer in part because I saw a few discount offseason deals that I was hoping to jump on. To that end, I was looking at the Fischer E99 or Traverse 78, which are on sale at some sites and seem to have decent reviews on the forums. Also, the Asnes USGI looks like it's always an incredible deal. From what I've read on the forums so far, those are more oriented towards rolling / flat K&G skiing rather than downhill-focused stuff, which is what I'm likely to be doing for the most part.

I'll keep my eye out for the Madshus skis you mention. I wasn't sure if I'd be too big for them, since I found an Eon size chart that lists the weight range for the max size (205 cm) as "180+ lbs." Considering I'm almost 40 lbs. on the "+" side of that range, I was worried they weren't built for larger skiiers, whereas the Fischers seem to support 220+ lbs. if their size charts are to be believed. But, if those charts are just loose suggestions, that'll definitely open up more options for me.

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 1:12 pm
by bgregoire
Like granpaTM, I would go for the E99 wax (I love wax). Bur for scales (waxless), the Traverse 78 would be the better deal if you can get 'em in 199cm. Fischer has better quality than Madshus for sure but deals are often worthwhile regardless of brand. I would not bother with the USGI, then again, you are a big guy, so they might suit you well. You will have to wax them though.

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:39 pm
by lilcliffy
Hello and welcome Ed!

What is the typical snow like that you will be skiing on?

Deep, soft and dry? Dense and moisture-rich?

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 9:35 pm
by ed.lundgren
Thanks!

I'm mostly in the Tahoe area, so it's a bit of everything, but more often than not, it's dense and wet, particularly since the snowfall seems to be coming later and later in the season these days.

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:28 am
by lilcliffy
ed.lundgren wrote:
Wed Aug 07, 2019 9:35 pm
I'm mostly in the Tahoe area, so it's a bit of everything, but more often than not, it's dense and wet, particularly since the snowfall seems to be coming later and later in the season these days.
Some thoughts-

I really don't think that any of the current Madshus XCD skis are going offer enough stability for your weight- they are all very soft and round flexing (the Eon being the exception as it has more resistance underfoot than the Epoch/Annum- but even a 205cm Eon is going to suck at your weight on dense consolidated snow). A 195cm Annum would be a decent deep soft snow ski for you, but it will be utterly dead on dense consolidated snow and will simply slip and slide around when you are XC skiing. The Epoch is a wonderful ski, but the only people I know that truly love it weigh less than I do at 185lbs.

You mention the Traverse 78- that is definitely something to consider- at your height and weight you will want the 199cm length. The T-78 has a very supportive flex.
The Excursion 88- though slower than the 78- offers even more stability than the 78, and more flotation in deep snow. Though slower than the 78- it is more versatile than the 78.
The S-Bound 112/98- I have not tested these skis in many years. The 98 has the same waist as the 88. The 112 is wider and will offer more flotation- but if it is less cambered it will suck on dense, consolidated snow when you are XC skiing.

Up until this point the current E99 Xtralite has double-camber underfoot and a very soft, Nordic-rockered tip- it is a bit of a strange beast. I much prefer the Asnes Gamme 54 BC. I have not seen the 2019-2020 Fischer lineup- not sure if or when Fischer will update the E99...

My 210cm Gamme 54 BC offers as much flotation and stability as my 199cm Excursion 88- and it is much faster, breaks trail more effectively, and is an excellent touring ski on all snow conditions. The Gamme has a waxable base, however. Neptune Mountaineering stocks the Gamme 54: https://www.neptunemountaineering.com/a ... -1030368-c
You would definitely want the 210cm Gamme 54.
A 210cm Asnes Combat Nato would also fit the bill, with even better deep snow performance and decent consolidated snow performance.

A waxless-scaled option that might actually be the perfect ski for you would be an Amundsen Fram Waxless: https://www.en.asnes.com/produkt/amundsen-fram-bc/
Even more XC stability than the Gamme 54 and you get both waxless scales as well as the kicker skin insert! (BTW- exactly what the waxless E99 Crown needs...)

Not sure how tight your budget is but a surplus 210cm Asnes USGI ski- though heavy- would definitely give you loads of stability- though it too is waxable and does not have the kicker skin insert:
https://colemans.com/u-s-g-i-cross-coun ... kis-2-pair

If you don't want to grip wax in that variable temp and moisture snow you describe- then I would suggest comparing the following:
1) Asnes Amundsen Fram Waxless
2) Fischer 78/88/98/112

If you prefer the Fischers then I would suggest finding a shop where you can go and hand flex and stand on all three of them at there maximum length. My intuition suggests that an 88 in a 199cm length is going to be the best Fischer ski for what you are going to be skiing on...

Though I am thinking that the Amundsen Fram Waxless might be your ultimate choice...

Re: another ski recommendation post...

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:05 am
by lilcliffy
Oh- and BTW- the Fischer 78 is remarkably stable and supportive. It is just as stable as the 88 in deep soft snow, it just sinks deeper- but it is faster than the 88 on consolidated snow.

If you can get a 199cm Traverse 78 at a low discount price- that would be an excellent place to start! (BTW- in case you didn't know- once you are addicted to Nordic skiing you are going to want more than one ski! I foresee an Amundsen Fram Waxless in your future!!!)