another ski recommendation post...

[ed.lundgren]

Awesome, thanks!

I'm really intrigued by the Amundsens, since it sounds like I could even drop them into a groomed track in a pinch. Might be worth it to spend a bit more for the versatility.

Ack, now I want to buy all of these. I should've known that my gearhead tendencies would become a problem...

[greatgt]

Been skiing e99's for about 40 years.....Started out with 215's and 220's for speed and not really for turning.....until.....I saw a Telemarker in @ 1980.....Bang!......Used 210's and 215's up on Tuckerman's Ravine.....First time was a 600 foot controlled fall scaring the hell out of the gigantic line of people huffing up to the top.....Teleking and I went into serious training.....Beer....and most Mountain tops around here including the Worcester's and Mansfield....On Ron;s site some get mad but the powder on the icing was a professional group of Boarders one of which was a young beauty who lifted her top as an award and believe it was almost as good as the long high speed arcs!!!!!!!! The e99 is the best selling ski of all time and continues to wrack up sales....Have gone to a e 109 because am not nearly as quick or strong as I once was.....Thinking the Ingstad (?) would be good and am presently trying to find out where to get the ft62 for a big ski.....Love leather boots because there is nothing out there as comfortable and flexing...Even without straps they are great at turning skinny and light skis of any type....Have a blast cause Tele is about laughter!!!!!! Teleman

[bgregoire]

Awesome, thanks!

I'm really intrigued by the Amundsens, since it sounds like I could even drop them into a groomed track in a pinch. Might be worth it to spend a bit more for the versatility.

Ack, now I want to buy all of these. I should've known that my gearhead tendencies would become a problem...

Looking at the OP, I understand a little light downhill might eventually be expected of your skis. I don't think the Amundsen is the way to go there. Does the Gamme not also come in scales? If not, I'm thinking you would be just as happy with a pair of older (pre-xtralite) E99s in 210.

Relax about ski choice, skiing is about having fun and besides, the more you do it, the more you commit, the more skis you want....so it will all works out in the end.

[lowangle al]

Hi Ed, my opinion differs from the others here. I prefer heavier equipment with a T4 or excursion type boot and a shorter wider ski even on low angle terrain. I have no problem going out for 3 or 4 hours covering 8 or more miles with that gear and it doesn't feel sluggish to me. The heavier gear is my preference for off trail skiing especially. IMHO in most conditions the speed advantage that you get with lighter gear is much less off trail.

Since you plan on some downhill the heavier gear will speed your progress there too.

If I were going to Tahoe to bc ski I'd be taking Voile Vectors ans T4s even if I didn't plan on skiing anything steep.(over about 25 degrees)

[bgregoire]

If I were going to Tahoe to bc ski I'd be taking Voile Vectors ans T4s even if I didn't plan on skiing anything steep.(over about 25 degrees)

True that, if I was in Tahoe (which I have had the opportunity to ski), I sure would be having a blast telemarking with a pair of Vectors and T4s!!!!

[fisheater]

I also agree with a bigger Ski in Tahoe. Tahoe gets deep snowfalls and the the spacing of trees just offers so much downhill skiing. I have an FAlketind 62, but it would get kicked around in challenging snow.
You really need two kits in Tahoe if one is going to be a go fast trail ski. I say on this forum often, as I am from southern Michigan, that I wish I needed a Vector class ski. If I lived in Tahoe, I believe I would definitely have a Vector.

[ed.lundgren]

Thanks, guys. Interesting points on the unique Tahoe conditions. I'm still relatively new to the area, and it seems like there's not a ton of middle ground terrain from rather flat offtrack areas (Paige Meadows, parts of THT, etc.) and full-on backcountry downhill, so two skis may be inevitable.

For those who have been to Tahoe, any recs for good offtrack spots for someone with an XC background moving slowly towards more XCD?