New skis for new guy

[bwm8142]

I think the NATO is a great option to go with. I started skiing them last year and they have been awesome in every situation that I have found myself in. They are a very stable ski, easy to navigate downhill sections with by either telemark turns or simply just snow plowing if the conditions are less than ideal.

I also have the Amundsen which skis a little faster on the flat ground, but I certainly struggle to make it down hills with this ski in comparison to the NATO. The NATO is just such a great all around ski for different terrain and conditions. I would also only buy a ski that has a kicker skin system like the Fischer or Asnes skis if you are planning on pulling a pulk behind you.

[lilcliffy]

Hello everyone! This is a typical long-time-lurker-new-guy post.

Hello and welcome! Love your username Monsieur Sorbus (aka rowantree).

Here is my situation:

• Live in Gaspésie, Québec. Cold temps, lots of snow, humid-ish climate. Varied terrain with flat river bottoms, steep valleys and rolling plateaus.

• Been XC skiing for about a decade, but getting more serious about it only in the last 2-3 years. Classic style, gotta love that K&G. No experience whatsoever in real downhill skiing.

• Preference for waxing, but open minded. I did not enjoy my short experience on waxless skis, but maybe it wasn’t the right ski for me.

• Pretty rotund at the moment. I weigh 210 pounds and carry a pack most of the time.

Your preference for grip-kick wax- and distaste for scales- is likely largely a function of your skiing climate and snow conditions.

From what I read on here I was looking real hard at 210cm Combat NATOs (or equivalent from Fischer or Madhsus, but it’s not clear for me what that could be…),

Similar Madhus dimensions:
M62/Eon→ very different flex profile. (EDIT- I am speaking of the first-gen of this ski- no idea if the current model is the same as the old, or if it is like the briefly newer model with rocker...)

Similar Fischer dimensions:
E-109→ different flex.
TN-82→ dunno havent flexed one yet!
78→ different flex- scaled base.
88→ different flex (same as 78)- scaled base.

But then I went to my local store and the employee really made me doubt. The guy was steering me towards a fatter Rossignol XP100, especially when I mentioned breaking trail in deep snow. He was also saying nobody uses wax in the backcountry, and that wax on loose snow would be a miserable experience.

Perhaps most of the BC skiers the local shop is farmiliar with:
-are downhill touring and using climbing skins on ascents?
-are often skiing in "spring conditions" and are getting decent grip with a wide base and scales?

Regardless- as you already seem to know- grip-kick wax on loose snow is incredible- ESPECIALLY when the snow is easy to wax for→ cold fresh snow.

For example- I want a Voile V6- bad. But when I get one it will be the smooth, sintered waxable base. When my snow conditions are right for a V6- the snow is perfect for grip wax. I don't need nor want a scaled V6 BC.

Are my expectations unrealistic for a bit of kick and glide *through* deep snow on skinnier skis rather than plodding along *on top* of the snow with fat skis?

No- not at all! And the Combat Nato is the best fjellski currently made for this pursuit. An even longer Finnish forest ski would likely be even better than the Combat Nato- but would likely be limited to gentle terrain with the thick tight forest in the Gaspe.

210 Combat NATO- you need one mon ami Sorbier!
Gareth

[lilcliffy]

I had not considered the Ingstad

The current Ingstad BC is very good and completely stable in deep soft snow- however, it is a less efficient XC ski overall than the Combat NATO- both in deep snow- but especially on dense consolidated snow.

I often end up having to scoot down considerable snow mobile track- and as much as I LOVE the Ingstad BC, I am always happy I took the Combat Nato if I end up on a snowmobile track!

The Ingstad BC is dreamy in steep terrain- pointed downhill.

[lilcliffy]

How about the Otto Sverdrup...?

I would not recommend the Sverdup in deep soft snow.
It bows like a banana.

Love the Sverdrup ski- but not in deep soft snow- yuck.