Getting down

[Mtlsam]

Hey folks, passionate, but very mediocre skier here looking for some input. I love to ski the forested and sometimes semi groomed, but not track set trails around the St-Donat area in Quebec. Groomed as in they drive a snowmobile through once in a while to widen things after heavy snowfall.

I do great going up and on the flats with my under-length, wax-able 2021 E99's in 200cm. I weigh a lot more now than when I got them, about 210lbs at 6'-3", but I love grip over glide. I currently drive them with rossignol bcx6 boots which were a warranty replacement for some delaminated bcx10's. I don't notice much difference in stiffness between the two.

My issues arise on the descents. I have a "semi" effective snowplow technique and try to link little zig zag turns to scrub speed on these trails. Works reasonably well in easy snow conditions. The really steep sections I side step down or just walk.

I'm scheming about upgrading my setup to better suit the downhill portion of these trails that I love going up and wondered what you folks think about a Asnes Rabb 68, explore binding and Alaska boot setup? I'm never going to be cool enough to tele turn, but would this setup allow for easier snowplow/ parallel technique on not overly steep but twisty downhills?

Thanks for reading this long winded post. Looking forward to your input.

Sam

[fisheater]

I’m 190 lbs. +
I have a 196 cm Falketind. It turns well, it kicks well. If your heart is set on the Rabb, go for it. I just know from my experience that a 196 cm Falketind would work.

[JohnSKepler]

I find the Alaska is a little soft for pushing my Falketind very hard. (Under this maneuver the Rabb and FT62 would be pretty much the same.) It can be done but mostly I find it is nearly impossible to keep the plow very symmetric so it results in more floundering than I'd like.

I've just purchased a pair of Lundhags Abisku boots that are a stiffer sole and leather that I hope to use for activities such as you are sharing here. I'm also thinking about going with a Rabb if I can find some on sale.

You might be surprised to find that you are, indeed, cool enough to Tele turn. In fact, with the right set up, it requires a lot less coolness than you think!

[Mtlsam]

I’m 190 lbs. +
I have a 196 cm Falketind. It turns well, it kicks well. If your heart is set on the Rabb, go for it. I just know from my experience that a 196 cm Falketind would work.

I also had looked at the Falketind. Good to know from someone's experience that it can apply well to my use case.
Thanks!

[Mtlsam]

I find the Alaska is a little soft for pushing my Falketind very hard. (Under this maneuver the Rabb and FT62 would be pretty much the same.) It can be done but mostly I find it is nearly impossible to keep the plow very symmetric so it results in more floundering than I'd like.

I've just purchased a pair of Lundhags Abisku boots that are a stiffer sole and leather that I hope to use for activities such as you are sharing here. I'm also thinking about going with a Rabb if I can find some on sale.

You might be surprised to find that you are, indeed, cool enough to Tele turn. In fact, with the right set up, it requires a lot less coolness than you think!

That's an interesting perspective on the Alaska boots. I have very large feet 48 so I'm always concerned about buying boots without trying them. Perhaps something I will look into though. I've read your thread and look forward to updates.

If you already have a Falketind what would you hope that the Rabb would do for you?

Also thanks for the encouraging words about the tele turn. I imagine that having the right equipment does help you put the right foot forward as it were.

[fisheater]

In regards to the Tele-turn, repetition helps. Some time at the lifts would help immensely.
While the E-99 reportedly turns well for a double cambered ski, it’s a double cambered ski. I spent a little time on an ancient model, which was kind of soft, and I could make some Tele-turns, it was still a doubled cambered ski. There is a huge difference between that, and a ski like the Falketind or Rabb, which are single cambered skis uniquely designed to have some kick and glide. The Falketind Xplore is a third generation ski. The really nailed kick and glide capability, while still having good downhill capability. The Rabb reportedly is a bit better downhill.
I enjoy my trail skiing, however after 13 seasons of almost exclusively trail skiing, I saw my downhill skills deteriorating. Last season with at least 4 hours a week riding a chair has me almost back to good form. I still enjoy immensely my time in the woods. However I enjoy being able to rip on-piste. That extended into skiing BC and piste in Vermont last season. I guess my point is that repetition is good for improving technique. Being skillful downhill opens more opportunities. I really enjoy skiing uphill. Ripping turns downhill is more thrilling. Steeper is even more fun until you are beyond your skill level. Which brings you back to repetitive is good for developing technique.
Hope I didn’t bore you.
Best of luck. If you’re on skis anywhere count your blessings. Sliding on snow is such a simple and wonderful pleasure!

[Mtlsam]

In regards to the Tele-turn, repetition helps. Some time at the lifts would help immensely.
While the E-99 reportedly turns well for a double cambered ski, it’s a double cambered ski. I spent a little time on an ancient model, which was kind of soft, and I could make some Tele-turns, it was still a doubled cambered ski. There is a huge difference between that, and a ski like the Falketind or Rabb, which are single cambered skis uniquely designed to have some kick and glide. The Falketind Xplore is a third generation ski. The really nailed kick and glide capability, while still having good downhill capability. The Rabb reportedly is a bit better downhill.
I enjoy my trail skiing, however after 13 seasons of almost exclusively trail skiing, I saw my downhill skills deteriorating. Last season with at least 4 hours a week riding a chair has me almost back to good form. I still enjoy immensely my time in the woods. However I enjoy being able to rip on-piste. That extended into skiing BC and piste in Vermont last season. I guess my point is that repetition is good for improving technique. Being skillful downhill opens more opportunities. I really enjoy skiing uphill. Ripping turns downhill is more thrilling. Steeper is even more fun until you are beyond your skill level. Which brings you back to repetitive is good for developing technique.
Hope I didn’t bore you.
Best of luck. If you’re on skis anywhere count your blessings. Sliding on snow is such a simple and wonderful pleasure!

Not boring at all! Have you ever had issues with the ski wanting brakes or tethers for your skis? You make a very solid point about how actual dedicated downhill practice would improve technique.

[fisheater]

Not boring at all! Have you ever had issues with the ski wanting brakes or tethers for your skis? You make a very solid point about how actual dedicated downhill practice would improve technique.

I have never had a problem about being asked about leashes or brakes at the Michigan resorts I ski at. I have a couple of times forgot to put leashes on. However I use leashes most of the time. This is because I had a spring fail on a used Hammerhead binding I had mounted. The binding let loose. Fortunately I was using leashes. I have not had a problem putting a leash on a 75 mm ski. Putting a leash on a NNN-BC binding or an Xplore binding would be more difficult. Years ago Rottefella would include a thin metal plate that you could put under the binding, which would be fastened by one binding screw. You could duplicate that with a coffee can, but stainless would be superior.
If interested I could sketch it up.
I wear the leashes because I have seen a run away ski make impact. It caught air before the impact. It hit a ski check shack. The 1/2 inch plywood sheathing cracked and dented in. I’m sure a human head would do the same. For me a leash is a small inconvenience. I had a freak binding release once. If it ever happens again, I don’t want to hurt anyone.