Excursion 88 vs. Ingstad vs. transnordic 82

[Christian96moeller]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking your expertise as I’m on the hunt for a new pair of skis.

What I’m Looking For:
I’m after an all-around ski that performs well on flat stretches but also provides good downhill control and maneuverability. I’m willing to sacrifice some kick glide in exchange for better downhill handling. Ideally, I’m looking for slightly wider XC skis to ensure decent float in softer snow conditions.

The ski I’ve been considering the most is the Fischer Excursion 88 (199 cm). Reviews on Telemark Talks describe it as a solid all-rounder.

Other skis that have caught my eye include:

Fischer Transnordic 82 (204 cm)
Åsnes Ingstad (195–205 cm)

Does anyone know how these skis compare or recommendations for alternatives?

If you know any helpful articles, that is also interesting!

My Specs:
28 years old
195 cm tall
Around 84 kg
I’ve been XC-skiing for several years, but I’m far from an expert. That said, I’m comfortable on skis and can handle most snow conditions.

Background:
I live in Denmark, and most of my trips are to Norway. Many of these have been on Hardangervidda, a relatively flat mountain plateau with rolling hills depending on the route. My trips vary from day tours to multi-day tours with a backpack.

Until last year, I used second-hand gear. As my interest grew, I upgraded to the Xplore binding system with Alfa Free boots and Åsnes Rabb 188 skis. While I’m fairly satisfied with the boots and bindings, the ski hasn’t quite worked out for me. My main issue with the Rabb is its performance on icy surfaces, which I’ve found to be a dominant condition in southern Norway.

That’s why I’m looking to replace the ski and would appreciate any advice!

best regards

Christian

[YooperXC]

I have both the Ingstad (205) and Excursion 88 (199). The Excursion 88 is clearly a stiffer ski than the Ingstad and is more supportive in deeper snow conditions, I think due to the stiffness of ski. I have found that the Ingstad tends to "Banana" which makes them impossible to use in deeper snow. The kick and glide of the waxable Ingstad is superior the Excursion 88 and are a joy to ski in the right conditions. I have not used either under icy conditions. I am going to sell my Ingstad's as the Excursion 88's make them redundant and I think the 88's are more versatile.

The Combat Nato has been intriguing me as a waxable alternative to the Excursion 88, but the performance of the 88's is really good for the conditions on which I would use them and its hard to justify another pair of skis. I do find that I use my older E99's or Gammes (new to me last year) 95% of the time and rarely use the E88's.

[socaltim]

I would think thinner skis would do better on icy conditions, at least a better chance of cutting down to some grippier snow, and going straight ahead.

[pacificnomad]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking your expertise as I’m on the hunt for a new pair of skis.

What I’m Looking For:
I’m after an all-around ski that performs well on flat stretches but also provides good downhill control and maneuverability. I’m willing to sacrifice some kick glide in exchange for better downhill handling. Ideally, I’m looking for slightly wider XC skis to ensure decent float in softer snow conditions.

The ski I’ve been considering the most is the Fischer Excursion 88 (199 cm). Reviews on Telemark Talks describe it as a solid all-rounder.

Other skis that have caught my eye include:

Fischer Transnordic 82 (204 cm)
Åsnes Ingstad (195–205 cm)

Does anyone know how these skis compare or recommendations for alternatives?

If you know any helpful articles, that is also interesting!

My Specs:
28 years old
195 cm tall
Around 84 kg
I’ve been XC-skiing for several years, but I’m far from an expert. That said, I’m comfortable on skis and can handle most snow conditions.

Background:
I live in Denmark, and most of my trips are to Norway. Many of these have been on Hardangervidda, a relatively flat mountain plateau with rolling hills depending on the route. My trips vary from day tours to multi-day tours with a backpack.

Until last year, I used second-hand gear. As my interest grew, I upgraded to the Xplore binding system with Alfa Free boots and Åsnes Rabb 188 skis. While I’m fairly satisfied with the boots and bindings, the ski hasn’t quite worked out for me. My main issue with the Rabb is its performance on icy surfaces, which I’ve found to be a dominant condition in southern Norway.

That’s why I’m looking to replace the ski and would appreciate any advice!

best regards

Christian

Are you kicking and gliding in deep powder? Or kicking and gliding in firmer snow or in a tracked out trail, and then seeking out descents that are in fresh deep powder? I think the best Nordic xcD skis are going to be pretty flexible with a ton of torsional stiffness. The Rabb is this is ski. So is the Ingstad. I've never skied the Excursion 88, or the Ingstad or the Rabb. My wide Nordic ski is the Kongsvold, which is super flexy (no steel edge), but has a fair amount of torsional stiffness, which really helps maintain control while turning at speed and with handling sketchy terrain. Kicking and gliding in non-tracked soft deep powder is always going to be a slower, tedious experience. If you're going to spend most of your time in deep snow with some descending, and the Rabb didn't cut it for you, I'd consider checking out something like the Volie Endeavor BC or Hypervector BC. But free heel skiing is generally going to inspire less confidence on icy descents when compared to an AT setup. Icy descents are always a challenge.

[Christian96moeller]

[/quote]


Are you kicking and gliding in deep powder? Or kicking and gliding in firmer snow or in a tracked out trail, and then seeking out descents that are in fresh deep powder? I think the best Nordic xcD skis are going to be pretty flexible with a ton of torsional stiffness. The Rabb is this is ski. So is the Ingstad. I've never skied the Excursion 88, or the Ingstad or the Rabb. My wide Nordic ski is the Kongsvold, which is super flexy (no steel edge), but has a fair amount of torsional stiffness, which really helps maintain control while turning at speed and with handling sketchy terrain. Kicking and gliding in non-tracked soft deep powder is always going to be a slower, tedious experience. If you're going to spend most of your time in deep snow with some descending, and the Rabb didn't cut it for you, I'd consider checking out something like the Volie Endeavor BC or Hypervector BC. But free heel skiing is generally going to inspire less confidence on icy descents when compared to an AT setup. Icy descents are always a challenge.
[/quote]

I am kicking and gliding mostly in firmer snow conditions. I usually ski above the tree line (the treeline in Norway is around 1000 m above sealevel), which means the snow is very exposed to wind. As well as changing temperatures in southern Norway.

I agree that skiing down on icy conditions is always challenge. But on the Rabb I was also struggling with ascends with a moderate gradient.

I will check out your recommendations!

[Christian96moeller]

I have both the Ingstad (205) and Excursion 88 (199). The Excursion 88 is clearly a stiffer ski than the Ingstad and is more supportive in deeper snow conditions, I think due to the stiffness of ski. I have found that the Ingstad tends to "Banana" which makes them impossible to use in deeper snow. The kick and glide of the waxable Ingstad is superior the Excursion 88 and are a joy to ski in the right conditions. I have not used either under icy conditions. I am going to sell my Ingstad's as the Excursion 88's make them redundant and I think the 88's are more versatile.

The Combat Nato has been intriguing me as a waxable alternative to the Excursion 88, but the performance of the 88's is really good for the conditions on which I would use them and its hard to justify another pair of skis. I do find that I use my older E99's or Gammes (new to me last year) 95% of the time and rarely use the E88's.

Thanks for the reply! that definitely pushes me in the direction of the Excursions. I actually havent heard much about the Combat nato skis, but I will check them out!

[fisheater]

You were struggling to climb with the Rabb? A 45 mm mohair skin is what I use on my Falketind X in conditions that are difficult for wax. For day tours, when elevation doesn’t make for for changing and therefore difficult waxing conditions, wax is very effective.
If you find the Rabb to not offer kick and glide performance, but still want to turn, have you considered a Nansen? I find my Falketind X to be supportive of my 190 lbs in deep snow. I can’t believe my new, unmounted Nansen 205 will not be supportive. The Falketind X is an acceptable XC ski for me, I can’t believe the Nansen won’t be better.
I personally am not a fan of Fischer scales. I can wax for better grip, but I just find the vibration of Fischer scales on firm snow to suck the joy of the glide from my skiing.

[lilcliffy]

Hello Christian,
I own and have many kms/hrs on all the skis you are considering.

You speak of "looking for slightly wider XC skis to ensure decent float in softer snow conditions", but also want a ski that performs on "icy surfaces"-

In my experience none of the currently available "wide" (i.e. 68mm+ underfoot) Nordic touring skis perform on icy snow.
The Asnes Rabb 68 is definitely tuned for soft snow- it is torsionally stiffer than similar-dimension Fischer/Madshus, but the Rabb has a rockered and tapered shovel and tail, with a very short effective edge.

The Ingstad is more stable in deep snow than the similar-dimensioned Fischer "82", because of it is more longitudinally stable-
both the Ingstad and the Fischer "82" have a ton of shovel rocker- are tuned for soft snow- not ice.

The Fischer "88" has significant camber- tuned for XC skiing- if you are considering a short 88- for downhill performance- you would be better with the Fischer 98 IMO. However the Fischer "98" is a noodle on ice (it is great on corn and wet, warm snow).

What would I recommend?
Asnes Nansen
- stiff, stable, but smooth flex
- no rocker- long effective edge

Let us know how you make out!
Best,
Gareth

[Capercaillie]

My main issue with the Rabb is its performance on icy surfaces, which I’ve found to be a dominant condition in southern Norway.

I really liked the Fischer Transnordic 66 waxable on ice. Another ski to consider is the Åsnes Sverdrup. Good prices on them right now:

https://varuste.net/en/p110053/%C3%A5sn ... verdrup-bc

Ingstad is fun downhill on ice, but it does not track straight on icy flats. The Nansen only seems to be produced in waxless this season (and last?) which is not ideal for skiing on ice.

[Christian96moeller]

You were struggling to climb with the Rabb? A 45 mm mohair skin is what I use on my Falketind X in conditions that are difficult for wax. For day tours, when elevation doesn’t make for for changing and therefore difficult waxing conditions, wax is very effective.
If you find the Rabb to not offer kick and glide performance, but still want to turn, have you considered a Nansen? I find my Falketind X to be supportive of my 190 lbs in deep snow. I can’t believe my new, unmounted Nansen 205 will not be supportive. The Falketind X is an acceptable XC ski for me, I can’t believe the Nansen won’t be better.
I personally am not a fan of Fischer scales. I can wax for better grip, but I just find the vibration of Fischer scales on firm snow to suck the joy of the glide from my skiing.

Exactly! I not a waxing expert and therefore i mostly use skins. For my Rabb setup I had the 58 mm wide skins. As Gareth commented, the Rabb doesnt have a very long effective steel edge. Which I feel is a good explanation for my experiences and frustrations as well.

The Nansen I haven't considered yet, but I will definetely check it out.

Since I dont wax my skis that much, I am not to concerned about the fishscales. But the vibrations on hard surfaces could be annoying for longer periods.