Best ski/binding setup for mixed terrain

[Skiing to Explore]

Wow, you all are awesome, thanks a ton for all the advice.

lowangle al, the Voile Ultra Vector seems like it could be what I'm looking for, thanks for turning me on to that.

I'll definitely try to find a pair of T4s or Excursions to try on when things get back to normal. At the very least I'll mount a cabled 3 pin binding on my s-bound and use one of those boots.

[fisheater]

Yes, good advice here from everyone.

I would keep your SBound 98's in the 179. They are kind of ideal and you have them in the correct size. A more stable foot platform would help you here with the turnability. I would consider adding a cabled 75mm binding, like the Voile 3pin or Traverse (same binding, just 10mm rise). I'm not sure if you're coming from a telemark background but you'll get better control quicker with the 75mm than the practice you will need to master the downhill on the NNN-BC binding.

Then, you can get a soft boot, like the Alaska 75mm and see how it goes maybe before spending $$$ on a new set-up. If you go for an Objective or KOM and get a stiffer boot, like the Excursion or T4, they'll work on the re-mounted SBounds also for those days when you want more control on the Sbounds, so the 98 can be used in a wider range of applications.

While some here don't mind longer distance K&G with T4's, I do. Drives me nuts, but horses for courses. That being said it's a great boot, one of my primary drivers, it is a very capable boot that can do so much. Almost an essential.

Between the Objective and KOM... the KOM is cheaper than the Objective... is the slight decrease in K&G worth the couple hundred bucks? I don't know, personal question. The KOM though is a swivel and schmear machine that'll sneak through the tightest of spots, the Objective is also very turny, but more ski-like. Lots of think about for the next 7months...

Woods, did you ever try the Ski March? Not quite as powerful as a T-4, but very powerful. However while the sole is stiff, you have ankle motion. It’s not everybody’s style, but for me I don’t require much ankle support, however the range of movement is huge on the trail. Something a little less stiff, and lighter might be nicer with 70 mm waisted skis, but the Ski March does have power to spare in those widths

[Woodserson]

Woods, did you ever try the Ski March? Not quite as powerful as a T-4, but very powerful. However while the sole is stiff, you have ankle motion. It’s not everybody’s style, but for me I don’t require much ankle support, however the range of movement is huge on the trail. Something a little less stiff, and lighter might be nicer with 70 mm waisted skis, but the Ski March does have power to spare in those widths

No. I think my narrow heeled foot would be a nightmare in it. I am happy with the Alaska 75mm's for 90% of all my soft boot skiing. I'm trying not to complicated my situation too much.

Alaska - T4 - T2Eco

The trifecta. Good enough for me for skiing that requires telemark turns (I have some other softer boots for flat XC travel)

[greatgt]

2 cents....e99's....leather boots....Super Rottafella bindings.....and or e99's and 109's....last Asnes I skied on was one of the 1970's woodies......If everybody likes the Asnes get them....But....99's especially work....real good....TM

[TheSweed]

I was in the same situation as you. I used Fischer Excursion 88 189cm with Crispi Svartisen BC. Wanted better downhill control.
I changed to 75mm Riva 3 bindings with a Svartisen 75mm. For me it was a step up.
Better control downhill.

But of course.. It could be better(not just my skiing ) so I looking sometimes to at a shorther and wider ski ex Objective, Åsnes Tindan or the Nosi.

Somebody nows the diffrent Voile Ultravector Bc vs Objective Bc?

Snow is falling now

[Tom M]

But of course.. It could be better(not just my skiing ) so I looking sometimes to at a shorther and wider ski ex Objective, Åsnes Tindan or the Nosi.

Somebody nows the diffrent Voile Ultravector Bc vs Objective Bc?

Snow is falling now

I've been skiing the Objective BC with 3 pins and leathers @ 178 cm since March of 2019. It is an amazing soft snow ski with a downhill focus. It is NOT an XC ski with a downhill focus. That can either be good or bad depending on what you are looking for in a ski. Voile does not recommend telemark bindings on their hyper skis, and the Objective falls in that category. There are lots of good threads here discussing the Objective and I have a playlist of videos on my Youtube channel of my experience with them. I have not skied the Ultravector, but I also ski the Voile Hyper V6 with Switchback X2 bindings and Scarpa T2 plastic boots. I use the Objectives for mellow downhill under good conditions and the Hyper V6's when warranted. I was out yesterday with the Objectives under perfect conditions and they are a joy to ski. The Objectives would also be a great ski for use with a plastic boot and downhill focused binding. Voile recommends an AT setup for the Objective. I think it would be hard to find a lighter more versatile downhill focused ski than the Objective.

[TheSweed]

Hi Tom
I have been looking at your videos really nice and informtive. Like them a lot!
Yes its hard to get "everything" in a ski, both xc and downhill perfomance, soft deep snow or hard packed ice conditions.

My plan was to use my Crispi Svartisen 75mm with Voiles Traverse 3-Pin and mybe get a T4 or similar if more stability is needed. For a deep snow ski ex Objective or mybe some other voile. But not to wide
Been looking at Åsnes Tindan(86) and Nosi(76) to and they have not problem with 3-Pin bindings.

But mybe an AT set up is easiest. But expensive and losing the 75mm charm

[Tom M]

My plan was to use my Crispi Svartisen 75mm with Voiles Traverse 3-Pin and mybe get a T4 or similar if more stability is needed. For a deep snow ski ex Objective or mybe some other voile. But not to wide
Been looking at Åsnes Tindan(86) and Nosi(76) to and they have not problem with 3-Pin bindings.

But mybe an AT set up is easiest. But expensive and losing the 75mm charm

I mostly ski my Objectives with the Alfa Greenland leather boot. It is a great combination. Most of my friends are AT skiers. I don't have an AT setup, but I often have AT envy on the uphill when it comes to gear weight. My Objective setup (boots, 3 pin bindings without cable, and 178 skis) come in at a weight of 10.7 lbs. My Hyper V6 setup (switchback X2, Scarpa T2 boots, and 173 skis) weighs 16.9 lbs. You could easily put together an AT setup with plastic boots and the Objective for less than 13 lbs. But as Dostie says, you would be "joining the herd". I stick with telemark because that is what brings me joy. While I haven't skied the Crispi Svartisen, I'm sure it would work great on the Objective. I did ski T4's for several years, and the T4's with the Objective would be a very powerful and amazing setup.