Alfa Free Thoughts from the Gurus?

[lilcliffy]

"Vector-class" skis are a lot of ski for a leather boot...While I can certainly imagine throughly enjoying a leather Nordic touring boot on a ~95-100mm ski- I can only imagine it on ideal snow and not-extreme terrain...

As an example- I reguarly use a leather Nordic touring boot on my Altai Kom (98mm)- and love it- but not for truly challenging downhill skiing.

[JohnSKepler]

I haven't mounted Xplore yet!

My two-cents-

"Vector-class" skis are a lot of ski for a leather boot...While I can certainly imagine throughly enjoying a leather Nordic touring boot on a ~95-100mm ski- I can only imagine it on ideal snow and not-extreme terrain...

And in that context (i.e. ideal conditions)- I would not be considering the "Vector-class" ski for Xplore- I would be looking at a "V6-class" ski not the stiffer charging Vector.

While many are using an "Excursion-class" boot (e.g. Garmont Excursion; Scarpa T4) for a ski like the Vector- anyone doing any extreme downhill skiing on a ski as wide and chargey as the Vector are likely using a higher and stiffer boot.

My current impression is that the Alfa FREE boot + Xplore binding likely takes the "Extreme-class" boot to the next dimension. The flex, support, and feel of the FREE boot is closer to my Asolo Extreme 75 and my Svartisen BC, than it is to my Scarpa T4.

If I had the cash- I would definitely try the FREE boot on a HyperV6 (heck if I had the $$$ I would even try NNNBC on the Hyper V6). If you want/need the stiffer flex and longer charging edge of the Vector- I personally think the FREE boot is not enough for the associated conditions...

HOWEVER- GO FOR IT!! You considerong mounting Xplore on the Vector ski?

To specifically answer that question from @lilcliffy, as you know, I'm in very much of a learning mode right now and I have to thank you and others here for making that curve approachable. I have had opportunity now to actually work on the techniques that have been discussed here. Snow quality is always an issue and it's actually raining today. The last week has been pretty hard on the snow in N.Utah. Temperatures have been close to 50 deg highs and barely freezing at night. It is raining in the mid 40's today. So depressing when I am actually off work for a few days. But, before that, I've been getting a lot of waxing experience and quite a bit of light-touring and groomed-road XC and shallow grade XCd. When conditions are really good, I have linked some shaky Telemark turns ! Chalk it up to hard work on the trail, in the gym, and great online mentoring!

At any rate, my goal this winter was two-fold. First, to build up a quiver of three skis that would cover a fairly broad range of non-overlapping conditions. I'm getting there with an FT62(172) and a Gamme54(190) that cover the majority of local conditions here. Both have Xplore bindings. I typically use an Alfa Free with the FT62 and the Alpina Alaska XP with the Gamme. I also hoped to acquire something that I could use for both touring and groomed. My hope is that I'd be able to do this without another boot and binding and just use the Xplore and Free for some less-demanding groomed use. I'm starting to see, as my understanding grows through experience, exploration, and 'research' that I'm probably going to have to pick up a plastic boot and complimentary binding (I'm thinking Meidjo) for groomer use.

That's where I was looking at the Supervector, based purely on what I've read, almost exclusively, here. I see now the hole in my thinking (lack of experience) and, as I get more ambitious with my current equipment, what people mean when they talk about "boot power". I did some reading on the V6 and also the Kastle TX87 and Tindan 86 which might do okay with the Xplore/Free for touring in good snow or maybe on piste in perfect conditions. But, I'm not really to the point where I'm ready to differentiate my quiver into perfect-condition skis. The Gamme and FT62 are both quite broad in their application, while distinct from one another, and this next one needs to be as well so, I think I'm going to have to go plastic. I might also add that I did a lot of work picking the two skis I have and it has really paid off, so I can't really fault my approach except it is kind of slow. Perhaps I should take @fisheater 's advice, get the ski I want to try, and mount the Xplore. If I don't like it, fill the holes and mount something else. If I did that, I'd be thinking a V6, Kastle TX87Up, or Tindan 86, in around 174mm or so.

The second goal I have this winter is to start executing Telemark turns. I'm making progress there but snow conditions have really deteriorated over the past week. It may mean a longer drive, but honestly, an hour drive to find a place to practice on good snow is not really onerous. I've just gotten a little spoiled by the great little canyons only minutes from the house. I've linked some turns on gentle descents in good snow but I don't have the mechanics down yet. @lowangle al said the other day: "I don't know about heel control and cables, but if you're trying to twist your boot to steer your ski, you've already lost the battle, I don't think cables will help much." I am definitely doing this.

I may ultimately figure it out but I'd really prefer to take a lesson or two from someone to get me pointed in the right direction. Anyone know of anyone in the Northern Utah area who can give me some Telemark lessons???

[GrimSurfer]

Do you thing a softer flexor pad would help, @Tom M

I know it would limit downhill performance but might improve range of motion on the flats and give your toes a break until the boot fully breaks in…

Would also allow you to test that optional flexor.

[Tom M]

Do you thing a softer flexor pad would help, @Tom M

I know it would limit downhill performance but might improve range of motion on the flats and give your toes a break until the boot fully breaks in…

Would also allow you to test that optional flexor.

I've been skiing the Frees and Voile Objective with the standard flexor. I have the hard flexor and the flat plate, but I have to admit, I mainly use the standard flexor, and I think it works very well. All of my skiing this season with the boots have been on tour for turns outings, so most of my time is spent slogging uphill, often breaking trail. I don't really have any issues with the toe crease in that mode. Last Spring, I went on a fairly long-distance ski with the Discovery 80's. I wore the Frees as there was a great downhill and technical run on the route, but it also had about 6 miles of flats where I could get out of the shuffle mode and into an aggressive XC kick and glide mode. In that instance, the toe crease did rub the top of my toes on one foot and caused a set of blisters. I didn't have the flat plates with me at the time, but in hindsight, I probably should have just removed the flexor to ease the rubbing on my toes. I only have this issue on one foot, so I'm sure that others may not have an issue with where the toe creases. I think it will depend on the amount of toe curl and forefoot volume. Others have mentioned that the boots tend to soften up a bit and break in over time. These are not made of leather, so they won't break in like a leather boot. Mine do seem to be more comfortable this year, but I don't know if my brain has just adjusted to a new normal or if the boots have softened up. If you are jumping into this boot from a soft boot, it will feel very stiff, almost too stiff at first, but it doesn't take too long before it feels normal. If you are jumping into this boot from a plastic boot like the Scarpa T4, it would feel way too soft. It is all a matter of previous experience.

[GrimSurfer]

You have way more in-ski time than a great deal of people, so your feet are likely more resilient than most and your technique is 100% dialled in.

Toe and tongue punching always seem to be the biggest comfort issue in boots. Toe box and heel fit are merely irritating in comparison.

Those Alfas sure look nice though.

Looking forward to your next vid at the end of the week.

[satanas]

So what do people think is the widest enjoyable or survivable ski for the Alfa Frees in *firm* conditions? (I'm in Australia, and we very rarely have powder here, but do get plenty of everything else.)

FWIW, I have set of the original Vectors with Dynafit TLT5P boots and wouldn't voluntarily use anything softer laterally on those, certainly nothing leather (shudder).

[lowangle al]

i would think the Fischer S98 would be a good option if you want scales. If you don't need a no wax ski, I think the Alfa free would pair nicely with the Asnes Rabb. I've never skied any of these options but they would be my top choices if I were going to try the explore system.

[wabene]

So what do people think is the widest enjoyable or survivable ski for the Alfa Frees in *firm* conditions? (I'm in Australia, and we very rarely have powder here, but do get plenty of everything else.)

FWIW, I have set of the original Vectors with Dynafit TLT5P boots and wouldn't voluntarily use anything softer laterally on those, certainly nothing leather (shudder).

It just occurred to me that being down under, when your in-season and your stoke is high this forum is just dead and now when this forum is humming you can get your fix but can't apply what you're learning till next year. Feel for ya bro

[satanas]

It doesn't matter much since very little finds its way down here, so we typically need to compete with you guys in sourcing things from the Northern hemisphere anyway. Very occasionally we get new stuff a few months early for our season ("read "beta testers"/"guinea pigs") but that's more likely with Alpine/AT, not so much with BC. Often by the time there's enough info to make a call everything is sold out, and we have to wait for the next Northern winter; that gets frustrating...