Post
by telerat » Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:15 am
My wife have a pair of old E99, that I think are similar to the current TN66. She loves that ski on ungroomed snow and can do telemark turns in decent conditions. I bought a pair of Ousland three years ago, that is also similar to the TN66, for mixed tours in and out of prepared tracks. Both skis work just fine in prepared tracks, but the tip will scrape the sides of the track a bit and seek out of the tracks in turns, so I would rather have MR48, TN59, S62, Madshus T50/M50 or similar for such use, and have bought some pairs for that use. It depends on how you prioritize track performance versus turning ability on ungroomed terrain.
Several members in my close family now have the Åsnes MR48, both JR, adult and skin versions, We use them with NNN-bindings and combi boots, as well as some on skating boots, and depending on model gives plenty of support. NNN-BC bindings could have been an alternative, but we have xc track skis as well as some skating skis with NNN, so using the same boot is nice. All are happy with the skis in and out of prepared tracks, and also on both firm and soft snow. It's not the best ski for deep snow, but works fine in consolidated snow.
I bought a pair of Fischer Transnordic 59 last year as an alternative to MR48, but mixed up the twin skin and easy skin version last year and have not mounted them yet. It seems they now only comes with integrated skin (twin skin) and without the easy skin attachment. The Spider 62 also looks like a nice alternative with a crown base, but also come without the easy skin attachment if that matters.
