the Nordic Ice Skating Thread

[Leo Tasker]

Some fantastic conditions here in Oslo, these photos are from the weekend, skating on the fjord. A lack of snow but some good cold temps has meant I haven't been skiing too much recently, but this is a pretty sweet alternative!

[John Dee]

I would grab some 50 or 55cm without thinking but the selection on Varuste has me pondering this.

Varuste has Zandstra NIS Tours in 43,45, and 48cm for $87. These are supposed to be $200 skates so I kind of want a pair.

The Isvidda comes in 50 and 55 for $67. I'm not so sure about mounting on these, but anything is possible.

Im thinking about getting the Zandstra 48s, the Isvidda 50s or maybe some combo like the Zandstra 45s and some Isvidda 55s. What would you get for New England?

[John Dee]

I'm also a little worried I will get 1 skate for that price, even though it says a pair.

[John Dee]

I ordered two 48cm Zandstra's with the hope of luring some woman out on the ice. I sort of wish I ordered a 45 plus a 48 now that I see all the pictures from Scandinavia of skates that aren't much longer than the bindings.

[TallGrass]

https://thingstolucat.com/nordic-skate-equipment-guide/

[JB TELE]

Can nordic skates be mounted with 3 pin? Or would that be too sloppy of a connection?

[TallGrass]

Can nordic skates be mounted with 3 pin? Or would that be too sloppy of a connection?

Yes, they can be mounted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/xcountryskiing/comments/ktex8v/nordic_skates_threepin_bindings/

[CwmRaider]

Can nordic skates be mounted with 3 pin? Or would that be too sloppy of a connection?

Was it @telerat who tried this? The 75mm binding is wide and the binding may touch the ice when you try to go fast.

[TallGrass]

The 75mm binding is wide and the binding may touch the ice when you try to go fast.

How much wider, and how many degrees of clearance is lost?
Per photos above, my guess is over 45°, at which point the 'binding touching the ice' would not be my main concern.

[tkarhu]

I have to applaud an undertaking even more absurd than telemark skiing.....telemark skating!

Snow melted, so I am nordic skating. Luckily you can do telemark turns also with the ice skates

Linking turns is difficult on a zero gradient ice, so the turn ended with a hockey stop. However, nordic skates are real skinnies, mine have 1.25 mm waist and zero sidecut!

I have Zandstra NIS skates in 43 cm. That is blade length, whereas other manufacturers report frame length. So a Zandsta NIS 43 cm is actually 45 cm in length.

I think longer blades are better, when you have wind gathered snow piles on ice, or soft spring ice. The longer blades prevent you from falling on your nose there. However, on cracked ice light skates can help to find balance, when a skate gets stuck in a frost crack. I envy longer skates for the soft ground settings.

If you want the best, FYI many hardcore nordic skaters have Skyllermark blå (blue) skates.