New bindings or new skis?

[Blackdog]

Please help me figure out the best course of action. I'm turning to the telemark forum because, well, not much out there that I could find on just XC.

We have a set of Rossignol 49STS Series AR waxless skis with the original Solomon SNS bindings. (Very old style--pivot loop in front of boot toe. When I contacted Solomon they got their "archeologist" to take a look at a pic.) Purchased new in the mid-80s from EMS in New England. Saw plenty of miles in the Whites.

Skis are in great shape, the bindings are OK. The boots have finally died and cannot be replaced. Until the boots died, these worked fine for us for the occasional off-track skiing we are able to do out our back door when our mid-Atlantic state gets snow. Terrain is flat to gentle rollers with a few short steep drops. We are unlikely to ever be on terrain that calls for skins or tele turns.

After researching, I decided the Fischer Crown xtralite E99 might be the best ski for these conditions. Then when I compared length and width, it's not that much different from the skis we have now. Widths on the Rossi are 57-50-48, and we have them in 190 and 210. Biggest difference is that the Rossi does not have metal edge.

So now I'm thinking we should just remove the SNS bindings, put on NNN BC bindings and get some new boots. We want leather, so it will probably be the Alpina Wyoming boot.

1) Anything obvious I'm missing in this solution?
2) Can I remove the old bindings and still mount new ones? They must be on there pretty good to have made it for decades without coming lose.

Thanks.

[Rodbelan]

From what I read, the easiest solution would be to just change the binding and boots. Keep the ski if you like it. Cause a new ski means new bindings too... Even if you decide to change for a metal edge ski — which would offer some more options for off piste skiing — keep the ski and mount them eventually with a new binding... a nnn isn't that expensive if you look around... I'd also be tempted to take a ski that is a tad wider but that would still fit in tracks: you'd have 2 slightly different tools in your quiver; narrower without edges & a little wider with edges. Last suggestion: do not listen to me or anybody else since we are not in your shorts... You know better what you need. And you are not going to invest a 1000$, so, go ahead and try something to the best of your knowledge. Do not get lost on the multiple solutions we have to offer...

[connyro]

So now I'm thinking we should just remove the SNS bindings, put on NNN BC bindings and get some new boots. We want leather, so it will probably be the Alpina Wyoming boot.

'

IMO, you've got a good plan. Use the old skis, mount new NNN BC bindings, get boots. I'd be curious to hear feedback about the Wyoming boots...

[Blackdog]

Thanks to you both for your replies. Looks like new bindings and boots it is!

Will post on the Wyomings. I may end up with the Alphas. I have a short, wide foot and I'm not sure I will fit in the Wyomings. We're starting with them because they are easily available in the US.

[satsuma]

1. If you aren't going to buy metal edge skis, and not having needed heavier boots up until now, you might consider the SNS Profil, SNS Profil Pilot or NNN boots and matching bindings. If you want a little more ankle support, you might consider skate or combi boots which match these bindings. The disadvantage of the NNN-BC boots, relative to the forementioned boots, would be heavier weight and more difficulty fitting, since the boots are stiffer. The stiffness is an advantage for control, and the NNN-BC boots are warmer.

2. Another option on the skis which would make sense for you is partial metal edge skis ie the Madshus Voss. I have used skis like this for a long time and they work for both track and off-track use, and the metal edges are some help. My specific skis (Madshus Nrothcape) do not climb particularly well, but it is an older waxless pattern.

[Blackdog]

1. If you aren't going to buy metal edge skis, and not having needed heavier boots up until now, you might consider the SNS Profil, SNS Profil Pilot or NNN boots and matching bindings....The disadvantage of the NNN-BC boots, relative to the forementioned boots, would be heavier weight and more difficulty fitting, since the boots are stiffer.

Are any of those boots available in leather? How will those combinations do off-track? That is the only kind of xc we will be doing.

[lilcliffy]

The suggestion for considering NNN/SNS is a good one. But if you are truly going to be skiing off-track, then I do think you will appreciate the greater stability and warmth of NNNBC (or SNS-xadv).

I am not aware of any commonly available leather NNN/SNS boots.

If you really like the skis- don't get rid of them! I will never get rid of a ski I like. Even if you end up investing in additional skis if your BC explorations expand- I'm sure you always find a niche for those skis.

You need new boots anyway. NNNBC (or 3pin) on your old skis seems like the cheapest route to getting back to gliding on fresh snow!

At this point I would think that it is more about the boot than the binding.

[satsuma]

If you are going to be doing all off-track skiing, I would buy NNN-BC. Skis with full or partial metal edges give you more control on icy trails. If you are skiing in PA/NY/NJ/WV/MD mountains I think they would be helpful. Maybe not in Western NY/NW PA.

The only time the lighter boots will help is when you are concerned with speed.

If possible, you should make more effort to get a good fit on NNN-BC boots, as they don't stretch as much as the lighter boots.

I don't know which boots are purely leather, except the Alpina Alaska's which might be stiffer than you want.

[MikeK]

I ski a lot in western NY and metal edges are nice. I prefer them.

I would also avoid SNS - xadv or whatever they call it. I was on their site the other day looking around and it seems that it's no longer available. Boots are still sold, but I think they are just old stock being moved. From what I can tell, that system seems to be dead. Go for NNN-BC. It works and it doesn't appear to be going anywhere for a while.

[lilcliffy]

Yeah- I've heard that SNS-xadv is being phased out as well...which is too bad- it was a good binding (despite the very narrow binding plate ) I've never found a Saloman xadv boot that fit me properly.

There are many different companies making NNNBC boots with different lasts and fit profiles. Lots to choose from. The Fennoscandians obviously prefer NNNBC to SNS-xadv- they will make sure that NNNBC doesn't go anywhere!

And yes the metal edges..I do a lot of bushwacking- and a lot of my downhill runs are through hardwood stands that have small trees and shrubs in the understory that I am constantly hitting- let alone the occasional rock, stump, or fallen tree!