XCD skis for 250lb Clydesdale?

[bark-eater]

Hi all, I haven't been on skis for a decade after moving to the warm coastal plains. Apparently a buddy of mine took up XC as his 5th midlife/covid crisis and my little bit of competitive nature kicked in. So I'll be tuning up some of my left over garage sale rock skis and keeping them by the door to try and catch whatever brief after dark conditions I can get. Thing is that I'm up 20 pounds from my "fighting weight of 230lbs. I used to spend a lot of time playing 10th mountain dressup in Maine, but the the skis really spent most of their time strapped to the sled as I snowshoed through slush and brush. But I could carve up a golf course... It looks like the nearest actual snow will be around the the Dolly Sods in West Virginia, which I've only driven through in the summer, but I've seen picture of snow up there..

So that's the back ground. Any suggestions for an "skinny" edged ski for an old fat guy who wants to do TaiChi on groomed slopes, and poke around in the woods, or the Dolly Sods? Thanks, Woody

[randoskier]

Madshus Annum in 195cm or maybe a Fischer Excusrion 88 in 196cm. I skied a three week tour on 196cm Madshus Eons when I weighed 210lbs and I carried a 45lb pack, no particular problems. Maybe just get the longest length you can find in a model you like.

[corlay]

you mention a "skinny" ski.

so, maybe look into the longest available Asnes Gamme or Admundsen?
They are relatively stiff/stable skiis that Asnes describes as a good choice for larger skiiers in their product descriptions, and are on the "skinny" side of the range of common widths for BC nordic skiis.

[connyro]

check out the Colman's USGI asnes in 210 length. These are stout stiff skis that can work well for heavy skiers: https://colemans.com/u-s-g-i-cross-coun ... nhill-skis
Edited to add: more info here: https://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3685

[fisheater]

Barkeater, I would suggest you go to Whitegrass Touring Center which borders the Dolly Sods Wilderness. The have the Alpina Discovery skis there for rent, and for sale as well. I know they sell a portion of the rental fleet at the end of the season.
I would suggest trying out that Discovery and see what you like and don’t like about it. From there you can go either more downhill oriented or more touring oriented. You may decide that ski works for you.

[bark-eater]

Thanks for the suggestions, I may use them all. I had done a quick google for the 210 USGI Asnes and couldn't find them, so I may have to order a couple sets on principle.

If I'm lucky I will get out to WhiteGrass this year, but I've got a lot of brown stuff this year to shovel before I get to go play off the reservation. But try before you buy and picking up a set of rentals makes a lot of sense.

And I will read up on the other skies mentioned. I might have to sell a bike though...

I'm not sure any of the boots I have will drive them, and I just realized I don't know where my cheap 3 pin insulated hiking boots got to. I found my pair of Salomon Escape 7 Pilot's and have a pair of Salomon rs9 bumblebee boots that I never gelled with in a crate somewhere. When I got these I was dinking around with the shorter Fisher skies. I assume I need to find some new boots for these recommendations.

[randoskier]

check out the Colman's USGI asnes in 210 length. These are stout stiff skis that can work well for heavy skiers: https://colemans.com/u-s-g-i-cross-coun ... nhill-skis
Edited to add: more info here: https://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3685

That is a really good idea!

[lowangle al]

You’re going to need a stout boot

[riel]

check out the Colman's USGI asnes in 210 length. These are stout stiff skis that can work well for heavy skiers:

Those are certainly stiff enough, and they have decent float too, but they can be hard to turn.

For great glide on a ski that can carry the weight but also still turn, I would look at Gamme, Ingstad, or Børge Ousland.

The Fischer TransNordic 66, Traverse 78, and Excursion 88 also have a stiff enough flex to carry a heavier skier, though the fishscales will drag more than those of a waxless Ingstad.

[RabbitEars]

Hi all, I haven't been on skis for a decade after moving to the warm coastal plains. Apparently a buddy of mine took up XC as his 5th midlife/covid crisis and my little bit of competitive nature kicked in. So I'll be tuning up some of my left over garage sale rock skis and keeping them by the door to try and catch whatever brief after dark conditions I can get. Thing is that I'm up 20 pounds from my "fighting weight of 230lbs. I used to spend a lot of time playing 10th mountain dressup in Maine, but the the skis really spent most of their time strapped to the sled as I snowshoed through slush and brush. But I could carve up a golf course... It looks like the nearest actual snow will be around the the Dolly Sods in West Virginia, which I've only driven through in the summer, but I've seen picture of snow up there..

So that's the back ground. Any suggestions for an "skinny" edged ski for an old fat guy who wants to do TaiChi on groomed slopes, and poke around in the woods, or the Dolly Sods? Thanks, Woody

Fellow Clydesdale, I can enthusiastically recommend the Kongsvold. Will be difficult to find in the states. I bought I think the only 200cm from Neptune and the other sizes have now sold out. Hopefully they will have more next year or REI will start carrying them.