Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Hi! Thanks in advance for any advice.

Long time but very intermediate VT tele skier moving to NTN to enjoy(hopefully) skiing hard pack with my 13 year old daughter who is on alpine and now blows me away on icy hard pack which I only bother skiing to spend time with her.
Cost is a factor but I have some wiggle room.

Currently on 15+ yo Synergy’s, Karhu Jacks, Axl. Fine when there is snow, when it’s icy I’d rather do something else.

Just picked up Crispi WC Evos. Looking to focus on frontside confidence but would like to enjoy soft snow. Would not mind occasional touring but maybe I need two skis.

Can’t decide between outlaw x and Meidjo.

Really like the thought of release with Meidjo. Is the Outlaw that much more powerful for ice? That much more durable?

For skis want confidence and ease on ice first. I am looking at last year’s skis examples below are all 270-375

If I go more all mountain I was looking at Atomic Maverick 86c or Elan Ripstick 88. I read Atomic maybe better for ice? Any thoughts?

Any more frontside recommendations? Like the idea of Blizzard Brahma 82 but getting scared off by reports of demanding and needing speed(not me!) Any forgiving easy (slow) turning narrow frontside suggestions?

A buddy offered me used Volkl Blaze 94 with Large Outlawx for $250. If I went with this I would probably also get a narrow frontside ski possibly with Bandits. His boots are the smallest that fit large binding maybe 26.5 mine are the biggest at 30.5. Can I just move the heel piece or do I need a total remount? (He previously had them mounted AT so it would be 3rd mount if I had to move)

Sorry about the long winded post. Any advice appreciated.

I wanted a more resort oriented set up last year and went Transit TTS, mounted to a Summitcone Pariah. I was pleased how it handled on Vermont firm when I was there last winter. I know Outlaw X is very popular on my local Michigan ski hill, and we ski firm conditions quite often. That being said I found the tech pins of the TTS binding quite precise, a big difference from skiing T-4 and 3 pin Hardwire. If you were a big mogul banger I would say Outlaw X would probably be more durable.
I know none of the above answers your question. What I am saying is tech pins ski very nicely, more precise than 75 mm. Outlaw X will also ski well. Meidjo does not ALWAYS release. I have read about people being hurt, one guy being a regular here. It doesn’t mean Meidjo is bad, it just doesn’t always release. BTW 22 Designs has a new non free pivot version of the Outlaw called the Bandit for resort skiing. It’s supposedly to be less expensive, and the brakes are supposed to work well. Maybe another option?
I think the new ski will make a big difference. My Pariah is 97 mm underfoot. I was very nervous about a ski that wide underfoot. I am surprised that it has been quick edge to edge and I have had no difficulty in firm conditions. That being said, I don’t see a problem skiing a modern rocker/camber/rocker ski in the mid-80’s underfoot in soft conditions. I know the Ripstick is available in an 88, I don’t know about Brahmas. I really haven’t researched or know much about resort skis. That’s why I called Fey Brothers and ended up on the Pariah. I have Tele skied a long time, and I know I wanted a ski to flex properly for my weight. I ended up on the shortest ski ever, 177 cm, and it skis well.
To close, either Meidjo or 22 Designs will be an improvement. A modern ski sized properly for your weight, so that it flexes correctly will be an improvement. I would consider something in the 80’s mm underfoot, but I am skiing 97 underfoot on firm without issue.
You can’t have your daughter blowing by you! Well, I guess if we ski long enough it will happen. It just sounds like it’s too early now. I have my modern piste gear partly because a woman my age blew by me on Tele gear at Midwest Telefest a couple years ago!

Thanks so much for the insights!

Interesting about the tech toe being more precise. When I was trying on the boots at Fey brothers I clicked into the Meidjo and was impressed at my perception (at least on the carpet) of the lateral power transfer. I imagined it being more finicky than a toe cage and duck butt. Any other insights about how easy tech is to live with or edge ability compared to toe cage bindings(outlaw/bandit)?

If anyone has thoughts about an approachable narrow “carving” ski and whether it’s reasonable going up 3-4 sizes without remounting the Outlaws it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Going from what you're on (especially old Syner-G's, which I skied ages ago), to the Evo WC boots is about the biggest jump imaginable. It will be a challenging transition unless you just make parallel, non-tele turns. I'm actually surprised the Fey's didn't try to talk you out of them!

If you can return them and get the new Tx Pro (or old ones that haven't been used), that would be step one. I know this seems severe, but I had the Crispi Evo and after half a season ditched them and I expect the WC would be worse. Poor heel hold down and the sole is so stiff it felt like I was always on tip-toe. Unless your plan is to just make parallel turns (In which case I'd just ski alpine). I am hesitant to make this recommendation, as it's pretty extreme but I honestly think you'd hate the Crispis.

I have broken the Meidjo and the Outlaw X, but I would recommend 22 designs slightly for durability. 22D is about to drop the Bandit, which includes ski brakes and drops the touring option. I think it comes out very soon.

https://www.twentytwodesigns.com/bandit ... nding.html

Most modern skis will work for your application. Torsional stiffness would help for icy conditions.
Tech fittings may be very slightly better for instant edge engagement, but I'm pretty happy with my Outlaw X. My next binding would probably be the Bandit, though. One nice thing about 22 D is that their mounting pattern is the same across models. I pulled Hammerheads from my son's Armada JJs and mounted the Outlaw X on and it didn't move the boot center point.

I went from Syner-G's and Axl bindings to the Scarpa Tx and Rottefella Freerides 12 or so years ago
The first day out on the new combo was difficult. In fact, I thought I'd forgotten how to turn. This was after 5 or 6 years of tely skiing.

First, your Syner-Gs probably have lots of rocker launch! Because of that, for years you've skied on a set up that doesn't require pressuring the cuff on the trailing ski. NTN requires plenty of such pressure to drop the knee and break the bellows! On your current set up, you can just bring the knee drop foot back. Initially, that won't work on NTN. You have to put significant pressure on the cuff to get that knee down. You won't be used to that. After a few days, I acclimated, but still noticed that I'd complete a turn and the trailing ski would snap forward because I let up on that pressure. After 7 or 8 days of skiing, I broke the code and had no further problems.
Whatever you end up with, practice getting into and out of your bindings in your house! Really. Especially if you get bindings with tech fittings. And ski brakes do help considerably in this regard as they help stabilize the ski. Also, I do love not having to hook in to leashes.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Sadly my massive 14 2W hobbit feet will not play nice with anything but the Crispi. The biggest size almost/or maybe actually doesn’t fit in length and width and I may still need them blown out by a fitter after the first few runs. I’m a pretty big guy, 230ish and they thought I should go WC over Evo.

I was honestly considering going alpine and wanted the biggest possible change in that direction, I know I have a learning curve ahead. Hopefully it’ll translate to more confidence in icy conditions sooner than later even if that means a fair amount of alpine at times. I will still have my old Synergys and Excursions for when they’re the best tool.

Unless I find something a little narrower but still forgiving I’ll probably go with the Maverick 86s because they’re relatively cheap though I will probably question my binding choice until the moment I order.

Would still love to hear any thoughts on if I would have to remount the Outlaws to go up at least 4 boot sizes if I were to take my buddy up on the cheap Blaze 94s.

Appreciate it!

Vulpes wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2024 2:37 pm

Thanks for the thoughts!

Sadly my massive 14 2W hobbit feet will not play nice with anything but the Crispi. The biggest size almost/or maybe actually doesn’t fit in length and width and I may still need them blown out by a fitter after the first few runs. I’m a pretty big guy, 230ish and they thought I should go WC over Evo.

I was honestly considering going alpine and wanted the biggest possible change in that direction, I know I have a learning curve ahead. Hopefully it’ll translate to more confidence in icy conditions sooner than later even if that means a fair amount of alpine at times. I will still have my old Synergys and Excursions for when they’re the best tool.

Unless I find something a little narrower but still forgiving I’ll probably go with the Maverick 86s because they’re relatively cheap though I will probably question my binding choice until the moment I order.

Would still love to hear any thoughts on if I would have to remount the Outlaws to go up at least 4 boot sizes if I were to take my buddy up on the cheap Blaze 94s.

Appreciate it!

That's legit! Your height and weight and huge feet will all work (I think) to negate the issues I mentioned with the Crispis. And given your size, I'd recommend the Outlaw X with both springs, or if you won't tour, the Bandit.

My other thought is that about 88 underfoot is about as narrow as I like for serious carving (on my 9.5 feet) because otherwise, I get some boot drag leaned over. I would at least consider 92-94 underfoot since you're Bigfoot! The Blaze 94's sound pretty nice, at least to start. There just about isn't a ski made that you wouldn't be able to power, even at slow speeds!

I would take the Blazes to a good ski tuner and put on a side bevel of 2 or 3 degrees and DO have them detune the tip and tail, if they concur. I use 3 degrees just because I like that sharpness - it will help on ice. The factory bevel on Volkls is 1 (base) and 2 (side).
https://www.evo.com/guides/ski-edge-bevel

I would mount the 22D over the current holes, since those are also 22D. On Meidjo's, I've broken off tech fittings and I'm only 150 lbs. If you then think they'd be better forward, move the binding forward, mounted on the back 4 binding holes. If that's better, drill the remaining 2 holes. You might also consider inserts like Binding Freedom, as you will put a LOT of pulling force on the mount.
https://www.bindingfreedom.com/

Already some good Advice on here. I will just add that I run a demo fleet of NTN boots and 22D bindings all mounted on J skis that are under a year old and skied lest than 20 times.

Demos over here in Saranac Lake are free but if I am over in Burlington I could bring skis over and let you try them.

22D is amazing to work with. They fix any issues for free and ship new parts within 2 days. For only resort I recommend the Bandit. Just got 3 pair for my demo fleet. Pin toes are not meant to be skied at the resort as a daily driver. They will wear out and get sloppy over time.

Check out our website: https://www.atkinsonadkcraft.com/noco-kneedroppers

Thank you both! Much as I like the idea of the Meidjos sounds like I may prefer the reality of 22 designs.

I didn’t really think about width and boot out. I was just looking through rose colored glasses and reminiscing about how quick my old 78 mm T3s were edge to edge survival skiing ice. Will probably stick to mid 8Os.

Thanks for the link, looks awesome! Love the ADK! Actually have a good buddy in Saranac Lake I get together with for the odd adventure, we’ve actually talked about a family day on Pisgah. I appreciate the demo offer, perhaps we’ll cross paths sometime.