Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

A bit of an offtopic for this forum, because I'm looking to build a boot/binding for ascend skis. But I promise to do some tele turns on them as well when finished (I think I still remember how to do it)

I have a set of foldable ascend ski's that I use to climb when snowsurfing some bigger mountains. The setup is very lightweight, right now I'm using NN BC boots but for the surfing down part I would prefer to use specific snowsurf boots, becuase we ride without bindings downhill so a grippy softboot helps with feel. I like the Rottefella binding setup because its cheap and it's the only binding that lets me fold the ski flat and has a climbing wire build in.



My plan is to build pins into a snowsurf boot, by 3d printing a rubber nose and gluing it on. I basically have nothing to lose if I try this out first, worst case it doesnt work and I have to rip it off.

To model this I would need a few sizes in mm of the Xplore system. The pin diameter and how far it sticks out of the shoe. the width of the pins uncompressed accros the boot. Any binding measurements would help, mostly the height of the pin insert and the opening width and closed width.

I know this is a lot to ask, but giving me these measurements will get a lot of good karma and a free invite to my cabin in Telemark Norway. We're about 20 minutes away from the birthplace Telemark skiing and I have a set of powder ski's in the shed as well as a fjellski setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlUfiaqNiPE&t=1s

ieism wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:46 pm

To model this I would need a few sizes in mm of the Xplore system. The pin diameter and how far it sticks out of the shoe. the width of the pins uncompressed accros the boot. Any binding measurements would help, mostly the height of the pin insert and the opening width and closed width.

I know this is a lot to ask, but giving me these measurements will get a lot of good karma and a free invite to my cabin in Telemark Norway. We're about 20 minutes away from the birthplace Telemark skiing and I have a set of powder ski's in the shed as well as a fjellski setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlUfiaqNiPE&t=1sScreenshot 2024-12-02 at 20.27.56.JPG

Here are some measurements, @ieism . They do not take into account significant digits or manufacturing differences between one boot and another. If I measured all my boots and all my pins and took the average that would be a better number. This is from one pair of Alpina Alaska boots. I've also found that even though Europe uses the metric system many of their designs are still English sizes so I've provided both. There isn't really an open and closed binding measurement so I've provided the measurement that makes sense: the width of the plates that hold the boot laterally.

Pin Diameter: 3/16" / 4.91mm
Pin Height: 5/32"/ 4.1mm
Pin Width: 3 1/16" / 77.7mm
Nose Width: 2 3/4" / 69.95
Distance from center of pin to bottom of sole: 1/4" / 6.52mm

Binding width: 2 49/64" / 70.22mm

The nose of the boot has a very specific shape. I think to do what you are doing you might want to source a pair, borrow a pair, or maybe find a broken pair.

I'm seriously thinking of going to the Fonna Telemark ski camp this summer so might take you up on your offer!

That is awesome and exactly what I needed. I can find a lot of images of the boots toes and importing them into my CAD software will give me a pretty good idea of that shape I think.
Snow has started to fall here so I think it will have to wait for now, but if I manage to get this done this winter I will update.

I read in the newspaper about a week ago that Folgefonna will remain closed from now on. The glacier has melted to the point where it was no longer a connected downhill I think or they could not get snow to the lower lift part. Something like that. Not saying that the Tele event will also be cancelled, but it will be different for sure. Still, let me know if you're in the area.

Interesting use ieism; foldable skis for the ascent and snowsurfer board for the descent. I assume you have or have tried snowshoes too? Is the most common for snowboarders that don't have splitboards, but I have not tried any of them. Snowsurfer boards looks like great fun in soft snow.

I find two types/models of foldable skis. The first are from Elan Voyager and are for ease of traveling and are heavy and soft alpine skis. The other type is from MTN Approach and is foldable skis for snowboarders, and they have bindings made for soft boots. What kind of skis do you have?

An alternative could be using the Fischer BCX Traverse Xplore boot both for both ascent and descent, as it looks (to me) a bit similar to the soft boot you use. The Xplore sole is quite grippy, but also quite stiff which might not suit your use. I suggest you try that boot on to see if it feels good and suitable:

An other alternative is OAC with integrated skins and bindings for soft boots in 129 cm length and 120 mm width. Altai has similar offering 125 cm long and 109 mm wide.

Your plan seems intriguing with little new gear to be acquired, so please come back with your result. I know there are some tinkerers here, but there seems to be even more over at Backcountry Talk. There an example: https://www.backcountrytalk.com/forum/b ... -2024-2025


Regarding Fonna; The glacier has receded and shrunk, so lifts need to be moved. They lifts are from the seventies and needs to be updated, so significant investments are needed. The resort has run a deficit for several years and the future for the snow conditions looks bleak, so they have declared bankruptcy and the old sponsors have withdrawn. It is a spectacular location and both professional and recreational skiers will miss it, but we can always hope someone picks up the torch.

I have snowshoes and have been a splitboarder for about 15 years as well. But htere is nothing faster uphill than a short approach ski (except my snowkites) and I need to be able to have it on my backpack on the way down with minimal weight. The foldable ski I use are a new brand called Lope Snow Gear that will be a kickstarter this winter. I've also used MTN approach but they are way too heavy for me.

I have a Fischer Bcx that I use now with NNN BC, the boot is very comfortable but the sole is too stiff and hard. I have a few other brands BC for Fjellski as well. It's like riding a skateboard with hiking boots, it just doesnt have the right feel.