Ski Review: 2019 Åsnes Gamme 54 BC

[Woodserson]

Yeah, Stephen! Good choice.

[Musk Ox]

They're really good, aren't they?

I sold my Mountain Races to buy a pair a pair of Gammes and I've not been in a situation yet where I regretted it. They're much better in deep snow and on descents.

[Stephen]

@Musk Ox The MR48 was great in the track and carried over onto trails nicely, but I had the sense I wasn’t going to use them enough to justify, and am, so far, very happy with the adjustment to my ski selection (AKA, quiver — I’m not much for jargon).


Latest “adjustment” is trade FT62 188 for Objective 178 with NNN BC.
More to follow...

[lilcliffy]

@Stephen
Wicked.
Beautiful photos man.
Amazing ski.
I have put an insane number of miles and hills on this ski this winter.
Gareth

[Hunttr]

As far as my weight goes for the Gamme 54 I'm curious if anyone has any insight.6'2" and 215 lbs. I believe the chart states >190 lbs-->210 cm.I have a feeling I may be a little heavy for these skis according to what I have read regarding other peoples wt vs size.Fisheater says he can easily squash the 210s with all weight on one foot and he weighs 195 lbs.They may very from ski to ski but unfortunately their are no dealers close to me here in RI for me to properly size.Thanks for any input.

[riel]

As far as my weight goes for the Gamme 54 I'm curious if anyone has any insight.6'2" and 215 lbs. I believe the chart states >190 lbs-->210 cm.I have a feeling I may be a little heavy for these skis according to what I have read regarding other peoples wt vs size.Fisheater says he can easily squash the 210s with all weight on one foot and he weighs 195 lbs.They may very from ski to ski but unfortunately their are no dealers close to me here in RI for me to properly size.Thanks for any input.

I weigh about the same, and skied 12 miles on Wooderson's 210cm long Gammes a few weeks ago.

They are the best skis I have ever used. They glide fast, even uphill, are super stable, and fairly easy to initiate turns with. Oh, I was wearing a pack as well, so definitely heavier than your 215 lbs that day

[Hunttr]

Thanks Riel, that is very helpfull.!

[lilcliffy]

As far as my weight goes for the Gamme 54 I'm curious if anyone has any insight.6'2" and 215 lbs. I believe the chart states >190 lbs-->210 cm.I have a feeling I may be a little heavy for these skis according to what I have read regarding other peoples wt vs size.Fisheater says he can easily squash the 210s with all weight on one foot and he weighs 195 lbs.They may very from ski to ski but unfortunately their are no dealers close to me here in RI for me to properly size.Thanks for any input.

To clarify- Fisheater can squash the 210cm Gamme 54 with both feet equally weighted- as can I at ~180+lbs (i.e. depending on pack wieght).
From my perspective one doesn't want a backcountry Nordic ski with a TRULY effective wax pocket.
Classic XC TRACK skis have a TRULY effective wax pocket such that the camber in the kick zone must be fully (even forcefully in some cases) weighted to engage the traction zone.- this would be TERRIBLE in deep snow and steep slopes.
The Gamme 54 does have an "effective" wax pocket in that the traction zone/wax pocket/kicker skin does release from the snow as you stride forwards.
If the 210cm Gamme 54 camber was not squashed when I stand on it evenly- I would not be able to use it in the backcountry and would need a shorter length.
Hope I am being helful here!

Are you concerned that- at your weight- the 210cm will not offer an effective "wax pocket" or are you concerned about other things- for example flotation?
Gareth

[lilcliffy]

@Hunttr Riel's testing of the 210cm Gamme 54 should be particularly relevant for you as you are both of a similar weight.
I know that Woodserson has had some issues in steep terrain with the 210cm Gamme 54- but Woods WEIGHS a lot less than you or Riel. I am in between.
The real question in my mind is whether Asnes shouldn't be making distance-oriented skis like the Gamme/Amundsen in even longer lengths than 210cm...
If a 210cm Gamme is perfect for me at ~180+lbs- then I would think that skiers that are 210+lbs would do better on a 220cm Gamme...

[Olaf]

Has anyone skied the Gamme 54 with 3 pin bindings and leather Snowfield class boots? What were your impression on this combination?