Asnes Rabb 68 Ski Review

[lowangle al]

Based on a post by Woodserson about using the Rabb for a resort and a bc ski I started thinking this ski may be a better choice for me than the Ingstad. As far as touring goes I have been going fast enough and far enough on other single camber skis and for the downhill 70mm was a sweet spot for me using either leather or plastic boots. It's thin enough to get on edge easily and wide enough to get through most bc conditions except breakable crust. After reading Johnnys OP how could someone not want a pair?

Verskis, as far as the skis wandering, I think that you will get used to it as long as the DH performance is good enough to make it worthwhile. They should also track better with the excursions than your leather boots.

By the way, when people refer to corn snow, do they refer to a slushy type of snow?

Slush is melting fresh powder while corn snow has gone through more freeze thaw cycles and has bigger grains. Slush is good to ski as long as it's on a firm base, it has a velvety feel.

[Nitram Tocrut]

Based on a post by Woodserson about using the Rabb for a resort and a bc ski I started thinking this ski may be a better choice for me than the Ingstad.


Slush is melting fresh powder while corn snow has gone through more freeze thaw cycles and has bigger grains. Slush is good to ski as long as it's on a firm base, it has a velvety feel.

I would not use the Ingstad as a resort ski, in my opinion they are too soft... but that might be due to the fact that I am not a great telemark skier... not yet I own Ingstad and they are great skis but I have a hard time turning them on anything slightly hard... BTW, I am looking to buy a pair of ski for the resort and I considered the RAAB but I kind of think that it is too similar to the Ingstad that is why I am also evaluating the Tindan.

Thank's for the answer about corn snow, that is what I skied on last Friday on a southeast oriented slope after a warm sunny day and the Ingstad were great in corn snow. That convinced me to sell my alpine gear as I remembered how much more fun doing telemark turns were more fun... but you all know about that

[lowangle al]

Thanks Nitram but the Ingstad was going to be for touring. I was going to use old skis or pick up some cheap modern skis for the resort. Woods's post made me realize the weak spot in my quiver for a resort ski and the possibility of getting a good resort ski that I can also use in the bc.

[Verskis]

In a perfect world, I would like to have a ski that tracks straight during the kick and glide on hardpack. I would not even need a very snappy kick, as I am quite happy with the Eons on the hardpacked trails. It's just the wandering of the Rabbs that make them slightly annoying on

I suggest you try using the skins in those conditions. That is what I do with my Ingstad and i don’t even take them off to downhill as they slow me down a bit which is good for a beginner telemarker like me I have had the skins for the last 2-3 weeks with our snow conditions varying from crust to “slushy snow” on a hard base. They do wonder for me as I just have to open the door, put the ski on and just go!

By the way, when people refer to corn snow, do they refer to a slushy type of snow?

Martin, thanks for the suggestion, but I have frequently used kicker skins in conditions where the kick wax is a pain in the ass. It doesn't really help with the skis wandering, as I am talking about them wandering sideways, not longitudally. It's not a grip problem, it is a problem of the skis wanting to turn, or rotate (= pivot) when I'd like them to remain dead straight. And sometimes they even slip sideways a bit when I'm doing a forceful kick.
But these problems only exist on a hardpack, not on soft snow.

AL, like you said, I have grown to tolerate these traits in exchange for a sweet downhill performance.
The Rabbs are skis that can go the distance, as long as there are some nice hills to be skied down.
For a distance-focused touring on flat terrain there are much better options, though.

[Johnny]

My verdict after one season: The Rabbs are freaking awesome. From backcountry pow to frontside groomers, they are truly amaaaaazing. As I have said before:

You know that nice surfy and turny feeling of big, heavy, oversized fat rockered skis? Well, you can now get this same feeling on a super light downsized ski. Nimble enough to be driven by any kind of leather shoes.

Well really, this is exactly what the Rabb 68 is. Totally amazing under any condition. I have never, ever seen before a ski with such a quick reaction time. Just take a deep breath, let go of everything and the Rabb 68 will take you down the mountain like a superstar.

Oh by the way... The Rabb is really THE ultimate XCD springtime ski, from bumps to BC corn.
Having. Too much. Fuuuun.

[aquamogal]

Anyone try the rabbs with Alpena Alaska and nnnbc ? Thx Marlow

[Johnny]

Yep, this is my exactly my downhill setup for resorts: Rabb68 + Alaskas + NNN

[aquamogal]

Yep, this is my exactly my downhill setup for resorts: Rabb68 + Alaskas + NNN

Wow that is a dream !!

[aquamogal]

Yep, this is my exactly my downhill setup for resorts: Rabb68 + Alaskas + NNN

What line did you use for nnn mounting ? and do you like it ?
https://telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1870

I also see this helpful info:
You don’t like wax? Just slap your favorite X-Skin (My favorite is the 40mm RACE) under and you have a nice cross-country ski for any snow condition. Need more traction? Go for the 74mm Access skins and you have a climbing machine, with absolutely no need for long, heavy and sluggish full skins.

Anyone tried these as well ?
https://www.en.asnes.com/produkt/x-skin-58mm-mohair/
https://www.en.asnes.com/produkt/x-skin-58mm-nylon/

Trying to figure out how to get these in a 1172, I have an email into neptune but no response yet.

[aquamogal]

ooops thats 172 not 1172 LOL