Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Ability, Beginner telemarker, convert from AT
Weight, 150 lbs, Height 5'6" Age 67
Ski, 176cm
Boots, Crispi Evo 26.5, 306.5 ? (BSL not on boot), Scarpa TX Pro 2025 27.5, 308mm
Bindings Outlaw X/brakes L

Background

The story behind two pair of boots is the result of fighting with a replacement, easy to install bathroom vent fan for two hours. Rather than reward myself with a cold and delicious beverage, I went to the ski shop to find a boot with a greater cuff range of motion. The TX will be used primarily for touring and paired with Summitcone Outcast 97C's/Meidjo's. Review coming later.

To prep for telemark, I purchased digital tutorials and at started shuffling around the house practising the telemark stance and forward lead changes.

To date, I have 3 days on the skis using both pair of boots and prefer the Crispi's for this ski. I feel the Evo's bellows are firmer but the cuff flex softer than the TX's.

The Ski

Take this short review with a grain of salt because I don't know much and sometimes make things up.

Turning the ski is effortless, edge hold is very good and they ride smooth/quiet on frozen granular snow. I did manage to make a few turns in 10 inches or so of low density powder at a very low slope angle of maybe 10 degrees. Not that the skis floated much but, they did not need a lot of input/muscle to turn in that snow.

In my opinion the Blitz 86 is a very predictable, forgiving ski and would recommend it for any telemark skier looking for a relaxing ride. Additionally, I understand it can also hold it's own ripping carved turns.

Welcome to the world of Telemark. Your impression of the stiff cuff of the new TX Pro, matches most of reviews.
Maybe that ends more credibility to your ski review!
I admire you coming to Telemark at your age, of course I am much younger. I’m only 63 !

Thanks Fisheater. I am enjoying learning telemark and making unpredictable turns while having fun. Regarding my age, I haven't had my growth spurt yet so I look and act much younger.

I bought a pair of Blitz 88 last year but couldn't get off my Pariah's enough days to give them a go.

This year I have been absolutely loving them. The conditions at the local resort (Arizona Snowbowl) has been mostly man made groomers with some icy spots. I bought these skis for these exact conditions and they really excel. Paired with BMF's, Cripi WC's and having 88 underfoot really allows me to rail the skis.

I have been focusing on "finishing the turn" and I feel like I can actually carve these. Great flex, perfect radius and light.

You really can't go wrong with the Summitcone line. They are not terribly expensive and are made by Icelandic skis and white labeled for the Fey Bros. Tele specs, high quality, great price and the Fey' Bros are true ambassadors of the turn.

I have skied Fishers, Scotts, K2 and Head's over the past 30 years and can't recommend Summitcone's enough.

The Fey's service has been stellar. I called them a few weeks ago and ordered the Blitz's specifically for riding the hamster wheel. This, after mounting K2 mindbender 99ti's with Outlaws and attempting to ski them on hard snow. " It wasn't pretty" (Rene Martin). I'll try the K2's in snow and see how that works out.

My resort is Alta and for the most part conditions have been similar to yours which, have been perfect for doing drills.

The Blitz has been a real confidence builder for me and from what I gather from your and others comments, performs quite well and has a sweet spot the size of a Texas.