Asnes Ingstad BC 2018 Ski Review

[lilcliffy]

No idea whether the Gamme 54 is updated...BUT- it has always had a "rockered" tip- with a "moderate wax pocket" (i.e. camber-and-a-half), and "longitudinally-rigid flex".

Some of the folks on this site have testified to the Gamme 54 having a truly rockered tip- but the photo on the site of the Gamme 54 lying flat on the floor shows a traditional non-rockered tip until the camber is squashed (i.e. "Nordic rocker"):

HBS' video clip of his 2016(?) Nansen show some Nordic rocker once the camber is compressed:

Though- much less than the new Ingstad...

[Johnny]

Definitely waiting for LaCordee and Norseman stock and pricing.

I just got an email from the senior buyer at La Cordee today... Apparently there was a problem with their Asnes order but they should receive the skis in a few weeks. They will have 3 new models available soon, the Nansen BC, the Amundsen Fram BC and of course the Ingstad BC. They will be priced at 489$ CAD... And stocks will be very limited...

[w8n4snow]

Last I checked, Neptune still had a full size range (when I ordered some 205s!!!). $429USD. Now they seem to be lost in the shipping void!? Welcome to living in rural Alaska... 2 day fed ex takes a month. If they get here at all!?

I've been waiting years for a ski like this, so I'll wait a bit longer I suppose! Can't wait to get on em- we've been skiing for weeks here north of the AK Range. And it's been very good- too deep for Nansens. My Nansens have no Nordic rocker by the way, nor do they ski like it. Very fast with a nice flex pattern, traditional well made ski. They do it all, but do not shred like my e109s. However, I have shredded my e109s to tatters in two years! Not a durable ski at all, at least for someone who skis daily in the subarctic. I will share more when (and if) the Ingstads show up. My ski bench is ready.

[Johnny]

we've been skiing for weeks here north of the AK Range.

Niiice...! 20th powder day here near the VT border... Not bad for November...!

In the case Neptune won't stock Asnes skis this season, which I doubt, you will be able to order the Ingstads for 380$ USD at LaCordee... Shipping to AK is something like 30$... But they usually don't carry very long sizes... We'll see...

I have only been skiing them for a few days... The huge NR on the Ingstad BC is not super noticeable on deep fluff. But it really shines when you can feel a bottom beneath fresh snow or on a few days old consolidated powder. They are also super fun on tracks, and windswept snow. They are a perfect ski for most BC conditions you can expect when going out. But for deep deep stuff, I would have taken even more of that nice NR...! (Or simply a longer size when it's too deep...) Hey, there are SO many possibilities.... Even more NR height... Different height and contact points of different types of skis... And I have only tested a very small percentage of what this amazing ski can do...

I think this is just the very beginning of the whole NR thing. This is just the first experiments and prototypes. This is without a doubt THE future of XCD skis: A perfect balance between camber, flex, and now rocker and nordic rocker contact points, taper and height.

[lilcliffy]

I've been waiting years for a ski like this, so I'll wait a bit longer I suppose!

Did you buy the new Ingstad- or the previous generation?

too deep for Nansens.

This is great experienced info...And not surprising with that narrow waist...

My Nansens have no Nordic rocker by the way, nor do they ski like it.

Again- thank you- great info.

They do it all, but do not shred like my e109s.

VERY interesting...I am assuming that you have the current model E109 with the Nordic-rockered tip? What produces that "turniness" in the E109 vs. the Nansen- the rockered tip?

My wish is more for tip rocker- with less sidecut- on these midwidth BC-XCD skis designed for fresh, soft snow. More width underfoot = better flotation and traction. The rockered tip can make up for the loss of sidecut on fresh, soft snow. They would track better when XC skiing in deep soft snow as well...

However, I have shredded my e109s to tatters in two years! Not a durable ski at all,

This, unfortunately, does not surprise me- performance and cost reduction over durability...

I will share more when (and if) the Ingstads show up. My ski bench is ready.

Looking forward to it!

[lilcliffy]

I have only been skiing them for a few days... The huge NR on the Ingstad BC is not super noticeable on deep fluff. But it really shines when you can feel a bottom beneath fresh snow or on a few days old consolidated powder.

How stable are they in truly deep snow?

[Cannatonic]

My Gamme 54 have some nordic rocker but I would categorize it as miniscule, it looks about the same as my 2011-2012 vintage E99's, and only slightly more than my Asnes Mountain Tour 51's - the tips open maybe 1-2cm farther back.

[w8n4snow]

I ordered the new Ingstad BC of course! In 205, same as my Nansens. I do ski with a pack mostly, sometimes a pulk on trips,and wanting a fast ski with max floatation for breaking trail, I went long. E109s (yes new rockered version) are slow on our cold snow, don't break trail for crap, and can't be tuned well with their dainty edges and waxless base- I'm talking longevity tuning here, sharpening filing filling grinding. Abrasive cold snow, usually shallowish snowpack, above tree line rocks, no "trails"... all these things wear out skis eventually, but I have many pairs that are still cruising along thanks to their rejuvenating spa days in the shop. However, e109s are very fun on the hills and routes around our place, shredding up and down. Their willingness to turn and dance I attribute mostly to the NR, and some to sidecut (a little too squirrelly on the flats, but hey). They opened my eyes to NR and left me wanting more. I have a feeling that lil' cliffy and I are on the same page about all this.

I am pumped to hear your initial assessment LJ! We usually do not have catalog conditions around here, and are not deterred by such like, and it sounds like Helge in his new getup will be game for whatever. I am keen to hear your opinion of mounting position at this point.( Nnnbc of course! I have yet to bust a NNNBC binding blah blah blah not trying to start some debate but impressed with them for 15 years) Usually bars on balance point is my jam and as Asnes builds a balanced ski im not expecting any weirdness.

Enough prattling on for now, can barely stand to deal with the conputter but I have enjoyed reading the forum from time to time and it's time to put a little back in. Will check the friggin mail tomorrow.

[Johnny]

They are actually very stable... But I was not on very challenging terrain... I never owned any Europas so I can't compare... And I was so excited about all the snow that I almost forgot about the skis... (Which is a good sign isn't it? )

I will have more feedback when I will put more miles on them, on different terrain and conditions... About mounting, I guess I must be a bit stubborn, I did not follow Asnes recommendation to the letter... After standing on the skis with my boots on (Alaska BCs) and trying to visualize internally the best mounting point (A very advanced yogic XCD technique from the Himalayas), I ended up mounting the NNN bar about 1-2cm back of balance point... Well, which actually is pretty much the same as pin line on BP with NN boots.

My first impressions were that it was not enough, that I should have mounted them back even more... But hey, that is definitely not my verdict... That was just a few quick tracks on pre-season days... And my first experiments with 410mm of rocker on XC skis...! One should not expect the first runs on a ski like that to be like an ordinary ski...

But that was just enough to make me even more excited about them... I think I will LOOooove them...

[lilcliffy]

They are actually very stable... But I was not on very challenging terrain...

I am not worried about the challenging terrain- not for the new Ingstad- nor for you!

I am sure those open tips are going to be dreamy downhill skiing.

What I am concerned with is if that Nordic-rockered tip is ultra soft and wimpy- or whether it is suppportive and integrated into the overall flex of the ski. If that tip is not supportive enough- they will be fine as downhill ski- but they will suck as a XC ski in deep snow...

And I was so excited about all the snow that I almost forgot about the skis... (Which is a good sign isn't it? )

That is a good sign- and, I am JEALOUS- the snow base is VERY late here in the hills!

I did not follow Asnes recommendation to the letter...

What was their recommendation?

After standing on the skis with my boots on (Alaska BCs) and trying to visualize internally the best mounting point (A very advanced yogic XCD technique from the Himalayas),

love it- Namaste brother