The Åsnes Thread (News for 2020-2021!)

[Nitram Tocrut]

>>
FALKETIND 62 BC: 196cm (Wow!)
BREIDABLIKK BC: 210cm (Wow!)

good news - Breidablikk are extremely light skis......210's would be perfect for hunting, or making turns, in deep powder

Would not the Kingsvold be better in powder with it’s wider tip and underfoot? Anybody on this forum ever skied those? It’s just for the fun of reading... no intention of buying here

I think that the advantage of the Kongsvold must be in steep terrain. As a comparison- my 199cm Fischer Excusion (68mm) is not a better deep-snow XC ski than my 210cm Combat Nato (62cm). IMO/IME, deep snow XC performance is not just a function of ski surface area. I bet the 210cm Breid is a more stable and better tracking deep-snow XC ski than the wider, curvier Kongsvold...
The Kongsvold with its 30cm of sidecut, stiff mid-section, and soft tip screams "pool-cover syndrome" as a deep snow XC ski...They are probably dreamy on steep slopes and "hunting at treeline and turns in deep snow"...

Actually I am curious to know in which conditions one could use the Kongsvold for example and so many of other Asnes skis that seems to occupy their own niche. For the Kongsvold we can read in Asnes web site that it is a good ski to hunt with your dog at the tree line... but actually who really do that (no offense to those who does...). It is similar ™ geometry to the FT 62 but way heavier. Maybe many of those skis are produced in small quantity for niche market?

Just being curious... I asked Crister to jump in and enlighten us!

[CwmRaider]

Actually I am curious to know in which conditions one could use the Kongsvold for example and so many of other Asnes skis that seems to occupy their own niche. For the Kongsvold we can read in Asnes web site that it is a good ski to hunt with your dog at the tree line... but actually who really do that (no offense to those who does...). It is similar ™ geometry to the FT 62 but way heavier. Maybe many of those skis are produced in small quantity for niche market?

Just being curious... I asked Crister to jump in and enlighten us!

I'm no hunter but the tree line in Norway depends on the distance from the coast and the latitude. In many parts of the coast the tree line is around 500m or lower. It seems inevitable that one would hunt near / above the treeline, especially for prey like grouse / hares / fox. Hunting season depends on the prey but it extends into February - March for certain small game.

Tree line map, countours of tree line in meters. Source https://link.springer.com/article/10.10 ... 018-0670-8


The lack of steel edges is to reduce injuries to whatever dogs you have if you ski over their paws...

[Åsnes1922]

Hey Crister-

Can you give us a comparison between the Borge Ousland BC vs Gamme 54 BC?

From reading the Asnes site the Ousland sounds like it has a softer tip- is this true? And- if, so- does the softer more flexible tip make it better in a Classic groomed track than the Gamme?

Is the camber underfoot similar- or does the Ousland have more camber than the Gamme?
Thanks,
Gareth

Hi Gareth,

Sorry for my late response. I hope everyone in here is not too affected by the whole Covid-19 situation and everything else going on. It's crazy times, but here at Åsnes we're still going strong.

I can give you a short summary of the comparisons:

It's not the easiest comparison, as there are some individual differences between the models. But I can ensure you will feel the difference, in a good way, when used in the arctic and polar regions. But yes, the flex is definitely on the stiffer side – more in line with the Gamme and Amundsen ski - a bit stiffer in fact. In many ways, the new Børge Ousland BC ski is a hybrid of the Ingstad, Gamme, and Amundsen ski. If that makes any sense to you?

It’s made after the preferences of Børge himself and the guides in his company, Ousland Explorers. It will fit into groomed tracks lite the other narrower skis we have and easiest be classified as a modern and innovative twist on a successful recipe for expedition and bc trail skis.

The Børge Ousland ski will be marketed as a very versatile ski, as it is. It is suitable as a really good and super-lightweight expedition ski as well as a really good touring ski for long traverses, tracks and resort use. It will weigh in at just over 800g per ski (200cm), which is really light in this segment – especially for a robust ski. It will be very directional, fast and glide well on flats. It also comes with a stiff mid-section and a high wax pocket, like the Gamme 54, but with even more Nordic Rocker, mnore sidecut for a narrow ski and a good taper. It will have the best from the Amundsen Fram and the Gamme 54, revised and combined in a lightweight and narrower package. Historically, similar sidecuts and skis as in Børge Ousland BC and has been really popular and perfect for long crossings and expeditions. We have applied our knowledge and experience from decades of expedition skiing, and the new Børge Ousland BC is a new generation, versatile and modern BC ski.

Børge and his guides wanted a narrower waist (like the old Rago ski, which some of the old pioneers in this game loves) and a ski that more on the directional side, stiff, and with a more classic camber profile. Meaning a stiffer waist, and a different profile on the flex-pattern to give a good wax pocket. This basically just means a more directional and effective ski when loaded, which is key on the extreme outings Børge does.

When we landed those details, they wanted a little bit more sidecut for turnability, like in the Gamme, and pretty much wanted a tip similar to the Ingstad – with generous Nordic Rocker and taper. All in all, I think this is a really interesesting and very lightweigh ski (just around 900g per ski in 200cm).

As climatic changes has affected the polar regions and Greenland (where they guide a lot) quite a bit the last decade, the generously rockered tip has been a success. The snow conditions are generally softer, and there is a lot more sasturgi and windeffected snow - so the softer and more forgiving tip is very good at handling those conditions. Our ambassador Christian Iversen Styve, the polar guide, used it to guide in and out from the South Pole in November, and he could not praise the ski enough.

I suspect that the Børge Ousland BC ski will be the new gold standard for arctic and polar expeditions, as well as for long outings, traverses and the Åsnes Expedition Amundsen race. It is just more playful and versatile than the Amundsen ski, with a lot of the same adventages.

The Amundsen is still unique because of it’s longitudinal and even camber/flex profile from tip to tail, so it will have it’s place. But in a more commercial sense, I believe the Børge Ousland BC will appeal to more people.

To avoid confusion, the Amundsen Fram is only available in a Waxless version from now on. The Amundsen Fram BC is buried for now. We suspect that the Børge Ousland BC will be more attractive for the same customers, hence the weight and significant upgrades.

I hope this clears out a few thing? If not, let me know. I'll answer any follow up questions with pleasure!

[Åsnes1922]

>>
FALKETIND 62 BC: 196cm (Wow!)
BREIDABLIKK BC: 210cm (Wow!)

good news - Breidablikk are extremely light skis......210's would be perfect for hunting, or making turns, in deep powder

I wonder if the Breidablikk is not simply an Ingstad without metal edges as they have the same dimensions?

I also wonder if the 196 Cm FT62 would significantly improve the K&G performance without impairing its turning easiness? They are so easy to turn that I don’t think it would make a big difference to a big guy like me 6,1 and over 200? I guess they are doing a longer version especially for better K&G. If so, anybody wants a pair of 188 Cm FT62?

Hi there,

The Breidablikk is indeed basically an Ingstad without steel edges. In my mind, the most versatile dog friendly (and hunting specific) ski on the market. Is has a lot of the same shape as the combat, but with just a bit of Nordic Rocker and a softer tip. The softer tips make it very easy to handle and turn - and it's lightweight! Actually, it is the most sold ski in the world without steel edges - with a huge margin, which speaks for itself...

The 196cm FT62 definitely has a significantly better K&G performance. That's a very logical and very true statement. It might be a bit long for shorter and lighter skiers, but if you can handle a longer ski it is phenomenal. I'm sure I have mentioned that I objectively love the FT62, and that they're my go-to skis for both playful, aggressive skiing and shorter day trips. Ergo, the most used BC ski I have in my (very too big) quiver.
We decided to make this and the Breidablikk in longer lengths primarily for heavier skiers, but the extra length will also be beneficial in deeper snow, for K&G and for everyone wanting a longer ski - with all its benefits.

I'm sure you would find the 196 FT62 WAAY better in terms of K&G performance with your body specs, compared to the 188cm. I'm 178cm and around 80kg, and I love the 188cm. But when testing and reviewing the 196cm, I could definitely feel the difference on flats and when traversing longer multi-day distances in deeper snow. It just glides better - and it's still not too long.

To compare, I tend to choose the 205cm Ingstad over the 195cm one, even though both work fine for me. So for me, the FT62 196 just feels like a more playful, more relaxing downhill, agile and stable 205cm Ingstad. Probably more suited for your snow conditions than here in coastal Norway.

[Åsnes1922]

>>
FALKETIND 62 BC: 196cm (Wow!)
BREIDABLIKK BC: 210cm (Wow!)

good news - Breidablikk are extremely light skis......210's would be perfect for hunting, or making turns, in deep powder

Would not the Kingsvold be better in powder with it’s a wider tip and underfoot? Anybody on this forum ever skied those? It’s just for the fun of reading... no intention of buying here

Hi,

The Kongsvold is better for downhill skiing in deeper conditions, as it is wider and has a significant bigger sidecut. It is also a generally thicker ski, with more wood in it - making it stiffer and more responsive. But on the other hand, it has a very little pocket and not that much camber, so the weight-bearing abilities, kick and glide can not be compared to the Breidablikk on that note. The Kongsvold is basically a down-scaled AT ski, with a little bit of camber.

When we made the Kongsvold, it was made to basically be a hunters choice for deep snow hunting in lowland forests, and the treeline, as a way better option than snowshoes. That is why it is quite stiff and flat, so that it does not bend too much in deep snow and keeps you on top of the powder when sneaking.

If you want a good allrounder, the Breidablikk (a "Ingstad without steel edges") is probably the best option.

[Åsnes1922]

No new Asnes models for the 2020-2021 season... And VERY sadly, no wider waxless skis either...

But the good news is that they have been experimenting with wide waxless skis. They have some prototypes being tested, and hopefully they will come out before I spend all my money on... Wait, on what? There are no good 65-85mm waisted WL skis available on the market!!! (Fischers are great but way too cambered for my taste, and Rossignols are crappy...) Why isn't anyone jumping on that niche?!?

The other good news is that they will have 2 new very interesting sizes available for the next season:

FALKETIND 62 BC: 196cm (Wow!)
BREIDABLIKK BC: 210cm (Wow!)


FT-196.jpg

BREI-210.jpg

Hi all you guys,

We know you're eager to find wider WL skis and to ease your minds, we are indeed testing and developing things. I can't promise anything, but we are definitely exploring options and I'm testing my fair share of skis with WL patterns and other "Secret Projects".

As for now, the Covid-19 put a stop to some development. We had to do a few decisions and had to adapt to the situation and how the world is right now. We have become a very resilient and adaptable small team throughout the years, so we only think positively about current events. We only see possibilities and not problems!

With that said, we can't promise anything. But development has been a bit delayed caused by lay-offs and some downtime, but I'm sure we will come back with some exciting new development next season and that the next 3-4 years will be very exciting for you Åsnes lovers.

In the meantime, I have updated the webpage and will continue to do so in the next month. New products will show up there as well, so stay tuned.

All our X-Skins will get a more bombproof SkinProtector and new materials from next season. And we have already released a new X-Skin 45mm Mix, made from the very good Pomoca Climb 2.0 material - WITH A WATERPROOF membrane. I've tested the Pomoca Climb 2.0 skins on AT skis a very long time, and it's on of the best climbing skins out there. The last two seasons I have tested the same fabric on our X-Skins, and I must say, it's really good. It feels like the Mohair, but it handles humidity and being taken on and of the skis a lot better. It's basically a more durable skin with a lot of the same properties as the Mohair version.

The Mohair is still naural hair, and it stands out on dry snow and in deep snow, but other than that, the Mix versions is pretty darn good. We have been early with PFC/PFOA free skins, as both Colltex and Pomoca (our partners, and the guys making our skin fabrics) is leading the way on a cleaner climbing skin industry, but from last season, all of our skins are 100% PFC/PFOA free and currently the best options available (if you care about the planet ).

This is a really good addition to our short skin collection, and we suspect it will take some of the marked shares from the 100% Nylon skins. Check them out:

https://www.en.asnes.com/produkt/x-skin-45mm-mix/

[Cannatonic]

>>Are you thinking waxbase or scaled-base Finnmark Canna?

One of each would be best! But as I've posted before I like a more aggressive scale pattern than the one Asnes is using so I'd go with wax and use a narrow Xskin if needed.

I have Breidablikk - the Husky topsheets - and NATO Combat both in 200, it's amazing how light the Breidablikks are, one of the lightest skis I have, so I can only assume the Finnmark will be awesome. Actually a waxless version would be really useful for spring snow too, Kharu used to make a few different wider XC-skis with no edges in the 90's. No one has covered that niche since then.

This is some excellent information on these new products Crister, thank you for posting.

[fisheater]

Åsnes 1922, thanks for your responses. You sold me on a longer FT 62, however that purchase is a few years down the road. I really enjoy the FT 62 I currently ski. I will I need to put much more wear on that set. I just can’t replace something that works so well.
You may need to request a commission check for a pair of Breidablikk. My little Vizsla loves to run with me. While cutting a paw would sadden me, I could see my Gamme slicing a tendon. I would be heartbroken to permanently mare my skiing buddy like that. However, she’s a rocket on paws. I still need a fast ski to keep her guessing!

[lilcliffy]

Åsnes 1922, thanks for your responses. You sold me on a longer FT 62, however that purchase is a few years down the road. I really enjoy the FT 62 I currently ski. I will I need to put much more wear on that set. I just can’t replace something that works so well.
You may need to request a commission check for a pair of Breidablikk. My little Vizsla loves to run with me. While cutting a paw would sadden me, I could see my Gamme slicing a tendon. I would be heartbroken to permanently mare my skiing buddy like that. However, she’s a rocket on paws. I still need a fast ski to keep her guessing!

Bob, Bob, my dear friend!
Finnmark man.
If you want to keep up with that Vizsla (awesome pouch BTW) you need the Finnmark.
It sounds like the Finnmark was so good it made them redesign the Green Man!

[Nitram Tocrut]

The 196cm FT62 definitely has a significantly better K&G performance. That's a very logical and very true statement. It might be a bit long for shorter and lighter skiers, but if you can handle a longer ski it is phenomenal. I'm sure I have mentioned that I objectively love the FT62, and that they're my go-to skis for both playful, aggressive skiing and shorter day trips. Ergo, the most used BC ski I have in my (very too big) quiver.
We decided to make this and the Breidablikk in longer lengths primarily for heavier skiers, but the extra length will also be beneficial in deeper snow, for K&G and for everyone wanting a longer ski - with all its benefits.

I'm sure you would find the 196 FT62 WAAY better in terms of K&G performance with your body specs, compared to the 188cm. I'm 178cm and around 80kg, and I love the 188cm. But when testing and reviewing the 196cm, I could definitely feel the difference on flats and when traversing longer multi-day distances in deeper snow. It just glides better - and it's still not too long.

To compare, I tend to choose the 205cm Ingstad over the 195cm one, even though both work fine for me. So for me, the FT62 196 just feels like a more playful, more relaxing downhill, agile and stable 205cm Ingstad. Probably more suited for your snow conditions than here in coastal Norway.

Hi Crister,

Thanks for the detailed answers to all our questions! You mentioned that our snow conditions probably better fit the FT than snow conditions in Coastal Norway. I am curious to know what snow conditions you refer to as they vary a lot where I live compare to the east coast. My climate is more continental i would say and we get snow conditions all over the place. We don’t get that much powdery snow conditions and sometimes we are stuck with crust for a while.
I have this discussion with my friend LilCliffy and he keeps saying that you must be using the FT above the tree line, I think he is trying to protect me from the AGAS fever Thanks for taking care of me LilCliffy but I think you should heal your own AGAS first

When is winter coming ?