XCd for kids

[FourthCoast]

Ansco just informed me that they are unable to find a viable freight service and refunded my payment.

So I guess I am still trying to find a metal edged junior ski that fits in groomed tracks.

[fisheater]

That stinks! When it’s your kid it’s a real kick in the shorts. You can buy kid’s size cross country skis and as @fgd135 suggested you can get a metal edged alpine ski in a kid size. I would suggest if you buy something old and cheap, you could cut in your own DIY short skin attachment. It doesn’t need to be fancy, keep it simple and just buy some skin material.
Good luck regardless in the manner you choose. Hopefully you will end up with a couple of lifelong back country skiing partners!

[zoomin]

Where are you located?

Norseman Outdoors in Calgary, Alberta, Canada have the Sporten BC Lite in stock:

https://norsemanoutdoorspecialist.com/

I just bought a set of the 145cm last week.

[FourthCoast]

Hi @zoomin ,

I took a look at what I could find locally and then eventually ordered a non-metal edge ski online. I just checked and I don't see a way to cancel the order.

I am in Michigan, USA. I guess I should have called Norseman Outdoors. After two places in Australia told me that they can't ship I guess I got frustrated and quit. It does seem more likely that a shop in Alberta could ship to me. I think USMCA accomplishes about the same thing as NAFTA did previously.

But ... too late I guess.

Please post a review of the Sporten BC Lite after your Junior skier has some experience with them.

[lilcliffy]

Perhaps I am a little late in chiming in-

I have two recommendations:

#1- the Asnes Mtn Race Jr is an incredible Nordic BC touring ski for kids- my youngest daughter (almost 8 years old) has been using the 140cm for 4 years now- she loves it- and her favorite activity is to do laps on hills! She is able to tour a little bit farther every season and is starting to be able to crush some serious miles as well as surf on the hills!

#2- the Madshus Eon/M62 is light, soft and has a supple roun-flexing shovel. My oldest daughter (a featherweight) started on a 165cm Eon at age 7 (I didnt have the Asnes MRJ at the time) - she had no trouble with this ski- despite its length.

I will be moving my youngest daughter from the MRJ to the Eon as soon as her feet are big enough to fit into the smallest BC boots!

[zoomin]

Thanks for this lilcliffy.

I never would have considered suggesting my 7-yo (116cm, 21kg) try his sister's old 140cm MR JRs but I"m definitely going to now!

[Krakus]

#1- the Asnes Mtn Race Jr is an incredible Nordic BC touring ski for kids- my youngest daughter (almost 8 years old) has been using the 140cm for 4 years now- she loves it- and her favorite activity is to do laps on hills! She is able to tour a little bit farther every season and is starting to be able to crush some serious miles as well as surf on the hills!

Lilcliffy,
Asnes does not give weight in their size chart for Mountain Race Jr, only height (which is absurd). So, what is your recommendation as for 140 cm with regard to child weight? My daughter is 9 yrs old, 134 cm and 26 kgs, and with small experience so far.
Your child is usig them with short skins or waxed?

[lilcliffy]

Krakus,
The MTRJ has this kind of magical flex pattern that is perfect for a child on backcountry snow-
it has a bit of tension underfoot to faclitate kick and glide-
- it has a full-length stability to it, while having enough softness in the shovel for turns.

The camber is tuned such that it is easy to engage grip and pressure for a child- perfect for the backcountry.

(I started my two oldest children on cheap Classic track touring skis that had waaaaay too much camber for backcountry snow. It was bad enough for my oldest son (who was a big kid) but it was a slip and slide nightmare for my daughter who was much lighter- so bad, that she didn't really enjoy Nordic ski touring until I bought her a pair of 165cm Eons at age 7.)

Maeve (will be 8 on XMas Eve) wieghs ~70lbs now and this will be her third season on the 140cm MTRJ- she has never had any grip problems with it.

I grip wax the entire base- kick wax underfoot when needed.
She has the 30mm mohaor X-Skin for climbing and ice.
She ESPECIALLY loves cold soft snow- so that she doesn't need skins!!!
If they made a waxless version- I would probably have bought that and grip-waxed the "waxless" base when the snow is cold.
Gareth

Addition- there really is no equivalent BC Nordic touring ski for children out there...

[Krakus]

These MTRJrs, they seem to have a little nordic rocker

[Skinny]

150 cm high, 35 kg (77 lb) skier

Asnes Mountain Race Junior, 150 cm or 160 cm?
Could Panorama 62- 162 cm (Eon) work?
Any other XCd ski?

Thanks in advance!