This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
How often are you on groomed XC trails? You've got to decide If you spend enough time on them, in a track, to justify going with something like a spider 62 or E99 (68@tip). If not, or if you can deal with skiing groomed XC out of the tracks I'd recommend something like a T78. Ski's like that with a little less camber and more width are far more usable off the groomers than the S62 sized skis, which aren't the greatest outside of groomers/forest roads.
For a more up and down turn oriented light BC setup I'd echo low angle Al, a T4 and a wide, waxless BC ski is the tool. S98, Objective, Vector, are all light but capable ski's for BC up and downs, rolling new england backwoods or even lift serve.
I'm in NH btw. Where on the coast of Maine are you? I've always wanted to tour Acadia on ski's...
Basically 3 ski's would cover everything perfectly;
1. XC groomer/track ski 55-65ish
2.Mid range light BC ski 75-85ish
3. Turn oriented BC ski 100-125ish
Those are approximations of course, but you get the idea. And obviously you can use a ski to some degree outside of it's ideal terrain/angle/conditions, and get away with a smaller quiver.
Anyway hope this makes sense, just based on my own experiences.
I disagree with your characterization of a TN 66 or grouping of XC 55-66mm skis as groomer skis. People here have TN66 and Gamme and in no way feel stuck on the groomers. However, my 5mm smaller TN59 is a creature of groomers. So you shouldn't write off a 60-something ski.
Maybe there is an ideal ski for backcountry conditions where OP is. For heavy snow, it may be good to think about a trail braking ski, and maintaining these trails with a faster ski like the gamme. A 3 ski quiver really is nice because the widest ones may be the most fun in deep, heavy snow, but take a few trips to break a trail for a 60mm ski, while the mid sized ones don't.
Yes, I should have included forest roads or perhaps lower angle or open country bc pursuits in the 55/65 range, and I did say that it was all an approximation anyway. I will ammend my post.
I will also say that where I ski, (NH/northern NE) which might be similar to where OP skis, a 55/65 touring ski has limited versatility IME.
ETA: Basically my point was derived from having bought a S62 as my first ski, thinking that it being a "BC" ski would be usable "in the woods" and being underwhelmed at it's float and maneuverability outside of a narrow range of terrain and conditions. That being said, I now like my S62s/E99---in the right situations.
Stay away from the Outback 68, it is too soft to give good glide.
I handled someone's otx68's last year and they seemed more like a 1 1/2 cambered ski than the earlier, soft Outback 68. They look the same this year, but I haven't seen them outside of the plastic. They still stay made in the Czech Republic.
I meant double cambered ski. I only had them a moment, but they reminded me of the TN66. I think it was last years model. Also, by look the same I just mean the topsheet.
If you care about performance, make sure to follow size recommendations here, not from Fischer.
So much to learn! And a lot of it will be down to experiencing different gear.
I have ordered a pair of Fischer S 98’s
Any compelling reason why I shouldn’t order a pair of outback 68 for my second pair?
I’ve ordered a pile of boots that will be delivered to REI and hopefully the ones I want will fit me and they can take the rest back.
I can see why a pair of Scarpa T4’s would make a great boot for steering wider xc skis, They just lack the all purposeness that I think I want i.e using them on narrower skis or casual nordic skating.
Thanks again for the replies.
Slightly off topic but when I started Nordic skating I had a pair of skate ski boots with an NNN binding attaching them to the skate. They were slightly too large but what did I know? They weren’t too narrow and the price was right.
I didn’t have great control of the skate though and I started skating with a kite wing and they were sorely lacking. Here’s a picture of my current rig. Comfortable, some articulation at the ankle, really locked to the boot, control of the skate, free heel if I wish although I’d never do and if the skate was to jam in a crack the boot will break away.
I can imagine T4’s Affording many of the same advantages to a xc ski (no brake away)
So much to learn! And a lot of it will be down to experiencing different gear.
I have ordered a pair of Fischer S 98’s
Any compelling reason why I shouldn’t order a pair of outback 68 for my second pair?
I’ve ordered a pile of boots that will be delivered to REI and hopefully the ones I want will fit me and they can take the rest back.
I can see why a pair of Scarpa T4’s would make a great boot for steering wider xc skis, They just lack the all purposeness that I think I want i.e using them on narrower skis or casual nordic skating.
Thanks again for the replies.
Slightly off topic but when I started Nordic skating I had a pair of skate ski boots with an NNN binding attaching them to the skate. They were slightly too large but what did I know? They weren’t too narrow and the price was right.
I didn’t have great control of the skate though and I started skating with a kite wing and they were sorely lacking. Here’s a picture of my current rig. Comfortable, some articulation at the ankle, really locked to the boot, control of the skate, free heel if I wish although I’d never do and if the skate was to jam in a crack the boot will break away.
I can imagine T4’s Affording many of the same advantages to a xc ski (no brake away)
Oh, that's cool. An AT boot on a nordic skate? Didn't know people did that. I'm intrigued. I've heard of people using AT gear on s98s and liking it though.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, a waxless scaled ski with a metal edge and I was considering NNN BC.
If I were to use a BC binding I could also use the boot on a Nordic Skate, just trying to reduce the amount of gear one needs, futile exercise I’m sure. If I was using a Alfa Skarvet or Alpina boot with BC could I steer a S 98?
What would you suggest as a more straight up touring ski?
Spider 62, Outback 68? Showing some Fischer bias
Yes to Fischer 98 and Skarvet/Alaska BC.
Fischer Transnordic 66 Crown Xtralite (WTF Fischer, why is there still not an Easy-Skin insert for this damn ski?) for a mile-crushing waxless-scaled BC Nordic touring ski.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
ETA: Basically my point was derived from having bought a S62 as my first ski, thinking that it being a "BC" ski would be usable "in the woods" and being underwhelmed at it's float and maneuverability outside of a narrow range of terrain and conditions. That being said, I now like my S62s/E99---in the right situations.
Sorry if already explained- which ski is the "S62"?
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
ETA: Basically my point was derived from having bought a S62 as my first ski, thinking that it being a "BC" ski would be usable "in the woods" and being underwhelmed at it's float and maneuverability outside of a narrow range of terrain and conditions. That being said, I now like my S62s/E99---in the right situations.
Sorry if already explained- which ski is the "S62"?
Fischer Spider 62, I know, "S62" doesn't get used much as an abbreviation.
ETA: Basically my point was derived from having bought a S62 as my first ski, thinking that it being a "BC" ski would be usable "in the woods" and being underwhelmed at it's float and maneuverability outside of a narrow range of terrain and conditions. That being said, I now like my S62s/E99---in the right situations.
Sorry if already explained- which ski is the "S62"?
Fischer Spider 62, I know, "S62" doesn't get used much as an abbreviation.
Just curious, what situations do you like the S62s for?
I just got a pair as my first ski and am also in NH. I was hoping to use them on the fire roads nearby if we ever get any snow.
Sorry if already explained- which ski is the "S62"?
Fischer Spider 62, I know, "S62" doesn't get used much as an abbreviation.
Just curious, what situations do you like the S62s for?
I just got a pair as my first ski and am also in NH. I was hoping to use them on the fire roads nearby if we ever get any snow.
Sorry for the delayed reply, I haven't logged in for a while.
The S62 is great for fire roads/snowmobile trails, obviously they don't have a whole lot of float in deep snow, but if it's a few inches over a consolidated base they'll be great. I also like them for ungroomed/infrequently groomed XC trails, and they are adequate when those same trails are frozen, crusty groomers. (Typical conditions for me)
For me they're basically a metal edged touring/XC ski, they are super light and great for distance work if you're not looking to maneuver downhill through tightly tree'd woods.
Fischer Spider 62, I know, "S62" doesn't get used much as an abbreviation.
Just curious, what situations do you like the S62s for?
I just got a pair as my first ski and am also in NH. I was hoping to use them on the fire roads nearby if we ever get any snow.
Sorry for the delayed reply, I haven't logged in for a while.
The S62 is great for fire roads/snowmobile trails, obviously they don't have a whole lot of float in deep snow, but if it's a few inches over a consolidated base they'll be great. I also like them for ungroomed/infrequently groomed XC trails, and they are adequate when those same trails are frozen, crusty groomers. (Typical conditions for me)
For me they're basically a metal edged touring/XC ski, they are super light and great for distance work if you're not looking to maneuver downhill through tightly tree'd woods.
Where in NH are you? I'm in the MWV.
Thanks for the reply, 12gaugesage!
I'm just outside of Manchester.
I finally got some snow down here and had a blast lapping the hill in my backyard. I think I'm hooked on XCD. My little hill is pretty thrilling on fairly whimpy nnn boots. I love being able turn around and easily climb back up the hill. Just so much more freedom than alpine skiing.
I'm already thinking about getting a second pair of wider skis. Thinking about a pair of S bound 98s or Madshus M68s with 3 pin bindings.
Are there any NH ski shops that have a good selection of used equipment I should check?
