My poor Alaskas...

[MikeK]

I never denied CIMA didn't have some good things to say...

Is that notation a Ronism? I thought he stole it from me. I've seen others use it as well.

I used it to distinguish touring with turns from touring for turns. It seems all anyone wanted to talk about was the latter at a particular place I used to post, and I decided I should be clear.

It has nothing to do with what gear you ski on or anything like that... i.e. lilcliffy is doing XCd when he tours around on rolling terrain with Annums to get some good float. You are skiing xcD when you take your Glittertinds down double blacks.

Is that acceptable or should we banish it?

Back to the boots... mine are 44s, my wife's are 39s.

[bgregoire]

LJ, I now live in Rimouski (not far from the Chic Chocs!). My girlfriend had the Alaska 3pin in size 40 or so, those were the ones that were returned. I own the 45s in NNNBC with glued-on supergaiter. I'm usually a size 43 but got them oversize to wear extra inner sole and socks for an expedition we did last year: http://living-laponia.tumblr.com/

Curious to see how or if the boot changed since last year!

[Johnny]

Ronisms!!!! Ahahahahah!

Dude, that XCd/xcD thing is just the coolest thing I heard this year! You're right, it's not a matter of gear, but how you feel when you wake up in the morning...

Does your Alaskas both look the same? Mine are 44 and 43...

Wow Ben! Niiiiiice trip! Je lirai l'histoire complete ce soir... Do you mind if I use some of your stuff for upcoming pics of the week? (I can't help it: XCd AND girl content... ; )

[bgregoire]

Ronisms!!!! Ahahahahah!

Dude, that XCd/xcD thing is just the coolest thing I heard this year! You're right, it's not a matter of gear, but how you feel when you wake up in the morning...

Does your Alaskas both look the same? Mine are 44 and 43...

Wow Ben! Niiiiiice trip! Je lirai l'histoire complete ce soir... Do you mind if I use some of your stuff for upcoming pics of the week? (I can't help it: XCd AND girl content... ; )

the 45s and 40s looked identical except for the different outer soles (NN vs NNNBC).

More pics of our trip here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/123961443@N03/
Show em off if you like.

[MikeK]

Yeah they seem the same to my eye. I haven't inspected them closely though.

What looks different?

[bgregoire]

Good news Johnnyboy, just got news from the Alpina peeps after declaring the failure and asking whether this issue will be fixed. This is what i got:

" I believe this may have only been a problem the first year they were introduced, I don’t think later productions had the same problem. But I wouldn’t have the total picture from worldwide returns that go to the headquarters in Europe."

Well, If she is right in her thinking, you might have more than 35 days of bliss to come! Keep me posted, I just might be convinced to get the pin version next year. Where did you get yours ?

[MikeK]

Do you know what year they were introduced? And would it coincide with your gf's boots?

I can believe Johnny's were maybe first year because he said he bought them used on eBay.

[bgregoire]

Well, actually, I thought they came out in 2013 and that's when we got ours. What-ya-reckon?

[MikeK]

I think I bought mine in 2013 as well.

I'm not sure that was the first year though... I had seen them out before then. Maybe 2012?

Ski gear sometimes sits around so it's almost impossible to tell based on when you bought it. We'd need serial numbers (if they have them).

[Johnny]

Wow, that'd be nice!

It might be only me, but I feel like the new boots I received are more robust. Of course, they're not yet broken in but that's the impression that I get.

As you can see, there's not a big difference. The shape seems to be a bit different (It's both left feet). It might be due to the size but it's only one mondo point difference. BUT... There's a HUGE difference when you have the boots on. The new boots (size 43) still feel too big for me, lengthwise. Damn, I still have to wear the same super-thick socks I have to use with the 44s. I should have asked for 42s. But the volume is totally different for one mondo point. It's much more narrow than the 44, I doubt this is due to the difference in size.

Yep, got them on ebay. And the local Alpina girl here in Dollard Des Ormeaux was super helpful... I woke up one morning and there was a brand new pair of boots at my door. Best customer service ever!

I have no idea about the exact year. The girl asked me for year/numbers on the label inside but it's worn out... Check yours, there should be a date on it... (Inside the tongue...)