New to Skiing - Northern Canada

[GrimSurfer]

Looks like a nice day there.

Maybe @farnorth should get in touch with them on general ski recommendations… not necessarily Fischers but the sort of characteristics to consider.

[Capercaillie]

If you are going to have more than a single pair of skis (skis + ski-raquettes count), I think it would make sense to invest in the Alfa Polar NNNBC boot. You are going to save at least $100 per set of bindings with NNNBC compared to OAC Universal ones (look for sales at Varuste.net; they have really good shipping to Canada). The NNNBC bindings are much lighter and higher performance, and you can use them and the Alfa Polar boot on Nordic ice skates, track skis, telemark skis, etc. No sense investing $$$ in Åsnes skis if you don't have a binding to take advantage of their capabilities.

I have used grip wax down to -40C in northern BC.
It works, but you won't need much to get enough grip!

Do you remember which wax that was?

[lilcliffy]

@Capercaillie
It was late 1990s- so cannot be 100% sure- but I am almost positive I used Swix Polar grip wax as a kick wax in truly cold temps in Northern BC.
What I remember is I didnt need much- and I often had to remove some of the little I put on.

I don't know/recall that I used any glide wax at all at those temperatures...

Low minus 30s Celsius is the lowest temperatures I get in my local skiing.
Once I reach -27C I am scraping and polishing- removing- the grip wax on my base.

[Stephen]

Based on preference, it seems like there are several different ways one could go on this, equipment wise.
@farnorth already has some ideas, but people have gone on multi-month polar expeditions on lighter and different equipment.
There are plenty of write-ups out there — I just came across this one, for example.
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/sho ... xpeditions

The above post thread is old and the skis mentioned are no longer available, but there should be something comparable.
The bindings used were NNN BC.
It seems like a boot like the ALFA Polar A/P/S - Expedition boot could work, but is expensive and would require a change in the equipment @farnorth is using, which he may not want to do.
For example, it would increase the amount of equipment, since he would probably still want to have the mukluks for camp.
But if he also had the snowshoes, that might be ok.

I haven’t used a universal binding, but wonder if they are less efficient, energy expended wise, than a binding like the NNN BC? Maybe not, or maybe a reasonable trade-off for the ease and comfort of using a boot like a mukluk.

Just ideas…

[GrimSurfer]

Once I reach -27C I am scraping and polishing- removing- the grip wax on my base.

I am almost positive I used Swix Polar grip wax as a kick wax in truly cold temps in Northern BC.

So which one of these statements are true, or is there something I’m not getting?

[mca80]

Once I reach -27C I am scraping and polishing- removing- the grip wax on my base.

I am almost positive I used Swix Polar grip wax as a kick wax in truly cold temps in Northern BC.

So which one of these statements are true, or is there something I’m not getting?

Both. He uses polar v05 as a "glide" wax most of the time, but removes it at -27. At those temps he uses it merely in the pocket.

[GrimSurfer]

Why not use Polar Glide as a “glide wax” at -27? Or is that considered “normie” stuff these days? LOL

F* me, the people at Swix must wonder why they even bother. Ha ha

[lilcliffy]

Once I reach -27C I am scraping and polishing- removing- the grip wax on my base.

I will try and keep better track this winter-
I am likley removing- or at least not re-applying- Polar from the shovel and tail, before it gets as cold as -27C.

[TheMusher]

Welcome to the forum! Interesting topic..

My experience is within the realm of classic “fjellskis” ala Åsnes (ie not Finnish skis), but many of these are absolutely designed for conditions not so different from open terrain in the far north.

I also assume the lakes are fairly windy, so not entirely sink-thru snow like what you would encounter in the taiga.

Some general considerations:

- Stay with shell boots for layering to keep your feet warm (see below for advice on model)
- Longer skis are better for flatter terrain.
- if possible, go with NNNBC binding for efficient movement. This is the standard for any arctic expedition.
- If you ski on a weekly basis throughout the season, I would strongly recommend one set of skis for firm snow and one for loose snow (wider).

Some gear-specific pointers:

- Åsnes Kongsvold is a ligh ski made for voluminous snow off the track. No metal edge, but shouldn’t matter much outside mountain terrain or icy conditions. A tip that rises high is invaluable in deep, light snow.
- Åsnes Ousland is a good choice for firmer snow or allround.
- Shell shoes will keep your feet warm, ala Lundhags Guide Expedition BC. These have a thick wool liner (removable for drying), and if you can fit a thick + thin wool sock inside, you have 3 layers of wool inside the leather which will keep you plenty warm down to -40c or less - while being BC binding compatible. My favorite shoes, but almost too warm above -10c.

Excited to see where this topic leads

Edit: Sorry, didn’t see you had already decided on boots and bindings.

Edit 2: For inspiration

[farnorth]

Thanks again for everyone's input, I've read and researched all of your ideas thoroughly. Has anyone ever tried Swedish Tegsnässkidan? I do not even know if they ship to Canada but they seem similar to the Finnish Peltonen Metsä but with more width and traditional materials. I've attached images of both types. What are your thoughts? Link as follows: https://www.tegsnasskidan.se/produkt/ra ... kant-95mm/