Åsnes Borge Ousland BC Ski Review

[lilcliffy]

@lilcliffy could you squeeze your Gammes and measure the distance between uncompressed and compressed contact points? I'm asking you because I know you have a fetish for ski squeezing

Current model 210 Gamme 54 BC→ 19.8cm of Nordic rocker in the shovel.
(My first-gen 210 Gammes are at my friends house- I will measure them when I get a chance. Though from memory the two were identical in terms of geometry.)

[lilcliffy]

I just received these skis in 210cm length. The rocker is about half as high as the Åsnes Otto Sverdrup,and much shorter. With bases compressed together at the ball -of- foot, a standard sheet of paper only goes down 30 cm from the ski tips. For comparison a non rockered Madshus Glittertind has a paper test of 20cm from the tips, and a 2014 E99 has nearly 50cm.

Yes- my 210 E99 Xtralite Tour had an incredibly deep Nordic rocker in the shovel- even more than my 205 Ingstad BC.

[CwmRaider]

I noticed today that the motivational phrase under the ski backfires when you use a short skin. Clearly Ousland prefers wax.

[lilcliffy]

HA!
What is the entire phrase?

[CwmRaider]

"You haven't failed until you quit trying"... a bit cheesy

[Stephen]

Maybe it means that if you are slipping too much, you should “Quit Trying,” and put the skins on?

[Sunfun]

Hello from Winterpeg, Manisnowba.
I purchased the Borge Ousland BC ski in 190 for hauling a sled and occasional ice fishing gear and general use without my dog.
With the skins they have been phenomenal. Without the skins I just can't seem to find the proper kick/glide ratio in these. Groomed tracks, off track and hills(i am in the prairies so insert hill joke here....)
From Asnes I also own and absolutely love the Finnmark in 190. After years of AT gear (BC and Aliberta) and skinny track skis the Finnmark was like a cheat code for the terrain I use them on.
Full disclosure I am not an efficient skier and only ski 20 to 30 days a year and have about a dozen outings on them. But I find myself just not liking the Ousland and I REALLY do want to like them. I'll give them a go again next year.
Any advice or hints aside from more time on the skis.
Anyone else have the same issue of either too much grip or no not enough glide?

Asnes Borge Ousland 190cm
NNN BC binding
Alfa Guide Advance 42 Boot
5'10" 180lbs
178cm 80kg

[CwmRaider]

Hi @Sunfun
I really love my Ousland skis, they feel very efficient and are still quite turny. But I bet you have used them more than I.
I dont find the rocker on mine very long but I think skis with longer rocker have shorter glide zones on consolidated snow and getting the wax just right is a bit trickier.

[Theme]

Hello from Winterpeg, Manisnowba.
I purchased the Borge Ousland BC ski in 190 for hauling a sled and occasional ice fishing gear and general use without my dog.
With the skins they have been phenomenal. Without the skins I just can't seem to find the proper kick/glide ratio in these. Groomed tracks, off track and hills(i am in the prairies so insert hill joke here....)
From Asnes I also own and absolutely love the Finnmark in 190. After years of AT gear (BC and Aliberta) and skinny track skis the Finnmark was like a cheat code for the terrain I use them on.
Full disclosure I am not an efficient skier and only ski 20 to 30 days a year and have about a dozen outings on them. But I find myself just not liking the Ousland and I REALLY do want to like them. I'll give them a go again next year.
Any advice or hints aside from more time on the skis.
Anyone else have the same issue of either too much grip or no not enough glide?

Asnes Borge Ousland 190cm
NNN BC binding
Alfa Guide Advance 42 Boot
5'10" 180lbs
178cm 80kg

Finnmark, similar to the Gamme, I presume is stiffer than the Ousland. I had Ousland at 190cm with my 182cm and 70kg body mass. Good for pulling a pulk, but I would much prefer at least 200cm length, having now also skied the MR48 in 210.

I would suggest 200 or 210 cm length for you, if you have trouble with too much drag.

Am looking to maybe go for the Ousland again in a longer length myself too - absolutely loved the ski AND despite the unbeaten efficiency of Amundsen/Gamme, I just can't justify that 200g extra per ski... Perhaps end up with the 200 as it will mostly be for pulling a pulk, and 210 is a bit long for twisty snowmobile tracks. 200 allows herringbone/snowplow better.

[telerat]

I assume you mean either enough grip and too little glide, or too little grip and enough glide? If you have not yet tried, you could reduce the length/zone where you apply wax, and see if that helps with glide. You are at the upper end of weight for 190 cm length before gear, so should probably have Ousland in 200 cm length. I have the ski in 190 cm, but am 175 cm and 72 kg and could have bought a ~195 cm length if available. Ousland is a light ski with relatively large side-cut for its width as well as taper, to make is turn well and I am happy with it for tours in and out of prepared tracks and all-round skiing.

Depending on your preference the stiffer Gamme or Amundsen might suit your use better, as both are stiffer and especially Amundsen where turn performance will suffer. I believe Gamme is the closest to your Finnmark skis. My family have several pairs of Asnes MR48 and Fischer TN59 (E89) with NNN bindings for mixed tours in and out of tracks, as well as longer tours on firm snow. They could also be an alternative for you with NNN-BC bindings and boots, but as Amundsen, they do not turn well. MR48/TN59 are better in tracks than the other skis mentioned, but as those, they are not as stiff as a proper XC ski. Good luck.