 Poster: A snowHead
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DH and I are looking to buy backcountry boots and skis this Winter. We already have skinny track skis we've used in Finland and Sweden but are looking to get more out into the backcountry in Scotland and also hut to hut in Sweden.
We're not looking for ski mountaineering kit - more metal edged gear that will take a trip onto Ben Macdui, down the Lairigh Ghru (sp?!) or out on the Monadliath.
We've looked at the Fischer 109s from Braemar Mountain sports and also the Madshus range from Euroski.
Any comments / experience / advice please? I so don't get how you buy online - but think we're gonna have to!
Cheers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Asnes of Norway do some excellent kit
Something like the Asnes Holmenkollen might be worth a look
Personally, I'd go for a fairly stiff leather boot, as opposed to the plastic type - bit more comfortable and better to walk in.
Wouldn't get fishscale bases either - just don't slide right - don't really give enough traction going uphill either
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks for your reply - don't think Asnes are available in the UK though.
Interested in your boots comments though - do the plastic type boots not give a better control on trickier descents? Will I be walking much in my boots? Ah - I get it. In Scotland especially you can be walking OUT TO the snow. Hmm - that's a really good point!
Agree with you about fishscale - hate them and my skinnies are waxable although have been cheating about with grip tape which I find brilliant.
Thanks. Any other comments much appreciated!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I like the Fisher range, Boundless, Outabounds, etc from the sbound series eg http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/all/c-skis/skidiscipline-nordictouring/f/?osCsid=8c2197bd1483e2b24f1718c08823984a
Gives a range of widths and sidecuts to suit your taste
I have a waxing version of the old Boundless from a few years ago, but one of the crown (fishscale) versions is probably better for Scotland. The S Bound series are designed so the fishscales don't interfere with the edges when turning. They turn easily and aren't too heavy.
Could mount with a staright 3 pin binding, but a basic cable binding would give more control on the downhills. Personally I'd go for a low plastic boot such as a Crispi XT Tour or Garmont Exursion or Scarpa T4 you'll get more control than a leather boot, but there still pretty easy to skin or kick and glide in. I've never had problems walking in my Crispis.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Yep, plastics give you very good control, allowing 'easy' telemarking - however, at the expense of weight, comfort and ease of stride - but I guess alots down to personal preferences and where you're heading.
I really rate my old Crispi Telemark Super's.
Asnes are hard to get hold of outside Norway ( Google translate version of the asnes website )
This is their online shop: www.whiteplanet.net
If you're looking for bargain, search ebay for ex-mod/nato cross country skis - they are normally these
Paid about £60 for mine - brand new, never used. Might be a bit OTT for your needs.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Check into the Madshus Annum, Eon, and Epoch. They were formerly the Karhu 10th Mountain, Guide and XCD GT. I've mounted them with everything from a three pin binding, G3 Targa, to even a Dynafit! Ultra versatile skis that tour great and turn far better than you think.
http://www.madshus.com/skis?category=cross-country-downhill
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| Dave Horsley wrote: |
| Could mount with a staright 3 pin binding, but a basic cable binding would give more control on the downhills. Personally I'd go for a low plastic boot such as a Crispi XT Tour or Garmont Exursion or Scarpa T4 you'll get more control than a leather boot, but there still pretty easy to skin or kick and glide in. I've never had problems walking in my Crispis. |
Do you know where I can get something like this from in the UK??
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Try Mountain Spirit in Aveimore, or Cairngorm Mountain Sports in Aveimore or Breamar Mountainsports in Braemar. I've bought the Viole 3 pin and cable binding from mountainspirit a few years ago. They're not on their websites now, but may be available in the shops.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks Dave. I'd looked on their websites and couldn't see anything. It's rather a long way to pop over so I'll try an email now I've got a lead  .
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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A pair of cables should be all you need, plus perhaps a riser plate and heel plate to mount them on. Having a riser plate and heel plate allows:
1) to have climbing bars on the heel plate
2) remove the cable from the boot and clip it behind the heel plate for the uphills
The alternative is to remove the cable all together for the uphills, but its much more of a faff to remove and replace.
Give Rob a phone at mountainspirit - you never know what he may have. I ripped a 7TM binding out of my ski last year and broke part of the binding - got a whole new release section from Rob from his box of bits for £20. Doesn't quite match colour wise, but should do the job - now all I need is some new skis to put them on.
One of these
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/7tmreleasehousingunit-p-587.html
not sure if there price is for one or a pair - I assume a pair.
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You know it makes sense.
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| peura wrote: |
| nordicfan, (I've emailed them a week ago but no reply yet). |
I have always found they reply really quickly, so it might be worth trying again in case your message has gone astray. I don't think their new website is working properly yet.
Here is a contact address to try:
enquiries@telemark-pyrenees.com
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| nordicfan wrote: |
| peura wrote: |
| nordicfan, (I've emailed them a week ago but no reply yet). |
I have always found they reply really quickly, so it might be worth trying again in case your message has gone astray. I don't think their new website is working properly yet.
Here is a contact address to try:
enquiries@telemark-pyrenees.com |
Yeah I wondered that but thought they might be busy given the weather - will try again...
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FAQ
. Looking at the forecast I should have got around to doing this sooner... 
. I'm not thinking of tackling anything too epic (just the local forests) but the idea of a (lightweight) cable appeals somewhat but I might not need even that - good to have the option though.