Which first Asnes ski to buy ?

[jyw5]

That is, the Asnes pattern is more tuned to glide, at the expense of traction, with people having to resort to using wax or skins to get traction. And not having this problem with Fischer WL skis, for example.
The one Asnes WL ski that seems to get at least acceptable reviews is the Nansen WL.
You want a waxless ski — don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
You will either like it or not, but you will use it, maybe especially in the spring, when waxing for warm and viable temperature snow becomes more difficult.
I really like my wax Ingstad. Not sure bout the WL yet, but it seems too short and the grip pattern drags (is slow).

@Stephen can you explain more on "Asnes pattern is more tuned to glide ?" Does this mean that for steeper angle we still need skin ? I dont think this is a deal breaker for a beginner like me as you say, in the spring and later months when we have more temperature swing, waxless skis would definitely be more help to a newbie like me.

Asnes also have Mohair skins and nylon skins, which would be more suitable for the Ingstad WL (REI only have the Ingstad WL) ? I am also on the weight border for the skis. I am 157 lbs clothed and with ski boots and the 185cm ingstad WL is 143-165lbs and the 195cm Ingstad is 165-200lbs. I am sure with backpack I am maybe 10-15lbs over the weight limit of the 185cm Ingstad WL. I am however nervous of getting a way too long of a ski (195cm) as i am only 5'8"

I also see that your Wax Ingstad is longer than your WL Ingstad ?? Is there any technical reason for that ?

On steep terrain, often times, skins can help with better grip and prevent skidding out and also slow you down to give you more time to make the turns. Choosing mohair vs. mixed depends on snow conditions -- temperature and texture and moisture level of the snow...also depends on your objective(s) as there are pros and cons. You will have to experiment with this to decide what works for you. Also the length and width (e.g., xskin or straight full length) is an extensive experiment in itself. Over time, you will get a feel for when and what to use. You can search this forum for more details on skins.

Generally, you may need skins coming down icy steeper slopes, refrozen snow in otherwise warm temps, and/or conditions/temps change and your wax and scales dont work. If you haven't already, watch some of my video posted in the forum. I go up and down with skins alot. The late season (summer) videos depict refrozen/crusty conditions on moderate to steep slopes. Fishscales and wax don't work here (setup --> NNN-BC with soft leather Quest Core Alfa boots).

Don't get me wrong...I admire your enthusiasm...But, I also think you are over analyzing this and trying to get too much information at once. I suggest buying the Asnes ski setup and some mixed Xskins and just start skiing. As you progress in your skills, you can start picking up more information and implementing more techniques. It has taken me and many people in this group countless hours and even decades to do this...and I admittingly am still not good at it and I continue to learn and get better every year. And I still have a hard time describing technical terms and analyzing and evaluating what I feel and what I'm doing. But overall, its not terribly important. It's more important to have fun!

So: get a pair of skis and start skiing. Don't be bogged down with so much detail. Skiing is a continuum. You won't be able to just learn it in a few days/wks. And, if you havent had a whole lot of experience skiing, whichever skis you pick won't matter that much. The ones that have been discussed are all incredibly great skis... most people, myself included, started out on very cheap ski setups. ...and if it helps, the Asnes Nansen at 185cm would be perfect for your weight... I have the 185cm Skog waxable (women's Nansen) and my wife loves them. I like them alot too. I am sure the WL version would be just fine...especially since waxing can be a daunting task for someone new to the sport. And sometimes, WL can be more ideal depending on the snow.

[ianjt]

Hello guys, after lurking for weeks I finally got an account and deciding to join the community. Im finally deciding to learn how to ski this season and needed some help on deciding on owning a good pair of new ski setup. Being not young anymore and not wanting to have any high risk endeavors, I have decided to start on learning in the backcountry's flat to rolling hill terrains (not groomers track) here where we have lots of fresh dry loose snow. I love going back packing and camp out during the weekend in the winter time and would love to start using skis instead of my MSR snowshoes.

I have spent time going to the local ski shops, REI and the local mountaineering guide and trying to explain to them what I wanted to do and most of the time I was either directed to AT setup or nordic groomed track setup. I have learned more from this site’s TELEWIKI page than my local sources.

My good friend is donating me his old set of Voile 3 pin bindings with cable along with his old Kahru XCD Traverse leather boots that he has never worn. I know that most people would suggest renting skis or buying a cheap used skis as a beginner but I am considering the new Asnes FT 62 or Rabb 68 from REI. I would also like to stick with the Voile 75mm binding and the leather boots. I also plan to use my MSR carbon snowshoes adjustable poles.

My use case for my first season is to start and train on flat to gentle hill terrain in the Idaho Sawtooth basin (lots of powder dry snow). If by the end of this season, I can comfortably ski and with a backpack and go snow camping, it will be a win for me. In the future, I can see myself winter backpacking venturing into steeper terrain (not AT category). I don’t plan to use the skis in a resort or groomed track at all. REI also carries the Nansen and Ingstad as well. To my newbie eyes, it seems like the RABB 68 might be the best ski that I can learn and grow on ?

Thank you again for reading my newbie post here and I am looking forward to learn from your experience and wisdom.

I routinely ski the Stanley basin on a pair of Excursion 88s with NNNBC bindings. If you want to add weight and gear to your trips for camping, I think the Excursion would be a good choice. Double camber for kick and glide, but a slight side cut for some low-angle turns. Stable and wide, but not too heavy to slow you down. It's been a good starter ski and will remain something I use going forward. Admittedly, as I have progressed in ability (specifically being able to turn), I have looking into a different ski that is more set toward turning. I had thought of the FT 62, but I see that cliffy says that's not favored in dry snow.

[lilcliffy]

I am however nervous of getting a way too long of a ski (195cm) as i am only 5'8"

I am not sure why you would worry about this considering the skiing objective you describe.

On gently to rolling terrain and on soft fresh snow- I would recommend the longest Ingstad you can get.

I weigh 185lbs and would not want the Ingstad any shorter than 205 for backcountry touring and I use the Ingstad exclusively in steep/hilly terrain and deep soft snow.

[lilcliffy]

and if it helps, the Asnes Nansen at 185cm would be perfect for your weight... I have the 185cm Skog waxable (women's Nansen) and my wife loves them. I like them alot too.

But what about the specific ski context here-
essentially backcountry-crosscountry touring on gentle terrain in soft dry snow?
Do you think that a 185 Skog/Nansen would offer enough support and grip-glide efficiency?

Joe- aren't you using the Skog on a lot of steep terrain and moisture-rich variable snow?

[lilcliffy]

To add-

I agree with Joe and others here-
(I am an educator and trainer and well aware of the futility and hazards of overwhelming beginner learners with too much information that they lack even the context to understand any of it...)

What you need most is to get a touring ski and go skiing- SKI A LOT.

SKI AS MUCH AS YOU CAN- that is the most important thing.

However- be prepared that if you select a short "beginner" ski- it will feel very short and unstable in deep soft dry snow.

Buy a ski- with a kicker skin- so you will always have some grip- and go ski.

Just trying to be helpful mon ami!

Gareth

[Dxmetal]

To add-

I agree with Joe and others here-
(I am an educator and trainer and well aware of the futility and hazards of overwhelming beginner learners with too much information that they lack even the context to understand any of it...)

What you need most is to get a touring ski and go skiing- SKI A LOT.

SKI AS MUCH AS YOU CAN- that is the most important thing.

However- be prepared that if you select a short "beginner" ski- it will feel very short and unstable in deep soft dry snow.

By a skin- with a kicker skin- so you will always have some grip- and go ski.

Just trying to be helpful mon ami!

Gareth

Absolutely ! I agreed with everybody's assessment here ! However, the journey and learning of new things are part of the thrill and fun for me That being said, I placed the order for the Ingstead WL and the 58mm nylon skin last night at REI. I cannot wait to start going out, fall a lot and learn the new sport ! I am sure I will be back with more newbie questions here on this forum.

Sidenote: This is truly a wonderful place and such a great community. I had few members PM me offering me advice and one even willing to guide me and talk to me via the phone.

[jyw5]

and if it helps, the Asnes Nansen at 185cm would be perfect for your weight... I have the 185cm Skog waxable (women's Nansen) and my wife loves them. I like them alot too.

But what about the specific ski context here-
essentially backcountry-crosscountry touring on gentle terrain in soft dry snow?
Do you think that a 185 Skog/Nansen would offer enough support and grip-glide efficiency?

Joe- aren't you using the Skog on a lot of steep terrain and moisture-rich variable snow?

I use the Skog on all types of terrain...I have pushed my abilities to the limit with these. 185cm for me is too long on steep terrain but perfect on hills/flats. I don't carry much weight with these... so the 185cm or 190cm are the right length for our OP...HOWEVER, 195cm would be best if he were carrying 20+lbs of gear. So this needs to be taken into consideration. If the trails are narrow with trees and lots of turns, and not bottomless snow, then 190cm is probably the best length.

I would not go shorter!!

The ski performs the best on moderate angles in corn snow and/or soft consolidated snow. Also does very well on low angle spring crust (MT51 is even better but has a narrower sweet spot of conditions/slope angle).

The Nansen/Skog in dry snow in Idaho basin is just fine. If its icy and boiler plate or frozen kibbles/bits, nylon Xskins or full straight 50mm mixed mohair skins provides good grip and still has acceptable glide.

TLDR: you need longer skis for good kick and glide. If carrying weight, increase length of skis by 5-10cm. Turning isn't an issue on flattish trails. Going short ends up being oversized snowshoes!! Choosing the "right" length can be difficult. If you think you will be doing many multiday trips later on with a heavy backpack, then get 190cm. If you are just doing mostly day trips with minimal weight, 185cm is fine.

@dxmetal Which length in the Ingstad did you settle on??

[Dxmetal]

@@jyw5

I decided tot go with the 185cm Ingstad WL and figure I could diet down a few lbs I wish the Ingstad comes in 190cm like the Nansen which is in my perfect weight and height range as per Asnes numbers. With the 185cm Ingstead WL chart, I am already in the very low end of that height number and I am kind of nervous to go up to the 195cm length. I asked a local friend of mine about ski length (he is a 100% resort Alpine skier) and the hand reaching the sky wrist measurement method. He laughed at the 1950's method and asked me to go to REI. The REI lady had no clue about BC-XC and made joke about "Oh, you can just ski naked".

[jyw5]

@@jyw5

I decided tot go with the 185cm Ingstad WL and figure I could diet down a few lbs I wish the Ingstad comes in 190cm like the Nansen which is in my perfect weight and height range as per Asnes numbers. With the 185cm Ingstead WL chart, I am already in the very low end of that height number and I am kind of nervous to go up to the 195cm length. I asked a local friend of mine about ski length (he is a 100% resort Alpine skier) and the hand reaching the sky wrist measurement method. He laughed at the 1950's method and asked me to go to REI. The REI lady had no clue about BC-XC and made joke about "Oh, you can just ski naked".

resort alpine skiing is totally different from what you are about to do. I was a 100% resort alpine skiing 8 yrs ago.

I find that for choosing ski length, your weight can be more important than height. The 185cm Ingstad will be great for your single day tours. Once you put on a heavy pack, you might be walking in them with noticeably less glide. But that is fine because as a beginner skiier, it may not matter and also, over a long distance with a large pack, you would be shuffling anyway vs. any true kick/glide especially if you are going uphill (in which case, you are basically walking with skis on). (Those that are gracefully long distance k&g with packs and/or sleds are on a totally different level...thats most likely not relevant to what you are doing)

I believe however, the 185cm Ingstad will feel shorter (have a shorter effective length/edge) than a 185cm Skog/Nansen because of the rocker tips. I dont have the Ingstad but I have the 185cm MT51, and it feels short and slower than the Skog/Nansen 185cm but much easier to turn on good consolidated snow.

You will feel more confident on the 185cm Ingstad as the length and width are easier to manage vs a longer ski. As you get better, when you decide on another pair, you may want to go longer or use these shorter lengths for steeper skiing if you ever get into that.

No ski is perfect. No setup is perfect. No length is perfect. The trail conditions are rarely perfect (at least for me). My skills are far from perfect. We learn to identify and deal with all the imperfections and just have fun skiing.

Let us know how the Ingstad works for you! I've always been tempted to get a pair but keep passing on it.

[Musk Ox]

Sidenote: This is truly a wonderful place and such a great community. I had few members PM me offering me advice and one even willing to guide me and talk to me via the phone.

This is only because they want to privately inculcate you in their own very personal understandings of the One True Way to put laminated wooden shoes on your feet and propel yourself over water crystals with polymer soles. It is the friendliest cult in the world where no one gets rich apart from a shadowy cabal of Norwegians in Voss.