Need another ski for downhill usage
Need another ski for downhill usage
So I pretty much ski flat/rolling terrain ) and I don't think the Asnes Borge Ousland would hold up very well in a steeper touring setting or any sort of resort usage. does anybody have thoughts on what would be a good option for me to use as a telemark or occasional resort ski. I've been looking at something like the Asnes rabb 68 or combat NATO, but I would like to also get something cheaper than those are and preferably used to make that price stay lower.
Boot/Ski/Binding recommendations would be great. If the rabb68 or NATO are really that good, I'd pay the price to get them but I feel like I could easily get something cheaper considering how little I will actually be able to use these skis right now
Boot/Ski/Binding recommendations would be great. If the rabb68 or NATO are really that good, I'd pay the price to get them but I feel like I could easily get something cheaper considering how little I will actually be able to use these skis right now
Last edited by raac900 on Mon Aug 19, 2024 12:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
Did you end up getting one of these skis? I'm in the same area, we finally got some snow!
- fisheater
- Posts: 2622
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm
- Location: Oakland County, MI
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Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
SE MI I have a Falketind Xplore and a Gamme. I really don’t understand the original poster’s question, do you want a ski that tours and turns, where you want to cover distance, but you cover distance connecting downhill turns. Are you looking for a good touring ski that excels in deep snow, but nonetheless is an excellent all around touring ski.
The Combat NATO is a great touring ski, but it certainly isn’t a ski to go to the resort. Yes, people do take NATO’s to the ski hill. That doesn’t make it a “good” ski to take to the ski hill.
@lilcliffy has had some positive reviews of the Rabb 68. He likes its touring prowess, and its downhill capabilities. It would be fine for occasional use at the ski hill. However keep in mind, that the Rabb and the Falketind I ski are lightweight touring skis. While they can handle resort conditions, resorts have some conditions that aren’t ideal for a touring ski. These skis have poplar/carbon cores. A light resort ski might be poplar/birch with glass reinforcement, maybe a rubber foil damper. Heavier resort skis still have titanal layers.
So the first thing to decide is what type of ski you are looking for. The skis listed are really quite different. However both are nice skis.
The Combat NATO is a great touring ski, but it certainly isn’t a ski to go to the resort. Yes, people do take NATO’s to the ski hill. That doesn’t make it a “good” ski to take to the ski hill.
@lilcliffy has had some positive reviews of the Rabb 68. He likes its touring prowess, and its downhill capabilities. It would be fine for occasional use at the ski hill. However keep in mind, that the Rabb and the Falketind I ski are lightweight touring skis. While they can handle resort conditions, resorts have some conditions that aren’t ideal for a touring ski. These skis have poplar/carbon cores. A light resort ski might be poplar/birch with glass reinforcement, maybe a rubber foil damper. Heavier resort skis still have titanal layers.
So the first thing to decide is what type of ski you are looking for. The skis listed are really quite different. However both are nice skis.
- lilcliffy
- Posts: 4157
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
- Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
- Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
- Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
- Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
- Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
Hello and welcome raac900!
Let me make sure I am getting this right-
You are looking for help in getting a downhill touring ski that would also work at a groomed ski hill?
What are the typical ski hill conditions? Hard, icy snow?
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
I don't think the Combat Nato is what you think it is. The Ingstad is based on it, has rocker, and is a fine telemark/BC ski. Its also cheaper than the FT62 or Raab 68 from Varuste.com.
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
Yeah, that is pretty much what I am looking for. New to the scene too so any insight would be helpful. Conditions usually pretty hard and not much powder
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
The skis you are listing are backcountry cross country skis.
You want more of a downhill ski. If you are skiing in leather, the old 70mm waist k2 skis work great.
You want more of a downhill ski. If you are skiing in leather, the old 70mm waist k2 skis work great.
- fisheater
- Posts: 2622
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm
- Location: Oakland County, MI
- Ski style: All my own, and age doesn't help
- Favorite Skis: Gamme 54, Falketind 62, I hope to add a third soon
- Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska, Alico Ski March
- Occupation: Construction Manager
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
The Rabb is a backcountry downhill ski that tours. The Asnes versions of this class of skis are quite different than Fischer and Madshus offerings you may be familiar with. The Asnes designs are poplar/carbon cores rather than laminated air cores. Asnes has also been re-engineering these skis over a number of versions. These versions have been much more than topsheet changes.
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
Thanks for the info. I might have to pick up a Rabb next season. I've been looking for an earn your turns type of lightweight backcountry ski that works well with leathers.fisheater wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:52 pmThe Rabb is a backcountry downhill ski that tours. The Asnes versions of this class of skis are quite different than Fischer and Madshus offerings you may be familiar with. The Asnes designs are poplar/carbon cores rather than laminated air cores. Asnes has also been re-engineering these skis over a number of versions. These versions have been much more than topsheet changes.
- fisheater
- Posts: 2622
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm
- Location: Oakland County, MI
- Ski style: All my own, and age doesn't help
- Favorite Skis: Gamme 54, Falketind 62, I hope to add a third soon
- Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska, Alico Ski March
- Occupation: Construction Manager
Re: Need another ski for downhill usage
I like my Falketind Xplore, but the Rabb most likely is better downhill as it was designed to be just that.
These skis aren’t cheap, if you keep checking Varuste.net you can catch a sale or some discounted “B” grade skis
These skis aren’t cheap, if you keep checking Varuste.net you can catch a sale or some discounted “B” grade skis