Asnes finally offering FTX, Rabb and Nosi with scales

[Nitram Tocrut]

Finally, Asnes finally decided to add scales to their XCD/ Alpine touring skis. Unfortunately it only briefly appear on their website as someone probably leaked the breaking news a bit too early. Let's keep an eye on this exciting decelopmenr

[Lhartley]

Careful you might give some folks a medical emergency

[stilltryin]

They must be special "ski-weighing" scales? And just thrown in for free?

[Nitram Tocrut]

They must be special "ski-weighing" scales? And just thrown in for free?

Well, I read that they are natural fish scales. They partnered with local fishermen located near their ski factory. But I also heard they might be quite expensive in the USA because of the new tariffs that will free the USA tomorrow. But because of the longstanding friendship between Norway and Canada will get them free of duty

[Inspiredcapers]

I do not need any more skis, I do not need any more skis…

[CwmRaider]

They must be special "ski-weighing" scales? And just thrown in for free?

Well, I read that they are natural fish scales. They partnered with local fishermen located near their ski factory. But I also heard they might be quite expensive in the USA because of the new tariffs that will free the USA tomorrow. But because of the longstanding friendship between Norway and Canada will get them free of duty

Actually we pay 25% sales tax on everything in Norway, and things sold abroad should be duty free to the other country and then subjected to your local duties. The money Norway needs to pay its childcare, welfare and free education has to come from somewhere...
Speaking of alternative traction methods:
I have seen climbing skins made of real seal skin here, they reportedly give amazing grip and glide but poor glue retention.

[satanas]

Does FTX = Falketind Xplore? (I've not seen this before.)

I'm semi-interested in something to pair with Xplore bindings and boots, but would need to deal with firm to icy conditions frequently - no powder - so going too wide is a nono. My guess is that the Falketind should be narrow enough to edge, the Rabb might be okay(?), but the Nosi no way without a plastic boot here in Oz. Pattern bases are pretty much de rigueur here in practice, so more not-too-heavy options can only be a good thing.

[fisheater]

I have a Falketind Xplore, I really like the ski. It’s my favorite ski when conditions are right. However, refrozen mank isn’t the right conditions. 62 mm underfoot is pretty narrow underfoot, tends to get slice into the frozen nooks and crannies.
I have seen the Rabb in real life, but didn’t flex or ski it. I could be a bit stiffer, it definitely has more sidecut and shape. I don’t know if it is more robust either torsionally or longitudinally. The FTX is supportive in deep snow, and holds an edge on firm, but it is a light ski. They make piste skis heavier and damper, for a reason.
If I wanted to ski firm in leather, and wanted a waxless base, I would look at the Nosi WL. I skied a Fischer S-112 on piste in leather years ago, when money was tighter, and my son was young. It started out as easy and intermediate terrain, but a year or two later it was intermediate and advanced terrain. That ski was a torsional noodle. I owned a T-4, but the ski was such a noodle I easily over powered it in leather. That ski was 78 mm underfoot, I would definitely ski 76 mm underfoot in leather. For me that is about the limit. I have skied 86 mm underfoot, for long enough to realize that I was just proving to myself I could. I still have that ski, and when conditions call for that ski, I ski it in a T-4.
Now, I know this is a controversial opinion, but if I was desiring to ski challenging snow in leather boots, it wouldn’t be utilizing Explor. The best downhill boot, the Alfa Free, appears to have fit issues. Even if it does fit, users report transitioning from XC mode to downhill mode by tightening the BOA lacing system. That can’t be any faster than taking the heel throw off my heel riser and attaching it to my boot, with a Rottefella Super Telemark cable. I can ski a softer soled Alaska 75, rather than a stiff Xplore sole that only relies on sole stiffness for longitudinal stability. The Rotte cable is designed to offer a tremendous increase in longitudinal stability. I have skied many miles on both Voile cables, neither does what the Rotte cable does for leather boots. That doesn’t take into consideration having to take an Explor mounted ski off to change flexors. If you want to push the limits of Cross Country Downhill skiing, I believe 75 mm with Rottefella Super Telemark cable is still the leader. I’m 63, and can transition from cable attached to stowed on the riser very quickly, and all day long on my short Michigan downhills.
For my more XC, but I still want to turn skis, that are mounted NNN-BC. If I were starting today, I believe Xplore would be superior. I have perfectly good NNN-BC boots and bindings. I can’t see making the switch, I spend enough money on skiing and gear.

[Lhartley]

I assumed this was an April fools joke, its real?

[lilcliffy]

Does FTX = Falketind Xplore? (I've not seen this before.)

I'm semi-interested in something to pair with Xplore bindings and boots, but would need to deal with firm to icy conditions frequently - no powder - so going too wide is a nono. My guess is that the Falketind should be narrow enough to edge, the Rabb might be okay(?), but the Nosi no way without a plastic boot here in Oz. Pattern bases are pretty much de rigueur here in practice, so more not-too-heavy options can only be a good thing.

The Falketind 62 Xplore ("FTX/FT62X") is a significant redesign over the last two generaiton Falketind 62 (it might sound crazy, but I have owned all three)- the current FTX is longitundinally more stable/stiff, and has less rocker at both ends- especially in the shovel. That being said the FTX is rockerd and tapered a both ends and skis much shorter on hardpack than a traditional design like the Nansen. If I was going to use the FTX as a downhill ski on hardpack, I would probably spend some time considering alternatives to balance-point for mounting- would at least consider what a boot-center mount would feel like- regardless, I would want a longer length for downhill on hardpack, vs the Nansen.

I have a short Nansen- mounted to XP- wicked carving ski on hardpack.

Personally, I agree with you- I personally find 68mm to be the limit to really drive/carve/edge a ski on hardpack/icy snow with a Nordic touring boot. I can do it- but it is a lot more work to edge 76/78mm with a Nordic touring boot- and I don't see need/reason to do it, as one doesn't need the extra width underfoot on hardpack/ice.

I have the current Nosi 76, it is waaaay stiffer and more stable than a ski like the Karhu/Madhus Guide/Annum/M78, and would be waay more stable on hardpack/icy snow, but I would need a full-on Telemark boot to comfortably hold it on edge.

I can't speak to the Fischer 112 much, but I can speak to the 78mm Karhu/Madshus Guide/Annum/M78- my experience is the same as Fisheater's- although I need/want the Telemark boot because of the width underfoot, the M78 is not torsionally stable enough for a Telemark boot.

I think I prefer the current Rabb 68 to the FTX in all conditions- and if I did it over again, I would buy a 196 Rabb instead of a 196 FTX. I think the FTX is just too narrow underfoot to be a verastile BC touring ski for anyone that weighs more than 150lbs. Don't get me wrong- I haven enjoyed some epic tours on the FTX, but as soon as the soft snow gets deeper than 15cm, it is too narrow to offer effective stabilty and touring efficiency- I am confident a 196 Rabb would be better (I have a 180 Rabb).

I haven't taken my 180 Rabb (nor the FTX) to my local groomed hill yet, but I doubt that either of them would be better than the Nansen with a Nordic touring boot.