Help With Equipment

[tkarhu]

The 75 mm binding without cables sounds great for the 62-52-60 ski It should be a lot like NNN-BC, not overkill at all I guess.

[randoskier]

Hi all! First post here, and it’s not exactly about telemarking, but I think you can provide some insight based on what I’ve been reading. I’m pushing 70, and had a mild stroke a couple years ago, so my balance isn’t what it used to be. I have had extensive experience with cross-country and alpine skiing in the past, but kind of gave it up in favor of snowshoeing since the stroke. I saw some interesting skis a few months ago, that I thought might work for me, ie, Altai Hoks. I bought them with the universal bindings. Wanted more control, so bought Alpina Alaska boots with the Altai (Voile) 75mm bindings. Got pretty confident with them, especially in fresh or deeper snow. I live in Wisconsin, not much vertical drop. I decided I wanted to try some CC sling on/off track, and bought Fischer Spider 62 skis thinking I could use the Alaska boots and some Voile 75mm bindings with them. I haven’t mounted the bindings yet because my idea has been questioned by some “experts” saying the boots would overpower the skis. I know it’s overkill, but I’m not going to to ski aggressively. I just want control on icy, or packed snow, in or out of tracks. Back in the 70s I had 79mm Normark bindings with Norrona boots on Rossignol Horizons that were more narrow than the Spiders, so I didn’t think this would be a problem. Before I mount bindings, I’d like some opinions. Thanks!

I had two ischemic strokes last year (did not realize the 1st one was a stroke), last one on 2 Dec.. Lucky that it had no effect at all on my skiing (still terrible) or balance, but everyone has different severities . If I were you in Wisconsin. which is flat as Finland, I would use NNBC boots/bindings on your ski. No need at all for 75mm which suck for touring flats and rolling terrain. If you have the dosh I would go with the Xplore system. Best of luck to you and with your continuation!! Bon ski!!!

[Rochester]

The NNN-BC Alaska is a very nice boot.

Agree about the Alaska NNN-BC, but that would cost me at least $300 by the time I buy NNN-BC bindings.

[JB TELE]

Not sure what overpowering the ski means. If you want to skin firm stuff, you want a skinny ski. If you want to ski dowhill on firm stuff, you want a heavy duty boot.

[Krummholz]

The 75 mm binding without cables sounds great for the 62-52-60 ski It should be a lot like NNN-BC, not overkill at all I guess.

I’m with tkarhu on this, go with your Alaska 75, you can always change a later time if it’s not doing what you want.

[lilcliffy]

Hello and welcome Rochester!
The Alaska is not a stiff rigid Telemark boot- it is a BC-XC touring boot.
If you like touring in your Alaska 75 boot- then it is the perfect boot, and is ideally suited to the Spider 62.
Who is telling you that the Alaska 75 will "overpower" the Spider 62- someone that is trying to sell you more equipment perhaps?
Gareth

[Rochester]

Hello and welcome Rochester!
The Alaska is not a stiff rigid Telemark boot- it is a BC-XC touring boot.
If you like touring in your Alaska 75 boot- then it is the perfect boot. and is ideally suited to the Spider 62.
Who is telling you that the Alaska 75 will "overpower" the Spider 62- someone that is trying to selll you more equipment perhaps?
Gareth

You are probably right! It was a Fischer rep who told me that.
I quote, “For your weight, you would want to be on the 199cm Spider. However the Alaska 75mm boots is a pretty beefy and stiff boot. With your weight and the stiff boot, you'll be overpowering the ski pretty quickly especially in steeper terrain or deeper snow conditions.

I would recommend the Transnordic 66 if you are looking for a skinnier backcountry ski. The Spider is a touring ski with a metal edge. The Transnordic 66, Traverse 78 and wider skis have a more rugged construction that would pair better with the Alaska boot.”

However, it took over a week to get this answer and the Spiders were on close-out at a local shop, and they were the last pair in my length, so I pulled the trigger.

If I am in deeper snow, I’ll probably use the Hoks. In my current condition, I don’t think I’ll attack steep stuff. But you never know what the future might hold! I told him what I told all of you, but I’m not sure that got communicated