Short, waxable ski recommendation

[riel]

I'd go with the Asnes Admunsen over the Fischer TN59's. I've never used the TN59's but I have used the TN66's (a waxable ski). The TN66 is a real go straight kinda ski, with minimal side cut (compared to the Admunsen's), and a pretty tall camber. I imagine that the TN59's are even more forward oriented than the TN66's.

The TN66, the Amundsen, the Gamme, and the Ousland are in the same class when it comes to turning, with maybe a slight advantage to the Ousland, Gamme, and TN66, depending on what snow conditions are like.

I have two older (pre-tip rocker) E99 skis here, and both of them turn better than my early 2000s Amundsen. The Gamme, modern TN66, and Ousland should all turn better than Amundsen.

The TN59 is an absolute go-straight rail, with absolutely minimal ability to turn even compared to the TN66.

If you want to turn, something like the Asnes Nansen, Asnes Ingstad, or Fischer Traverse 78 / Excursion 88 will turn a lot better, while still having pretty good kick and glide.

[pacificnomad]

I have pretty much settled on the Admundsen's after reading a great review on here, that seemed to describe just what I'm looking for.
http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4513
The Gammes also look good, but I cannot find any of the right size. Neptune Mountaineering looks to have waxable Admunsens in every length. I briefly considered going waxless, which I expect would work pretty well on the SoCal snow, but only if properly sized for my weight. That's not going to happen, because I need to go short. I am thinking 187 in the Admundsen's which is at least 20cm too short for my weight. I think I used to ski 215's 40 years ago.

Another thread had convinced me to go with the TN 59, as I am really not much concerned about deep powder.
http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4611
Getting to Big Bear is a traffic jam after a fresh snowfall, and my other favorite, Mt Pinos, has a snow gate that doesn't open for a few days. So, the snow is pretty stiff by the time I am on it, at most a few inches of powder on top. I will try to get to Sierras a few times, but then will probably just enjoy the groomed tracks. Unlike everyone else on here, I am trying to avoid the slopes! So, not too concerned about downhill performance, just that I can navigate some difficult terrain when necessary without breaking a leg.

What finally put me off the Fischer TN's was the "Nordic rocker". Sounds great for making turns in deep snow, but I think it will make the already too short skis effectively shorter. Not what I need on packed or shallow snow.

Funny, I started off thinking I would spend a couple hundred bucks get to some shorter skis, now looking at $500 for the Asnes. And my boots are SNS, so now I've got some $300 Alpina Alaskas and Salomon Escape Outback's waiting for me at local REI. Going to take home whichever feels better in the store. Telling myself it is money well spent not to break my neck up there. As long as I don't get over-confident.

I think you are making the right choice with the Admunsens, especially if you're mainly sticking to the less steep terrain and are focusing on a good kick and glide kinda outting. And it sounds like it's been a while since you've purchased some new XC gear, so that's exciting! Enjoy it out there!

[socaltim]

Yeah, it's been a while. These were my first ski boots, or I should say shoes.

I remember they had a wooden midsole, some kind of springy wood. I left those behind, along with my Fischer Europa's, when I moved out to LA. I got back into it 10 years ago, with an Atomic set-up. But, felt a little rickety last winter exploring a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Gabriels. Buying some new equipment is fun

[socaltim]

For what it's worth I got a pair of Madshus Panorama T55 Intelligrip Transition Skis last year in 192cm. They have a wax base with the option of a kicker skin. I was very happy with them on steep narrow trails in the Laurentians north of Montreal. A bit cheaper than Asnes but still good quality.

Oh! Thanks for the pointer. When I saw "Intelligrip" I assumed it had some kind of traction pattern. I will have to check out their whole line.

[greatgt]

Been skiing e99's (TN66?) for about let's round it out, 50 years. Straight, double camber, and have been able to maneuver them well. The FEEL is close to heaven, and they stay in the track pretty well if that is what you do. Also have the 109's with rocker which I don't like at all. Down good but going up restricts your BC cruising as they tend to slip if one gets into a steep section. TM

[pacificnomad]

I'd go with the Asnes Admunsen over the Fischer TN59's. I've never used the TN59's but I have used the TN66's (a waxable ski). The TN66 is a real go straight kinda ski, with minimal side cut (compared to the Admunsen's), and a pretty tall camber. I imagine that the TN59's are even more forward oriented than the TN66's.

The TN66, the Amundsen, the Gamme, and the Ousland are in the same class when it comes to turning, with maybe a slight advantage to the Ousland, Gamme, and TN66, depending on what snow conditions are like.

I have two older (pre-tip rocker) E99 skis here, and both of them turn better than my early 2000s Amundsen. The Gamme, modern TN66, and Ousland should all turn better than Amundsen.

The TN59 is an absolute go-straight rail, with absolutely minimal ability to turn even compared to the TN66.

If you want to turn, something like the Asnes Nansen, Asnes Ingstad, or Fischer Traverse 78 / Excursion 88 will turn a lot better, while still having pretty good kick and glide.

I think the TN66's that I have are a bit long for me (I'm 155lbs and 5'8") at 200cm, but hey, they were free. So I might be a bit biased about their lack of turning ability especially coming from five seasons of skiing SBound 98's and Asnes Kongsvolds ( which I've only ever skied twice). What do you think about the Ingstad's as an all around BC Nordic ski? I wouldn't mind something with metal edged and a slightly stiffer flex than the Kongsvolds.

[socaltim]

Been skiing e99's (TN66?) for about let's round it out, 50 years. Straight, double camber, and have been able to maneuver them well. The FEEL is close to heaven, and they stay in the track pretty well if that is what you do. Also have the 109's with rocker which I don't like at all. Down good but going up restricts your BC cruising as they tend to slip if one gets into a steep section. TM

I was leaning toward the TN66 after reading praise for the predecessor e99 on here. But, I think they are a different ski now, with the Nordic rocker. Seems like the Admundsen's may be similar to the old e99.

[blitzskier]

I have pretty much settled on the Admundsen's after reading a great review on here, that seemed to describe just what I'm looking for.
http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4513
The Gammes also look good, but I cannot find any of the right size. Neptune Mountaineering looks to have waxable Admunsens in every length. I briefly considered going waxless, which I expect would work pretty well on the SoCal snow, but only if properly sized for my weight. That's not going to happen, because I need to go short. I am thinking 187 in the Admundsen's which is at least 20cm too short for my weight. I think I used to ski 215's 40 years ago.

Another thread had convinced me to go with the TN 59, as I am really not much concerned about deep powder.
http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4611
Getting to Big Bear is a traffic jam after a fresh snowfall, and my other favorite, Mt Pinos, has a snow gate that doesn't open for a few days. So, the snow is pretty stiff by the time I am on it, at most a few inches of powder on top. I will try to get to Sierras a few times, but then will probably just enjoy the groomed tracks. Unlike everyone else on here, I am trying to avoid the slopes! So, not too concerned about downhill performance, just that I can navigate some difficult terrain when necessary without breaking a leg.

What finally put me off the Fischer TN's was the "Nordic rocker". Sounds great for making turns in deep snow, but I think it will make the already too short skis effectively shorter. Not what I need on packed or shallow snow.

Funny, I started off thinking I would spend a couple hundred bucks get to some shorter skis, now looking at $500 for the Asnes. And my boots are SNS, so now I've got some $300 Alpina Alaskas and Salomon Escape Outback's waiting for me at local REI. Going to take home whichever feels better in the store. Telling myself it is money well spent not to break my neck up there. As long as I don't get over-confident.

curious to see what your set up turns into, I was up at mnt Pinos last winter and had fun on a pair of Altai Hok 145cm with built in skin and a Lurk, carving powder through the trees with my doggo in tow. they climb throu deep powder like snowshoes and I maintained floatation even at 210lbs. I tried using my longer 200cm all terrain skis up there but they where too hard to carve quickly and difficult to follow narrow trails .
I since installed the 3 pin heel cables on the HOK and wow what an improvement. you definatly want some kind of binding that has the heel wires or cables. https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/ ... lank-skis/
hope to see you at mount Pinos this winter...
i'm working on building a portable row tow for the upper hill top as there is a nice clearing up there , so to get in more teleruns without hiking so much.. at 9000 feet my muscle effiencency drops off fast, and breathing hard is the main issue for me.


all socal resorts are hell and $$$$. but i am curious to sneak into Mntain High area since they had the big fire that wiped out the resort. many roads and trails are closed to the public. : (

[riel]

I think the TN66's that I have are a bit long for me (I'm 155lbs and 5'8") at 200cm, but hey, they were free. So I might be a bit biased about their lack of turning ability especially coming from five seasons of skiing SBound 98's and Asnes Kongsvolds ( which I've only ever skied twice). What do you think about the Ingstad's as an all around BC Nordic ski? I wouldn't mind something with metal edged and a slightly stiffer flex than the Kongsvolds.

That would be a bit much ski for your size and weight, indeed!

I use my Asnes Ingstad skis pretty much every time I'm not sure what conditions to expect on ungroomed snow.

They turn well and glide well, especially when there's a little bit of fresh snow.

The fishscales work OK. The shorter fishscales require more careful placing than longer scales, but they glide so much better than longer scales that's worthwhile. When more grip is required, kicker skins do the trick.

The 45mm mohair X-skins are the ones I use the most.

[fisheater]

@riel i think you have given really solid advice on this thread. I haven’t had anything to say as I prefer waxable skis.
I was surprised by your recommendation for the 45 mm mohair X-skin. While I really enjoy the 45 mm X-skin on my Falketind, it just doesn’t glide acceptably enough on my Gamme. However it’s trimmed for the Falketind and a bit long on the Gamme. I just make wax or klister on the Gamme. Maybe it’s just the length of the X-skin, but I intend to order a 30 mm mohair for the Gamme.
Best wishes for a good winter!