Fischer E-109 vs. Asnes Ingstad

[bgregoire]

If these are not working for you, your next best bet it probably a trip to Finland. They are still into long forest skis there. Check out Karhu and Peltonen. 70mm, no sidecut, up to 270cm long:

http://www.peltonenski.fi/outdoor_touring/

https://varuste.net/Sukset?_tr=6126

[connyro]

Man, those Peltonen Hunters are pretty sweet looking for deep snow (110mm wide). I wonder how they are on the down...and if they even turn like a fat ski.

[bgregoire]

Man, those Peltonen Hunters are pretty sweet looking for deep snow (110mm wide). I wonder how they are on the down...and if they even turn like a fat ski.

Finnish Hunting skis are either very long and skinny (70mm undergoot) or short and fat (like the one you linked). Neither are designed for turning but rather for moving around in rather flat forests. They got no sidecut, so turning is entirely the responsability of the skier. Never tried them myself so can't comment.

[connyro]

Man, those Peltonen Hunters are pretty sweet looking for deep snow (110mm wide). I wonder how they are on the down...and if they even turn like a fat ski.

Finnish Hunting skis are either very long and skinny (70mm undergoot) or short and fat (like the one you linked). Neither are designed for turning but rather for moving around in rather flat forests. They got no sidecut, so turning is entirely the responsability of the skier. Never tried them myself so can't comment.

I get all that plus the no sidecut thing ("turning is entirely the responsibility of the skier" made me laugh: well put). But I'm wondering how they would behave if one were to take them down something steep and deep. My guess is that they may just work!

[lilcliffy]

So Lilcliffy, getting back to your question, and just to mix up things a little, in case you have not seen my previous post about the Sporten nordic backcountry ski line, what about the Expedition (90/70/80), offered in sizes up to 190? Double stiff as hell (ain't nothing like it at that width). Apparently sold waxable as well. We have a local delaer here who has them, only with scales though.

http://old.sporten.cz/eng/catalog/nordi ... ition.html

Thanks for the reminder on these Ben- I did read your earlier post (and I too had been eyeing these for a while).

The Expedition is a very interesting and different ski- that combination of length, mid-width, moderate sidecut, and stiff double-camber seems very unique, doesn't it? I would LOVE to try them out...does your shop have any demos? I would prefer to try the waxable base...With that degree of stiffness, I wonder how they would perform on fresh snow? I suppose it would depend on the type of fresh snow...I would think they are too stiff for very soft, dry, deep powder...BUT- they might perform great on dense fresh snow- the kind of snow that really is most typical of conditions in the Northeast...They also seem rather short- which suggests they are VERY stiff- if they are meant to be an expedition ski (i.e. hauling/carrying weight). They would likely be VERY challenging on steep terrain- turning/climbing!

The Ranger looks like a ski to try as well...makes me think of the Amundsen- you?

[bgregoire]

The Ranger looks like a ski to try as well...makes me think of the Amundsen- you?

Looking at the specs of both skis, their camber could be quite different. Asnes recommends a 196cm Amundsen while sporten recommends a 170cm ranger at my weight. Actually the Ranger seems more like a stiffer Rossignol BC70 to me.

I have a pair of Amundsen 201cm. They have a humongous wax pocket. nothing i have seen is comparable. at 75kg, I have started appreciating them more lately after dulling the edges on the tips and tails. They were really catchy. Yesterday, I was even able to execute some crazy tele turns on them down a closed forest road (using NNN BC mind you), as long as I really committed myself to the moves (deep lunges, poles in the air a la Barnett).

I am tempted to compare them to a more stable E89. Very stable. I am having fun skiing them for extended periods on one foot. Don't know where that comes from. I also own a 200cm xtralite E99. Much softer. Heck, Fischer even recommends a 205cm for my weight. Go figure (10 cm longer than amundsen' recs). I doubt I would ever go that long given the terrain i ski.

Unfortunately, the Sportens on display here are waxless only. I could rent them for a day, but I doubt I will given that waxable is not on option and that the only other ski I would look into buying at the moment is something like a waxable Boundless.

[lilcliffy]

If these are not working for you, your next best bet it probably a trip to Finland. They are still into long forest skis there. Check out Karhu and Peltonen. 70mm, no sidecut, up to 270cm long:

http://www.peltonenski.fi/outdoor_touring/

https://varuste.net/Sukset?_tr=6126

OOOHHH! I have a special thing for Finnish forest/hunting skis....they have been on my wish list for BC-XC skiing on deep fresh snow for many, many years...

I have a Hok on its way- which obviously would be similar to the "Hunter"....

BUT- that "Metsa"- a very long, mid-width, BC-XC ski for long distance touring on gentle terrain- now that is something I WANT. Lengths to 270cm....wow.

(Notice the pic of the hunter with Alaska NNNBCs?!)

Any idea what the profile of the Karhu Era is? It comes in lengths to 250cm!

Thank you so much for the Varuste site- they appear to ship to Canada...The sale prices are very good...wow...

[bgregoire]

Any idea what the profile of the Karhu Era is? It comes in lengths to 250cm!

Your welcome! My guess on the Karhu Era profile is something alon the lines of 70-70-70.

[lilcliffy]

Well- I was looking for a mid-width classic XCD ski...

These Finnish forest/hunting skis have been on my wishlist for a long, long time...

[bgregoire]

Well- I was looking for a mid-width classic XCD ski...

These Finnish forest/hunting skis have been on my wishlist for a long, long time...

Yeah well, I assumed you had mostly grown out of the need for sidecut!