Which first Asnes ski to buy ?

[Dxmetal]

Hello guys, after lurking for weeks I finally got an account and deciding to join the community. Im finally deciding to learn how to ski this season and needed some help on deciding on owning a good pair of new ski setup. Being not young anymore and not wanting to have any high risk endeavors, I have decided to start on learning in the backcountry's flat to rolling hill terrains (not groomers track) here where we have lots of fresh dry loose snow. I love going back packing and camp out during the weekend in the winter time and would love to start using skis instead of my MSR snowshoes.

I have spent time going to the local ski shops, REI and the local mountaineering guide and trying to explain to them what I wanted to do and most of the time I was either directed to AT setup or nordic groomed track setup. I have learned more from this site’s TELEWIKI page than my local sources.

My good friend is donating me his old set of Voile 3 pin bindings with cable along with his old Kahru XCD Traverse leather boots that he has never worn. I know that most people would suggest renting skis or buying a cheap used skis as a beginner but I am considering the new Asnes FT 62 or Rabb 68 from REI. I would also like to stick with the Voile 75mm binding and the leather boots. I also plan to use my MSR carbon snowshoes adjustable poles.

My use case for my first season is to start and train on flat to gentle hill terrain in the Idaho Sawtooth basin (lots of powder dry snow). If by the end of this season, I can comfortably ski and with a backpack and go snow camping, it will be a win for me. In the future, I can see myself winter backpacking venturing into steeper terrain (not AT category). I don’t plan to use the skis in a resort or groomed track at all. REI also carries the Nansen and Ingstad as well. To my newbie eyes, it seems like the RABB 68 might be the best ski that I can learn and grow on ?

Thank you again for reading my newbie post here and I am looking forward to learn from your experience and wisdom.

[fisheater]

The Rabb is has the least kick out of the skis you listed. However it has been redesigned this season. Åsnes claims this model has a wax pocket. Perhaps it has the acceptable soft snow kick and glide (in my book) that the previous model Falketind had. However even that ski was not good on consolidated snow for k&g.
I have the new FT Xplore, it is quite different from the previous version, however snow is not cooperating this season. I will not make any definitive statements until I get out on the snow.
With your abundance of soft snow the Ingstad would be a nice ski. The Ingstad will k&g nicely in soft deep snow. It also turns well. It’s nice to have a ski that covers miles efficiently. That advice just came from a guy that has 2 FT, an S-112, and a Tindan 86. I stand by that advice, I ski my Gamme more than the other skis. I will readily admit that my first love is still downhill turns. It’s just that I have learned to love covering miles. You live in big country, you will want to cover miles. Don’t worry about downhill turning, you’ll be buying that ski in another year or two!

[Dxmetal]

It’s nice to have a ski that covers miles efficiently. That advice just came from a guy that has 2 FT, an S-112, and a Tindan 86. I stand by that advice, I ski my Gamme more than the other skis. I will readily admit that my first love is still downhill turns. It’s just that I have learned to love covering miles. You live in big country, you will want to cover miles. Don’t worry about downhill turning, you’ll be buying that ski in another year or two!

Thank you for reading my post and giving it your thoughts. I agreed with your remark and foresight. This season (and possibly next season) are just for me to actually learn how to ski. I will likely do it in flat and very slightly hilly terrain for this purpose as, I would like to do it accident free. For this purpose the Ingstead as a pure XC ski might be perfect, especially with my voile 3 pin and Kahru lightweight leather boots. The Ingstead BC might also help me get started without having to learn how to wax.

When talking and seeking advice from the local stores and the backcountry guide, they advised me to get AT setup (Voile V6 got the most recommendations from them the most). I rather stay conservative by wanting to learn on flat ungroomed XC terrain first before venturing out to steeper terrain and doing downhill runs. Like you mention, if I stick to the sport and after getting some avalanche courses, I can see getting a more specific AT setup, burlier plastic boots and skis.

Are they any other more skis from Asnes besides the Ingstead that might be better for my purpose on ungroomed soft powder terrain that also works great with the Voile 3 pin cable and Kahru XCD Travese leather boots ?

[fisheater]

The Combat NATO is also a good deep and soft snow ski. It will offer better consolidated snow performance because it does not have the rocker of the Ingstad, however lacking the rocker turn initiation will be more difficult.
If you give your weight, perhaps @Woodserson will comment as to the suitability of the Nansen
If you don’t need steel edges the Kongsvold may be a nice ski. It is a bit wider, but is claimed by Åsnes to offer good support in deep snow.

[Dxmetal]

The Combat NATO is also a good deep and soft snow ski. It will offer better consolidated snow performance because it does not have the rocker of the Ingstad, however lacking the rocker turn initiation will be more difficult.
If you give your weight, perhaps @Woodserson will comment as to the suitability of the Nansen
If you don’t need steel edges the Kongsvold may be a nice ski. It is a bit wider, but is claimed by Åsnes to offer good support in deep snow.

I am about 157lbs with clothes (minus shoes) Below is the old Kahru boots that I inherited.

[Stephen]

Hello @Dxmetal.
Just my .02 cents…

REI has the waxless Nansen in 195cm, which could be just right, to a bit long for you.
Not the best deep powder ski, but often referred to as a good all-round ski.
It has the reputation of being the best waxless Asnes ski (the grip works the best out of all their waxless skis).

@Woodserson can offer more in-depth thoughts on this suggestion, but, based on what you say your goals are for year one, this might be a great option. If you can find it, the Fischer Traverse 78 might be a good option, or the Alpina Discovery 80 in 197cm is a slightly less expensive option from REI.

Try to make a decision as quickly as you feel comfortable, as inventory is thin.

Best of luck!

[Stephen]

Or @lilcliffy, also…

[Dxmetal]

@Woodserson can offer more in-depth thoughts on this suggestion, but, based on what you say your goals are for year one, this might be a great option. If you can find it, the Fischer Traverse 78 might be a good option, or the Alpina Discovery 80 in 197cm is a slightly less expensive option from REI.

Try to make a decision as quickly as you feel comfortable, as inventory is thin.

Best of luck!

Thank you again for your input ! The Alpina is certainly very attractive especially at that price point ! I can see this first ski will eventually become a dedicated Backpacking- camping in the backcountry touring ski. I am definitely now straying a bitt further from the FtT62 and RABB 68.

We do have a varied type of terrain here in Idaho that I eventually want to explore as my skills developed but my goal for the first few seasons is just to earn the skills and not hurt myself. Initially I thought that the FT 62 or RABB 68 can be a ski that I can grow a bit from just flat XC to maybe a bit of downhill on the gentle slopes. However as in cycling, it is best to have dedicated equipment for specific discipline (Road Bike for Road Cycling and Mountain Bike for Mountain Biking).

[Tom M]

Im finally deciding to learn how to ski this season and needed some help on deciding on owning a good pair of new ski setup. Being not young anymore and not wanting to have any high risk endeavors, I have decided to start on learning in the backcountry's flat to rolling hill terrains (not groomers track) here where we have lots of fresh dry loose snow. I love going back packing and camp out during the weekend in the winter time and would love to start using skis instead of my MSR snowshoes.

My use case for my first season is to start and train on flat to gentle hill terrain in the Idaho Sawtooth basin (lots of powder dry snow). If by the end of this season, I can comfortably ski and with a backpack and go snow camping, it will be a win for me. In the future, I can see myself winter backpacking venturing into steeper terrain (not AT category).

I love that you have decided to add Nordic skiing to your winter adventures. You already have a set of boots and bindings, and they will work just fine for the use you describe. In regards to skis, you should probably pick a set of skis somewhere in the goldilocks zone. Long, narrow, minimal sidecut, high cambered skis are great for fast kick and glide tours. Shorter, wide, large sidecut, soft cambered skis are fine for slogging along in the flats but excel on the downhill. Skiing with a heavy backpack adds to the challenge. The goldilocks zone is somewhere in the middle. For me, I'm more comfortable on a wider ski when I'm carrying a backpack. When I'm ski backpacking, I'm usually breaking a trail, moving at a slower pace than on kick and glide tours, and I find that wider skis are just more stable, especially since a backpack can really throw off the balance.

[Tom M]

Thank you again for your input ! The Alpina is certainly very attractive especially at that price point ! I can see this first ski will eventually become a dedicated Backpacking- camping in the backcountry touring ski. I am definitely now straying a bitt further from the FtT62 and RABB 68.

I just came off a 9 plus mile ski on the Discovery 80. I like the ski. It is lively, has decent sidecut for turns, and the traction pattern has been working great so far. It lacks the built in slots for a mini skin like some of the Asnes and Fischer skis, but there are other strap on skin solutions that would work just fine.