SE Minnesota unconventional Ski build..? HOk + Xplore

[a-wet-sock]

I'm in SE Minnesota.. Winters here are hit and miss, and snow conditions vary greatly.. When we get snow, and keep snow, I want to take advantage! Most of my usage will be exploring State and County Land, and hopefully learning a little bit of telemark on my own, when i find clear areas to play..

I was luck enough to have a shop close by who rented a HOK 125 with universal bindings, and loved the unique freedom to explore the local woods vs exploring with snow shoes.
I quickly recognized that the universal binding, and my winter boots, are not enough for what I want to do.

I want to find a 'performance' dedicated boot/binding.
I also want a longer ski, so i can have a little bit more of a Ski feeling for downhill and traversing sections, with out sacrificing too much on my ability to climb.
We have Smaller hills around here.. I have no interest in Skins at the time being.

As of now I'm narrowing down my research and gut feelings to the build of:
Altai Hok 145 + Xplore Binding + XP Alaska
I am aware that the bindings won't fit the pre-taped mounting holes in the skis. =( (i have friends who can help)
https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/ ... lank-skis/

I haven't seen too much mention online with people using this binding with a wider skis and i do have a concern that the wide ski could introduce more torque on the xplore binding, beyond what it should be able to contain...
Any thoughts on this?

I reached out to Altai for their impression of the Xplore. They tried the xplore, but went back to preferring and recommending the 3pin setup.. beyond their Universal Binding
( I do appreciate their customer feedback and attention to my questions, but I do take their personal experience with a grain of salt. )

I only have 3pin experience with Older x-country skis which were my parents.. I never liked those things. Yeah they were older shoes... but still.. the duck bill thing was annoying imo.

The NNN-BC bindings... Yuck as well.. I use to have traditional x-country skis with those bindings.. hated the little Pin contact point.

I really like the concept of the Xplore pivot point and the wider points of contact. I do agree.. the Boot goes a LONG way with the reality of your experience.

A lot of my trail braking will be kick and glide through dense woods. so i'm fairly confident with the Alpina XP Alaska boot choice.
I have three boots coming to my house (size 43-45), so i can pick the boot that fits the best, and return two..

from the little i understand on a true 'back country' telemark binding and boot, that would be way overkill for what i want.

Any general Thoughts?

On a side note, I intend to make a Taik Pole, but also have ski poles as an option as well..

Also, Thanks to TomM for all his Youtube reviews on this newer xplore system! Those Vids have helped a Lot!!

Respectfully, & with excitement for more snow!
Joshy Josh

[DG99]

I reached out to Altai for their impression of the Xplore. They tried the xplore, but went back to preferring and recommending the 3pin setup.. beyond their Universal Binding

That’s interesting. I wonder why?

I would think, the attachment method wouldn’t make TOO much difference if the boot is otherwise the same. Overall, these types of boots have limited abilities edging on ice, in deep snow, or linking short turns on steep hills. But the Alaska etc. are fine if you don’t have high expectations. Scarpa T4 would have a lot better ability for all those more difficult purposes.

The Kom’s with the fishscales I think would be better, as skins can drag in many snow conditions. Skins are best in cold fresh snow or if you’re climbing and don’t expect much glide.

So… I’d get the Koms with some Scarpa T4s. Won’t grow out of that for a long time. But Scarpa’s are hard to find these days.

[Krummholz]

Hi,
I have the 145 Hok, mounted 3 pin. It does great in powder but sucks traversing hard pack. The Alaska is not stiff enough to hold an edge since the ski is so wide, especially in the ankle. I learned this up-hilling at a resort. As soon as I had to traverse a run it was no edge or skin grip at all. I had to smear down and across, then skin back up. Skiing down on the easiest green was pretty gnarly. That’s why Altai recommends the T-4 (3 pin plastic boot) if you’re going to really ski them and need to be able to edge.

[a-wet-sock]

I reached out to Altai for their impression of the Xplore. They tried the xplore, but went back to preferring and recommending the 3pin setup.. beyond their Universal Binding

My thought on this is that they have experience with the 3pin, and since it's been around longer, it's just what they are use to using..

[a-wet-sock]

I have dedicated downhill skis for the groomed ski hill "Midwest snow variety pack".

I could see bringing this Xplore setup to my local hill, if we got a good amount of snow, and i go earlier in the morning when less people are around so I can experiment..

[lowangle al]

I think the advice about the T4 is spot on. I also think you'd be happier with a Kom than a Hok. With a three pin binding you could use a lighter boot when conditions are right. As far as resort skiing though I'm not sure if the T4/Kom is going to work real well.

[spopepro]

I think the reason for suggesting universal bindings or 3-pin on the hok is because it’s more of a ski shoe than a ski. It hasn’t stopped people from taking them out and shredding but it’s not really intended for it. I personally would select the kom for what you describe.

All that said—If you love the hok (I haven’t skied it—I’ve skied my wife’s kom which is a very good slow ski) I don’t see an issue with being a pioneer mounting xplore. At the speeds you can go on a hok in south MN… there’s no danger in being “under booted” really.

Only rule is you must post lots of reports here.

[connyro]

Wide skis like the Hoks or Koms are difficult to get on-edge for turning without stiff boots. Even if you have the skills to get them on-edge, with a light boot/binding,it's still fatiguing. Sure, you can shuffle around with light boots on those wide skis, but anything resembling dh skiing and using your edges for turning will not be easy or fun IMO. Xplore bindings and the so far, light Xplore boots and wide skis with DH aspirations are not a good match IMO. 3-pin bindings allow you a wide range of boots that you can use with them, from light leathers to heavy plastics.

[wabene]

I'm in SE Minnesota.. Winters here are hit and miss, and snow conditions vary greatly.. When we get snow, and keep snow, I want to take advantage! Most of my usage will be exploring State and County Land, and hopefully learning a little bit of telemark on my own, when i find clear areas to play..

I was luck enough to have a shop close by who rented a HOK 125 with universal bindings, and loved the unique freedom to explore the local woods vs exploring with snow shoes.
I quickly recognized that the universal binding, and my winter boots, are not enough for what I want to do.

I want to find a 'performance' dedicated boot/binding.
I also want a longer ski, so i can have a little bit more of a Ski feeling for downhill and traversing sections, with out sacrificing too much on my ability to climb.
We have Smaller hills around here.. I have no interest in Skins at the time being.

As of now I'm narrowing down my research and gut feelings to the build of:
Altai Hok 145 + Xplore Binding + XP Alaska
I am aware that the bindings won't fit the pre-taped mounting holes in the skis. =( (i have friends who can help)
https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/ ... lank-skis/

I haven't seen too much mention online with people using this binding with a wider skis and i do have a concern that the wide ski could introduce more torque on the xplore binding, beyond what it should be able to contain...
Any thoughts on this?

I reached out to Altai for their impression of the Xplore. They tried the xplore, but went back to preferring and recommending the 3pin setup.. beyond their Universal Binding
( I do appreciate their customer feedback and attention to my questions, but I do take their personal experience with a grain of salt. )

I only have 3pin experience with Older x-country skis which were my parents.. I never liked those things. Yeah they were older shoes... but still.. the duck bill thing was annoying imo.

The NNN-BC bindings... Yuck as well.. I use to have traditional x-country skis with those bindings.. hated the little Pin contact point.

I really like the concept of the Xplore pivot point and the wider points of contact. I do agree.. the Boot goes a LONG way with the reality of your experience.

A lot of my trail braking will be kick and glide through dense woods. so i'm fairly confident with the Alpina XP Alaska boot choice.
I have three boots coming to my house (size 43-45), so i can pick the boot that fits the best, and return two..

from the little i understand on a true 'back country' telemark binding and boot, that would be way overkill for what i want.

Any general Thoughts?

On a side note, I intend to make a Taik Pole, but also have ski poles as an option as well..

Also, Thanks to TomM for all his Youtube reviews on this newer xplore system! Those Vids have helped a Lot!!

Respectfully, & with excitement for more snow!
Joshy Josh

Yo, yo JoshyJosh! You got any secret glades down in the beautiful Minnesota bluff country you wanna share with this vertically starved fellow Minnesotan? Help a bro out !

[Krummholz]

I'm in SE Minnesota.. Winters here are hit and miss, and snow conditions vary greatly.. When we get snow, and keep snow, I want to take advantage! Most of my usage will be exploring State and County Land, and hopefully learning a little bit of telemark on my own, when i find clear areas to play..

I was luck enough to have a shop close by who rented a HOK 125 with universal bindings, and loved the unique freedom to explore the local woods vs exploring with snow shoes.
I quickly recognized that the universal binding, and my winter boots, are not enough for what I want to do.

I want to find a 'performance' dedicated boot/binding.

The Hok is not a ‘performance ski’, it’s a bushwhacking machine! It’s for going up/down ridges, across gully’s, through brush, tight trees, that’s why it has a permanent skin. It’s for leaving the snowshoe’rs in the dust on hiking trails. If you were going to go Xplore on any kind wide ski you probably would want the Alfa Free APS that is a lateral stiffer boot than the Alaska. See Tom M videos about the Xplore system. https://youtube.com/@tomm9850
If your going to add XCD type of skis later then I could see going Xplore.
If all you want to do is just bushwhack save your $$ and get the 3 pin for the Hok and 3 pin Alaskas.