Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Heya,

So im looking for a replacement/update to my ~30 year old dead noodle Waxless E99s.

ive narrowed my search down to the transnordic 66 or asnes gamme.

Im a tall heavy dude at 6'2" 225lbs. And want a do it all, turntable XCd/light tele ski that can handle the catskills backcountry/logging roads but still fits in tracks when theyre available.

Anywho i see the gamme onsale for $250 at neptune mountaineering (assuming they have my size).
-- im just a little apprehensive (although i think im coming around) to having to learn the art of kickwaxing. Plus they have kicker skin attachments.

I also see the transnordic onsale with binding packsge on telemark Pyrenees. They're waxless with skin attachments.

As far as bindings. Ive had voile cable bindings which have been more than adequate for my uses. But im wondering if i should pick up hardwires/or rotte super teles. Will they be overpowering to my Alpina Alaskas? I also like the idea of being able to pick up some T4s.

Thanks!

"Anywho i see the gamme onsale for $250 at neptune mountaineering (assuming they have my size)."

I got excited about this, and added it to cart, but it doesn't say a size. That's an exciting price but seems to good to be true? Gonna call them

Oh my, Sverdups are 250 as well. Ugh, whyd I log on

Daaaaaanggg they only have 180s in stock for the gamme :'(

I have both the TN 66 waxless and the Gamme 54BC. After skiing and comparing both under the same ski conditions the clear WINNER is the Asnes Gamme. Man what a ski! Absolutely delightful! The kick and glide is outstanding when I get the wax is right for the snow conditions. The 30 mm Mohair skins works just as good the TN 66 scales. I am amazed at the increased control that I have on the Gammes on the downhill compared to the waxless TN 66. My routes have some pretty steep, treacherous downhill sections that push me to my novice limits when using the TN 66. The Gammes instill confidence, probably to my detriment.

I like the TN 66, but I find them slow compared to the Gammes and my old E99 wax tours. The TN 66's are now shoulder season skis. Maybe they will prove to be better under warmer snow conditions. I think the wax version of the TN 66 comes with skins, the waxless version does not have the skins attachment.

I prefer the Gammes with NNN BC magnum bindings over the TN 66's.