Update from the XCD Knights

[MikeK]

Yes please post. I'll help you Al, shoot me a pm once you get it.

Also you need to be having FUN!

[lowangle al]

Thanks Mike, I knew you would.

[lowangle al]

Johnny, if only xc shoes are allowed than I don't think metal edge skis should be allowed either to keep it trully xc.

[connyro]

One would be hard-pressed to consider Alpina Alaska NNN-BC boots "cross-country shoes" even though I'm pretty sure they still qualify as XCDable.

[MikeK]

I think what Johnny means is shoes that relate to XC shoes.

For example, there are not plastic shell XC shoes. There are cuffed XC shoes, there are synthetic XC shoes, there are leather XC shoes, etc...

Also, to my knowledge, no one uses the cable for XC, unless they broke their boot.

I've skated on my NNN-BC Alaska and it's quite nice. Mind you I can also skate with plastic boots and fixed heel Alpine skis, but I HATE it. It's only something I used to do to get between runs and lifts.

As far as metal edges... to me, totally XC. I can skate them, take my skinny ones to a Nordie center. No difference except the weight.

[Johnny]

Oh Al, that'd be great! I'd be the first to submit this to the council...!

Personally, I will experiment with skis in the 130-140mm range at the tip... They do have to be very light to make them turn with floppy boots... I'm very curious how this will translate with NNN-BC...

Metal edges are totally useless in powder. I honestly have no need for it wherever I go in the BC. This is a marketing thing again, as it doesn't really affect weight that much and people will always think skis with edges are better. (Plus, they can use them on ice if they want...) I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure the council don't care much about it.

One important thing to keep in mind here is that the Knights don't "forbid" anything. I know a lot of people don't get it, but there's no such thing as allowed or not allowed. It's not a law. They're not mean people. It's simply a way to classify different types of skiing that require different ski techniques, Alpine, XC, Telemark, XCD. And that's it.

[lowangle al]

I think in light powder any weight xc shoe would work but you would have to ride the skis like a surf board. I don't think it would be the most fun combo though.

[connyro]

I've very recently learned from an expert skier, much to my surprise, that lift served groomers is appropriate for XCD. What say the brave knights?

[The XCD Knights]

Connyro,

As LoveJohnny previously stated, XCD simply means going downhill with cross-country ski equipement. The actual location where you ski is not taken into consideration. You can do backcountry XCD just as you can also do on-piste XCD.

Best regards,
Hans

[connyro]

If I may point out, sir, wouldn't that just be 'D' instead of 'XCD'? Where's the XC when you sit your ass on a lift that performs all of the XC for you? That just seems like DH skiing. So if I am out skiing on my XC setup and I happen to go down a hill, I'm doing the XCD? If so, that would make everyone on XC gear an XCD'er unless you ski dead-flat terrain or constantly uphill. I am getting confused.