New to xcd, need help figuring out gear for rivervalley exploring

[connyro]

I agree with LoFi and LAA. Koms with 3-pins and light plastic boots would be ideal IMO.

[Alxtomlinson]

What length would you go for that ski? I'm 5'9" and 175lbs

[Lo-Fi]

I'm a touch taller and heavier(!). 162cm is what I have and is what is recommended. They are supremely manoeuvrable and still ski like a ski.

150cm is too short. 172cm if you had big open terrain or were much larger.

[Alxtomlinson]

What about the OAC xcd 160 ski? How would that compare?

Also I saw this video of a Finnish guy catching some fun terrain with them in their snowboard like binding.

OAC XCD 160

[Alxtomlinson]

Also I found this:

Looks like a fun time, hes using sorel boots. My Salomon x adv 6 boots would be a bit stiffer.

[Woodserson]

I'm going to "third" the KOM. It's a real ski, it's fun, it's dependable, there are no gray areas.

[Alxtomlinson]

I get it when you say real ski. I've been looking at this type of ski, like the rossi bc 90 or G3 findr. I'm not looking for a high alpine tele ski, but the vids I've seen of people ripping through powder in the trees make me realize how maneuverable this setup I. Just a bit spendy, not quite the price of an at setup, but getting steep.

[Lo-Fi]

I've tried short skin-skis like the Black Diamonds. They climb amazingly. I also found them very start-stop grabby for the down; quite challenging, actually. Far less of a smooth skiing feeling. Sort of stating the obvious here, but its like skiing with skins permanently stuck on your skis!!! (Which it is)

[Jigz]

FWIW - I’m also a noob and have been having a BLAST on my simple set up.... Madshus Eon 195cm WAXLESS with a NNNBC AUTO binding. I am 5’10 and 170lbs.I’ve been skiing cut blocks, FSRs, looping trails around lakes, traversing a mountain and then skiing down (gently). And for a first set up I’m quite happy. It’s still a good touring ski, it still kick glides well, and it CAN turn... albeit not very well. The manufacturer said it themselves “this ski is built for the tour rather than the turn.” But today, I cut a few tele turns and I LOVED it. I fell... no doubt, I fell. The balance thing while skiing untouched powder of 3 feet and trying to learn tele was a good time. I fell, it was no big deal.

My boot is NNNBC Rossignol x10, and it’s way too soft. I want the Alaska’s, or Madshus apparently made a boot that as was supposed to be even more supportive than the Alaska, don’t know the name. My x10 is comfortable, warm, works really well, but a little whimpy (in my little experience).

I grew up snowboarding, learned how to ski when young and never REALLY did it again. Really started this season... having a BLAST.

[Nick BC]

I think you are referring to the Madshus Glittertind boot.