Karhu Pioneer & Catamount for newbie

[TheWord]

I've done some XC skiing an tele touring elsewhere on borrowed equipment and have now set out to put together my own setup at the worst possible time.

I have come across two pairs of Karhu skis (pioneer and Catamount in 175cm) for sale (75USD each) and wondered if anyone had first-hand experience with the skis. The Pioneers have a basic NNN binding and the Catamounts have a universal binding that I'm interested in using as a loaner pair for friends.

For reference I'm ~170lbs 5'11" (77kg 180cm) and will be skiing largely on ungroomed skipacked trails or breaking it myself in the rolling Appalachian mountains of West Virginia.

[Lumpy]

The pioneer series are entry level, we have a couple of pairs. They’re good for k&g on relatively flat surfaces, not so much on any type of incline. Downhills are “interesting”. If you plan on breaking trail, use gaiters as there is no float at all. They will simply submarine to the base.

[TheWord]

The pioneer series are entry level, we have a couple of pairs. They’re good for k&g on relatively flat surfaces, not so much on any type of incline. Downhills are “interesting”. If you plan on breaking trail, use gaiters as there is no float at all. They will simply submarine to the base.

Thank you! A pair gaiters does seem like a good idea... Would you consider an NNN binding to be stiff enough to handle the ski or have any idea how wide it is? (can it fit in a groomed track if needed?)
Beyond that- do you have any idea what weight range the 175cm is suitable for?

[Lumpy]

nnn is perfect for those skis. They will fit into tracks. Not my sure about weight, i’m about 140 & ski 175’s.

[Rodbelan]

I am sorry but Karhu Catamount, with 85mm tips, won't fit in the tracks. You probably mean that the Pionner (65mm tips) will fit. I have a pair of Glittertind (68mm tips) that sometimes barely fit in tracks; when it does, it is not so agreeable...

At your weight, the 175 is really short.

[Lumpy]

Rod, yes, you are correct. I was referring specifically to the pioneers.

[TheWord]

I am sorry but Karhu Catamount, with 85mm tips, won't fit in the tracks. You probably mean that the Pionner (65mm tips) will fit. I have a pair of Glittertind (68mm tips) that sometimes barely fit in tracks; when it does, it is not so agreeable...

At your weight, the 175 is really short.

Thank you! I've unfortunately had alot of difficulty finding weight recommendations for these skis. Would you consider either model to be similar in weight range to the Escape, Pinnacle, or XCD GT?
If they won't fit me I'd hope to use the adaptability of the universal bindings to introduce some friends to the sport.

[Rodbelan]

I guess (not sure) that the Pionners are like the Ursa... Same profile. And probably as soft. So you would need to go long — at least 190-200 range for your size.

For the other ones, you could get away with shorter... but as short as 175... that would feel real short for you. These are based on the older 10th Mtn (not the last version which was wider). Similar to the Dorado too.

[Young-Grizz]

I have a pair of 195cm Catamounts that I use with 75mm bindings. They’re very good in soft or choppy snow, but you’ll probably find them very slow on anything else. The kick zone is really big and they’re pretty soft so you get a ton of drag. They’re great for breaking trail and I’d describe them as a bushwhacking ski but not kick and glide oriented

I think my two cents is that 175 is probably too short but they could be fine to get you on the snow while you look for more skis