Extreme range two ski quiver.

[Olaf]

If I get the Gamme 54 skis should I put some Volie 3 Pin telemark cable bindings on them so I can use my leather Merrell Telemark boots on them for touring and track skiing without the cable. Would my plastic Scarpa T4 boots work well for practicing downhill telemark turns?

[lilcliffy]

Hey Olaf-
A few thoughts-
I have never even seen a MR48- but I do think the primary reason to consider it over other choices is that will work in a Classic groomed track. Other options to consider that would work in a track- but offer more stability- and better backcountry performance- include the Asnes Borge Ousland, Fischer E-99 Xtralite.
I personally have no use for a MR48 because I don't need a distance-oriented BC ski that will work in a groomed track.
When I am on the track I want a track ski.

On the subject of the ski at the other end of your "extreme" range- I don't see the Ingstad/E09 type ski as the ski- if this ski is intended to be a downhill ski-
The Ingstad is a XC ski- not a downhill ski- and if you are considering a short Ingstad to make it more "manageable" downhill then I would suggest you strongly consider a downhill ski instead.

I have tested a short Ingstad against similar lenght FT62 and Storetind and there is no contest- there is nothing gained IMO from choosing a short Ingstad- the FT62 is a much better downhill ski and thew Storetind is even more stable and capable downhill.

At ~200lbs I really don't know why you would consider an Ingstad shorter than 205cm...But- again- I am not sure that the Ingstad is what you are looking for...

If you are considerinf a downhill ski with a more traditional geometry (i.e. "old-school" Telemark ski) then I would consider the Nansen- with its flexible shovel and tail- over the Ingstad, or a ski like the Madshus Eon- with its flexible shovel-tail-

What boots-bindings are you going to be using- same at both extremes?

[Olaf]

Iilcliffy, thank you for your recommendations. I would like to use my current boots which are a leather pair of Merrell’s with the Velcro laces for touring on the flats and my Scarpa T3 boots for steeper terrain. I would use Volie 3 Pin Telemark cable bindings with the cables off for touring. I hardly ever ski where there are groomed tracks but would like to have a pair of skis that would fit in them if I am at a groomed area. My latest choice of ski are the Gamme 54 and your suggestion of the FT62 in a 188 length.

[lilcliffy]

Olaf-
Classic track is groomed at 70mm width-
The Gamme 54- with its 68mm tip- will fit in a groomed track-
BUT- it has a very stiff tip, fully-wrapped in steel edge-
The Gamme 54 does not work well in a groomed track as its "wide" stiff tip will not allow the ski to smoothly go around a turn.
The E-99 Xtralite- by comparison- not only has a narrower tip, but it is soft and flexible- this ski works better in a groomed track.

Also- I saw your post in the Gamme 54 review thread-
I have never tried a 75mm binding in a Classic groomed track, but the 75mm binding plate is too wide to fit into the groomed track.

Curious- why would you choose the Falketind 62 (FT62) over a wider, more stable downhill ski?
In my experience the FT62 has a very narrow range of performance-
IMO a wider downhill ski would be more versatile...
If you are going to use the T3 as your Telemark boot, it will certainly drive a bigger ski than the FT62...
I have tried the FT62 with my T4- it is overkill IMO- I much prefer it with my "Snowfield-class" boots (e.g. Alaska/Guard/Lofoten/Varg) or my "Extreme-class" boots (e.g. Svartisen/Extreme).

Or- is the reason you are interested in the FT62 because of its XC potential? Are you hoping to use the Merrell boot with the FT62 as well as the T3?
Gareth

[wabene]

Olaf
My Madshus M50's have a profile of 60-50-55 and I like them in the tracks. At 205cm and the wider width on tighter radius turns I sometimes have to angle the outside ski or pop one or both skis out of the tracks. No big deal. The MR 48's are 60-48-53, so same same. I believe you were going with NNN bindings which would be good. If you go with the integrated skin it is an advantage to be able to slide the binding fore and aft for varying conditions. I do have track skis, but I'm finding I like a ski like the M50 because they are fast, they really do seem as fast as my waxable track skis, and they are just more versatile. Hit a steep icy section of an unknown trail? No problem. Want to head off track or an ungroomed section they do very well. I skied them on untracked lakes in the BWCA and they just flew. Steeper and deeper? I'll grab a different ski. My 2 cents.

[Olaf]

I have changed my ski selection to the Åsnes Mountain Race with NNN Rottefella Move Switch bindings and ther new Otto Sverdrup BC skis with 3 pin cable bindings. I will use my current boots the Rossignol X5 OT combi boots on the MR 48s and my 75mm pin leather boots and Scarpa T3 plastic boots on the Ottos.

I have decided that the MR 48 ski will ski well on groomed trails but can be used on ungroomed and icy trails. The skins will simplify waxing for warm wet snow.

We will watch how the Otto Sverdurp BC ski are accepted. The goal of a being an all round ski is difficult but may be achieved with the Ottos.

All my steep and deep powder skiing will be done at resorts with avalanche control and lifts.

[Transplantskier]

For reasons of finances (and sanity) I limit myself to a two ski quiver like the one you're describing.

My "Swiss army knife" ski is the Nansen. It may not do any one thing amazingly, but I have yet to find conditions that I can't enjoy it in. If my quiver was forced down to a single ski, this would be the one.

My lighter ski is the Madshus Fjelltech M44 which I recently acquired to replace Asnes MT51 waxless skis. I've only had these skis for a few weeks, but I've been very impressed by them both in and out of the track. When in the track, I definitely find that they ski more like a track ski than my MT51s did. Softer tips and that bit of extra skinniness. But they've also impressed me in up to 6" of powder.

Having grown up skiing the ice and trees in New England, I didn't even know that trails were groomed for XC skiing until I was in college and I can't quite wrap my head around buying a pair of skis that can only succeed in the track. The M44s have been a really good compromise now that I'm living somewhere with a great mix of groomed trails and explorable hills. I think someone else mentioned the M50s (bigger sibling of the M44) in this thread as well, so I'd recommend checking out this Madshus line as a potential alternative to the MR48s.

[CwmRaider]

I have changed my ski selection to the Åsnes Mountain Race with NNN Rottefella Move Switch bindings and ther new Otto Sverdrup BC skis with 3 pin cable bindings. I will use my current boots the Rossignol X5 OT combi boots on the MR 48s and my 75mm pin leather boots and Scarpa T3 plastic boots on the Ottos.

I have decided that the MR 48 ski will ski well on groomed trails but can be used on ungroomed and icy trails. The skins will simplify waxing for warm wet snow.

We will watch how the Otto Sverdurp BC ski are accepted. The goal of a being an all round ski is difficult but may be achieved with the Ottos.

All my steep and deep powder skiing will be done at resorts with avalanche control and lifts.

This combo makes more sense to me. Also considering that you don't have dedicated track skis.

Cheers

[athabascae]

My two ski quiver is MR48 wax and Ingstad wax (older combat nato version). Both are fantastic, versatile 'swiss army knife' skis for the range of skiing I enjoy. Quite pleased with both of these skis.

Tom