Building an NNN-BC "downhill" setup?

[Lubega6]

Hey there free-heelers!

After several months of reading and learning on this forum, I finally decided to write something for myself.

In a nutshell, I already own a two pairs of backcountry skis mostly oriented towards flat to rolly terrains. Both are fitted with Rottefella NNN-BC Magnum bindings and used to be driven by soft Rossignol BCX6 boots. While these were really comfortable, performing telemark turns with them was truly an art, which nevertheless made me a good skier. Now that my BCX6 are beginning to fall appart, I'm planning on buying new NNN-BC boots*** and a new (yayy) pair of skis oriented towards downhill, to complete my quiver.

So far, I was quite impressed and inspired by this gentleman (https://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic. ... 3&start=10), who brought his Asnes Ingstad skis paired with Alpina Alaska BC boots to his local hill. And this is where I need your expertise. I'd like to achieve a similar feat and build the most optimal downhill-capable-ish NNN-BC setup, for telemark.

For the boots, a pair of Crispi Svartisen BC or Alpina Alaska BC looked like the most appealing option (any preference or other suggestions?). As for the skis, this is where the options are many. Being Québécois, I first look at the Altaï Ski Koms, which had a very short turn radius. However, these might be too wide for Svartisens or Alaskas to drive. Then, the Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Nansen or Rabb 68 came to mind. However, I'd like to hear about your experience or opinion on this one too. I need short turn radius skis that can be turned on steeper terrain with Alaskas, Svartisen or similar boots, even on hard packed snow; IF such skis exist. I'm not too familiar with Madshus or Voilé skis, but I'm open to suggestions.

Any contribution (comments, advices, compliments, insults, etc.) is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

***I'd like to stick to NNN-BC boots for compatibility (and therefore, budget) reasons with the rest of my skis.

TL;DR: I need short turn radius skis that can be turned on steeper terrain with Alaskas, Svartisen or similar boots, even on hard packed snow; IF such skis exist.

[mikael.oh]

Have a look at my threads "some of you said Gammes don¨t turn" and "one ski to rule them all"

The boots I use is what you¨re looking for, the Fischer BCX Transnordic. Super tall, burly, stiff. Feels like an alpine ski boot when you tighten the laces fully.

I use them with Åsnes Gamme and BC Magnum and use alpine turns, and I RIP on this setup, even though I have less than 10 skidays experience on BC equipment. Haven¨t had time to learn telemark yet but I¨m sure they give you just as much control there.

The Gammes are really stiff and work superbly with these stiff boots. So far I¨ve kind of enjoyed skiing hardpack more than overly soft stuff because you can really catapult out of turns with this setup.
The boots give you SO much control. Steepness, at least in the resort, isn¨t a problem at all. Heck, I¨d probalby ski a 45 degree couloir with this setup if I needed to. I went to a resort yesterday and skied 16000 vertical feet in 4.5 hours, and that was on mostly hard manmade snow.

[lilcliffy]

To add to Mikael's recommendation of the Gamme 54-

Other skis to consider:
- Nansen
- Ingstad
- M62

Nansen is a remarkable combination of even, smooth suportive flex.

Ingstad has more complex geometry with significant rocker in the shovel (i.e. will ski short on hardpack).

Don't know anything about the current Madhsus M62...

As Mikael points out- the Gamme 54 is the "one ski to rule them all"- but for purely downhill skiing the three listed above might be better...

[Nitram Tocrut]

Hey there free-heelers!

After several months of reading and learning on this forum, I finally decided to write something for myself.

In a nutshell, I already own a two pairs of backcountry skis mostly oriented towards flat to rolly terrains. Both are fitted with Rottefella NNN-BC Magnum bindings and used to be driven by soft Rossignol BCX6 boots. While these were really comfortable, performing telemark turns with them was truly an art, which nevertheless made me a good skier. Now that my BCX6 are beginning to fall appart, I'm planning on buying new NNN-BC boots*** and a new (yayy) pair of skis oriented towards downhill, to complete my quiver.

So far, I was quite impressed and inspired by this gentleman (https://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic. ... 3&start=10), who brought his Asnes Ingstad skis paired with Alpina Alaska BC boots to his local hill. And this is where I need your expertise. I'd like to achieve a similar feat and build the most optimal downhill-capable-ish NNN-BC setup, for telemark.

For the boots, a pair of Crispi Svartisen BC or Alpina Alaska BC looked like the most appealing option (any preference or other suggestions?). As for the skis, this is where the options are many. Being Québécois, I first look at the Altaï Ski Koms, which had a very short turn radius. However, these might be too wide for Svartisens or Alaskas to drive. Then, the Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Nansen or Rabb 68 came to mind. However, I'd like to hear about your experience or opinion on this one too. I need short turn radius skis that can be turned on steeper terrain with Alaskas, Svartisen or similar boots, even on hard packed snow; IF such skis exist. I'm not too familiar with Madshus or Voilé skis, but I'm open to suggestions.

Any contribution (comments, advices, compliments, insults, etc.) is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

***I'd like to stick to NNN-BC boots for compatibility (and therefore, budget) reasons with the rest of my skis.

TL;DR: I need short turn radius skis that can be turned on steeper terrain with Alaskas, Svartisen or similar boots, even on hard packed snow; IF such skis exist.

Just for curiosity and that could also help… where in Québec will you ski and what type of terrain? We are blessed with so diversified terrain and also snow quality/quantity that varies so much across « La belle province »

[Lubega6]

Have a look at my threads "some of you said Gammes don¨t turn" and "one ski to rule them all"

The boots I use is what you¨re looking for, the Fischer BCX Transnordic. Super tall, burly, stiff. Feels like an alpine ski boot when you tighten the laces fully.

I use them with Åsnes Gamme and BC Magnum and use alpine turns, and I RIP on this setup, even though I have less than 10 skidays experience on BC equipment. Haven¨t had time to learn telemark yet but I¨m sure they give you just as much control there.

The Gammes are really stiff and work superbly with these stiff boots. So far I¨ve kind of enjoyed skiing hardpack more than overly soft stuff because you can really catapult out of turns with this setup.
The boots give you SO much control. Steepness, at least in the resort, isn¨t a problem at all. Heck, I¨d probalby ski a 45 degree couloir with this setup if I needed to. I went to a resort yesterday and skied 16000 vertical feet in 4.5 hours, and that was on mostly hard manmade snow.

Wow, this is very nice, I have never heard of the Transnordic boots before, they seem like a rare kind! There is only one availability where I live and a pair sells for 400 CAD$ + 15% taxes (whereas the Alaskas sell for 330$ + 15% taxes). I really wonder what would be the comparison between both boots.

Just for curiosity and that could also help… where in Québec will you ski and what type of terrain? We are blessed with so diversified terrain and also snow quality/quantity that varies so much across « La belle province »

I'm skiing the whereabouts of Québec City (Côte-de-Beaupré backcountry area, parc des Laurentides between Québec and Saguenay, Charlevoix) and the Chic-Chocs (parc national de la Gaspésie). I'm aiming at a setup capable of roaming through rolling terrain (like most other BC skis), but also descending medium to "high" angle slopes below tree line. I'd also like to bring my setup to the alpine ski resort occasionally, a bit like mikael.oh (that would impress my buddies, hehe). The Fischer Transcontinental boots look very burly according to everything I've read so far and would surely work like a charm with any ski mentioned by lilcliffy. I however wonder if the Alaskas could achieve something similar, since they're broadly available and less expensive.

I could, of course, opt for a full blown alpine touring setup; but I really like the world of minimalist, "traditional", purely free-heeled (no cable), light backcountry skiing; which is like an art (and a nice, challenging hobby) to master.

[lilcliffy]

A comparison between the Transnordic vs Alaska would be very helpful.

I am pretty sure that Martin tried them on back to back at LaCordee- and went with the Alaska, feeling that the Transnordic was not what he was looking for...Regardless, his photos and report suggest that the Transnordic (all laced up) is higher and stiffer throught the top of the boot offering much more support and leverage over the ski.

I would certainly like to try the Transnordic boot!!

[mikael.oh]

My advice? Get the Fischers. You wont regret it.
I did the conversion and 400 Canadian is pretty much what they cost here in Norway as well. They're worth it!

BC gear is so cheap compared to ski de randonnée gear anyway. Just think about how much you save compared to that

[lilcliffy]

My advice? Get the Fischers. You wont regret it.
I did the conversion and 400 Canadian is pretty much what they cost here in Norway as well. They're worth it!

BC gear is so cheap compared to ski de randonnée gear anyway. Just think about how much you save compared to that

Truth here↑!
Troubel now is getting a pair in my size- they are almost sold out everywhere!

[mikael.oh]

Slightly off topic, but to me, especially having used these Fischer boots, the new Xplore system just seems like a way for Rottefella to charge rando prices for BC gear.
I have zero regrets buying my BC setup just before the Xplore came to market. Reviews in Norway have been less than stellar across the board from what I've seen, and with my setup, I shred.

[CwmRaider]

My advice? Get the Fischers. You wont regret it.
I did the conversion and 400 Canadian is pretty much what they cost here in Norway as well. They're worth it!

BC gear is so cheap compared to ski de randonnée gear anyway. Just think about how much you save compared to that

Hei,
Who has fischer transnordic 75mm in stock in Norway?