Yet another newbie "what skis should I buy" question

[mca80]

I want leather boots. Maybe it's just personal preference but I used to hike with Asolo both synthetic and leather and switched to Danner and Redwing because of the welt and ability to resole. Most leathers for skiing are made for 75mm but that's overkill for what I do so nnnbc seems appropriate although the only leather so far as I can find are Alfa and Alpina Alaska. A shop in Duluth has the Alpinas in 40 and 41 so might as well take a day to drive 3 hours there and try them on. I have a funny foot--need lots of room in front and not so much at the heel. I found 7.5 wide works well in Danner and Redwing. I use a Birkenstock 3/4 insole in 40 because of the arch support but can use a 41 as well, being just in between those 2 sizes. The Rossi boots I am skiing now are 41 and fit ok but I do not like flimsy synthetic stuff and they are just a touch narrow in forefoot.

E99s seem inappropriate given what I read on this forum.

Sylvania has 30 something lakes in about 19,000 acres of wilderness, 30 something miles of hiking trail, and large tracts of old growth--something hard to find in midwest outside of the Porkies and the McCormick Wilderness nearer to you. Plus the Sylvania gets way less use than more popular areas like the Porkies--I went to the Porkies during leaf season 2020 and literally could not find a place to park so turned around and went home. Total of 3 cars in the lot at the east end of Sylvania on the forest road I spoke of in original post. Shoot maybe I shouldn't be writing this lest more people start to show up in my neck of the woods.

[Woodserson]

Have you called Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale NH? They had T78's earlier this season

[connyro]

I like the Alaska BCs with the 78s. It sounds like we have similar weird feet so you may have luck fitting those. As stated on this site frequently, make sure to dial in boots first as they are the most important for fit and performance.

[mca80]

Have you called Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale NH? They had T78's earlier this season

I haven't. But since I already have a pair of waxless, albeit not great, I wanted to get going on learning how to wax so am leaning toward some Asnes for next set of skis.

[Woodserson]

Have you called Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale NH? They had T78's earlier this season

I haven't. But since I already have a pair of waxless, albeit not great, I wanted to get going on learning how to wax so am leaning toward some Asnes for next set of skis.

Ok, great.

Nansen.

[mca80]

Have you called Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale NH? They had T78's earlier this season

I haven't. But since I already have a pair of waxless, albeit not great, I wanted to get going on learning how to wax so am leaning toward some Asnes for next set of skis.

Ok, great.

Nansen.

Spoke for 20 min with guy at Neptune in Boulder, CO. After listening to me ramble he said Nansen, 185, possibly 190, with rottefella nnn bc manual bindings. They have to fix their website so those bindings show up as not being sold out, so placing the order later today, although need to decide between 185 and 190. He said being kinda new the 185 is probably going to be easier. But most everyone here says go longer. Going to pick a day to drive 3 hours to Duluth to try on the Alaska boots too. Thanks for the help, everyone.

And connyro if you ever find yourself out skiing my way give me a holler.

[mca80]

Have you called Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale NH? They had T78's earlier this season

I haven't. But since I already have a pair of waxless, albeit not great, I wanted to get going on learning how to wax so am leaning toward some Asnes for next set of skis.

Ok, great.

Nansen.

Was worried about sizing so drove to the hardware store to get a bathroom scale. Turns out I am not 147 but 142.6 in the buff (more skiing this winter probably trimmed a little). Wearing my usual clothes for non-windy days (all wool...for windy days I will have something more windproof) I clock in at 147. The Alaska boots in my size are about 4 pounds. Add a lightweight day pack with small emergency kit, 2 thermoses for the dog and I to keep drinking water from freezing, and a small snack and I probably come in at high 150s. Say 159 tops, which is 72kg. 65-75 puts me on 185s, 70-80 puts me on 190s. There may be days I go without a pack if I am just going for under 2 hours. Also I am short. But I am worried about going too small given that while presently not very experienced I am gaining lots this year and expect these skis to last a long time. But also I may even shed a few more pounds this summer since I am going to be hard at work on the homestead. So which size would you suggest?

[Musk Ox]

@mca80 I would say the 190s, especially after my experience with the MR48s a few years ago (I got the 190s, and would have been better off with the longer ones – albeit they only come in 10 cm increments unlike the Nansens).

Honestly, I very much doubt you will have trouble squishing the longer ones. You may possibly find them better with skins, too.

I really feel your selection anxiety by the way, I literally have sleepless nights at this point.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd go for the longer ones. I think if you're on the cusp on the weight charts and you're looking at 190 Nansens I'd just buy them instantly and congratulate myself on my boldness and instinctive good sense. They'll still be great on the steeps, the longer ones will have a fraction more whizz, you can use skins if you need to pull something heavy, and they have a dead explorer on.

[mca80]

@mca80 I would say the 190s, especially after my experience with the MR48s a few years ago (I got the 190s, and would have been better off with the longer ones – albeit they only come in 10 cm increments unlike the Nansens).

Honestly, I very much doubt you will have trouble squishing the longer ones. You may possibly find them better with skins, too.

I really feel your selection anxiety by the way, I literally have sleepless nights at this point.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd go for the longer ones. I think if you're on the cusp on the weight charts and you're looking at 190 Nansens I'd just buy them instantly and congratulate myself on my boldness and instinctive good sense. They'll still be great on the steeps, the longer ones will have a fraction more whizz, you can use skins if you need to pull something heavy, and they have a dead explorer on.

Well, no daypack puts me deadcenter of 185s and below weight for 190s. Pack puts me upper range of 185s and very bottom of 190s range. Height puts me at lower range of 180 (!). I expect I may shed a few pounds this summer too, and am also somewhat of a beginner. Maybe 185s for Nansens and next year once I get better get Gammes in 190 for more cruising speed??? Hah, I think I caught the bug.

[Woodserson]

You could really go either way. I've been waffling about this today thinking about it. 185 will be easier to control, easier to turn, easier to snowplow, easier to learn how to wax. The 190 will be faster, will require more skill to wax and kick, and will be slightly more difficult to turn if that is your thing. You would most likely grow into the 190 and there is a possibility you grow out of the 185. The big issue though, is the 190 going to frustrate you too much and you get pissed 5km from the car?

What are you going to be spending more time doing?:
Bushwacking? Turning? Hills? No patience to learn new waxing skill? 185
Roads/snowmobile trails? Straight and level? Carrying a pack? Like to learn new waxing skill? 190.


I'm on 200's. Weight wise, I could probably go to 195 and be fine. And I'm at 147lbs right now naked (usually 160-- which I plan to return to). The Nansen is forgiving with an easy flex.

OH buy the Mohair kicker skins!