Yet another newbie "what skis should I buy" question

[Musk Ox]

Maybe 185s for Nansens and next year once I get better get Gammes in 190 for more cruising speed???

One of us one of us oogglegobble ooglegobble one of us one of us














Get the 190s

EDIT: or don't!

[Woodserson]

Maybe 185s for Nansens and next year once I get better get Gammes in 190 for more cruising speed???

One of us one of us oogglegobble ooglegobble one of us one of us














Get the 190s

It's happening

[mca80]

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!

Thanks for bearing with my obsessiveness and anxiety. Terrain here is rarely perfectly level except for frozen lakes. There is usually at least some gentle up and down with small steeps. Not doing tele turns and not doing much bushwhacking, perhaps a little. Likely to be 40% roads/snowmobile trails/hiking trail compacted by others; 55% hiking trail or lakes with fresh or unbroken snow or mild tracks of another skier; 5% bushwhacking in deep snow on hills. 5% flat, 65% gentle up and down; 20% moderate grade; 10% really steep but small hills.

Growing into the 190s with more experience sounds probable. But if I lose 5 lbs this coming summer as I expect (I am building a cabin and also farming an acre with hand tools) putting me at 137 will I still be able to squash 190s?

[mca80]

Maybe 185s for Nansens and next year once I get better get Gammes in 190 for more cruising speed???

One of us one of us oogglegobble ooglegobble one of us one of us














Get the 190s

EDIT: or don't!

Done. 190s, nnn bc, 45mm mohair x skins. Felt good to click that button. Should have done this sooner, got over 6 inches on the way Tues/Wed. And still need to spend a whole day driving to Duluth to try on the Alaskas.

[Woodserson]

mca80:
-Comprehensive posts with good background details.
-Learns from people who respond.
-Asks follow up questions.
-Makes decision and squashes that button, then goes back to splitting wood and building timberframe outbuildings.

I like this guy!

Losing weight and 190s? Probably. If you have problems you can put 5lbs of cheese in your rucksack. Or beer.
It's a forgiving ski. It's a friendly ski. It's a good companion and aims to please. The Asnes Nansen is my #1 rec for a 1 ski quiver.

The Gamme expects you to show up ready and perform!
The Nansen wants to look at animal tracks and drink aquavit by the fire, and then haul your drunk ass home.

A second boot option that is pretty decent is the Rossignol BC X10. Keep that one in mind too. Slightly wider heel pocket though. I have a wide forefoot and a skinny heel and I do both the Alaska and the BC X10. They have different attributes.

[mca80]

Losing weight and 190s? Probably. If you have problems you can put 5lbs of cheese in your rucksack. Or beer.

If I put 5lbs of beer in the pack every time I ski, I'll end up taking a break halfway through to drink it all, which will then put me back at the right weight for 190s.

[Stephen]

@mca80, I think you did good on going 190.
It will track nice on firm snow like snowmobile tracks, and give you good support in untracked snow.
And you will advance into it.

It will track nice because there is more pressure on the tip and tail than a 185 would have, and less under foot.
Under foot makes it pivot easier.
Same for deeper snow — presses your weight out further towards the ends for more support, rather than in the middle, which makes the ski bow more.

[mca80]

@mca80, I think you did good on going 190.
It will track nice on firm snow like snowmobile tracks, and give you good support in untracked snow.
And you will advance into it.

It will track nice because there is more pressure on the tip and tail than a 185 would have, and less under foot.
Under foot makes it pivot easier.
Same for deeper snow — presses your weight out further towards the ends for more support, rather than in the middle, which makes the ski bow more.

Great, thanks for the input.

[fisheater]

Losing weight and 190s? Probably. If you have problems you can put 5lbs of cheese in your rucksack. Or beer.

If I put 5lbs of beer in the pack every time I ski, I'll end up taking a break halfway through to drink it all, which will then put me back at the right weight for 190s.

Just like Jeopardy ^^^^^^
Why does Fisheater ski 210 cm Gamme?

[Ptarmigan]

Mca80, you are going to love the 190cm Asnes Nansen skis and I think they will be perfect for you!

I am a little taller at 5'8" but the exact same weight as you, and I bought the waxable Nansens in 190cm last winter. My body weight tends to fluctuate +/- 5lbs in any given week, plus sometimes I carry a 20lb daypack and other times I go lighter with gear. I really haven't noticed much of a difference in the way the skis perform for any of these weight differences. My husband is 10lbs heavier than me and he bought the same skis in 195cm and likes his as well.

This is my first pair of backcountry cross-country skis, and I don't have all that much experience with this sport. I have used my Nansen skis in all sorts of snow conditions in Colorado from trails that have already been packed down to areas covered in fresh deep snow. I have taken them on flats, rolling hills and steeper mountain trails. They have excelled in all conditions (well except for one day with thin breakable crust over two feet of sugar snow when I was carrying a 60+ pound winter camping backpack. However, I don't think any skis would have done well in those conditions (and I have since bought a pulk for such trips!)) The Nansens will likely be my only backcountry cross-country skis for quite a while, and I am super satisfied with my choice.

I have occasionally had trouble getting traction going up hills, but I think that has more to do with me being new to waxing skis or because sometimes the snow is old and non-grippy. In the cases when I just can't seem to select a grip wax that works, I use the 45mm Mohair X-Skins. I also bought a pair of the same skins in 30mm. Those are a nice option when you want traction for hills, but also more gliding ability on the flats. I like having the skins in both widths.

Anyway, I hope this helps! I really think you made a great decision on these skis!

And on a side note-- I am originally from Wisconsin. I have been to the places you will be skiing during the warm months but never in the winter. You are going to have so much fun exploring those areas on your new skis!