Finmark Alternative (Skis without Metal Edge)

[DoggParadox]

Wondering if there are any other options for light BC skis without a metal edge?

Looking for something wider than my race skis (44mm), for flat BC touring but still light enough that I could use SNS/NNN boots and bindings on so something slightly lighter and skinnier than the Finmark would likely be ideal.

Essentially an MR48 with metal edges.

[Woodserson]

Fischer Country. Comes in a crown and wax. Basically the 48 without edges, almost to the millimeter but cheaper construction (but that doesn't mean shitty). Same flex pattern, but overall slightly softer. Slightly less torsionally rigid. It gets panned around here a bit, but I love them and recommend.
Cheap and economical.

The design is a classic Tur-Langrenn style... 60-50-55 ISH. Lots and lots of skis like this. Often called "Touring" or whatever.

Rossignol LTC BC Tour, for instance. Or Kneissl Tour Lite. Etc etc etc

Wood skis too.

[John Dee]

Wondering if there are any other options for light BC skis without a metal edge?

Looking for something wider than my race skis (44mm), for flat BC touring but still light enough that I could use SNS/NNN boots and bindings on so something slightly lighter and skinnier than the Finmark would likely be ideal.

Essentially an MR48 with metal edges.

These are ok, a bit short.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294719500476?h ... Swvsth31I7

[Musk Ox]

Is there a good reason why you can't aggressively detune the edges of the MR48?

(Asking for my own education here, slightly... it seems on the surface to be a good solution?)

[jooleyen]

super interested to hear what you end up with. i have a dog and am interested in the finnmark but my worry is that it will be less tour oriented than i think.

[John_XCD]

It sounds like you already have a NNN track ski set up? I have a pile of NNN race skis and asnes finnmark with NNNBC (paired with alfa guard). I have yet to review the finnmark yet here (waiting for a few more outings) but it really excels on consolidated multi use trails, poorly/infrequently groomed xc trails, snowmobile tracks etc. This is the kind of stuff that I used to just ski on race skis but I am much happier on an NNNBC set up (the added stability makes the striding smoother and more comfortable, perhaps even faster?). I don't think there is much need for a ski between a dedicated track ski and finnmark.

My approach to skiing with dog
Groomed track -> race skis
Previously groomed with 6" + of ungroomed on top, consolidated snowmobile track, mixed use trail, etc -> finnmark
Breaking trail in deeper snow, powder turns -> breidablikk (love these skis in powder 20-25 degree slopes!)
don't have the kongsvold (but generally leave the dog home in deeper/steeper terrain)

I think you would be very happy touring on finnmark + nnnbc paired with alfa guard (or maybe skarvet, don't have these) on anything that is not suitable for a track ski. Or just rock a dedicated track ski and enjoy the challenge (NNNBC telemark is no big deal once you have learned NNN telemark!).

[Cannatonic]

You've stumbled onto the "Maginot Line"-like barrier between Asnes and traditional XC skis, they don't seem to want to make them, which is a shame. I was looking for the same thing as you and ended up with the MT51's. They're so light and the partial edge doesn't seem to slow down the glide much so it's cool. The front of the ski is usually what hits the dogs' legs so it works out well, there's no edge up there.

But I take it you have MR48's and want to get rid of the edge altogether? It's getting harder, the other big corporate ski companies barely offer any ski over 200cm these days. I tried Fischer "Country" and the construction of it had been so cheapened, honestly I found them to be flimsy junk, the worst ski XC I"ve ever bought....as always just IMO of course . I don't know of any 210cm traditional edgeless XC to recommend these days, I would stay w/ the Asnes MR's and MT's. And I have no recommendation for a 210CM waxless XC ski either, the closest thing these days is MR's or MT with a skinny kicker skin.

[fgd135]

There are so many nice used XC skis around, I'd look for something to try in that direction first--for example, a older pair of Epokes would be ideal, 900's seem to be still available on Craigslist, and the 1000's are great touring skis without edges, and built to last. Either works with NNN or NNNBC.

[trite]

@@fgd135 Wow, really like the idea of these Epoke 900s. Can you tell me more about them or how they compare to others?

Can anyone else chime in with a list of other vintage edgeless non-Åsnes BC-ish skis I should be looking at? Or new ones too, but doesn't seem like much!

[wabene]

@@fgd135 Wow, really like the idea of these Epoke 900s. Can you tell me more about them or how they compare to others?

Can anyone else chime in with a list of other vintage edgeless non-Åsnes BC-ish skis I should be looking at? Or new ones too, but doesn't seem like much!

The MADSHUS PANORAMA SF 62 SKIS just came out. An edgeless Eon. Might be wider than you are looking for.