Best setup for skiing old CO mining roads?

[Krummholz]

I really like my E99, 200cm, 68/55/62 for long straights with gentle curves. It’s a mofo on narrow trails and don’t even go near switchbacks. I would look for any ski that’s close to those specs.

Added after some thought…

Just don’t get the Fisher Europa 99 Glass.
There is probably a reason they are screwed on the front of everybody’s garage up here.

I have a pair or 210cm Europa 99 Crowns in my closet (2005s I think), I used them a lot when I lived in a region with different terrain than here. What is their problem- besides the fact they don't turn?

Nothing! They are great up here! I guess it depends on how sharp a turn you need to make. That’s why I got a pair of SB-98s, for skiing the hiking trails. Like this one

[fgd135]

I use E99s sometimes in exactly those conditions, they work well.

[wabene]

I really like my E99, 200cm, 68/55/62 for long straights with gentle curves. It’s a mofo on narrow trails and don’t even go near switchbacks. I would look for any ski that’s close to those specs.

Added after some thought…

Just don’t get the Fisher Europa 99 Glass.
There is probably a reason they are screwed on the front of everybody’s garage up here.

I have a pair or 210cm Europa 99 Crowns in my closet (2005s I think), I used them a lot when I lived in a region with different terrain than here. What is their problem- besides the fact they don't turn?

I think the problem KHolz is mentioning is for specifically the Europa 99 Glass. I'm guessing they are not a wood core model. Plastic ski.

[Nitram Tocrut]

Hey all,

Beginnerish skier here looking for the ideal setup for long tours on various mountain pass and mining roads in Colorado.

-Primary targets are windy, rolling, and sometimes steepish roads that are often heavily tracked by snowmobilers, skiers, and snowshoers in a variety of snow conditions.

-Secondary targets are at least decent performance in flat to low angle off trail terrain in various snow conditions, and at least decent performance in moderate amounts of fresh powder.

-Not looking for a jack of all trades ski. I'm planning on picking up an actual powder ski for those conditions eventually.

-Preferably something light enough to be driven with a NNN BC setup but could be persuaded into a tele binding. I do own a pair of Scarpa T4's that I use with a 3 pin cable binding on some Altai Hoks but I can only ski in those for a good 4 hours before my feet get real mad and there doesn't seem to be a lot of reliable options for more comfortable leather tele boots out there these days, and I really enjoy all day long trips in the mountains.

-Not looking for ultimate performance but would like something that I can grow into an intermediate level on. Intermediate price range would be nice too. A $500 pair of Asnes skis is just not where I'm at with my level of experience right now.

-I'm 6'0, 215lbs. I assume that I am going to want the longest available ski of any model.

Based off of the rabbit holes I've been down on this forum already I have my eyes on both the 2021 Madshus M62 waxless and the Fischer traverse 78, though it does appear that the latter has been discontinued and are mostly off the shelf at this point. In fact it seems that the vast majority of skis I have read about have been discontinued. I would rather have an option that I could order tomorrow than an option I would have to spend the rest of the season searching for a used model on.

Also if anyone has any NNN BC boot suggestions that would be ideal I'm all ears, the online reviews seem to be rather full of negative comments a lot of the time.

Appreciate y'all. Good forums are hard to find these days, but as far as I can tell you guys have some real quality here.

-Kody

Well I know you wrote that you are not interested in buying Åsnes just now but I can’t resist suggesting you eventually have a look at the Sverdrup. I had been skiing them for only a week but I can already say it has become my go to ski. It is a fast ski, way faster then my old Europa 99, despite being a slightly wider ski. I was surprised by its performance for breaking trail in 25-30 cm of slightly wind hardened snow. I used them in steep, narrow and 90 degree turn and they turn amazingly well. I am not talking about telemark turn, I am talking about any turn you need to use depending g on the terrain. I have used the Europa 99 for decades on similar trails and I can assure you that the difference in turning performance is very noticeable. Did I say they were fast? I can ski them for hours at 6-8 km/h (3.5-5 miles/h) depending on the quality of my own tracks. Anyway, I wanted to do a Sverdrup review soon so I did not write that for nothing

Welcome aboard and yes, your forum name is very cool!

[Where_The_Slime_Live]

Thanks for the info everyone! I was skiing my Hoks near Breck yesterday and stopped by the Breck Nordic center based off the tip from @SnickBreck about those 78's. They were not in my length unfortunately but I ended up getting a decent deal on a package from them for a set of M62's with some Fischer BCX Grand Tours.

@Bavarian Cream My wife and I live in Conifer/Evergreen area and stick mostly to the 285 corridor in the winter but we spend a lot of time around Leadville. Know any good spots to check out?

Thanks again,

-Kody

[Bavarian Cream]

Oh, nice. I’m not as familiar with what you can access on your side of Mt. Evans, but a hidden gem that gets you away from snowmobiles on the 285 corridor is the Gold Dust Trail (mountain bike single track in the summer) behind Como. It’s easy to miss, but take it north toward Boreas Pass (I wouldn’t recommend skiing Boreas Pass Rd itself because it has large sections that get cleared by wind). It’s sheltered, holds snow well, is great for k&g after the first 1/2 mile climb, and has xcd options if you bushwhack off trail up the forested slopes. You won’t really find wide open meadows and the snow isn’t as deep as in the Leadville area, but it’s peaceful.

[Where_The_Slime_Live]

@Bavarian Cream Awesome thanks for the tip that trail looks great. Funny enough I was just thinking about doing Boreas from Como with the wife since she's really new and railroad grade roads are probably a good bet for her right now. I heard about the wind up top but didn't know it affected the snowpack on the road that much so I'll make sure to be choosey on my conditions for that one.

[The GCW]

I realize conversation pertains to Como side, however,

The other side of Boreas Pass from the winter trailhead out of Breck has good coverage to the summit of the pass. -up & back about 11.5 miles...?

Option: ski up Boreas Pass Road to Bakers Tank and take Bakers Tank Trail #40 back down. -5 miles. The downhill return appears exactly like Krummholtz photo and is right at My descending comfort level on BC Nordic skis. (once ascending, at Bakers Tank, turn left and go up the trail what was it 100' or so ( more ) and see the marked turn left [Bakers Tank trail #40]). It's well marked for the return route.

[Where_The_Slime_Live]

@The GCW Even funnier, I skied up and down the bankers tank trail on Saturday on my Hoks. Perfect little trail for skis. I went off trail to the SW side of the ridge right before the trailhead on the way down which was pretty fun, minus when I funneled myself into a deadfall trap here and there.

Anyone ever ski Georgia pass between Jefferson and Breck? There's a little avy risk up top but in stable spring conditions it doesn't look too bad.