Did not regret going XCD over splitboard or AT this year!

[chris_the_wrench]

. I’m now gearing up a more backcountry oriented XC setup for next winter to expand my range beyond machined tracked/groomed trails.

What are you thinking about going with?

[beeeweee]

Just ordered a pair of Asnes Mountain Race 48 Skin. Mainly for skiing skier tracked trails with NNN boots. I didn’t wan to go wider and need new NNN-BC or Xplore boots/bindings.

[kes]

For people that are doing XCD at resorts or on steeper terrain... how does the fishscale pattern impact the downhill? I tried it at a resort a year ago and got huge bruises on my shins, it felt like I was tensing up my entire body to keep from flipping over whenever I was heading down any kind of slope. Learning the turns was pretty hard although I did have some success on the beginner terrain. Am I just weak, bad gear, etc? I've got Fischer BCX Outtabounds Crowns and some Garmont boots (very cheap stuff, that was one of my mistakes I'm sure).

[エイダン.シダル]

Just ordered a pair of Asnes Mountain Race 48 Skin. Mainly for skiing skier tracked trails with NNN boots. I didn’t wan to go wider and need new NNN-BC or Xplore boots/bindings.

That's a great choice (except I'm all for wax). I'm very happy with my Gammes with NNN BC Alpina Alaskas; however, most of what I do is what you describe, and Mountain Races with supportive NNN boots would do just fine. I've done the same trails on $#!++& Salomon Snowscape 7s, and unsupportive NNN boots and got by, which caused me to get the Gamme setup; however, it's more than I need. Ironically, having overshot the mark, I'm looking for lighter NNN BC boots.

[Nick BC]

For people that are doing XCD at resorts or on steeper terrain... how does the fishscale pattern impact the downhill? I tried it at a resort a year ago and got huge bruises on my shins, it felt like I was tensing up my entire body to keep from flipping over whenever I was heading down any kind of slope. Learning the turns was pretty hard although I did have some success on the beginner terrain. Am I just weak, bad gear, etc? I've got Fischer BCX Outtabounds Crowns and some Garmont boots (very cheap stuff, that was one of my mistakes I'm sure).

I’ve skied both Vector BC’s and Stinger XCD on the runs at Whistler and only found a problem on shallow run-outs, when you may have to pole. If your glide was impaired was it maybe a ski base condition? The scales shouldn’t be an issue, particularly if your Outtabounds are older ones with the recessed scales.

[beeeweee]

I've done the same trails on $#!++& Salomon Snowscape 7s, and unsupportive NNN boots and got by, which caused me to get the Gamme setup; however, it's more than I need. Ironically, having overshot the mark, I'm looking for lighter NNN BC boots.

Funny enough, I started the season on Snowscape 9 and hated them as well. They felt sooo slow. In general, I’m not a fan of the Salomon/Atomic flex patterns for XC skis, even on their S/Race and Redster series. Their camber has a very narrow band of optimal weight range for kick and glide compared to Madshus’ race skis. Ever since getting a pair of Madshus Race Pro which are very similar to their top end Redline skis, I haven’t wanted to ski much else.

For boots, I’ve been very happy with the Salomon S/Race boots. They have a nice flex and have excellent torsional support. They haven’t made me want anything stiffer, even when I was skiing some icy black trails on the Madshus Fjelltech M50 which are 60mm wide at the shovel and 50mm underfoot.

Are you on NNN bindings for the Gamme?

I’ve never tried NNN-BC binding/boots so I’m not sure how much more support they would give. In general I have a pretty centered stance on my skis and my ankles are pretty strong from scrambling and climbing so I don’t feel like I have a need for more ankle support or torsional stiffness.

[fgd135]

If you're using waxless skis on the DH slopes, your gliding, esp in the flats, is probably not very impressive compared to waxable skis. To improve the gliding properties of your boards, don't try to use iron on waxes over the base pattern, it's a bear to remove later. You'll get much better glide and performance overall by using a liquid ski wax, something you can wipe on and go; there are several around. Certainly this stuff will not remain on the bases all day, so it pays to carry it in a fannypack or pocket and reapply, esp. in spring conditions, with the wet/freeze/corn herky-jerky snow conditions.
My personal fav is Zardoz Notwax, but Swix F4 is also pretty good. Btw, these also work for any waxable skis on the hill when you're not applying kick waxes. Not temp specific, works all around for glide.