This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
@AbnerLico :
I agree with what @fisheater says here regarding 75mm bindings- I prefer the Rottefella Super Telemark with cable (actually a hardwire) over Voile 3 pin cable for combined use XC + telemark, as the Rottefella clamp better on touring boots.
when you reply with quotes, please put your own part of the reply outside of the "quote" section. No biggie, but now it looks like we said, what you wrote in your reply.
Voile skis are not sold in Norway so I have never even seen one. The Fischer SBound 98 is appealing too, but it is only available in waxless version, whether that matters to you. Fischer and Åsnes skis mentioned here both have a short skin system, to complement the waxless pattern or the grip wax, respectively.
After a careful analysis of all the great advice my decision has been narrowed down to the following
In summary I am still needing to decide between the Xplore system or 3-pin but the 3-pin, 75mm is slightly more favored.
My investigation has brought me to the following choices:
Skis
Fischer sbound 98 Vs the sbound 112
(the 112 may be too much for the east coast but I don't want to regret not having the wider ski)
Bindings
Rottefella Xplore, or 3 pin (Voile 3 pin vs the Rossignol - I hear the Rossignol are better)
Boots
Fischer transnordic (75mm) or if I go to the Xplore system a comparable Alfa boot (the Guard or the Skaget?)
This is my criteria
-I live in Toronto, Ontario (eastern Canada); although 80% of my skiing will be on flat and hilly terrain I want to upgrade to more hills and Eastern mountains in Quebec, Vermont and New York (Appalachian/Adirondack).
-Even when I ski in Ontario I look for hills to go up and down
-I am willing to sacrifice ease on the flats for better control on the hills with better ability to make tele turns.
And lastly I already own a pair of Rossignol BC70 with a Rossy BCX10 boot (which is perfect for the terrain where I live but I want more mountains.
I'm unconvinced the Xplore bindings are a mature platform, from what I've read people complain about them. If I were building a PQ Chic-Chocs XCD ski, they'd be 75mm with cables, or wires; or AT... as I have better alpine technique. I think NNN BC would be sufficient for the Charlevoix traverse, with a good boot.
I imagine that if you're really going to drop knee to turn in the East, go with a cable/wire 3-pin, and stouter boots than my Alaskas (or even the Snow March - a light plastic?).
Hello, I had a S-112. I think based upon lots of reviews I can compare one to the other.
I would be cautious in regards to the Transnordic 75. Reports indicate that the plastic internal skeleton causes pressure and pain on the foot when flexed. The boot is flexed when you drop your knee and edge your trailing ski. If you are trying to learn the Telemark turn, nothing is worse than a boot that impedes your ability to make that turn. I know, I tried learning on a boot 30ish years ago that flexed at the toes (it was plastic). I couldn’t believe the difference when I got on a boot that flexed properly! I advise staying away from the Transnordic if you are learning.
With a Rottefella Super Telemark an Alaska 75 is more than enough boot for a S-98. That series S-98/S-112 turn easily in softer backcountry conditions. I recommend the 98, just because a narrower width is easier to handle with a soft boot. The Nordic rocker of the S-98 will rise to the top when downhill skiing. My much preferred (to me) FT 62 Xplore doesn’t give up anything to my old S-112. It is longer, 196 compared to 189, it certainly doesn’t give up any float. It is designed better and is much more supportive over it’s entire length.
Bottom line, if you’re learning the S-98 will be easier to edge than an S-112. The Rotte ST with cable offers longitudinal stability for turning any of these skills downhill in a soft leather boot. Stay away from a boot that impedes the proper metatarsal flexing of your foot when learning to make a Telemark turn.
I think this proper flex of the boots extends to Xplore boots as well. It appears they tend to flex at the toe as compared to the ball of the foot. There are very good and knowledgeable skiers that say simply to adapt. I’m not so sure about adapting, but their thoughts and knowledge do not allow me to dismiss what they say. However I will say I don’t believe it’s a good way to learn how to Telemark. I had just such a boot, which I never skied again after feeling ball of foot flex and control
I cannot speak for others, but I am happy with my Fischer Transnordic 75mm. My impression is that the poor experiences in some threads here are more with the BC version. The different sole construction (may?) result in a different flex pattern. The TN75 is what I hoped the Scarpa T4 would offer me.
But, my impression is also that @fisheater is a much more accomplished XCD/telemark skiier / fisherman than me. So I won't argue about his advice otherwise.
@Roelant I’m just an older guy that used to rip a little. I’m just a guy putzing around now. However I have been at this for a bit, and I did put a lot of young man effort into learning how to Telemark turn on a plastic boot that flexed at the toe joint rather than the ball of the foot. The day I rented a boot at Snowbird, that actually flexed at the ball of the foot was a revelation!
So when I read reports of guys not being able to properly flex the boot, my thought was and will always be, such a boot is to be avoided.
I am quite pleased to hear you are pleased with your Transnordic 75. Someday I will need to replace my Ski March boot. While I enjoy my XCD skiing and my fishing, I would also really enjoy the experience of touring like you do. While I may ski a bit better than a Dane, I imagine I would be quite pleased if I could tour like a Dane!
Cheers
Hello, I had a S-112. I think based upon lots of reviews I can compare one to the other.
I would be cautious in regards to the Transnordic 75. Reports indicate that the plastic internal skeleton causes pressure and pain on the foot when flexed. The boot is flexed when you drop your knee and edge your trailing ski. If you are trying to learn the Telemark turn, nothing is worse than a boot that impedes your ability to make that turn. I know, I tried learning on a boot 30ish years ago that flexed at the toes (it was plastic). I couldn’t believe the difference when I got on a boot that flexed properly! I advise staying away from the Transnordic if you are learning.
With a Rottefella Super Telemark an Alaska 75 is more than enough boot for a S-98. That series S-98/S-112 turn easily in softer backcountry conditions. I recommend the 98, just because a narrower width is easier to handle with a soft boot. The Nordic rocker of the S-98 will rise to the top when downhill skiing. My much preferred (to me) FT 62 Xplore doesn’t give up anything to my old S-112. It is longer, 196 compared to 189, it certainly doesn’t give up any float. It is designed better and is much more supportive over it’s entire length.
Bottom line, if you’re learning the S-98 will be easier to edge than an S-112. The Rotte ST with cable offers longitudinal stability for turning any of these skills downhill in a soft leather boot. Stay away from a boot that impedes the proper metatarsal flexing of your foot when learning to make a Telemark turn.
I think this proper flex of the boots extends to Xplore boots as well. It appears they tend to flex at the toe as compared to the ball of the foot. There are very good and knowledgeable skiers that say simply to adapt. I’m not so sure about adapting, but their thoughts and knowledge do not allow me to dismiss what they say. However I will say I don’t believe it’s a good way to learn how to Telemark. I had just such a boot, which I never skied again after feeling ball of foot flex and control
Thanks I really appreciate your advice. I think I am going to scrap the Xpolre idea and go Fischer 98's and the Alpina Alaska 75 mm. The Alpina were my original choice but I seemed to have gotten swayed to the Transnordic for some reason. There are a pair being sold on Facebook Marketplace for $550 (used for 4 seasons...not sure what bindings are on them and I cannot find any second hand Fischers anywhere I guess is a good thing) I am trying to get the price down to $450. I also have to get them from Quebec to Toronto....)
I sold my S-112 and my FT 62 as a package cheaper than that. The S-112 had some miles on them. Check out used gear at Free Heel Life, they have a used online store. I believe Ragged Mountain may have a used online store as well.
For all that you might put an add in the Tele Turn Around Forum that you are looking.
Good luck
I sold my S-112 and my FT 62 as a package cheaper than that. The S-112 had some miles on them. Check out used gear at Free Heel Life, they have a used online store. I believe Ragged Mountain may have a used online store as well.
For all that you might put an add in the Tele Turn Around Forum that you are looking.
Good luck
Except he’$ in Canada, which complicate$ thing$…
I thought the same thing as @fisheater, but then I did the math.
Canada needs a mercy ski purchase and delivery.
Border guard: What’s with all those skis?
Me: Oh yeah, I’m just an addiction and can’t help myself.
Border guard: “Go about your business… move along.”
I sold my S-112 and my FT 62 as a package cheaper than that. The S-112 had some miles on them. Check out used gear at Free Heel Life, they have a used online store. I believe Ragged Mountain may have a used online store as well.
For all that you might put an add in the Tele Turn Around Forum that you are looking.
Good luck
Alright: It's going to be the Fischer sbound 98. If I am buying it used I'll take whatever binding comes with it. In terms of boots the Alaska is up there but I have been checking out the Scarpa T3, T$ or Excursions. I didn't realize how touring friendly(er) these boots are I just imagined they would be way too much.
I can't find T3's in my size at this point (I am not in a real hurry) so it may be a T4. What is your opinion on this ?
My thought is to pick the boot first. I bought a package that included T-4’s and an S-112. I still have the T-4 and quite frankly I will ski it until I destroy it. It isn’t my most used boot, but I wouldn’t want not to own one, or an Excursion.
The T-4 is a very powerful boot, more boot than you need for a S98/112 class ski. However the T-4 tours decent, and it certainly is powerful enough to help developing technique. You can do far worse than have a boot be a bit more powerful than needed.
The S-98 would be matched better with a lighter class boot, however it is an acceptable match.
If you pick the boot first, and pick an Alaska 75, buy a Rotte Super Telemark binding no matter what binding comes on the ski. The binding costs around $150 USD, the boot $250 USD. My Alaska 75 would have died prematurely had I kept it clamped in a Voile binding. Nothing against Voile, just not the binding for the Alaska.
If you buy a T-4 you are not limited to S-112/98 class skis, but you could step up to more powerful Voile skis, or perhaps some of the G-3 Stinger series
My thought is to pick the boot first. I bought a package that included T-4’s and an S-112. I still have the T-4 and quite frankly I will ski it until I destroy it. It isn’t my most used boot, but I wouldn’t want not to own one, or an Excursion.
The T-4 is a very powerful boot, more boot than you need for a S98/112 class ski. However the T-4 tours decent, and it certainly is powerful enough to help developing technique. You can do far worse than have a boot be a bit more powerful than needed.
The S-98 would be matched better with a lighter class boot, however it is an acceptable match.
If you pick the boot first, and pick an Alaska 75, buy a Rotte Super Telemark binding no matter what binding comes on the ski. The binding costs around $150 USD, the boot $250 USD. My Alaska 75 would have died prematurely had I kept it clamped in a Voile binding. Nothing against Voile, just not the binding for the Alaska.
If you buy a T-4 you are not limited to S-112/98 class skis, but you could step up to more powerful Voile skis, or perhaps some of the G-3 Stinger series
As always , thanks!
Would you put the boot in this order according to 'powerful': Alaska, (Transnordic), Excursion and T4?
-I don't think the Excursion is still being made ? As I mentioned at the outset I really only want to own one boot, so I am wondering if trying to find an old pair of Excursions would be a good option?
-the Rott Super Telemark don't come with a cable. Do you think this is important?
