Pick my next NNNBC Ski

[Capercaillie]

In a nutshell, I want something fast that will track better and make the flats/groomed tracks more enjoyable. But I also want the capability to ski twisty single track (MTB/hike trails). I don't plan to buy new boots so I need a setup that plays nice with my Alaskas.

Skate-length (height + 15cm) waxable classic touring skis (a profile around 54-48-52) work well for single-track and ok for groomed ski trails IMO. I have two pairs like that (NNN though), one waxable with a non-adjustable binding, and one skin ski with an adjustable binding, that I use for the type of skiing you describe. With a short waxable ski, you can make the kick wax zone to whatever is appropriate to your weight (up to a point, obviously). With skin skis, you have to be careful to pick skis that have enough camber for your weight, and NNNBC will not let you dial up the climbing grip (one of two main advantages of skin skis IMO) of those skis like an adjustable binding would.

If you want metal edges, current season Fischer TransNordic 59 and Madshus Panorama T50 seem like good options. Both are waxable and have kicker skin attachments.

The good thing is that NNNBC bindings are the best deal around right now. If you don't need metal edges, you can pick up old edgeless touring skis off of classifieds (just stay away from foam core in the shorter lengths) for very good prices. Get a skate-length pair for single-track trails, and a 220cm pair (or the longest you can find) for fast skiing on groomed tracks. NNNBC bindings have the same screw pattern as old SNS bindings so you might not even need to drill any news holes (and if you come across any old NNN bindings, send me a pair).

[JohnSKepler]

In a nutshell, I want something fast that will track better and make the flats/groomed tracks more enjoyable. But I also want the capability to ski twisty single track (MTB/hike trails). I don't plan to buy new boots so I need a setup that plays nice with my Alaskas.

I anticipate several will recommend the Gamme. I have been looking and it appears they are very difficult to find in the US. Still interested in hearing why that would be a good ski for my needs (and whether Finnmark would be a suitable alternative without the metal edge). But I would love to hear other recommendations too. I’m open to a waxless or waxable ski but leaning waxable as I understand they would do well in my conditions (Western Colorado).

This is exactly what I do most of the time because it is exactly what is minutes from my house. Doesn't mean it is my favorite thing to ski but I do like it and can do it three or four times a week.

I'm not the best skier here and am still learning (aren't we all!) but I'm not that high on the learning curve. But, my telemark skills are getting a little better and I'm not working to not crash all the time. I'm using Xplore bindings and have an Alaska XP boot and a Alfa Free boot.

My 190 cm Gammes with the Alaska XP are great for, as you say: "I want something fast that will track better and make the flats/groomed tracks more enjoyable." They are SO fast and they turn pretty well on the road next to the groomed track. Their light weight makes jump turns effortless and the metal edges bites really well when you land. They are not good in the twisty single track mountain bike trail and don't float in deeper softer snow. No doubt the twisty trail is not ideal for the longer ski. There are probably skis that would be worse here.

My 174 cm Falkentind 62 with Alfa Free is pretty good for the flats and floats pretty good in deep soft snow. The kick and glide is surprisingly good. It's a little wide for a fresh track but does quite well when it's been blown out. It turns the mountain bike trail into a bobsled course. With the Alaska XP it's performance on the flats might be a little better without sacrificing much on the mountain bike track. Opposite of the Gamme, the short length helps me on the mountain bike track. Hard to imagine there's a ski that would be substantially better than these on a mountain bike trail while being this good on the flats.

Performance of both, of course, is dependent on snow and track quality.

To summarize:
..............flats/track.....sngl trak
Gamme..........10...............5
Flktind............7..............10

So, what's important to you? If you use the tracks to get to the twisty, I'd recommend the Falketind. If you like both but tend to do more track just because of conditions and availability, you might want to go with the Gamme. I've run into the same problem I have with motorcycles. I tend to like best the one that I am on.

[DG99]

Just a little note to add, kick and glide speed is maybe not so important if not racing. It could be 3.2 vs. 3.4 mph average speed. So, if in doubt and not in an XC race, I’d err to the ski that is better downhill and turning. I convinced myself of all that by timing myself on SBounds vs E99s years ago.

[mca80]

Falketind gets a 0 for groomed tracks. It won't fit. If you try, you will destroy the track, and I can't imagine anyone even letting you try. Also, OP said he didn't want new boots.

How twisty and turny are the single track trails? If doing step turns any ski will be just fine.

I skiied Finnmark today in tracks at one of the best nordic centers. Out of respect I stepped out of the tracks and onto skate portion for any turns that were more than gradual. They probably would have been ok; Gamme less so because of the metal edge around tip. My suggestion is, if you aren't doing serious turns and can find them, Asnes MR48. If not, Amundsen, Gamme or Finnmark would all be suitable although not perfect for either course of skiing.

[JohnSKepler]

Falketind gets a 0 for groomed tracks. It won't fit. If you try, you will destroy the track, and I can't imagine anyone even letting you try. Also, OP said he didn't want new boots.

How twisty and turny are the single track trails? If doing step turns any ski will be just fine.

I skiied Finnmark today in tracks at one of the best nordic centers. Out of respect I stepped out of the tracks and onto skate portion for any turns that were more than gradual. They probably would have been ok; Gamme less so because of the metal edge around tip. My suggestion is, if you aren't doing serious turns and can find them, Asnes MR48. If not, Amundsen, Gamme or Finnmark would all be suitable although not perfect for either course of skiing.

Most of my "groomed track" skiing is on the road used for skate skiing. Very often, by the time I get there after work, the groomed track looks more like tire tracks. Between the dogs that have run all over it, and the skiers that have been up and down, there's plenty of room for a FT62! If it's fresh, I don't use it. This is FREE local canyon groomed by local volunteers. The public has been using it for decades. They walk there. Snowshoe there. Walk their dogs. The California Locusts haven't helped. And some of us ski. It's not a Nordic center at all, it's just carved out of the local National Forest, and IT IS AWESOME! Though, not everyone likes it.

The nearby MTN bike trail is quite twisty and is a lot more fun skiing like a luge than doing step turns. I guess you could do that in some areas, but why would you? May as well just stay on the road.

Oh, and I think it would be fine with his NNN-BC Alaskas. For this purpose, they're not that much different than my XPs.

[mca80]

Ah. Yeah, kinda like my local free groomed tracks. Still I wouldnt take anything wider than Gamme on them though. But if it's a professional nordic center, absolutely not and even Gamme is stretching it. At least the snowshoers at my local free groomers stay to the side of the tracks. Dogs, they dont know or care. I even bring mine with sometimes, usually when I know theres more snow coming after my ski.

[GrimSurfer]

I don’t ski crap trails any more. If it’s dogs, foot traffic, and fat bikes, I avoid it like the plague.

A nicely groomed professional trail is nice. Same with well maintained corduroy (even when it is laid down by responsibly driven snowmobiles). Other than that, it’s virgin snow… which I’ll flog through horrible weather at 6am to get to before anyone else if that’s what it takes.

Life is too short to ski on shit, drink crappy wine, or guzzle burnt coffee.

[mca80]

I happen to like gas station coffee. But I'm a deplorable. I do prefer a good Valpolicella over box wine though.