Help With Equipment

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.
User avatar
Rochester
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2023 8:37 am

Help With Equipment

Post by Rochester » Thu Mar 09, 2023 8:54 am

Hi all! First post here, and it’s not exactly about telemarking, but I think you can provide some insight based on what I’ve been reading. I’m pushing 70, and had a mild stroke a couple years ago, so my balance isn’t what it used to be. I have had extensive experience with cross-country and alpine skiing in the past, but kind of gave it up in favor of snowshoeing since the stroke. I saw some interesting skis a few months ago, that I thought might work for me, ie, Altai Hoks. I bought them with the universal bindings. Wanted more control, so bought Alpina Alaska boots with the Altai (Voile) 75mm bindings. Got pretty confident with them, especially in fresh or deeper snow. I live in Wisconsin, not much vertical drop. I decided I wanted to try some CC sling on/off track, and bought Fischer Spider 62 skis thinking I could use the Alaska boots and some Voile 75mm bindings with them. I haven’t mounted the bindings yet because my idea has been questioned by some “experts” saying the boots would overpower the skis. I know it’s overkill, but I’m not going to to ski aggressively. I just want control on icy, or packed snow, in or out of tracks. Back in the 70s I had 79mm Normark bindings with Norrona boots on Rossignol Horizons that were more narrow than the Spiders, so I didn’t think this would be a problem. Before I mount bindings, I’d like some opinions. Thanks!

User avatar
Montana St Alum
Posts: 1192
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Wasatch, Utah
Ski style: Old dog, new school
Favorite Skis: Blizzard Rustler 9/10
Favorite boots: Tx Pro
Occupation: Retired, unemployable

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by Montana St Alum » Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:46 am

I don't know a lot about this gear, but just looking at the skis and boots it doesn't seem like an outrageous combination. You're an expert on "you", so I'd go with my gut feeling on this.



User avatar
connyro
needs to take stock of his life
needs to take stock of his life
Posts: 1233
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:46 am

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by connyro » Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:10 am

I'm with MSA's opinion above. That ski/boot combination seem reasonable for your stated goals IMO. I don't think those boots would overpower those skis. You are an experienced skier and if your experience says that combination would suit your needs, then go for it.



User avatar
Slidey_Hiker
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2021 6:05 pm
Location: NH
Ski style: Uncoordinated

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by Slidey_Hiker » Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:16 am

My first set of skis were the Spider 62's with NNNBC and some low cut boot from Fischer. I had a hard time learning to control the skis until I upgraded to Alaskas on the NNNBC. Even though three pin is a little different I think that will be a great combination for you.



User avatar
Krummholz
Posts: 365
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:31 pm
Location: Middle Park, CO
Ski style: Snowshoe rut of death on trails, or face plant powder.
Favorite Skis: Fischer SB-98, Rossi Alpineer 86, Fischer Europa 99, Altai Hok, Asnes USGI
Favorite boots: Fischer Transnordic 75, Alico Arctic 75
Occupation: Transnordic Boot molder
https://telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php? ... =40#p49595
Website: https://www.youtube.com/@KrummholzXCD

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by Krummholz » Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:19 am

Back in the early Eighties I nordic skied a few times and the skis had 3 pin bindings with the wire trap to hold the leather boot in. Most were the same ski specs as you have, 62-52-60, 59/49/55, or close to that. Only made with a solid wood core not a mix of materials like now. You just need to use a good glue for the screws, epoxy or Gorilla Glue, or if you take them to a shop, make sure that they will use epoxy, etc. Not wood glue. I have Voile 75 on my Fischer E99 and Europa 99. I have better control with my Alaska than the light fake leather Rossignol boots I started out with. With that ski one click on the binding is all you need, unless you are going to be side stepping up/down the side of some steep sided gully. Then 2 click so you don’t pop out.

Keep On Trucking!
Free Heeler - As in Free Spirit and Free Beer. No $700 pass! No plastic boots! And No Fkn Merlot!



User avatar
phoenix
Posts: 860
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:44 pm
Location: Northern VT
Ski style: My own
Favorite Skis: Varies,I've had many favorites
Favorite boots: Excursions, T1's
Occupation: I'm occupied

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by phoenix » Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:37 am

The Alaska's & 75's will be fine on the Spiders, no problem. Rather noce combo, really. Alaska's look like a beefy boot, but are really pretty flexible, as you may have noticed.
BTW, I had those Horizon'ss in the 70's too, skied with some low cut Alfa leathers.



User avatar
Rochester
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2023 8:37 am

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by Rochester » Thu Mar 09, 2023 11:04 am

Thanks for the feedback! I was thinking that if necessary I could buy some different boots/bindings, but the Alaskas fit great, are comfortable and fit nicely in the Voile bindings I have. Most reviews I’ve read on NNNBC boots are mixed, bad fit, poorly made, etc., so I’m apprehensive about switching over.



User avatar
riel
Posts: 308
Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:31 pm
Location: New Hampshire
Ski style: BC XC
Favorite Skis: Asnes Gamme, Ingstad & Støretind, Fischer Mountain Cross & E99
Favorite boots: Fischer BCX675
Website: https://surriel.com/
Contact:

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by riel » Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:24 pm

Rochester wrote:
Thu Mar 09, 2023 11:04 am
Thanks for the feedback! I was thinking that if necessary I could buy some different boots/bindings, but the Alaskas fit great, are comfortable and fit nicely in the Voile bindings I have. Most reviews I’ve read on NNNBC boots are mixed, bad fit, poorly made, etc., so I’m apprehensive about switching over.
The NNN-BC Alaska is a very nice boot ;)

However, given that you already have 75mm Alaskas, you might as well use those.



User avatar
wabene
Posts: 716
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2021 9:53 am
Location: Duluth Minnesota
Ski style: Stiff kneed and wide eyed.
Favorite Skis: Åsnes Gamme, Fischer SB98, Mashus M50, M78, Pano M62
Favorite boots: Crispi Svartsen 75mm, Scarpa T4
Occupation: Carpenter

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by wabene » Thu Mar 09, 2023 1:55 pm

Hate to be a negative Nelly, but the Alaska and Voile 75mm aren't the best match due to the thin duckbill on the Alaska. A Rottefella Super Telemark 75mm is better with that boot.



User avatar
Rochester
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2023 8:37 am

Re: Help With Equipment

Post by Rochester » Thu Mar 09, 2023 2:36 pm

I have the thinner Voile, the Voile 201.



Post Reply