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.
....but I really like Skaget...The only lacing upgrade would be the ball eyelets from Vista for less friction.
A smooth surface for snow shedding and a membrane is the only upgrades I would want from such a boot.
Have you treated the leather yet? If you treat the leather with a water-based cream it will smooth out and become hydrophobic. At this point I am kinda pleased that the Skaget does not have a waterproof-breathable liner (eg goretex)- I am hoping that with deligent leather treatment the Skaget will be fine without it...So far, so good...
I am not a huge fan of built-in liners (ie membrane) in boots...I'm not convinced that they work effectively in very cold weather, and over time oils and sweat-salt build up in them and undermine their effectiveness at warmer temperatures...
From my experience with my Lundhags and Skaget boots- I don't think I need boots with a waterproof-breathable liner/membrane...
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
@telerat
You're right, Skaget is not high end boot per se. But it is very expensive here in Canada, especially if you compare it with 75mm ou NNN. It's about twice the price as I first payed for a Alpina Alaska 75 mm a few years ago.
To me, the problem in the lacing system is the little polyester band between both locking eyelets. Maybe it's me and the fact that I couldn't use my new boots much, but I have a hard time to lock my feet and ankle as tight as I want without removing the lace from the polyester band. I would have preferred a normal eyelet instead.
It feels so nice to have you around here! NB and Saguenay must have similar conditions. I had a few really nice outings last week as we had snow during the weekend and than hot weather and rain on Wednesday. It was the perfect, albeit short window to enjoy a little ski. I'm going for a three days tour in the Monts-Valin - which is a place I'm sure you know - next week. I hope that it will be the best part of spring skiing (corn and nice weather) and not slush that sticks to my skis!
Here It can be hard to enjoy spring skiing as the terrain is so steep. When it's crusty, it can get pretty dangerous. Let's hope for another snowdrop or two!
The last time I was at Monts-Valin was on Christmas Day 2011-
All of the cabins in parc were booked-
so, we got up early, hiked up the north face with our skis on our pack-
ski toured at high elevation and then skied down the backside (on the sled track) at dusk!
What an incredible place!
Is there a decent snowpack up there at high elevation?
There is snow in the forecast here in the central hills later in the week-
rain and ice south and at low elevation-
I am hoping for the best!!
One of the long range predictions is for a return of cold weather...
It is only the first of March and the weather and snow conditions here are more like late May!!!
Best,
Gareth
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
To me, the problem in the lacing system is the little polyester band between both locking eyelets. Maybe it's me and the fact that I couldn't use my new boots much, but I have a hard time to lock my feet and ankle as tight as I want without removing the lace from the polyester band. I would have preferred a normal eyelet instead.
Hmmm...
I don't think my Skaget has the polyester band you speak of...
Can you take a photo of it?
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
The change from regular eyelet to fabric loop might be due to the eyelets sticking out and catching on stuff and possibly being bent. I have forgotten to mention it, but I have used pliers on two eyelet or so on my Skaget, to close them as they seems to have opened somewhat. I do think that was a locking eyelet, but it might also have been the ones that have been changed to loops now. It was a preventive measure, as I had not experienced any problems with them. I have not had any problems afterwards and do not like the loop solution on Alaska, but that was also due to the laces not sticking in the locking eyelets and coming loose when lacing up.
