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Nick Danger
Ice climber
Arvada, CO
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:15am PT
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At the risk of being exposed as the luddite I truly am, I find for ski touring, as apposed to back-country telemarking, that an old-fashion pair of wood skis is the best. Once you get that initial coat of pine tar correctly applied they take and keep wax very well. Also, a well waxed pair of wooden skis will out-perform any of the modern plastic skis, and especially outperform the modern waxless skis. Waxed correctly for the temperature and conditions they will both out-climb and out-glide the modern plastic stuff.
I am very much looking forward to skiing in my new place of residence, the Jemez Mountains and the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. So far the snowpack is forming up nicely.
cheers
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:22am PT
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It wasn't that long ago that wooden skis were all you could buy..
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:44am PT
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FYI
In its initial season (1971 winter), the YMS and its Mountain Shop was stocked with Asnes Tur-Langrenn wood skis for sale and rental, with cane poles.
We had only a few sets of Trak waxless skis that winter.
Inside of three years the emphasis swung to Fischers and other brands of non-wood skis.
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Nick Danger
Ice climber
Arvada, CO
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:54am PT
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Mouse, That is exactly how I remember it too. I always had both types in my quiver of skis (still do), but for just touring I have always found wooden skis to be the most satisfying. That being said, if a guy is gonna do solo traverse of some back country mountain range, modern plastic skis with skins are the demon tweak because (1) they don't break, (2) they deal with wind crust, ice conditions better. I no longer do that sort of skiing, more due to physical conditioning and accumulated damage than by actual choice, as I always loved those types of back country adventures.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Nov 28, 2018 - 10:22am PT
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It wasn't that long ago that wooden skis were all you could buy..
RJ, get worked up for senile dementia, braj!
Or do ya just still have a boner for yer Bonnas?
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Cragar
climber
MSLA - MT
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Nov 28, 2018 - 11:02am PT
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I used to wax XC skis but with temperature swings and warmth these days I switched to the the scales about 10 yrs ago as wax wasn't cutting it anymore. With that in mind, I'd skip wood unless you live up high, really high.
Also, are you getting metal edged, non-metal or both types of skis? It is kinda nice to have both and considering the price and life of XC skis; I'd say get both!
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Nov 28, 2018 - 02:20pm PT
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^^^ha! Ripping it on skinny skis!!!
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DonC
climber
CA
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Nov 28, 2018 - 02:55pm PT
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great video!
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Nov 28, 2018 - 03:33pm PT
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^^^^ +10, Eric Packer!
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:02pm PT
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I ski alot-knocked off 1,000 miles last winter and 115 days on trail. So far this year we're on day 12- mostly rock skiing. somewhere around 100 km.
I'm stoked with the new gear- I mostly skate up on the Birkebeiner trail and the new skis have great spring and better glide. So much fun!
I'm trying the new skin skis for waxless classic skiing and I'm liking them quite a bit for temps around freezing or warmer. Best sport ever! On a good day, it makes me want to live forever.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:11pm PT
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On a good day, it makes me want to live forever.
Amen brother, that’s the spirit.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:31pm PT
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I wax up when it's 25 F or colder--generally when I have dry snow. when it gets around 30 and up waxing becomes pretty challenging so I have a quiver of no-waxers that I get on. This is on tracked trail and not out bushwhacking- the waxless gear has been more reliable for me. I have had great days skiing klister but mostly those were ice days. If you can get out when they have have a demo day try out a pair skin-tecs. You can really bust off some great kick and still get excellent glide.
My goal for this winter is to ski my age--I'd like to do a 60 km day.
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ec
climber
ca
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:36pm PT
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Also, a well waxed pair of wooden skis will out-perform any of the modern plastic skis, and especially outperform the modern waxless skis. Waxed correctly for the temperature and conditions they will both out-climb and out-glide the modern plastic stuff.
Yeah...Luddite.
Did you actually try this given example side by side with the equipment during the same conditions?
Probably not...
Anyway, if that’s what you prefer, go for it. However, don’t fill our heads with BS.
Thx - ec
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:39pm PT
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Cross country? Which country are you talking about crossing?
Crossing this kind of country you'll want randonee skis, and skins...
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Nov 28, 2018 - 06:58pm PT
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Ghost that looks burly! I'm more into a trail with a lot of very fit women crushing it. Still, skiing is the best thing!
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Nov 28, 2018 - 07:04pm PT
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I've got a collection of wood skis-I quit the habit after about 30 pair. I haven't skied wood since we got our ass kicked by the school on the hill in 1976. My first year I had a sweeeeet pair of Peltonen racers. I broke those skis 4 X's that winter. I had to find the pieces and epoxy them back together so I could keep chasing it the next day. The wood ski is one of the really beautiful things ever made, but for performance? Weight? And Strength? I'm stepping into my Fischer's.
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Cragar
climber
MSLA - MT
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Nov 29, 2018 - 07:43am PT
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Well Ghostly Gaiter man...
I'd call what you appear to be doing 'Touring', judging by the pack(s) you have on.
What does gaiter rhyme with?
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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I feel your pain Andy...The LA gapers drive up here for one day , trash the groomed nordic trails then race back to Gaperville... big greedy Alterra condones this as long as the walking gapers stay off the downhill slopes...Mammoth thinks it's Aspen but they're really Snow Summit...
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Snowshoes are nothing compared to the fat wheel bikes.
I'm kind of a live and let live multi use fella, but after half a dozen bikes mash down a giant Anaconda track, it's like trying to ski a summertime singletrack dirt groove.
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