hikerfast
Active member
okay kids, I'm trying to get a handle on what is available for cross country skiing options, and perhaps make a decision and purchase.
order of knowledge:
im no expert for starters, but do a bit each year.
in 1984 until recently, you bought skis that extended up to your extended wrist over your head, had 'slipper' like boots that fit into a 3 pin binding that twisted when you tried to make a turn. fast, but not much good for turning. downhill is fun till you crash, unless you are pretty skilled(i dont mind crashing).
few years ago, these became referred to as 'touring' skis.
backcountry skis came out, shorter, wider, slower, metal edges. fine.
last year i bought a pair, got some great boots with the new bindings(not 3 pin), and when i turn my feet, the skis turn. what a change. very nice. i liked the new bindings so much i put them on my old 'now called touring skis' and they turn much better also.
also a few years ago, 'telemark'' skis come out, loose heel, pretty much look like downhill. new skis boots and bindings required(i think).
I saw some lady skiing on cardigan sunday with these 'randonet' bindings. $425 at ems. they allow you to freeheel for touring along, clip the heel down for downhill, and elevate the back or your boot about 5 inches for climbing, im assuming with the assistance of skins. sounds pretty nice. i dont know if you need to buy new skis, boots, or put them on existing skis and use the boots you already have.
then at ems yesterday, the guy shows me these 'alpine trekkers' to consider instead of randonet. he says i can use my downhill skis and boots with them. they are basicly an 'adapter' that work like randonets'. you clip this thing into your downhill bindings, then clip your downhill boots into those. then, like randonet, you can go freeheel for cross country, clip the heel down for when you do a downhill, and elevate the back a few inches for climbing(assuming skins here too). these were like 180 bucks as opposed to 425 for the randonet.
I wondered about opinions and facts on all this?
would using the alpine trekkers with your downhill skis be hideously heavy using your downhill boots? or no big deal? or the price you pay to be able to use your downhill skiis going downhill? how would this be doing a pemi ski thru for example?
how about for climbing wildcat then doing the wildcat trail off the back down to jackson?
what about mixing and matching? am i correct in my assumptions?
do i have to buy new boots and skis for the randonets vs. using existing ones and changing bindings?
any help is appreciated.
man cross country ski equipment used to be so simple!
this specialized stuff sounds like it could be great, or maybe not. ill be curious to learn things.
all info welcome, thanks in advance.
something tells me dave metzky might be the expert here.
order of knowledge:
im no expert for starters, but do a bit each year.
in 1984 until recently, you bought skis that extended up to your extended wrist over your head, had 'slipper' like boots that fit into a 3 pin binding that twisted when you tried to make a turn. fast, but not much good for turning. downhill is fun till you crash, unless you are pretty skilled(i dont mind crashing).
few years ago, these became referred to as 'touring' skis.
backcountry skis came out, shorter, wider, slower, metal edges. fine.
last year i bought a pair, got some great boots with the new bindings(not 3 pin), and when i turn my feet, the skis turn. what a change. very nice. i liked the new bindings so much i put them on my old 'now called touring skis' and they turn much better also.
also a few years ago, 'telemark'' skis come out, loose heel, pretty much look like downhill. new skis boots and bindings required(i think).
I saw some lady skiing on cardigan sunday with these 'randonet' bindings. $425 at ems. they allow you to freeheel for touring along, clip the heel down for downhill, and elevate the back or your boot about 5 inches for climbing, im assuming with the assistance of skins. sounds pretty nice. i dont know if you need to buy new skis, boots, or put them on existing skis and use the boots you already have.
then at ems yesterday, the guy shows me these 'alpine trekkers' to consider instead of randonet. he says i can use my downhill skis and boots with them. they are basicly an 'adapter' that work like randonets'. you clip this thing into your downhill bindings, then clip your downhill boots into those. then, like randonet, you can go freeheel for cross country, clip the heel down for when you do a downhill, and elevate the back a few inches for climbing(assuming skins here too). these were like 180 bucks as opposed to 425 for the randonet.
I wondered about opinions and facts on all this?
would using the alpine trekkers with your downhill skis be hideously heavy using your downhill boots? or no big deal? or the price you pay to be able to use your downhill skiis going downhill? how would this be doing a pemi ski thru for example?
how about for climbing wildcat then doing the wildcat trail off the back down to jackson?
what about mixing and matching? am i correct in my assumptions?
do i have to buy new boots and skis for the randonets vs. using existing ones and changing bindings?
any help is appreciated.
man cross country ski equipment used to be so simple!
this specialized stuff sounds like it could be great, or maybe not. ill be curious to learn things.
all info welcome, thanks in advance.
something tells me dave metzky might be the expert here.