Cross Country Skiing

[Kubla]

I just found (what seems to be) a pretty good online deal for a backcountry ski package at Akers Ski in Maine. Here's the catch: the skis will be pre-drilled, but the bindings will need to be installed by the buyer.

Does anyone know what is involved for installation of 3-pin bindings? Do they just snap into place-or is there a lot more to the task (glue, brute force, etc.)?

I plan to write to them, but they are closed on Sundays and it doesn't appear initially that installation is available at an additional cost.

[DebW]

I just found (what seems to be) a pretty good online deal for a backcountry ski package at Akers Ski in Maine. Here's the catch: the skis will be pre-drilled, but the bindings will need to be installed by the buyer.

Does anyone know what is involved for installation of 3-pin bindings? Do they just snap into place-or is there a lot more to the task (glue, brute force, etc.)?

I plan to write to them, but they are closed on Sundays and it doesn't appear initially that installation is available at an additional cost.

3-pin bindings install with screws. If they come predrilled, it takes alot of the work (positioning and alignment) out of it. You need elmer's glue or slow-cure epoxy on the screws/in the holes to seal out water. You also may need a special posidrive phillips screwdriver. I did a set from scratch recently with a friend's help.

[mudmucker]

Well, I lost a weekend of skiing - I had dental surgery on Friday and the dentist said no exercise. Not that I feel like it since my jaw has ballooned out and I'm a little under the weather. Painkillers are working though. So I did a little armchair gardening and made my final order of seeds for my grow lights.

And on the brighter side, I did some armchair skiing as well. I decided on the Madshus Epochs and ordered them online last night. Earlier in the week I went to a shop to see them in person. They are much lighter than I thought they would be. They also had the Rossi90s as well. The Rossis were a lot wider than I expected. But here is my decision. The Rossis had a stiffer camber and actually seemed heavier than the Epochs. I felt although it seemed more of a Point A to Point B ski with the stiffer camber, it might have a little less float and maybe more difficult to initiate a telemark turn. I was also a bit skeptical of their deep snow capabilities. They didn't have the Alpina Lite Terrains to look at but I more or less removed that from my list. I felt the sidecut was too drastic and would get a little too squirrelly on the level kick and glide. That and my kick and glide would be more of a shuffle because of the flexy single camber. Shuffle = not too fun and more geared for up to destination, then more control downhill. The Epochs seemed just right. Light. They have something called single camber plus, which is probably camber and a half - meaning a little stiffer and some Point A to Point B kick and glide capabilities, yet the sidecut allows for easier initiation of telemark turns.

The next concern I had is that my current backcountry skis tend to submarine in the snow rather than flexing enough for the shovel to stay level or seek the surface of the snow for better travel through. The ski seems flexible enough to do this. Then, in weight I was nearer the high end of the shorter ski and was concerned that I would collapse the kick pocket and have too much drag. I went with the next longer ski because I am confident in my abilities and I would salvage more kick and glide.

I am pretty excited. I have 2000 acres to access within walking distance of my house where there are 1600 to 1800 foot hills I can break trail and bushwhack to, to get some height in which to carve out a few turns. Twenty years ago I spent a couple of seasons trying to telemark. It'll be fun to practice the telemark turns again and mix that up with some of the rolling terrain too. I wonder if I'll even remember how to do them. It'll be fun to get out there with my map and compass again (yes I am old fashioned and still use that over gps) and explore off trail areas. And at about a half hours distance I can try out some other small hills like Mt Grace and Watatic, or even the back side of Wachusett. All without having to travel far.

[mudmucker]

Well, I lost a weekend of skiing - I had dental surgery on Friday and the dentist said no exercise. Not that I feel like it since my jaw has ballooned out and I'm a little under the weather. Painkillers are working though. So I did a little armchair gardening and made my final order of seeds for my grow lights.

And on the brighter side, I did some armchair skiing as well. I decided on the Madshus Epochs and ordered them online last night. Earlier in the week I went to a shop to see them in person. They are much lighter than I thought they would be. They also had the Rossi90s as well. The Rossis were a lot wider than I expected. But here is my decision. The Rossis had a stiffer camber and actually seemed heavier than the Epochs. I felt although it seemed more of a Point A to Point B ski with the stiffer camber, it might have a little less float and maybe more difficult to initiate a telemark turn. I was also a bit skeptical of their deep snow capabilities. They didn't have the Alpina Lite Terrains to look at but I more or less removed that from my list. I felt the sidecut was too drastic and would get a little too squirrelly on the level kick and glide. That and my kick and glide would be more of a shuffle because of the flexy single camber. Shuffle = not too fun and more geared for up to destination, then more control downhill. The Epochs seemed just right. Light. They have something called single camber plus, which is probably camber and a half - meaning a little stiffer and some Point A to Point B kick and glide capabilities, yet the sidecut allows for easier initiation of telemark turns.

The next concern I had is that my current backcountry skis tend to submarine in the snow rather than flexing enough for the shovel to stay level or seek the surface of the snow for better travel through. The ski seems flexible enough to do this. Then, in weight I was nearer the high end of the shorter ski and was concerned that I would collapse the kick pocket and have too much drag. I went with the next longer ski because I am confident in my abilities and I would salvage more kick and glide.

I am pretty excited. I have 2000 acres to access within walking distance of my house where there are 1600 to 1800 foot hills I can break trail and bushwhack to, to get some height in which to carve out a few turns. Twenty years ago I spent a couple of seasons trying to telemark. It'll be fun to practice the telemark turns again and mix that up with some of the rolling terrain too. I wonder if I'll even remember how to do them. It'll be fun to get out there with my map and compass again (yes I am old fashioned and still use that over gps) and explore off trail areas. And at about a half hours distance I can try out some other small hills like Mt Grace and Watatic, or even the back side of Wachusett. All without having to travel far.

[mudmucker]

Hmm. Double posted somehow. Sorry about that.

[Crankin]

OK, I was humbled pretty quickly at Franconia this weekend. I challenged myself, though, and laughed through most of it. I feel as if I am a confident intermediate level skier for groomed trails. I can climb anything and my descending skills have greatly improved. I've skied down a couple of black trails, too.
Basically, Franconia has narrow trails that are tracked. So, for someone like me, who gets out of the tracks to descend/climb, the challenge was there. Not so much the climbing, as I learned pretty quickly how to herringbone in a narrower stance after one face plant, going up. Serious, serious climbs here.
The issue was descending. I am not skilled enough to descend and turn and keep my speed regulated in the tracks, as there was not enough room to snowplow or turn if you were in the very small area that was groomed next to the tracks. Some of these descents were definitely black diamond rated. We finally found one yesterday where the steepest part was untracked, but the groomer had left a huge ridge of snow in the middle of the trail, which caused even my expert skier friend to go down. Friday was hell for me, but I improved a little yesterday. I was able to do 2 descents without falling, very slowly, but I had 2 falls that have my arms and wrists aching today. I think this would have been easier if they had left it ungroomed (with the right skis). We actually climbed one of Cannon's black alpine trails that is a shared nordic trail. That was fun.
Today, after we left the b and b, we drove to Bretton Woods, where it was quiet, because of Super Bowl. We skied 10.5 great miles, over to the AMC Highland Center for lunch, and back. At least I left with my confidence restored.
Pictures coming.

[Crankin]

Pictures from Franconia, NH

[limewave]

A friend gave us some children's xc skis. I took DD out this weekend. We just went around the backyard and around the block. She's a natural! I can't wait to take her out on some groomed trails!

[Kubla]

3-pin bindings install with screws. If they come predrilled, it takes alot of the work (positioning and alignment) out of it. You need elmer's glue or slow-cure epoxy on the screws/in the holes to seal out water. You also may need a special posidrive phillips screwdriver. I did a set from scratch recently with a friend's help.

Good news-and more food for thought. I heard back from Akers Ski first thing today. They will install the bindings for $15 per pair if I decide to buy a ski package such as this one-which features Alpina Lite Terrains. A no-brainer for me; I'm happy to have someone else install them- if this package is what I decide to go with ultimately.

I had been leaning slightly more toward Rossignol BC 90s or Madshus Epochs. But...I was also researching the Alpina Lite Terrains-which do not seem as readily available as the other two. I'm torn between sitting it out (and risk missing the boat due to size availability) in hopes of a better deal...or just waiting until next year. We shall see...

[jessmarimba]

Anyone ever been to the nordic center at Beaver Creek? I'll be there on Sunday for a concert and thought I'd try it out, but there are plenty of other places on the way.

[mudgirl]

DH has the back country boots, but I still have the softer Rossignol ones, because when I tried the bc ones, my feet just got chopped up... serious blisters, cuts, and bloody feet.

Crankin,
Are the they BCX 2 or 3s? Everyone I know who has these boots hates them. I think they give anyone who wears them blisters, and mine, literally, kept falling apart at the seams, and I had to keep sewing them back up. I suffered with a pair for 3 seasons, and I finally went down to the ski shop earlier this winter and bought a pair of Fischer BCX3s. Oh my gosh, WHAT a difference!!!

Now, I have some friends who have the top-of-the-line Rossi BC boots who are very happy with them, so I think it's just their bottom-of-the-line boots that are like this. But, there are other boots out there for the same price that are much, MUCH better.

[Crankin]

I have no idea what brand of boots chopped my feet up. It was five years ago; DH and I both had a terrible experience. We got new skis at the end of last winter. He was able to find a pair of bc/stiff boots (I think they are either Fischer or Alpina) that are fine and I decided to stay with the softer Rossignol touring boots, as I have a bunion that seems to get annoyed with harder boots, especially when I wear my hiking shoes to go snow shoeing. Since I have touring skis with edges, it's fine.
Though, I am not opposed to buying a second pair of bc skis and boots as others here have done.

[Crankin]

Went to Windblown today, for what looks to be the last time until we get more snow. It's supposed to get up to nearly 60 between Wed. and Friday, so there is going to be significant melting, even with a 30 inch base. Hopefully, it will snow again, after it cools down. Conditions were slick, and a little icy in a few spots, but still, I have been there when it's worse. And they had a dusting last night, so there was powder in the open fields.
Didn't get there until noon, skied until 1:30, had some awesome butternut squash/apple soup in the lodge and went back out until about 3:30. DH had issues climbing after lunch; the ball of his foot and knee were hurting and he couldn't turn his ankle in to herringbone on one steep hill. We figured out he had hurt it snow shoeing yesterday, when the conditions were kind of difficult because of the icy layer on top the deep snow.
While I am looking forward to riding at the end of the week, it better snow more. We have tentative pans to go to Stowe, the first weekend in March and I am hoping to get out to western MA in between. After that, it's cycling season...

[Cataboo]

I got out to White Grass in West VA to cross country ski a couple days this weekend.

I was pleasantly surprised by the snow for this area of the country and had a lot of fun. Lots of climbing and descending. I was fairly pleased with my ski/boot setup. The technician guy told me what a good pair of skis they were when he was waxing them for me. He also told me that REI had mounted the heel plate on my 3 pin bindings upside down and that REI stood for "really expensive injury"

I seem to have the rossignol bcx boots that were being complained about above. I don't find them terribly comfortable, but I spent $20 on them, so I'm not complaining. I haven't gotten any blisters or anything like that, they're just small in the toe box and a narrow boot in general.

[Kubla]

Wow, what nice trails! We have huge inviting fields like that in town here, but they are privately owned.

What is the purpose of the colored banners in the hut? Are they put there to make it more visible from a distance? (As you can probably guess-I don't get out much.)