REVIEW: ROTTEFELLA NNN-BC MAGNUM

Ultimate Off-Trail Backcountry-Xcountry Binding

I suppose that I should perhaps consider not giving my review of the NNNBC binding.  Having done a little leisurely reading- it appears that NNNBC versus 3 pin-75mm NN can spark much heated debate.

There is no question that the 75mm binding is more versatile- ranging from classic xcountry to big mountain telemark.   To date- I have continued to use 3pin 75mm telemark bindings for xcountry-telemark skiing in more mountainous terrain. 

Regardless of what people claim NNNBC can or cannot do; I offer this: NNNBC is a well designed off-trail, backcountry-xcountry binding.  For many of us- that spend most of our time on gentle to moderate terrain- NNNBC is all we need.

The NNNBC binding is perfect for what it is designed to do: stable, light, off-trail backcountry-xcountry skiing.

The SNS X-ADV bindings are very good as well.  Though narrower than the NNNBC- the SNS X-ADV has a longer ridge on the base plate (there is also a debate over which of these designs offers the best downhill control).  The biggest issue I have with the SNS X-ADV is the severe lack of boot options.  I have yet to find an SNS X-ADV boot that fit me properly.

There are essentially 3 types of NNNBC bindings:

1. NNNBC-auto: not designed for deep snow- will ice up in deep snow conditions.
2. NNNBC-manual: the same dimensions as the “auto”, but with a manual lever to open and close the binding.
3. NNNBC-magnum: Heavy-duty version of the manual- wider base plate; heavier binding lever.

Check out the Rottefella website for more specs: http://www.rottefella.com/en/Products/?showProductsUnder=58

I have been skiing on NNNBC bindings for more than 10 years (exclusively 3pin 75mm before).  I have tried all three types.  In my experience, the NNNBC-magnum offers the best backcountry performance.

This review is primarily about the NNNBC-magnum binding.  On an everyday basis; I am currently using this binding mounted on Madshus Eon, and Annum skis; with Alpina Alaska boots.

When I say "xcountry" I specifically mean classic kick (stride) and glide skiing.  From my experience; the NNNBC-Magnum is the best off-trail kick and glide binding available- stable and efficient.  It is perhaps the best simply because it also widely available- with a huge selection of boots to match it.

Performance.  From my experience the NNNBC system is much more efficient at classic kick (stride) and glide than a 75mm binding.  The fundamental concept/technique to efficient classic xcountry skiing is the "diagonal stride".  Efficient classic xcountry skiing is about striding (i.e. lunging) - it is not really a "kick" that produces your forward momentum and gliding.  The "kick" is really the product of pushing downwards in order to generate enough grip to lunge/stride, and glide, forwards on the alternate ski.  Unlike 75mm bindings- the system bindings (e.g. NNN, SNS) pivot perfectly like a hinge at the toe; allowing complete extension of your foot as you stride and glide.  They are a traditional Nordic binding, with resistance (produced by a rubber bumper) designed to transfer foot-flex into downward grip or "kick".  Once you have experienced this freedom of movement through the stride and glide- it is hard to go back to 75mm for xcountry skiing!  One of the potential limitations of NNNBC is the lack of a heel lift (climbing wire) option for steep climbing with skins.  And of course, NNNBC does not extend it's power into the realm of big-mountain telemark.  For example, there is no heel cable option, like there is with a 3-pin-75mm-NN binding.

Durability.  Despite much anxiety about the potential mechanical failings of NNNBC- I have yet to have any significant breakdowns with NNNBC bindings.  That being said- there are obviously plastic parts involved which must eventually deteriorate.

Now the controversial part: telemark technique with a system (NNN, SNS) binding…

Claiming that the NNNBC binding can or cannot be used as a telemark binding is more than a matter of opinion- I have learned that it is also a matter of technique.

I am afraid that I have to say that I have become impressed with the telemark that I can do on a NNNBC binding. 

A little background.  I learned to make a telemark turn on 3-pin-cable bindings, with rigid plastic Nordic boots.  Due to the strength of the binding/boot (and some of my past alpine skiing); the telemark technique I developed was to steer my way into a telemark.  In my experience, steering a ski into a telemark cannot be effectively and consistently done with the system bindings (except perhaps on firm, consolidated snow) - the bindings and the boots are rarely rigid enough.

When I first began attempting the telemark on NNNBC bindings (with relatively soft composite boots), I was dismayed, discovering that I could only pull it off in a few conditions.  Even worse- I could not effectively steer my fat powder xcountry skis at all on NNNBC!

I tend to be a tenacious and somewhat stubborn person.  I decided that it could be done- I just needed to work at it.

I eventually had a bit of a revelation when re-reading Steve Barnett’s legendary Cross-Country Downhill (1978).  Here is the passage that unlocked something for me:

“The most common failure of aspiring telemarkers is to try starting the turn by reluctantly sliding one ski forward and then attempting to force it, weighted, into the turning position…What you want to do is move the front ski, unweighted (sometimes even lifted off the snow), into position and then weight the ski aggressively...”

Barnett’s descriptions of telemark technique with light xcountry gear are fundamentally based on using an angled xcountry diagonal stride to initiate the telemark.  In Barnett’s words, “Initiate the turn by stepping forward with one ski and placing it so that it crosses in front of the other ski…”  This technique unlocked the telemark for me on a light NNNBC setup.  In my opinion, this is a xcountry striding technique, rather than an alpine steering technique.

Advancements in ski, binding, and boot technologies have allowed the development of a wide range of styles and approaches to the telemark turn.  The NNNBC binding can be used to make a telemark turn- but rarely with the same technique that can be used with heavier/stronger bindings and boots. 

Barnett offers some advice: “The best preparation for a good telemark technique is a good diagonal stride.  The diagonal stride’s decisive but relaxed motion, strong forward drive, positive weight shift, balance needed for smoothness, and continuous rhythm all directly apply to telemark skiing.  A stride has to become a telemark when needed or vice versa.”

So I offer this at least; whether you wish to use the NNNBC as a light telemark binding or not- spending a significant amount of time xcountry striding on a NNNBC setup may add more balance and variability to your telemark technique in general.  I know that it has to mine!