Hemiboreal Skiing

Asnes Skin-Lock vs. Fischer Easy-Skin So- two brilliantly designed and well-made integrated kicker skins that are only compatible with the respective skis- Asnes Skin-Lock and Fischer Easy-Skin.  I currently have the following setups: 210cm Asnes Combat Nato: 35mm nylon Skin-Lock; 60mm mohair Skin-Lock 210cm Fischer E-99 Tour; 205cm Fischer E-109 Tour: 35mm Easy Skin; 50mm Easy-Skin Easy-Skin There are sometimes some inherent disadvantages to being an “inventor”.  No matter how brilliant the idea- everyone else gets to test your idea and then capitalise on simplifying, improving and lower the manufacturing cost of their own version. Fischer seems to have done this with the Easy-Skin.  It is a less complicated technology than the Skin-Lock- and, I would bet it is less expensive to manufacture.  The Easy-Skin is appropriately named- it truly is “easy”, simple technology.  The Easy-Skin has a plastic tab fastened to the tip of the skin that slide...

2015 Åsnes Combat NATO A true XCD ski from the point of view of balance .  This ski truly does offer both cross-country and moderate down-hill performance.  It also climbs reasonably well for a double-cambered ski. Fast, smooth, light and responsive. Truly awesome flex pattern: enough stiffness and camber for efficient xcountry travel; wonderful round flex for downhill turns; low camber facilitates efficient climbing. Beautiful broad, raised, elongated tip carves its way through snow- a trail-breaking machine. The integrated Skin-Lock kicker skins both increase traction and extend skiing onto most any snow condition. The very best distance-oriented, backcountry Nordic touring ski I have ever tried- PERIOD . Is it the best at any one thing- well of course not.  BUT- it is the most versatile BC Nordic touring ski I have ever tested.  It is the best because it is good enough at everything that it just makes me smile- ALL THE TIME!! Åsnes knows what they...