REVIEW: Madshus Epoch

The Jack of All Trades Mountain Touring Ski

I here have decided to offer my humble “review” of the Madshus Epoch (my newest pair are the 2013/2014 model year).

The Madshus Epoch is the replacement for the Karhu XCD 10^th Mountain (the two are essentially identical).  With a 99-68-74mm profile; the Epoch is a relatively fat, single-cambered, waxless xcountry/light telemark touring ski.  The “XCD” stands for “xcountry-downhill”.

These skis are hybrid xcountry-telemark skis- designed to offer a balance between off-track xcountry touring, and downhill-turning performance.  As far as truly dedicated single-cambered XCD skis; Fischer’s S-Bounds, Rossignol’s fattest BC skis (BC90, 110&125), and Alpina’s fattest backcountry skis (e.g. X-Terrain/Discover 110); have a somewhat similar design and intent to the Madshus/Karhu XCD line.

The Epoch is an obvious choice for XCD (i.e. telemark) touring in variable snow, and variable terrain.  Its width gives it decent flotation in deep snow; the single-camber gives good climbing and turning performance; the progressive sidecut gives decent downhill turning performance; the moderately fat width gives a decent balance between flotation and xcountry glide.  The moderate width under foot allows for easier downhill control on hardpack snow- compared to much fatter XCD skis.  I also highly recommend the Epoch as a backcountry-xcountry trekking/touring ski (i.e. classic kick & glide) in deep snow.  Although there are wider xcountry skis available; the Epoch is still a powder ski offering decent flotation- especially in the longer lengths.  My perspective is that the Epoch is "a jack of all trades" XCD  touring ski.

Here is a brief summary of the Epoch specs:

• 99-68-74mm profile
• lengths to 195cm
• Progressive sidecut, with a relatively straight tail
• Full-length metal edges
• Single-cambered (it has been described as having a “traditional” single camber)
• Relatively soft tips/tails
• Waxless base under foot (Karhu’s “Omnitrack”)

The Epoch may not be super "fat", but it is still a powder xcountry ski with single camber, and lacking the traditional track groove of a xcountry touring ski .  As a xcountry ski, the Epoch is relatively inefficient on dense and/or hard snow.  But unlike even wider options (e.g. Madshus Annum; Fischer S-Bound 112; Rossignol BC125); the Epoch offers more acceptable performance on hard/dense snow, and it tours more efficiently.  In my experience, as a telemark ski- you need fairly rugged boots-bindings to control this ski on dense and/or hard snow, in a downhill turn.  However, put this ski on softer snow- you can stride/drive this ski through a sweet telemark- even with relatively light Nordic boots (and even system (SNS/NNN) bindings).

This ski is most commonly used as a light telemark-touring ski (with 75mm tele bindings) - and for good reason.  As a light “mountain” telemark ski, the Epoch is highly versatile; offering a good balance between downhill turning and kick and glide touring; on variable terrain and snow.  

Perhaps the best way to review this ski is by comparing it to its two siblings: the Madshus Eon (Karhu XCD GT) and the Madshus Annum (Karhu XCD Guide).  The Epoch sits in the middle, as far as width.  My perspective is that the Epoch is a "jack of all trades", but perhaps a master of none- but perhaps that is what may make it the best backcountry-xcountry mountain touring ski available.

First of all, from my perspective, all three of these Madshus XCD skis are designed to be first and foremost off-trail, classic kick and glide xcountry skis- with moderate downhill performance.  Yes, they do have a progressive sidecut- they will turn on the downhill.  However, these skis have quite a straight tail, and track very efficiently during the kick and glide (this sacrifices some turning efficiency).  The Eon is marketed as being "more about the tour, than the turn".  My perspective is that this is equally true for the Epoch, and the Annum.

The Epoch sits in the middle between the Eon and the Annum. The Eon is the slimmest, tracks the straightest, and has the best glide.  The Annum is the fattest, offers the best flotation, and excels when breaking trail through deep powder.  The Epoch, I assume, is supposed to split the difference, and be good at both.  Although this is an excellent ski; I find that it doesn't excel at either glide, or flotation.  When the snow base is dense and hard, and you can really cruise- the Eon will perform better than the Epoch.  When the snow is deep and soft- the Annum will offer better flotation, and break trail more efficiently than the Epoch.  In short; I currently have the Eon, the Epoch, and the Annum to choose from.  I regularly find myself choosing either the Eon or the Annum, and leaving the Epoch in the shed.

On the other hand, if you want one ski for mountain XCD touring, in variable terrain and snow- this ski may be the best choice.  As a XCD touring ski- the Epoch is reasonably good at everything.  However, in my opinion, it is perhaps not the best at anything.

The performance of this ski is influenced by the binding/boot system.  75mm-3-pin nordic/telemark bindings are without a doubt the most versatile and flexible setup- ranging from classic xcountry, to light telemark.  

However; NNNBC binding/boot systems offering much more efficient classic xcountry performance (i.e. stride and glide), by allowing the complete extension of the Nordic stride.

For my everyday skiing- rolling terrain with only the occasional steep descent and climb- I much prefer the NNNBC system.  If my backyard skiing had much more vertical to it- I would probably be on 75mm.

The length you choose will have a fundamental effect on how this ski performs (as it does with all skis!).  In a long length (for your weight), this ski feels quite snappy in classic kick & glide xcountry skiing.  If you end up choosing a short length for easier downhill turns- you are going to lose the kick & glide performance this ski has to offer.


My advice is that if you wish a shorter Epoch for downhill skiing, I would suggest considering a ski with more of a downhill focus.

In conclusion- if you want a do-it-all XCD touring ski- consider the Epoch!