These skis were made for trails like Brewster creek
I’ll do a separate update about the ski trip on Brewster creek but I first wanted to elucidate about these skis. I’m learning that it’s important to have the right tools for the job.
Conditions on Brewster creek at 150m elevation and 5K into the ski
Today was an eye-opener for me. I’ve had these new metal-edged, wider, flatter skis laying around for over a year, but I was reluctant to use them because I knew they would be slow. Well, the joke was on me.
Descending Brewster creek with all the steep downhills, sharp turns, snowmobile tracks, ridges and whatnot, I actually think I was faster than on my skinny skis. I was truly amazed at how confident and fast I could be on a sketchy trail with the right skis.
Let’s put this in context. Back on Dec 1, I skied Brewster creek and wrote the following:
“I turned around at the end of the tracksetting and had a harrowing trip back down. The snowmobile leaves a lot of ridges and ruts, and coming down those steep hills with turns can be scary. It’s imperative to stay in control, which means going slow. At the bottom of Brewster creek, I had to pry my legs out of the snowplow stance. With the trail in this condition, it would be a good idea to use wider skis and metal edges wouldn’t hurt, either.”
Conditions on Healy creek could be described as Cone-ucopia. To access Brewster creek, you first have to ski for 2.6K on Healy creek.
Heh. The skis are wider, but not real wide. The dimensions are 59-49-55 compared to my skinny skis which are 41-44-44. The bindings are the same as on my other skis, so I could use my usual boots.
These skis are slower but safer
Granted, the skis are slower but on a trail like Brewster creek that’s an advantage. Going slower, I didn’t have to snowplow very much at all, and when I approached a corner with some speed, it was still easy enough to slow down and turn. Riding over the numerous bumps in the trail was like floating over small waves on the ocean. Fun, and safe.
The hard ridge in the middle of the trail was not intimidating whatsoever today.
I’m just waiting to hear Helen Read say “I told you so.”
Agreed. Hey Bob when are you going back up Red Earth Creek? Those metal edged wider skiis are also ideal for skiing into Shadow Lake Lodge.
See our photos Jan.7
http://www.grandviewchalet.com/blog/2016/1/9/shadow-lake-xc-ski
Agree with Chuck, Peter, and Gord.
You’ve overtrained with your skinny skis!
I recall the few years that my wife and I did marathon canoe racing. We’d be training with true die-hards – winter training, going upstream in white water with those skinny little boats, hopping from eddy to eddy.
Some of those paddlers would use their marathon canoes to do tripping. I just scratched my head, wondering what that proved.
The right tool for the job.
Amen.
I definitely went faster as my confidence increased, I have almost the same cut and metal edges, HUGE difference to me.
Bob now that you are using your metal edged skis you are one step closer to becoming a backcountry skier! Enjoy!
Your only mistake is trying to use your old boots!
The beefier boot and binding would give you the control those new skis deserve.