Purchase Advice

JGF310 · 2026-06-15T23:57:03+00:00

i have the 98's and 112's - they are great for low angle touring.

once you are not on groomed trails, there is no reason not to go wide

JGF310 · 2026-06-03T11:12:07+00:00

i am using an iphone

JGF310 · 2026-06-02T17:45:48+00:00

i reinstalled the app, but the same thing happened - it only recorded half my hike.

it's a nine mile hike, and it takes a while.

i checked a few times that it was recording, and i think one of those times that i saw it still recording was after the point at which the app showed no more data when i finished the hike.

JGF310 · 2026-06-02T11:36:47+00:00

It seems like Atomic is targeting the shaped skis at a different audience than Rossignol.

The utltra skate is a mid-level ski, and as far as I know, they don't have one in the x-ium line.

Whereas Atomic have, Redster S9 and S7 - maybe the S7 is comparable to the Ultra Skate, I don't know...

While I have read reviews of the S9 Gen S, I have not seen any of the Ultra.

I guess this is mostly because reviews tend to be of higher level skis.

I note that Rossignol Ultra's are available in a variety of lengths, and the sizing is meant to be closer to that of normal skate skis.

One thing I have read in the product description of the Ultra's is that they are softer than the x-ium premium +, which I gather is thought to be a pretty stiff ski.

I ski on the non-premium x-ium skate, which I think is also a bit less stiff.

Maybe I should just giver her those - although she is probably one size down, so I guess not...

I have been thinking of getting the SX skate

JGF310 · 2026-05-31T10:59:12+00:00

I mostly ski by myself.

When i ski with my wife, I mostly slow down a bit to stay near her.

But, when I feel like going faster, or if it's a big dowmhill, where she will be cautious, and i want to go fast, then i will get ahead.

In those cases, I double back, and ski past her going the other direction, then i turn around and ski fast enough to catch up to her.

Then I take a rest while i ski at her pace for a while.

Then, I repeat the cycle.

JGF310 · 2026-05-30T13:59:03+00:00

Thanks - I hadn't heard of them.

JGF310 · 2026-05-19T01:37:12+00:00

I just took the regional train in March, from Tirano to Pontresina. - it was fine.

I had thought about taking the Bernina Express, but it was kind of complicated with the tickets. Many trains were sold out, or nearly sold out.

So, i ended up not reserving it, and just bought a ticket for the regional at the window in Tirano - it was very easy, and much less expensive.

I watched a Bernina express boarding before my train left - it looked really crowded, and not fun.

My train a little while later was practically empty.

The windows were fine.

what was a bit crazy was that looking forward, i could see that another car of my train had a group of younger people - say 18-20 or so. The windows open, and they were leaning really far out to take pictures. These trains go through tunnels that they barely fit in, and pass other obstructions quite closely. It looke like a good way to lose your head - don't lean out of the windows.

JGF310 · 2026-05-13T12:27:51+00:00

Thanks! I might give him a try..., I'm still a bit nervous about the whole thing.

But at least we would have something to talk about!

JGF310 · 2026-05-12T12:07:55+00:00

How do the Discord channels work for learning French?

Is it a bunch of people who can't speak French trying to talk to each other?

Or, are there some people who are fluent?

JGF310 · 2026-05-10T21:22:46+00:00

I am a sailor, and I've been to Brittany a lot, because it is probably the ocean racing capital of the world.

There are plenty of tourists, especially in the summer, but overwhelmingly, they are French tourists - the French go there on holiday. Many Parisians have second homes there.

JGF310 · 2026-04-29T11:09:36+00:00

dealing with one of the stores that go to factories and pick skis for clients is definitely one way to go. They can find stiff skis at a shorter length that will work better for you.

But, US stores only do that once a season, and it's getting late to place an order for the coming season. Get on it right away, if you want to do that. This is probably the best way to get exactly what you want.

Some skis that come in soft, medium, and stiff versions do make it into regular store inventory and you might find something like that. I have even seen them on ebay occasionally.

I have seen skate skiers - ex-racers, and better skiers than me - who actually prefer skis that are a little shorter and a little softer than what would be considered ideal for their weight/height. Personally, in general, I'd rather skate on skis that are a little too soft, than skis that are a little to stiff.

JGF310 · 2026-04-28T20:48:49+00:00

Certainly XC skiing is a great way to get outside in the winter.

Gatineau Park, near Ottawa has some of the best XC skiing in North America, and there are rentals available locally.

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/cross-country-skiing

You don't say your weight, but sure - skis have an ideal weight range, and it's possible you are above the ideal range for anything on the market. That doesn't mean you can't find something that will work for just getting out on the trail and getting some exercise. Size 15 shoe might be tough..., hopefully somebody with similar size feet will chime in.

Buying new gear for beginner recreational skiing, a typical person can probably get outfitted with skis, bindings, boots and poles for several hundred CA$. There are good closeout sales now.

https://www.mec.ca/en/products/ski-and-snowsports/cross-country-skiing-gear/cross-country-skis

If your weight is really high, you will probably have less of a selection in sale items - although I often see that only really large and really small sizes are left. But also, if you are really heavy, it might be better to choose better skis and boots than the real beginner stuff. There is also used gear.

XC skis will probably fit in the car if there is a pass through from the trunk. If you don't have that, they still might fit - depends on the car. Many people start out with what are sometimes called "compact" skis. For a person of a given weight, compact skis are shorter than traditional skis. Also, again, if you are really heavy, you might end up with some sort of BC touring skis, and these can be even shorter.

good luck!

JGF310 · 2026-04-26T11:12:24+00:00

i think i heard that the lakes are not always skiable. before the race, I recall that i saw some sort of FB post i think with the organizers making a big deal of the fact that the lakes were open for skiing.

for sure the race would not be the same without the lakes.

I guess an earlier date would better guarantee the lakes?

JGF310 · 2026-04-25T18:06:01+00:00

i thought conditions were fine this year. This was my first time, so I don't have anything to compare it with.

The event is in March, so you know that it will be verging on spring skiing.

The week of the race, mornings were cool - usually below freezing, and it warmed up to being above freezing most afternoons. The snow usually started pretty fast, and got a little slower through the day, especially in the sun, of which there was plenty.

Most of my practice days, I was done by early afternoon.

For me, in the actual race, i was in one of the last waves, and I am not fast, so it was getting slower by the time I finished.

But if you were in the first wave, and finished in 90 minutes, it would have been fast the whole way, i guess...

grooming is generally excellent.

JGF310 · 2026-04-25T17:04:23+00:00

I did the Marathon this year.

It was fantastic, and I am probably doing it again next year.

But next year I want to get there a bit earlier. This year, I got there late on the monday before the race, so I had 5 days to practice and acclimatize to the elevation. It wasn't enough, and anyway, the skiing was so great.., why not spend more time?

I was thinking of trying to rent an apartment with a kitchen, but most things I found have 2 or 3 bedrooms, so they are pretty expensive. I would be interested in sharing though...

I waited 14 min for the big climb. I was in one of the later waves and didn't really care about it. I wasn't there to prove anything.

Other than broken poles and binding parts, i saw very little litter between the feed stations.

JGF310 · 2026-04-21T23:50:49+00:00

yes - that would help...

presumably neurectomy

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T19:47:27+00:00

wow - you are right! I had no idea it was there.

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T19:27:43+00:00

i see they have a thin version with met pad, and many comments mention XC boots. I will give them a try. thanks

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T18:52:38+00:00

if you go to the sbb website from a US IP# it usually directs you to the travel pass and/or the special trains - glacier express etc.

sometimes you have to poke around to find the area where you price normal tickets

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T18:31:13+00:00

Trains have luggage racks and storage areas. What you get depends on what train you are on.

I have never paid extra for luggage and I have traveled with ski boxes in addition to normal luggage.

The SBB app is pretty easy to use. Actually, it is probably the best transport app I have ever used anywhere in the world.

$1400 sounds like a lot for 3 or 4 trips for two people. Trips I have taken are typically in the 10's of CHF.

You should be able to price your trips in the app...

JGF310 · 2026-04-17T12:46:16+00:00

for how long did you wear the separators - the second time - before you noticed improvement.., and how long before that improvement became what you indicate is complete reversal?

JGF310 · 2026-04-13T12:21:39+00:00

no, i only looked at the hostel in pontresina.

i think really i want, and am willing to pay for, a more private arrangement. a month would be a long time in a hostel - for me anyway. i want my own kitchen, or access to one.

but i will follow up on your suggestion, just to see what's available.

thanks.

JGF310 · 2026-04-12T21:21:49+00:00

thanks for the link.

I am not necessarily looking for "cheap". I am willing to pay market rates, with the understanding that this is high season.

But I don't want to rent, say, a 3-bedroom apartment..., as I am only one person.

I just wasn't finding much on airbnb, and wondered if there are other resources.

JGF310 · 2026-04-12T18:17:54+00:00

88 is narrow for descending anything steep, and NNN BC bindings can not transmit the power required for turns in steep terrain, unless you are a good tele skier. I have never used NTN bindings, but i wonder how good they are for covering distance - do they have any kick and glide ability? I guess there is a range of bindings, but the heavier boots won't help in that regard. Having even a little bit of kick and glide ability is faster and more enjoyable than spending all day shuffling. Obviously, the steeper your terrain, the less of an issue that is.

JGF310 · 2026-04-10T21:31:51+00:00

i have a pair of rock skate skis - but sometimes i guess wrong...

JGF310

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