Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I got a pair of Fischer Watea 98 BC TT (I'm told same as Big Stix 98) in 176 cm length. They're a twin tip, with early rise tips. My previous skis have all been standard cambered skis.

I put Switchback X2's on them, so that the center line of boot is 1.5 cm back of the center line on the ski.

I took them out in typical East Coast groomer conditions and didn't like them. The front of the ski feels great, but it felt like the skis' tails were always in the way, especially in bumps and trees.

So my question -- How far back can I put the bindings on these skis? I was thinking of moving the bindings back another 1.5 cm, so that the boot center line is 3 cm back of the center line on the ski. Is that too extreme?

BTW, I'm 5'7" (about 170cm) tall, 185 lbs (84 kg), in case that changes things.

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Personally, I always mount all my 75mm skis pin line at ski chord center. There's no way I could ski them at boot center... So yeah feel free to experiment... Don't be afraid to go back...

I have Watea 101s in 182, also mounted with Voile X2s. Similar ski to the 96, except it has a raised tail, not a full twin. I don't recall the exact location of my first mount, but it was likely about 1-1.5cm back from boot center, and I didn't like the performance of the ski either. After a season on them, I moved the binding back another 1-1.5cm and it was much better. I love the ski now, great in all conditions, although a little heavier than I'd like for touring.