Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I have a pair of BC70's but I "lent" them to my daughter who lives in Montana, and with me living in Connecticut, I am pretty sure I will never see them again.

So, I want to replace them. I see that they don't make the BC70 anymore. They have the BC65, and I think a BC80, but I think I want something closer to the width of the 70. Reviews of the 65 lead me to think I don't want that.

I should say where these skis need to fit in my quiver:

I have a range of non-metal edged XC skis, from out the back door "compact" skis to classic full length skinny skis that really need nicely groomed tracks.

At the other end, I have S-Bound 98, and 112, mounted with Voile Traverse and Hardwire bindings respectively.

The thing I like about my BC70's is that I have them mounted with regular NNN XC bindings (not BC), and I want to do that with their replacements too, so I need a ski that is not too wide for regular XC boots and NNN bindings.

When I got the BC70's I was pretty much a beginner - i have more in-track and BC experience now. I have better kick technique and can turn better. let's say I am an intermediate.

Where I want to use these skis is at parks and so on in CT and NY, where there are often tracks from other skiers, but they might be cruddy, or icy.., but the S-Bound 98' are overkill - too big and heavy. I want something with decent kick and glide, but with metal edges, and not so wide that they can't be used with regular NNN bindings.

I am about 5'10" and weigh 160-165lbs

Any suggestions?

JGF wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:37 am

I have a pair of BC70's but I "lent" them to my daughter who lives in Montana, and with me living in Connecticut, I am pretty sure I will never see them again.

Any suggestions?

Gamme 54. You’ll thank your daughter.

JohnSKepler wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:51 am

Gamme 54. You’ll thank your daughter.

I don't really understand that ski - seems complicated: skins.., wax...

it seems like it's not a "skin ski" (I have a pair of those) where the skins are in a recess and pretty much disappear on the glide. It seems that if you use skins on these skis it's more like normal skin use where you are pushing the skin all the time.

So, for low-angle kick and glide type of skiing, you probably really want wax on them, not skins.

Not sure I want to get involved with Wax

For anything steeper, where skins are needed, i would probably just use my S-Bounds

The Fischer TN66 (E99) may be a ski to look at for your application. Scales make it pretty versatile for the type of skiing that you describe. Stay away from the Rossi bc65s. I have a pair of those and would not recommend them as an improvement over the bc70s

JGF wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 02, 2023 10:14 am

JohnSKepler wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:51 am

Gamme 54. You’ll thank your daughter.

I don't really understand that ski - seems complicated: skins.., wax...

it seems like it's not a "skin ski" (I have a pair of those) where the skins are in a recess and pretty much disappear on the glide. It seems that if you use skins on these skis it's more like normal skin use where you are pushing the skin all the time.

So, for low-angle kick and glide type of skiing, you probably really want wax on them, not skins.

Not sure I want to get involved with Wax

For anything steeper, where skins are needed, i would probably just use my S-Bounds

Kick wax isn't that difficult, and it's so much quicker... most of the time.

I also confirm Gammes rock.

In my limited experience the Fischer E-99 Crown Xtralite (with the Offtrack Crown insert) is the best scaled ski in this class.

Fischer's Offtrack Crown scale insert is currently the very best on the market for a cambered Nordic touring ski.

Is/was your Rossi BC70 green? If so- I have tried that ski many times- the E99CXL blows it away.

Current reports are that the "new" Fischer Transnordic 66 Crown Xtalite (phew- that is quite a model name) is identical to the last-gen E99CXL- but, I don't know for sure, haven't seen one yet. My local shop is still moving remaining E99s in stock.
.......
Sorry- can't help myself here-
EARTH TO FISCHER→ PLEASE PUT THE EASY-SKIN INSERT IN THE TN66/82 CROWN SKI!!!
......
Let us know how you make out!
Happy New Year!
Gareth

You’re probably going to have to go with a 68 ski. Alpina, Madshus, and Fischer all make a scale ski in that size if you don’t want to mess with wax. It’s just going to be a matter of what’s in stock at what price, and does it already have the NNN-BC binding on it. If you are likely to be on icy conditions, you might want one that is skin compatible.

Other options include the narrower "compact" skis in the Fischer "Adventure" group:
- Traverse 78
- Outback 68
- Adventure 62
- Spider 62

The 78 is a fav for me- and many in my ski clan- though it may be more width than you are looking for.

The 68/62 skis are less cambered and shorter than the E99/TN66.

Madshus 55 is another option.