Ripitz - Can you tell me a little about the ski(s) you used on the Toll Road and the Jackrabbit Trail (and similar treks)? Waxless? Metal edges? Width?
I have two XCD ski setups. Rossignol BC70s with Rottefella NNNBC Autos and Madshus Annums with Rottefella NNNBC Magnums. Both are waxless and have metal edges. Alpina Alaskas are my primary boot for all around and downhill, Fishcer BCX Tours for flatter touring.
The BC70s just fit into a groomed track so you can use them there or off trail. The autos are apparently the ones that are prone to icing so I don’t recommend them.
The Annums are a direct descendent of the legendary Karhu XCD and are now called Panoramas. They are much wider and I use them more often. Shwacking around, meadow skipping, basically anytime I’m breaking trail. They are fairly burly and downhill oriented. Sometimes I ski them off the lifts.
People ski all sorts of setups on the Toll Road. I think I’ve only used my Rossignol BC70s. There are no turns to be had if you only stick to the road and much of the time it can be icy, especially where the wind blows the snow off the corners.
If you go XC, remember to bring micro spikes for the Castle to Summit section.
Some people use AT for breaking in skins or dialing in boots, get a few turns on the slide, and get a much better glide out than waxless.
I think that’s the down side of waxless. It’s slow. I got burned once on a waxed setup and that was enough for me but some people who have it dialed say it’s the only way to go.
The Jack Rabbit is more varied. Depending on what section it can be hilly or flat. Freebird has a waxed half metal edged bushwhacker ski with 75mms that he swears by for that kind of terrain.
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