Hi again, last year I purchased the 68’s as my first pair of XC skis. I thought I would be skiing on more groomed trails (not tracks). Unfortunately, our local Forest Service only grooms our local Nordic area when we get huge amounts of snow. Therefore, I wound up using these often in knee or shin deep powder. This year I know I need something wider. Considering either the 88’s or 98’s. I don’t intend to do any downhill turns, which is why I am wondering if the 98’s would be overkill on just powdery flats/rolling terrain? I desperately would like something to give me more lateral stability. Looks like Fischer ‘s 21/22 line of skis are lighter than previous models. Curious on you thoughts for getting the 98’s for flattish powdery terrain? Thanks so much!
This is a really tricky one as I haven't tried the 88s. I like to do long tours with my 98s (20+ km) and most of that is usually flattish. When there is a foot or more of light powder I am really happy to have them and I feel like anything smaller would sink. That said, I bought the 98 in large part because I felt it was the smallest size that would allow me to do turns on the downhill. If you are sure you will never be tempted by a little turn I think 88 is probably a good choice. If there is a small chance you could be tempted by a turn... and since you have already a pair of 68s, I feel like 98 would be the better choice. Sorry, it's bit of a judgement call.
FWIW, I'm looking at the S-Bound 98 as a more downhill-oriented ski for hitting the local ski slopes, dunes, etc., but still useful for some cross country backcountry work. For the rough and densely vegetated terrain we have here in Michigan, I'm also thinking something like the Altai Hoks may be necessary in my quiver.
I live in the UP, I got the 98s, they're awesome, I have yet to ever take them to a local ski resort, but I can tell you they won't be too fun during icy conditions, but they're fun in powder. I'm not a great skier, but I can go downhill as long as there's some form of powder out there (which is generally always accept in spring when the crust starts forming) fairly easily as long as it isn't super steep, really my main concern on the steep hills near my house is they are tree covered and I am not good enough to navigate them, but maybe at a proper ski resort with open runs I could, or I'd at least try.) And I do ski a lot of flatter areas, and I think they work fine for that, never feel like they're holding me back, but at the same time I would like to get at least one set of narrower skis for those days a 98 isn't required. I use 3 pins with crispi anarctic boots which are pretty supportive.
Anything is possible if you have the skills. I'd make sure to have skins though and I'd probably go down on the groomed side. Personally I would rather take out the backcountry skis (prefer those than even the 98s on la dole)
Sounds like you would prefer a little more support in the Fiscer BCX6 Boots. What are you thinking might be an alternative? Excellent review. Did you notice enough of a difference from the Spider 62 to justify adding the 98's? In hindsight would you have skipped the 98's and gone to something wider (112)? Do you wish you had gone wider? Appreciated the skiing shots added to the review. You really smoked the back country skiers on the uphill.
Hi there. Ive only researched online and the consensus in terms of stability seems to be the Crispi Svartisen. If I can afford it I might look for a pair end of this season. I'm also considering the Alpina Alaska. There is definitely a big difference from the 68s (my wife has the 62s) and it was definitely worth getting both. In terms of width, for my personal situation I think I should have gone for the 112 instead of the 98 because this season has been either hard packed or heavy powder snowfalls. For short outings in heavy powder 112 would have been ever so slightly better (hard packed is no outing or the 68s) That said, I did do a longer 20ish km outing with the 98s, and what was nice is that about a third of that outing was on a flat road. If I had the 112s for that outing I think they would have been too heavy or unwieldy. So if I were to summarize, if you're going to do shorter outings get the 112. If you're looking for more of a traverse ski get the 98. Hope that helps! Best, G.
@@catatonik82: I'll check out the Crispi Svartisen nordic touring boots. I always wonder what the sweet spot for ski width is on the NNNBC bindings? I often see more 3-pin on wider skis. Watching your videos is helpful. Curious to know if the Fischer OTX S-Bound 98 skis over the limits of the NNN BC. Hope you post updates in the future as you get a chance.
@@catatonik82 : I'm curious if the 98's are outside of the range of the NNN-BC binding (even with more structure in the boot). Are those running Crispi Svartisen moving over to 3 pin ? or having success with NNNBC on something as wide as the 98's? I break a lot of my own trails in 6" -8" of fresh powder and wanted some stability but still be able to traverse the trails (once completed) with ease. The 98's sound like a sweet spot. Just not sure that my NNNBC bindings can handle the 90's even with a beefier boot. You have some great shot of the downhill here.
@@Jeffipookins Sorry, I am seeing this message just now. I have not tried stiffer boots, but a friend of mine who is more experienced in telemark style skiing tried my boots and skis last season. At the end of a pretty aggressive ski session, he commented that in his opinion the NNNBC bindings were good but not stiff enough for more aggressive turns on the downhill. Just one opinion, but wanted to share.
Hehe, true indeed. But that is especially true on the downhill, on the uphill the grip was limit even with the skins on. Anything steeper and I would have wanted full skins.
No XC ski is going to carve downhill. It's going to be all skidded turns until you're crazy wide. Ski like this could start carving at 30 mph, like an old straight ski at best. So might as well stay skinny, unless it sinks in deep snow.
Thanks for the video! I'm getting these skis, but I'm wondering whether to get the 179cm or 189cm. I'm 74kg 187cm. Maybe 80-84kg fully dressed and packed. Fischer recommends the 179cm for 66-86kg and the 189cm for 84+ kg. However I saw a non steel-edge version of this ski in a store at 179cm and it just felt really short in regards to my height. What do you think? I'm a novice by the way.
Tricky one, because it depends also on your skiing style and the snow conditions. My two cents is that weight is more important than height here, since you want to have grip going up. If you're weighing less than 84kg on a 189 then you will be slipping a lot on the way up, unless you have an aggressive stride uphill (nearly running). Shorter skis will also be easier to control in tighter areas like forests. Unless you're planning to be regularly loaded with gear on your back, I would tend towards the shorter. But it's close, a judgment call. Rent them first if you can. FYI I weight 85kg for 186cm and I use the 189. Like I say in the video I am considering going for shorter and wider for heavy powder days.
@@catatonik82 Thanks for your input! I just weighed myself today with a typical backpack/clothes - 88kg. After a 16km hike today, I feel like I should/could trim off 2-4 kilos of gear. But, as a photographer I think will almost always pack a little too heavy ;) I think I will be skiing in very varied conditions, but mostly offtrack open areas and small trails in the woods. The terrain here is a lot of ups and downs. I will probably take a bus to the top, to enjoy more downhill. Unfortunately I can't rent the gear, I have to get it specially ordered.
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Hi again, last year I purchased the 68’s as my first pair of XC skis. I thought I would be skiing on more groomed trails (not tracks). Unfortunately, our local Forest Service only grooms our local Nordic area when we get huge amounts of snow. Therefore, I wound up using these often in knee or shin deep powder. This year I know I need something wider. Considering either the 88’s or 98’s. I don’t intend to do any downhill turns, which is why I am wondering if the 98’s would be overkill on just powdery flats/rolling terrain? I desperately would like something to give me more lateral stability. Looks like Fischer ‘s 21/22 line of skis are lighter than previous models. Curious on you thoughts for getting the 98’s for flattish powdery terrain? Thanks so much!
This is a really tricky one as I haven't tried the 88s. I like to do long tours with my 98s (20+ km) and most of that is usually flattish. When there is a foot or more of light powder I am really happy to have them and I feel like anything smaller would sink. That said, I bought the 98 in large part because I felt it was the smallest size that would allow me to do turns on the downhill. If you are sure you will never be tempted by a little turn I think 88 is probably a good choice. If there is a small chance you could be tempted by a turn... and since you have already a pair of 68s, I feel like 98 would be the better choice. Sorry, it's bit of a judgement call.
FWIW, I'm looking at the S-Bound 98 as a more downhill-oriented ski for hitting the local ski slopes, dunes, etc., but still useful for some cross country backcountry work. For the rough and densely vegetated terrain we have here in Michigan, I'm also thinking something like the Altai Hoks may be necessary in my quiver.
I live in the UP, I got the 98s, they're awesome, I have yet to ever take them to a local ski resort, but I can tell you they won't be too fun during icy conditions, but they're fun in powder. I'm not a great skier, but I can go downhill as long as there's some form of powder out there (which is generally always accept in spring when the crust starts forming) fairly easily as long as it isn't super steep, really my main concern on the steep hills near my house is they are tree covered and I am not good enough to navigate them, but maybe at a proper ski resort with open runs I could, or I'd at least try.)
And I do ski a lot of flatter areas, and I think they work fine for that, never feel like they're holding me back, but at the same time I would like to get at least one set of narrower skis for those days a 98 isn't required. I use 3 pins with crispi anarctic boots which are pretty supportive.
Just reread your message, iunno if you were looking for advice or just saying what you use the 98s for lol
Well anyway, that's my opinion of them.
Do you think it's possible to do la Dole with the fischer's 78? (asking since you know the terrain)
Anything is possible if you have the skills. I'd make sure to have skins though and I'd probably go down on the groomed side. Personally I would rather take out the backcountry skis (prefer those than even the 98s on la dole)
Sounds like you would prefer a little more support in the Fiscer BCX6 Boots. What are you thinking might be an alternative? Excellent review. Did you notice enough of a difference from the Spider 62 to justify adding the 98's? In hindsight would you have skipped the 98's and gone to something wider (112)? Do you wish you had gone wider? Appreciated the skiing shots added to the review. You really smoked the back country skiers on the uphill.
Hi there. Ive only researched online and the consensus in terms of stability seems to be the Crispi Svartisen. If I can afford it I might look for a pair end of this season. I'm also considering the Alpina Alaska.
There is definitely a big difference from the 68s (my wife has the 62s) and it was definitely worth getting both.
In terms of width, for my personal situation I think I should have gone for the 112 instead of the 98 because this season has been either hard packed or heavy powder snowfalls. For short outings in heavy powder 112 would have been ever so slightly better (hard packed is no outing or the 68s)
That said, I did do a longer 20ish km outing with the 98s, and what was nice is that about a third of that outing was on a flat road. If I had the 112s for that outing I think they would have been too heavy or unwieldy.
So if I were to summarize, if you're going to do shorter outings get the 112. If you're looking for more of a traverse ski get the 98.
Hope that helps!
Best,
G.
@@catatonik82: I'll check out the Crispi Svartisen nordic touring boots. I always wonder what the sweet spot for ski width is on the NNNBC bindings? I often see more 3-pin on wider skis. Watching your videos is helpful. Curious to know if the Fischer OTX S-Bound 98 skis over the limits of the NNN BC. Hope you post updates in the future as you get a chance.
@@catatonik82 : I'm curious if the 98's are outside of the range of the NNN-BC binding (even with more structure in the boot). Are those running Crispi Svartisen moving over to 3 pin ? or having success with NNNBC on something as wide as the 98's? I break a lot of my own trails in 6" -8" of fresh powder and wanted some stability but still be able to traverse the trails (once completed) with ease. The 98's sound like a sweet spot. Just not sure that my NNNBC bindings can handle the 90's even with a beefier boot. You have some great shot of the downhill here.
@@Jeffipookins Sorry, I am seeing this message just now. I have not tried stiffer boots, but a friend of mine who is more experienced in telemark style skiing tried my boots and skis last season. At the end of a pretty aggressive ski session, he commented that in his opinion the NNNBC bindings were good but not stiff enough for more aggressive turns on the downhill. Just one opinion, but wanted to share.
The boot and binding are the limit for skiing steeper - the skier could be too... But not the ski...
Hehe, true indeed. But that is especially true on the downhill, on the uphill the grip was limit even with the skins on. Anything steeper and I would have wanted full skins.
No XC ski is going to carve downhill. It's going to be all skidded turns until you're crazy wide. Ski like this could start carving at 30 mph, like an old straight ski at best. So might as well stay skinny, unless it sinks in deep snow.
Thanks for the video! I'm getting these skis, but I'm wondering whether to get the 179cm or 189cm. I'm 74kg 187cm. Maybe 80-84kg fully dressed and packed. Fischer recommends the 179cm for 66-86kg and the 189cm for 84+ kg. However I saw a non steel-edge version of this ski in a store at 179cm and it just felt really short in regards to my height. What do you think? I'm a novice by the way.
Tricky one, because it depends also on your skiing style and the snow conditions. My two cents is that weight is more important than height here, since you want to have grip going up. If you're weighing less than 84kg on a 189 then you will be slipping a lot on the way up, unless you have an aggressive stride uphill (nearly running). Shorter skis will also be easier to control in tighter areas like forests. Unless you're planning to be regularly loaded with gear on your back, I would tend towards the shorter. But it's close, a judgment call. Rent them first if you can. FYI I weight 85kg for 186cm and I use the 189. Like I say in the video I am considering going for shorter and wider for heavy powder days.
@@catatonik82 Thanks for your input! I just weighed myself today with a typical backpack/clothes - 88kg. After a 16km hike today, I feel like I should/could trim off 2-4 kilos of gear. But, as a photographer I think will almost always pack a little too heavy ;) I think I will be skiing in very varied conditions, but mostly offtrack open areas and small trails in the woods. The terrain here is a lot of ups and downs. I will probably take a bus to the top, to enjoy more downhill. Unfortunately I can't rent the gear, I have to get it specially ordered.