Bike:
Bike:
Winter Frequently Asked Questions
How are Telemark skis different from Rugged Touring nordic skis?
Present day telemark skis and the widest rugged touring nordic skis have a lot in common. On the same winter day and on the same backcountry ski trail you could see examples of both winding their way to the bottom and climbing back up again. We’ve selected two skis to compare, the tele-specific K2 Super Stinx and the Fischer Outtabounds, a ski that fits under the umbrella of rugged touring.
| Sidecut | Weight | Camber | Boot & Binding | |
| Fischer Outabounds | 88-68-78 | 5.0lbs / pair at 179cm | Double camber | 3-pin with lightweight plastic boots |
| K2 Super Stinx | 107-70-97 | 6.4lbs / pair at 174cm | Single camber | Cable binding w/mid to heavy-weight boots |
The key difference is that the Outtabounds springs off the factory press with a double camber, so it’s inherintly good at touring with enhanced sidecut for easy downhill turns. It is a lighter ski (by 1.4 lbs), but weight becomes more telling when you factor in the lighter boots and bindings that are typically used. Packaged with the Garmont Excursion and Rottefella Super Tele 3-Pins, the Fischer system weighs about 8.5 pounds, compared to nearly 14 lbs for a pair of Super Stinx set up for the backcountry. If you enjoy the tour, you’ll feel that weight savings in every glide. With a double camber, the Outtabounds can kick and glide reasonably well, and certainly worlds better than a telemark ski with climbing skins affixed. And you are assured that the turns you earned on the climb will be great, especially with all the energy in reserve from skiing on such a light set-up.
Though the Super Stinx may labor a bit on flat terrain, since it’s a stiffer ski with more oomph, the control and power on downhill runs is unmatched. Turns are shorter and quicker at higher speeds. The ski absorbs more vibration and shock. Edgehold is better. They’ll feel virtually weightless with gravity leading you ever onward. The higher cuff and stiffer flex of a boot like the Scarpa T2 makes the ski very responsive to turn initiation, as if you shared a telepathic link with your boards. Riding lifts at the resort completely elimates its achilles free-heel (going up), and then there’s no contest.
Both skis are fantastic choices for the right type of skiing. There is plenty of overlap but also enough solid ground to make a decision fairly straightforward. Come in to the shop for the skinny on all these wide bodies and we’ll help you choose between.
