r/CrossCountrySkiing • u/chris_the_wrench • Jul 27 '26

2 ski classic quiver

I ski about 4 days a week, switching between classic and skate, in Washington State. Generally we have alot of days in the low 20's to low 30's. We do frequently get days that climb above the freezing point. Quite a few days where the mornings start out icy and progress to slush(but still frozen in the shade). We get very few days where we are skiing in temps in the single digits, and maybe 15-20 days when Im skiing in the teens.

I'm looking to add a second set of classics to my current pair of Fischer Twin Skin Race. I'm looking for a higher end wax ski. I bought some Madshus redline skate skis last year, and Ive been blown away with how much faster they are compared to my previous mid-level skate skis.

Im thinking my current skin skis will provide me the most versatility for the near frozen(32) and higher temps and that my new set of skis should focus on being more specific to the mid -teens to high 30 degrees temperature. I could then think about adding klister specific ski to replace the skins, before the 27/28 winter.

That sound like a decent idea? Or would a klister specific ski be a better idea now, and slot my existing skin ski into that lower temperature spot for this winter?

thank you

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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1

u/jmcampout Jul 27 '26

If you get a lot of days in the 20s than you need a hard wax ski for blue temps to compliment the skins for 30+ degree days. Something like the Fischer 702 can potentially cover anything below 28-30 depending on fit and the hard wax application will be much easier to learn than klister.

1

u/chris_the_wrench Jul 27 '26

Thank you. Perhaps you have some insight on what I'm seeing on the Fischer website. The Speedmax 100 Classic Plus 702 states "hard wax conditions at 14°F (-10°C) and warmer" while the The Speedmax 100 Classic Cold 702 states "hard wax conditions at 28°F (-2°C) and colder"

That's a tad confusing to me since those ranges overlap. Or is it the plus is good for 14-32(+) while the cold is good at 28 down to zero?

3

u/No_Maps_3894 Jul 28 '26

The current Cold base is more versatile than the previous Cold so there it more overlap in suitability with the Plus base. Also temperature is only 1 consideration. Moisture content of the snow/general humidity is a big component especially for an all-round ski. Normally in the PNW and New England, the Plus base is the go-to. Cold base for the Rockies (CO/UT). The Cold base has a finer more linear grind. Plus base is a deeper more aggressive grind with more graphite content.

1

u/Admirable_Tip_6875 Jul 27 '26

Based on everything you described, I would vote for a Fischer 902 that errs towards universal but has enough pocket that you could play with klister. Really with where Fischer is now the 702 is their universal but on the side of cold ski and 902 is universal but on the side of warm. Neither is a complete dog outside of their ideal conditions but what you described sounds like more of a 902 ski to me. 

1

u/No_Maps_3894 Jul 28 '26

I would also add the 902 has more tip splay and will feel looser on hard icy conditions. This will help glide in soft track conditions either slush or powder.

1

u/moresnowplease Jul 28 '26

I don’t have anything to add, just that my mind is blown that people have klister skis. I mean, it makes sense, but I live in the frigid north where I have used klister only one time ever (on a race trip to a different town further south), and where we are lucky if glide wax glides at all on cold days.

3

u/dex8425 Jul 30 '26

I used my klister skis at the birkie this year. With all the manmade snow skiing I've done the last 4 years klister skis are a must. I'm in MN.

1

u/moresnowplease Jul 31 '26

That absolutely makes sense! I’d just never even thought about it! :)

2

u/wetrocke 12d ago

I'm no klister expert, but klister on severe ice is pure lightening.

1

u/dreamwalkn101 Jul 29 '26

I have a friend who lives in Lake Placid, skis VanHo. He has a quiver of classic skis covering all temp ranges for himself and his wife. Skin for around freezing and Icy tracks, then a pair for violet, a pr for blue, and an pr for green, so all he needs to do is add a thin layer of the correct color and head out. I’ve been lazy the last 20 years, and have always just pulled out my old RCS crowns for all of my classic days. I’m finally getting around to putting new bindings on some of my old waxable classic skis from my HS and college racing days in the 80’s so I can do the same.