Found your channel after picking up my first pair of skis at 48 years old. Love the way you teach and you calm demeanor, and of course I love the beautiful terrain! Off-track XC is exactly what I was looking for but didn't know it.
What a great day Tom! I am very jealous. I'm from Montana but spending this winter in Minnesota for work. I miss the mountains and deep snow. The two inches on the golf course isn't quite scratching the itch. Enjoy the season!
I've skied a few of the trails in the MSP area and they can be a lot of fun, so I hope you get some good snow. Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.
It was one of the most beautiful days I've experienced in recent years. The play between the sun and the clouds was magical and the snow was just amazing.
Great scenery as always. Forgive the question and perhaps you can redirect me to the video which explains it, but why the modified boot or can you elaborate the support that you mentioned?
First of all, a disclaimer. The T2 Eco is a great boot, and I would never recommend that someone take an expensive boot like the T2 and make the modifications I made. For most people it would be better to ski the T4 or to pick up a used set of vintage plastic boots if they wanted a shorter more flexible boot. Long story short, the T4's just don't work with my feet. I suffered for many years and 2 generations of the T4's. I have no foot issues with the T2, but I found them overly stiff and supportive for my taste, so I removed the ski/walk mechanism, the power strap, and cut the shell down to make the boot shorter. These mods help with the range of motion, and I find it more comfortable. Reducing the height of the plastic boot shell, removing the power strap, and eliminating the walk/ski mechanism is counterproductive for those seeking a powerful downhill boot that can be driven by the shin, but it works well for me as I spend much of my time skiing softer XCD systems. I was able shave off 290 grams from the pair, and now my T2 Eco's in size 27.5 weigh 3266 grams. I modified my T2 Eco last year to ski with my Hyper V6 / Switchback X2 setup and I was very happy with it. Now that I've added the new TX Pro to my quiver, the TX Pro / HyperVector / Lynx setup will become my steep and deep setup and the modded T2 / Hyper V6 BC / 3 pin binding is a setup I can use if I need more control than I can get with my Xplore XC setups. I really did not need this burley of a setup for skiing the terrain and snow in this video, I would have been happy to ski one of my Xplore XCD setups, but I just wanted to give this a go as it had been a long time since I skied a plastic boot on a downhill ski with a non-active 3 pin binding.
I was out today on my objective bcs. Snow was really dense powder, the kind that's hard to tour through and really bogs you down on the downhill. Maybe that's the "sierra cement" type snow but this was southwest Colorado. Couldn't get any grip with the fish scales. Its interesting how slight differences in the snow can change how effective the scales are. I've climbed straight up 20 degree slopes before on early spring snow, when the snow is very consolidated and you don't sink in (but not full spring corn yet). Overall I would say that I've been disappointed with the grip of fish scales (I've had them on several pairs of skis) but I still prefer to have them. Without scales, I often find myself in awkward situations where I have to put skins back on for short uphill sections.
Your snow today sounds just like the snow I was skiing on Dec 31 (Last week's video). It was deep and very resistive on the downhill and the traction pattern was useless except for on the flats and very low angles. In that video I was skiing the BC version of the HyperVector. The snow was really exhausting and kicked my butt on the way back to the car. I don't see those kinds of conditions very often and it catches me off guard when I do encounter them. Just 7 days later, everything had changed, and I was all smiles on this tour. We are expecting light cold power this week so it should be amazing. Thanks for posting and I have my fingers crossed that you will get some of the good stuff this week as well.
All of the video was captured using the insta360 X4 camera. Here is a link to a video I posted a few years ago with an earlier version of the 360 camera. ua-cam.com/video/bIYZn6viWts/v-deo.html
Yes. I just love the different perspectives that it allows, and I think it is much more versatile than using an action camera. The audio is from an external microphone on my chest. The X4 can also shoot GoPro type chest mounted scenes using a single lens so I've stopped carrying a GoPro and use the X4 and my cell phone (if I need a telephoto) for all my recording.
I've owned the X2, X3, and now the X4. It is a much better camera than the X2, but you still have to be careful with camera placement and orientation. The biggest issue I have at the moment is with the Studio software on the PC. The latest version (5.5.0) crashes a lot. I can use version 5.1 without issue, so be sure to keep the installation files for a version that works well on your system.
Hey Tom, thanks for posting! Hey, I live in Victor Idaho and have been searching for this area but Google maps throws up tons of results for Fish Creek, but I don't think identifying where this area is. Can you share a map location? OK, false alarm. Looks like it’s 18 miles south of Afton. That’s at least a couple hours from where I am.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/btnf/recreation/wintersports/recarea/?recid=82362&actid=91 There are two parking areas, one about halfway up the pass and the other at the top of the pass. I always park at the top of the pass as it gives access to both sides of the highway. This would be a long drive from Victor but some amazing terrain for XCD skiing. maps.app.goo.gl/yZkxT5vBk9LmLC9WA
All the video was captured with an insta360 X4 camera mounted on a pole extending from the back of the pack. Check out this video I shot last year that explains it all ua-cam.com/video/bccKwYryy7Q/v-deo.html
Found your channel after picking up my first pair of skis at 48 years old. Love the way you teach and you calm demeanor, and of course I love the beautiful terrain! Off-track XC is exactly what I was looking for but didn't know it.
Thats fantastic! 48 is a perfect age to start a new adventure. Thanks for the kind words and for tuning in.
Wow, that looks like a great country to ski in
It is a very special place. Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.
What a great day Tom! I am very jealous. I'm from Montana but spending this winter in Minnesota for work. I miss the mountains and deep snow. The two inches on the golf course isn't quite scratching the itch. Enjoy the season!
I've skied a few of the trails in the MSP area and they can be a lot of fun, so I hope you get some good snow. Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.
Beautiful deep snow Tom. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks Allan and have a great week.
Thanks Tom; really nice snow. Someday I'm going to have to make that drive myself!
It was one of the most beautiful days I've experienced in recent years. The play between the sun and the clouds was magical and the snow was just amazing.
Great scenery as always. Forgive the question and perhaps you can redirect me to the video which explains it, but why the modified boot or can you elaborate the support that you mentioned?
First of all, a disclaimer. The T2 Eco is a great boot, and I would never recommend that someone take an expensive boot like the T2 and make the modifications I made. For most people it would be better to ski the T4 or to pick up a used set of vintage plastic boots if they wanted a shorter more flexible boot. Long story short, the T4's just don't work with my feet. I suffered for many years and 2 generations of the T4's. I have no foot issues with the T2, but I found them overly stiff and supportive for my taste, so I removed the ski/walk mechanism, the power strap, and cut the shell down to make the boot shorter. These mods help with the range of motion, and I find it more comfortable. Reducing the height of the plastic boot shell, removing the power strap, and eliminating the walk/ski mechanism is counterproductive for those seeking a powerful downhill boot that can be driven by the shin, but it works well for me as I spend much of my time skiing softer XCD systems. I was able shave off 290 grams from the pair, and now my T2 Eco's in size 27.5 weigh 3266 grams. I modified my T2 Eco last year to ski with my Hyper V6 / Switchback X2 setup and I was very happy with it. Now that I've added the new TX Pro to my quiver, the TX Pro / HyperVector / Lynx setup will become my steep and deep setup and the modded T2 / Hyper V6 BC / 3 pin binding is a setup I can use if I need more control than I can get with my Xplore XC setups. I really did not need this burley of a setup for skiing the terrain and snow in this video, I would have been happy to ski one of my Xplore XCD setups, but I just wanted to give this a go as it had been a long time since I skied a plastic boot on a downhill ski with a non-active 3 pin binding.
Beautiful, it looks like winter has arrived in full force!
It has arrived and it was an amazing day.
I was out today on my objective bcs. Snow was really dense powder, the kind that's hard to tour through and really bogs you down on the downhill. Maybe that's the "sierra cement" type snow but this was southwest Colorado. Couldn't get any grip with the fish scales. Its interesting how slight differences in the snow can change how effective the scales are. I've climbed straight up 20 degree slopes before on early spring snow, when the snow is very consolidated and you don't sink in (but not full spring corn yet). Overall I would say that I've been disappointed with the grip of fish scales (I've had them on several pairs of skis) but I still prefer to have them. Without scales, I often find myself in awkward situations where I have to put skins back on for short uphill sections.
Your snow today sounds just like the snow I was skiing on Dec 31 (Last week's video). It was deep and very resistive on the downhill and the traction pattern was useless except for on the flats and very low angles. In that video I was skiing the BC version of the HyperVector. The snow was really exhausting and kicked my butt on the way back to the car. I don't see those kinds of conditions very often and it catches me off guard when I do encounter them. Just 7 days later, everything had changed, and I was all smiles on this tour. We are expecting light cold power this week so it should be amazing. Thanks for posting and I have my fingers crossed that you will get some of the good stuff this week as well.
Big fan of your channel! Many thanks from Norway!
Thanks for tuning in and I hope you are having a great ski season in Norway.
Nice photography! How are you getting video from ~ 10feet behind you, starting ~ 0:55???
All of the video was captured using the insta360 X4 camera. Here is a link to a video I posted a few years ago with an earlier version of the 360 camera. ua-cam.com/video/bIYZn6viWts/v-deo.html
Is it the Insta X4 you are using?
Yes. I just love the different perspectives that it allows, and I think it is much more versatile than using an action camera. The audio is from an external microphone on my chest. The X4 can also shoot GoPro type chest mounted scenes using a single lens so I've stopped carrying a GoPro and use the X4 and my cell phone (if I need a telephoto) for all my recording.
@ Nice! Have the X2, but thinking of getting the X4, mainly for skiing. The footage looks god, probably a lot better than the X2.
I've owned the X2, X3, and now the X4. It is a much better camera than the X2, but you still have to be careful with camera placement and orientation. The biggest issue I have at the moment is with the Studio software on the PC. The latest version (5.5.0) crashes a lot. I can use version 5.1 without issue, so be sure to keep the installation files for a version that works well on your system.
Hey Tom, thanks for posting! Hey, I live in Victor Idaho and have been searching for this area but Google maps throws up tons of results for Fish Creek, but I don't think identifying where this area is. Can you share a map location?
OK, false alarm. Looks like it’s 18 miles south of Afton. That’s at least a couple hours from where I am.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/btnf/recreation/wintersports/recarea/?recid=82362&actid=91
There are two parking areas, one about halfway up the pass and the other at the top of the pass. I always park at the top of the pass as it gives access to both sides of the highway. This would be a long drive from Victor but some amazing terrain for XCD skiing. maps.app.goo.gl/yZkxT5vBk9LmLC9WA
Please indulge how you are recording? Almost makes me think it is a game...
All the video was captured with an insta360 X4 camera mounted on a pole extending from the back of the pack. Check out this video I shot last year that explains it all
ua-cam.com/video/bccKwYryy7Q/v-deo.html