Rottefella Xplore / Alpina Alaska XP / Alpina Discovery 80 Off Trail XC Ski Review Part 1
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- Опубліковано 5 тра 2021
- Alpina Sports provided me the opportunity to try out the new Rottefella Xplore binding, Alpina Alaska XP boot and Alpina Discovery 80 Off Trail XC ski system. The equipment was provided by Alpina Sports, but the review is not sponsored, and my opinions on the equipment are my own. This equipment won't be available for sale until the fall of 2021.
Thanks Alpina for reaching out to Tom! And thank you Tom for posting. Looking forward to hearing more about your experience with the new system.
I know there are lots of questions and concerns about this new system and I'll do my best to give everyone a feel for how it compares to our current system.
Thanks for putting this up, Tom! I've been really excited to see these bindings in action.
Yes, I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to test these out and it is even helpful for me to watch the videos to try and understand this new system and how it differs in feel and function over the other systems.
Very well done Tom! As a Nordic coach and instructor myself, I can clearly see a difference in the return phase, and I think you're absolutely spot on about the increased allowance for boot movement. It's subtle, but it's there! This boot/binding combination is something I think I'll want to get myself! Thanks for a great video!
Appreciate the feedback. It will be interesting to hear what others think about the new system once it becomes available.
WoW this is really cool to see that new development for Nordic skiing and light telemark. I'll be looking forward to seeing more videos about that new technology! Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks Julien.
Thankyou Tom! So glad that they reached out to you. I always enjoy your videos. let’s see you ski in those crocs!
That's a hoot, and bonus points for finding hidden gems in the video.
Looks like it'll have a place on more moderate tours or off track at ski centers, maybe just as a fancier NNN system but probably too light for what you do. You're awfully lucky to still be skiing Tom, keep it up!
An excelent review Tom, ever so detailed 👏 thank you
Glad you found it helpful. I appreciate the feedback and thanks for tuning in.
Wow great that they contacted you. Hopefully your review will get a lot of attention! :)
Yes, I feel very lucky and thankful to be able to try out this new system.
Always enjoy! Great job, Tom!
Glad you enjoy it!
I love my alpina discovery 80’s for skiing rolling hills and closed logging roads here in Maine. They are the older model and I have them mounted with 3 pin voile bindings. Lots of fun
This is the first time I have had the opportunity to ski the Discovery 80's. It is a very interesting ski. I plan to do a future video comparing the design to the Fischer Traverse 78's, so stay tuned.
You're an INFLUENCER Tom!
great video, thanks for this. Greetings from Finland!
Thanks for tuning in and I hope you have a great ski season.
Good to see you’re getting out, there
It was just another blue bird day in Paradise. :)
thank you for the review
You are welcome and thanks for tuning in.
Great video! I love to see new products coming out in this space. I’m curious if we’ll be seeing more two pin style bindings coming out. I got a meidjo 3 this year for a heavy tele setup and thought how great it would be if someone made a light flexible boot with tech toe and releasable claw beneath the foot. This looks very similar (minus the second attachment point) but possibly easier to step into. Keep living the good life!
Just bought a pair of Alpina Discovery 68’s!
Super. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a great ski season. Thanks for tuning in
It would be interesting to see the kick and glide differences between your Traverse 78 on the NNN BC vs the Xplore. I have a pair of Excursion 88s with the Xplore and Traverse 78s on the NNN BC. The 78s seem allot faster. I’m not sure if it’s totally the ski or the system. Both skis are 199cm 2023 models. I find the flexor is stiffer and more active on my NNN BC setup. However, I have not tried the stiffer flexor on the Xplore system. For boots I have Rossignol x6 NNN BC and Rossignol x12 Xplore. Thanks for making these videos!
I have since replaced the NNNBC Traverse 78's that were used in this video with a new set mounted with the Xplore binding. My new 78's are one size up at 186 cm vs my older set which were 178 cm. I agree with you that the NNN BC flexor engages earlier in the forward motion than the Xplore and that gives it a different feel, but I prefer the feel of the Xplore kick and glide now that I'm used to it. Boots do make a big difference and I'm betting that the sole of your Rossignol x12 is stiffer than your X6, especially if you have skied many miles on the X6's and your X12's are fairly new. I was out skiing my Vista / Traverse 78's / Xplore combo just yesterday and the short I posted today is from that ski. I was skiing a snowmobile trail so it was not a groomed track but the conditions were ideal (+ 36 F) for these skis. ua-cam.com/users/shortsVeKqF-rSKro The 88's are great skis. Julie skis them and I've borrowed hers a couple of times but all things being equal, the 78's would be faster for kick and glide based on the weight alone. I don't have an 88 and 78 in the same size to compare, but if the traction pattern is the same length on both sets I would expect the 88's to have a bit more grip and less glide just based on the traction pattern surface area. Since you have two sets in the same size, would you do a quick check and post back if there is any difference in the length and position of the traction pattern. Also how do the two skis differ in camber height and stiffness?
Looks great, glad you got the opportunity to test out the new gear and thanks for the mini-review. Does look very much nnn-bc-like in terms of performance, though easier to get in and out of. Would you say the default flexor is about the same as default soft nnn-bc flexor?
In my next video, I'll take a closer look at the differences between the NNNBC and Xplore Binding. Rottefella has designed the Xplore to make it easy to change the flexor. Alpina only provided me with a black flexor and the flat plate for free pivot. The black flexor feels perfect for kick and glide, but I mostly ski 3 pin for XC downhill, so I'm used to more resistance when the boot is in the telemark bend position. With more practice, I'm sure I could dial the current setup in just fine, but I'd be happier with a stiffer flexor.
@@tomm9850 Nice, and me too. I've got the hard flexors in my nnnbc though sometimes I think about trying out the mediums since it definitely makes the flats a little less enjoyable
Nice!
Now I just wish you had a pair of Alaska's in NNN-BC to compare head to head.
Head on over to the telemark talk forum and read Johnny's comparison. www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4085
@@tomm9850 Thanks for the link.
I look forward to the rest of your review / comparison videos on these. :)
Great video Tom! I'm wondering how the Discovery 80 compares to the Traverse 78, the Excursion 88, Rossi BC-90, and S-bound 98 in icy or crusty conditions on low (but still tricky when iced) forest service road slopes. Would love to see that 80/78 comparison video -- do you have a link to that? Thanks!
The Discovery 80, Traverse 78 and Excursion 88's are all great skis for off trail fun and kick and glide adventure tours. Icy and crusty conditions can be challenging for many skiers and I think that the Traverse 78 and Excursion 88 have a small advantage in those conditions because you can attach the Easy skin, which will slow things down and make it easier to manage. I have never skied the Rossi BC-90, so I can't offer a valid comparison. I'll try and put together a video this winter on the topic of skiing ice and crust so stay tuned.
Nice review Tom. I am looking forward to your additional thoughts. Is it unreasonable to consider this new boot binding pair being used in conjunction with say a Voile Objective BC ski?
I love my Objective's. They are a downhill focused ski and I think they are best paired with a downhill focused boot. I ski mine with the Alfa Greenland leathers when the conditions are ideal and with the Scarpa T2 plastic boots when the conditions are difficult. I have a friend who skis his Objectives exclusively with the NNNBC Alfa Guard boots and with his NNNBC setup, he does not have the option to use a beefier boot when the conditions are difficult. Pairing the Alaska XP with the Objectives would similar to his setup. We will have to wait and see if any of the other Xplore boots in development will be more downhill focused for difficult ski conditions. It would be great to have two sets of boots that utilize the Xplore binding and I'd love to see an Xplore version of the Scarpa T4 or Scott Excursion, but that is probably a pipe dream.
Thanks Tom for the review! Would love to hear if you had a chance to try it more, and if you find that the Xplore has as much or more control (with the same skis) as 3-pin. I find NNNBC doesn't work for me at all, and am wondering if it feels more like 3-pin or NNNBC in terms of control? Or is it more control than 75mm/3-pin? Thanks!
I plan to mount a set of Sbound 98's with the Xplore binding as soon as they become available and I will do a comparison with my 3 pin Sbound 98 setup. I did not get the chance to ski the Xplore with the hard flexor in May, which Rottefella says "increases resistance to the shoe for more controlled descent" and I want to try that out as well. There is a lot to like about the Xplore system, but it is pricey compared to the other options. Downhill control with an NNNBC system will vary considerably depending on the ski/boot/snow conditions, and my guess is that this binding won't work miracles for downhill control if using similar skis and boots. That being said, I think all the new boots using the Xplore sole will be better for downhill control than their NNNBC equivalents, so if you are looking for new setup, it is probably a safe bet. Stay tuned for my 75 mm / Xplore evaluation later this winter.
Hi Tom! This was a great! Where do you ski US, Canada? How popular is XC and BC skiing there? I'm from Oslo, Norway and here almost everyone is XC/BC skiing this time of year.
I live in Northwest Wyoming (USA) and ski a wide variety of terrain in what is most commonly referred to as the "Greater Yellowstone" area. In my area snowmobiling is more popular than XC and BC skiing. In the USA as a whole, winter sports are not that popular. More than half of the country does not really have much snow. In the Northern and mountainous sections of the country, there are areas where XC/BC skiing is very popular, and in places like Alaska, most of the schools (6-12) have groomed XC courses and ski teams, but that is rare in much of the USA.
Appreciate the videos Tom! Is the fit of the Alaska XP similar to the Alaska 75? I have a pair of Alaska 75s that fit great, and I am wanting to order the XPs in same size, hoping they will also work…
These aren’t available locally so no way for me to try on
I can't give you any insight in this regards as I don't own a set of the Alaska 75's. You might want to post this question over on telemarktalk forum. Telerat just posted that he tried on the NNNBC, 75 and XP versions, all in size 42, and he said they all felt the same to him. www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4085&p=47737&hilit=alaska+xp#p47737
Thanks! for this video! It is now early winter 2021 - are they available in North America?
It looks like the launch has been delayed. The initial target date of Nov 1 on rottefella.no/xplore has passed, and the latest rumor is sometime after December 1. The situation for off trail XC skis is worse than last year, as retailers are selling them out as quickly as they get them in. Most of the US doesn't even have skiable snow yet! I purchased a new set of Sbound 98's in October with plans to mount the new Xplore binding once they become available. It will be poor timing for Rottefella if the bindings and new boots show up in the stores after all the skis have been sold. :(
Great video, very useful (especially for a beginner like me). If you don't mind my asking, which boots are wider, the Alpina or the Alfa? And which are roomier? Thanks in advance!
Alpina and Alfa are very different in fit. For a given size, the Alfa's have more room in the toe box and are longer as well. In this video, I'm skiing the Alfa Skarvet and Alfa Greenland in a size 42 and the Alpina Alaska's in size 44. My hiking boot size is US 10 Men's, my Scarpa T2 size is mondo 27.5, and my weighted bare foot length is 26.7 cm.
@@tomm9850 Thanks for the super quick reply. l've only ever used 2 pairs of BC-ski boots (one of them were Alfa), and l've only ever being on skis a handful of times, but l can't wait to get back on them! Again, thanks!
Thanks for this video! Question: How would this boot /binding compare in feel to a combi boot and regular NNN binding for normal in-track touring (not racing)? I venture off track with my regular set up and have found the limits. I have a size 49 or 50 foot though, so options are limited and this is one of the few. I was targeting a NNN BC or NN 3 pin set up, but this looks like it could work really well too. Would be awesome if I could get away with this boot for groomed skiing and more adventurous skiing, even if it would be overkill for true in-track touring.
That is a very good question. Rottefella is marketing the binding for off trail use. The binding at it widest point is around 90 mm. The bottom of a groomed track is typically between 60 to 70 mm in width and tapers upward to around 130 mm width at the top, so the big question is whether or not the bindings would drag on the side of a freshly groomed trail. I'm betting there is enough clearance, but I haven't skied the Xplore binding in a groomed trail. As a comparison, the NNNBC Magnum's foot plate is around 70 mm in width and my Voile 3 pin "wings" are around 110 mm in width. I measured two pairs of XC boots that Julie and I use for track skiing and the maximum sole width runs around 90 mm, but the shoe width at its widest point is even wider, so I'm betting the binding would work without too much side drag. The next big question is how does it feel for kick and glide? The Xplore sole is much stiffer than your typical track boot, so it feels a little different, but the motion is good, and I think most people would find it acceptable for recreational use (not racing). The Alpina Alaska XP boot that I have been testing would work very well for what you describe, but the Alfa Free boot might be too restrictive for most skiers who just want a kick and glide experience at the Nordic Center.
@@tomm9850 Thanks for the reply. I hadn't even thought about the width/depth consideration on the trackset, so thanks for pointing that out. Seems like it might be worth at try!
@@tomm9850 One more question: Could you comment on how the Alaska XP boot compares to a Rossi BC-X12 or similar? Thank you for the reviews and honest advice! So many options in the xcd spectrum ;-)
@@angusmorison3756 I skied the BC-X12 for a season or two and I liked the boots. I just had a rub issue (probably unique to my feet) on one boot on the pointy ankle bone, so I moved on to the Alfa Greenland. My Alaska XP boot experience has been good. Between the two, I think the XP has better kick and glide performance. As a whole, the Xplore binding, and the new Rottefella Xplore sole are just better for kick and glide over the 75 mm 3 pin system. Now the big question I guess is telemark performance. I wish I still had the BC-X12 so I could do a "one on each foot" comparison, but unfortunately, I don't. If I had the choice between the BC-X12 on a 3 pin without cable, and the Alaska XP on the Xplore system, and cost or the need for compatibility with a set of T4's or Excursions wasn't part of the equation, then I'd pick the Alaska XP without any question.
I bought the Alaska XP and Rottefella Xplore bindings to put on a pair of Fischer SBound 98's, but I haven't mounted them yet. I've read reviews on several sites recently that people are having problems with the sole of the XP boots peeling / ungluing after several uses. Have you had any issues with these boots? I plan on using these for rolling approaches to backcountry peaks and then wearing the same boots in snowshoes for the main ascent / descent.
Hi Joe. The toe box on the Alpina Alaska XP boot was too narrow for my feet so I quit skiing them after a season. I actually skied two different sizes of the boot, but they just didn't work with my odd feet. I don't know how many miles I put on either boot, but I would not consider my experience as a long-term durability test. If you have seen many others reporting delamination problems, then it certainly warrants further investigation. I ended up replacing the Alaska XP's with the Alfa Vista as they are a better fit for my feet. The Alpina Alaska XP boot is a great kick and glide boot and I know many people who love the NNNBC and 3 pin version of the boot. I hope the delamination issue is limited to one bad manufacturing batch and if so, Alpina has corrected the problem, but I don't have any inside information. If you stick with the boot please post back later with your findings so that others can benefit from your experience.
@@tomm9850 Thank you for the feedback. Do you feel as though the Alfa Vista would work well for hiking in snowshoes as well? I’m trying to avoid carrying a second pair of boots when I ski / hike peaks.
@@joedorohovech7111 The sole flex on the Vista and the Alaska XP are very similar, not too stiff and just right for off trail kick and glide skiing. In my opinion, the upper on the Vista has a bit more support, but both boots work well for moderate off trail skiing control. I have not used either boot for hiking any great distance, mainly just walking from the car to the trailhead, but I see no reason why they would not work for hiking longer distances or with snowshoes. If you are hiking in very rocky terrain or need to use the toe of the boot for foot holds, then I'd be careful not to damage the pins. I'm sure they can withstand a bit of abuse, but the boots are expensive enough that it would be a shame to damage them on the rocks. If I was on a trip that involved skiing, snowshoeing and some hiking/scrambling, I don't think I'd bother taking a second set of boots. In regard to the Alaska vs the Vista, they have very different fit characteristics, and I think the key thing is get the best fit possible for your feet. Pay particular attention to toe box comfort, toe flex characteristics and heel slip.
@@tomm9850 Thank you very much for offering detailed feedback!
Hi Tom, you videos beautiful and your reviews are very helpful (thank you!) Side Question, As a photographer, I can't help to wonder how your overhead video was captured. In time index 7:17, I don't see you holding any selfie stick? I see the shadow of it, but I don't see anyone following you? ua-cam.com/video/OvbZnj_5TPY/v-deo.html
The video segment was shot using the Insta360 one X2 camera. It is on the top of a 40 inch selfie stick. The camera shoots a 360-degree image and the selfie stick is removed by software. I picked this camera up last winter and have really enjoyed using it. I have 3 videos from last year where I experiment with the camera. ua-cam.com/video/eTDkZ7NTBFc/v-deo.html I'm glad that you have been enjoying the channel and I hope you have a great winter.
@@tomm9850 That's great. I look forward to watching more videos!