VKPro at work

VKbcnorth · Dec 28, 2008

Here's our VK Pro doing a first pass on a very rustic local cross-country ski trail. The snow is 30" deep and nothing but cold dry powder. There is no wind in this area and it's on a north slope so the snow never compacts from the sun's heat. Step off the machine and you sink to the ground.

You can't see the skis - they are about 10" under the snow. The 11" wide ski skins keep the front end up very well. It's hard to see but the track is exactly the same depth as the skis - much better than the stock 7" skis that would sink into every soft spot without much warning.

The first pass takes lightning fast reflexes to keep upright in the soft spots. The second pass is so much more relaxing. Next comes grooming.

RSV · Dec 29, 2008

That looks like fun! I also like to be the first one out making tracks...

The sled looks like a pack-mule, with all the gear in the rack! ;)!

air19 · Dec 29, 2008

VKbcnorth said:
The first pass takes lightning fast reflexes to keep upright in the soft spots.

Well said. I smiled when I read this. You captured the skill needed perfectly.

As time goes on though my reaction time isn't what it used to be. Now when we get the big dumps I'm usually out there riding out the storm. I have a 6 foot roller I pull behind my VK Pro. I just keep packing the trails until I can't keep safely on the sled anymore. Makes a huge difference the next day.

But if you are able to do this in 30 inches of powder that says a lot for those big skins up front. How is your steering with them, and what type of carbides do you have on?

eric3793 · Dec 29, 2008

Comon air19, we're counting on you to get the wide Simmons skis and give them the test. I came close...but the skins & 'bides were alot less money. I read VKbcnorth's post about the dual 6" making it a little harder to steer which made sense. I found a pair of duals with one 6" on the outside and one 4" on the inside. Roetins is the brand I think. They should arrive in a week or so.

air19 · Dec 29, 2008

My Gen II wide body flexi-skis were ordered today. Thanks for that final push of encouragement. I should have them in about a week and a full report will follow.

My buyer for my regular flexi-skis hasn't gotten back to me in a while. I was trying to get his sled details to order a mount that would work for him on the new flexi-skis because I can swap my current VK Pro mount on my flexi-skis over to the Gen IIs. Simmons let me order the new ones without a mount and I saved $65. Once I have a buyer again for the old ones, they can order the mount.

And as always I'm asking other riders for their impressions. Hearing that another VK owner is going out in that much powder is impressive. This is the one area that I thought we would be at a disadvantage to compared to the Skandic SWT. It's great to hear that these wide skis are helping.

eric3793 · Dec 29, 2008

Good deal! We are headed up to camp tomorrow to see how much snow remains in the mountains. There should be plenty with a little more in the forecast. Hopefully my new skins will be delivered when I get back and we can compare notes.

VKbcnorth · Dec 29, 2008

To answer air19, I used the stock carbides with the 11" skins. eric3793 - it must have been someone else talking about dual 6"'s.

The steering with the skins is heavier than the stock 7" wide skis but primarily at low speeds and around hard corners which is where I seem to spend the most time. At speed, you don't notice the heavy steering as much.

You noticed my big lunch along with a sled jack, power saw, 25# pack and a set of snow shoes - I go prepared.

eric3793 · Dec 30, 2008

VKbcnorth said:
To answer air19, I used the stock carbides with the 11" skins. eric3793 - it must have been someone else talking about dual 6"'s.

The steering with the skins is heavier than the stock 7" wide skis but primarily at low speeds and around hard corners which is where I seem to spend the most time. At speed, you don't notice the heavy steering as much.

You noticed my big lunch along with a sled jack, power saw, 25# pack and a set of snow shoes - I go prepared.

Sorry...it was Tzieli 22 that wrote about the dual 6" carbides. I had others tell me that these will reduce darting on groomed trails so I figured the 4"/6" combination would be interesting to try. I have about 1500 miles on the '08 so it is ready for new skags anyway.

Being prepared in the woods is one of the reasons I love utility sleds. Besides a saw & shoes, I like to carry 100' of 1/2" rope and a Massadam rope come-a-long under the seat. I have used this a couple of times on other sleds but not yet on the VK. I'm older and wiser now so I try not to get stuck.

Thanks again for the very useful information on the 11" ski skins.

VKPro at work

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