Light Touring
Many people will end their journey through the flowchart on this page. Which is a great place to be!
The
light-touring ski is by far the most popular ski here in the Pacific
Northwest. It's what is found in the rental shops, it's what REI
stocks in the Bellingham store. It's what you are most likely to find
in a yard sale. This is because it works for (almost) everything that
has been mentioned in the flowchart. But like any compromise, it's
not as good as something designed specifically for one purpose.
One of the choices you still have to make is whether to get these
with metal edges or not. Generally speaking, metal edges mean a bit
more control on icy days and usually a bit more expensive ski.
Not
pushing brands or models, but the Rossignol Evo 60 and 65 are two
popular models that illustrate these skis. The Evo 60 does not have
metal edges, the Evo 65 does, and it is a bit wider. REI calls it 'OT'
for off-trail, but many people use it to ski tracks at places like
Salmon Ridge. The wider the skis are, the slower in tracks they
will be.
The three numbers: Evo 60: 60.50.55
Evo 65: 65.53.60
Note that we're not suggesting waxable, and read the page on waxless track skis about mohair. I would not recommend it for these.
Also
note: this is the one ski not checked in the 'Pete's garage' column in
the summary spreadsheet. (Because I have the specialized ones...)
