XCD Guide Backcountry Ski

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

I do back country skiing in Montana. I tour in all kinds of terrain including steeper terrain where I make alpine and telemark turns on free-heel, 3-pin bindings with light weight plastic boots. These skis can handle it all! They are light and nimble with a great soft flex for powder. I like the Guide so much that I recently bought a second pair in case they are changed or eliminated from the Karhu product line.

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

These are the most fun skis I've ever had. We live close to terrain that's great for touring, with lots of trees and little (and some not so little) up and downs. Not having to skin up and down all the time is wonderfully liberating.

The snow does have to cooperate to some degree: too icy, and the pattern doesn't grip. Ditto if it's too warm and wet.

That said, in marginal conditions, you just pack a pair of skins with you and use them when you have to. Pretty soon you'll be able to estimate when you'll need them and when you won't -- and in most situations, you won't.

You do sacrifice a bit of glide, but they're still quite reasonable. I wouldn't use them en piste tho. And even tho they've got a patterned base, they're relatively quiet.

They're also light and maneuverable. I've got 165's; I'm 5'8" and weigh 180 lbs. As I said, the most fun skis I've ever owned for touring and irregular terrain.

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

These skis rock! I put switchbacks on them and go everywhere (with skins). I just used them at the resort and had an awesome day on groomed runs. They're that versatile. Of course the ice messed them up a bit, but they're sweet. And the patterned base slowed me down just enough to focus on technique. D@mn!

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

Great ski for short verticals, no time wasted dealing with skins. The XCD is a noodle that loves deep powder and quick turns. Don't be afraid to size down, with the wide tip they float nicely in the 165.(and I go 200 lbs) The fish scale does sacrifice glide, but in tight trees it allows one to ski a bit steeper terrain. On a scale of 10 they are a solid 9.

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

I got these after having some Dorados which were very stiff and skinny, they break through pow very nicely, turn like a blind weasel and are just so much fun. The perfect backcountry ski for the northern mountains of Vermont. I have some G3 Targas on them which are a beautiful match as well as some Ascension skins. Total backcountry transportaion.

Comments about Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski:

I wanted a pair of these the first moment I saw another skier using them. I replaced my old Fischer BCX Boundless Crowns with these, and I do not regret it.