The Alpina “Discovery” skis are about as close to an “all around” cross-country ski as you can get. For those facing the dilemma of choosing the right gear for both groomed trails and the untracked backcountry, the Alpina Discovery presents a compelling option.
Skate skis or classic racing skis are a blast on groomed trails, but almost useless anywhere else. Tele or AT gear with skins is wonderful for very serious off-trail skiing, especially on steep terrain.
How to Choose a Cross Country Ski Package for Skate, Classic, Beginners, Backcountry, and More!
Width and Flotation
At equal length, a wider ski “floats” higher in untracked snow (especially if you are carrying a pack) than a narrower one and generally turns better in softer snow. The downside, of course is that wider skis are heavier than narrow ones and the more your skis weigh, the more work it is to move them.
But the set tracks at Nordic ski areas are generally about 70 mm wide, so the widest ski you can use without scrubbing the sides of the track (which slows you down) is about 68 mm.
Alpina Discovery Specifications
The compromise are the Alpina Discovery Backcountry Skis which have full steel edges and a sidecut measuring 68mm at the tip, 60mm underfoot, and 65mm at the tail. That width at the front doesn’t really slow us down in tracks and the ski performs acceptably in the untracked (though a wider ski would be better). Other companies including Rossignol and Fischer make very similar models.
Read also: Maine ski conditions
The Alpina Discovery is a good “one ski quiver" for Nordic touring, just narrow enough to fit in tracks, but wide enough for some untracked snow.
Sizing and Bindings
One user skis 170s, while another uses 190s for extra flotation when carrying a pack. Both pairs are mounted with Rottefella BC Magnum NNN bindings.
Boots
These skis are paired with a beefy backcountry boot, the Alpina BC2050 which has the ankle support for skiing with a pack on serious terrain.
Performance
No, these aren’t the fastest and lightest cross-country set up if you are skiing in tracks, and no they don’t have as much flotation as a really wide backcountry ski. A relatively narrow “backcountry ski” like the Alpina Discovery will take you to some very interesting places.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ski Type | Backcountry/Nordic Touring |
| Sidecut | 68mm (tip) - 60mm (underfoot) - 65mm (tail) |
| Edges | Full steel edges |
| Recommended Use | Both groomed tracks and untracked snow |
| Bindings | Rottefella BC Magnum NNN |
| Boots | Alpina BC2050 (or similar backcountry boot) |
Read also: Buying Fischer Skis
Read also: Trail Conditions: Pineland Farms