Anyone here have any suggestions for decent, cross country skis? Not the track type; I am looking for something fairly rugged, for traveling through woods, along hiking trails, and areas that see little use during the winter. Also, compatability with pac-type boots is a must; no skis that require the special boots, unless they are decent for walking/hiking in as well. Thanks!

OS,

I cannot think of any current x-country skis that do not require some specialized boots. All my backcountry skis use three pin bindings. My boots are fine for walking though as they are essentially heavy duty backpacking boots with the specialized toe to fit the bindings.

It sounds like you are looking for some fairly archaic technology which might be found in used outdoor stores etc.

I would recommend you look at some of the new gear as it is far easier to ski on and the boots are not bad at all when off-ski.

I have both Karhu and Fisher skis.....a decade old, so even these are pretty primative compared to the new stuff, but I do not think I have seen regular boot skis ever.

Snowshoes and pac boots get along just fine. If you choose a pickerel shoe-long, skinny, lots of upcurve in front, moderate tail in back, you can kinda ski down the slopes. Snow shoes are slower than xc skis, but better suited for working in the snow-trapping, hunting or woods work is lots easier on shoes than skis. the current fad in snowshoes -paw is a high tech bear paw design-more maneuvearble than the longer shoes, but less flotation, generally bearpaws are good for tracks or bushwacking.

Thanks both for the reply. I had a pair of karhus years ago as well. They were skinny track skis. I was wondering if they marketed bindings similar to the ones used by the military, which are general bindings (kinda like a pair of snowshoes). If I can find a decent pair of pin bindings, where the boots are wearable outside of the skis (my old karhus had sneaker-style shoes, low cut, not good for anything but skiing on a track), then I may look into those.
As far as snowshoes goes; I have a pair of MSR Denalis, I think they're called. Excellent snowshoes for my area. I put on the extra flotation tail. They work aweseome with any pair of boots I wear. I was looking for a pair of skis that would allow my to simply change from shoes to skis, and not have to change footwear as well. Thanks for both of your posts though. I havent x-country ski'd forever, and may give it a shot this winter. IF we get any snow.

My Fisher skis are light duty backcounty with 3 pin binding and I use a Merrill backcounty boot....it is essentially a moderately heavy-duty backpacking boot. This boot could be easily used on snowshoes, but warmth might be an issue. I would not have Pac type insulation unless I used some Super Gaiters or something along that line.

My Kahru are steel-edged and for telemarking and heavier mountaineering. I use a much heavier Merrill boot that is more akin to a mountaneering boot. This one is not as kind to walk in, and I do not think I would choose it for snowshoes.

Many of the new tech skis use some sort of toe binding that is very light and light duty.

Take a look at mountaineering skis and I bet you can find something that serves multipurposes and will be more along your request.

I have seen some pretty incredible skiiing done in skinny skis
though so keep that in mind. I find I use my Fisher set up much more than my heavier stuff....I am getting older and lighter is working for me, but I am not tempted by the super light skis, bindings and boot though....yet. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have not kept up with recent product offerings.
Normal snow shoes or skis may not be sufficient
for floatation in deep forest.

Areas of deeper powdery snow: 1)deep forest
protected from wind and sun 2) seldom used areas
where snow is not compacted.

Even with standard X country skis, you can be a$$
deep in snow. I have been deeper than that in virgin
snow. You would require extra long, wide skis, that
are still relativly light. So it is best to stay out of these
uncompacted snow areas, most of the time.

Other winter travelers beat down enough trails. Also
wind blown or open sun areas are usually OK.

You might consider making your own bindings: leather
half-shoes with straps, that fit around your boots.
(I saw commercial bindings like thase once, then never again.)

You can make your own skis as well. Look in books
on wood bending and steaming; you should be able to find
a specific project on skis.

Maybe finding slightly wide X-country skis and boots would be
best. You can make insulated overboots easier than you
can make bindings or skis.

Within some limits, any kind of binding can be put on
X country skis.

Agreed that our original poster is harking back to an
older, more robust technology, that accomodated
hiking boots.

See how long I've been out of the loop? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That being said, I had a pair of military x-country skis a couple of years back, with those type of bindings. They were heavy as hell, but, I could damn near use em to construct a bridge. I was hoping that they made civilian type bindings like that. But, like everytihng else, it gets "specialized" and only has one purpose. Ah well. Wishful thinking on my part.
Thank you all for the replies though.

Get some skins for those skis, modern glue ons, and they will act like snow
shoes for you. I alway outfit my 80 year old Dad with skins on his touring
skis when he comes to visit so he can safely toot around off trail. No backward slips and slides.

Remember to stick 'em inside your coat when you want to do the downhill
thing so the glue stays warm enough when you have to go back uphill again.

Take a look at the Berwin Backcountry bindings which will fit many boot types. They will not be as efficient as purpose specific boots and bindings but might do the job.

There are lots of potential ski's. Look for something with a metal edge and a reasonable width to give you some flotation but nothing too wide as your packboots will not offer a lot of control.

A few people have recommended the Asnes Combi ski's in combination with the Berwins but there are similar skis available from other manufacturers.

http://www.asnes-ski.no/eng%20index.htm