Mountain sledders don’t always have the privilege of living on the slopes where they ride. Mountain bikers that live east of the Rocky Mountains make up a substantial portion, and sledders who work and live in the lowlands are going to ride in their own residential neighborhoods as well because, well, it’s handy and also because it’s fun to go for a rip even when you’re not surrounded by the mountains.
Consider for a moment that you are interested in purchasing a pair of aftermarket skis and that you want something suitable for riding in various terrain, including both mountains and trails. Or perhaps you simply want to improve your performance on the 29-kilometer-long trail that leads into your favorite mountainous spot. In any case, this void was recently filled by C&ASkis, who introduced a new crossover ski called the XCS to cater specifically to the market’s requirements.
C&A Pro Ski
The XSC skis are built to last, as evidenced by their 7.9-pound weight and sturdy construction. They have a sturdy appearance and texture, giving the impression that they could withstand being struck by something like a tree or a boulder. The profile features two outer keels that are shallower than the center keel for strong trail handling, which is balanced by a substantial center keel that is 1 inch deep.
The skis are sold independently of all of the necessary and essential mounting hardware that is application-specific to the sled. You will require both a mounting kit and carbides in order to proceed.
Both the Shaper Bar from Stud Boy and the Round Bar manufactured by Woody’s are available as options for the carbides that go into the skis offered by C&A Pro. When you are riding in the mountains, you will find that a plain runner or worn bar that does not come with the sharp carbide is much more comfortable.
There are a few different explanations for this.
1) The carbides are abrasive and robust, and they have a tendency to ruin the surfaces of the loading ramp, platform, and truck bed liner.
2) As you ride in the mountains most of the time, the snow is not typically hard or icy enough to warrant the additional bite and cornering ability that carbides provide.
3) Wear bars containing carbides can cost anywhere from three to four times as much as a straightforward wear bar or runners, which will often last for at least an entire season.
Installation
- Carbide inserts should be placed into the new ski. Possibly, some pushing with a hammer will be required before it fits properly.
- After that, all that would be left to do would be to attach the carbide to the ski in some way. When you are doing this, you do not want to overtighten the nuts because doing so would only cause the plastic to become more compressed.
- Adjust the screw until it is just snug enough against the keel on the underside of the ski to be considered pulled snugly against it. It is a good idea to go back and check the fit after a ride because the carbide can settle in and can require an additional little more tightening after some use. Additionally, it is a good idea to go back and check the fit before a ride.
- After that, you have to apply pressure from the inside of the skis to force the bushings into place. The bushings have a close fit, so you may need to use a set of channel lock pliers to press them into a place to make room for the spindle and the spacer. The bushings have a close fit.
- After the XCS skis have been prepared, the hardware should be loosened, and then one of the old skis should be removed. This task can be completed quite quickly with an impact driver.
- After inserting the rubber dampener in the ski and placing the spindle into the XCS, you will need to align the holes, lube the new bolt, and then connect everything together using the washers and nuts that were given.
The C&A Skis perform exceptionally well for the purpose for which it was developed, which is a combination of trail and mountain riding. It is a large ski with a robust construction that was designed for stability and can manage higher speeds. The ski is more abrasive than the standard stock Ski-Doo DS-2 Pilot ski, and as a result, it instills confidence in the rider but also requires that they drive it with purpose.
Because the essential handling qualities for mountain or trail riding are so drastically different from one another, it appears to be difficult to construct a completely optimized ski for both situations. C&A skis do an excellent job in this regard of enhancing performance in one domain without compromising too much in other domains.
The XCS’s greatest advantage is its substantially improved performance on the trail compared to a standard mountain ski. It performs very well in mountainous areas, offering a high level of floatation and accurate handling. The ski has less flex and rocker than other skis; thus, it takes more effort to start and execute carving and side-hilling motions than on a ski with greater rocker and flex.
The XCS is an option that won’t let you down and is a good choice for riders who spend over two-thirds of their time tearing up trails and just sometimes venture into the mountains. It is a ski that will not restrict a rider’s ability in steeper terrain, but it really shines when used on the terrain it was designed for.
Are snowmobile skis universal?
The vast majority of snowmobile skis are universal, meaning that they may be transferred from one snowmobile to another that uses the same mounting gear. Some snowmobiles are only compatible with a specific type of ski, and others require additional hardware, such as adapters or spacers, to accommodate the skis.
You should go to Rocky Mountain Snowmobile if you are seeking the appropriate skiing attire and equipment for your next trip if you are going to be riding a snowmobile. They have a variety of skis available in the store that are of the highest quality and come from a number of different brands to accommodate your preferences.
