Waxless skis for BC (i.e. Karhu vs. Alpina)

So,

Looking to expand my quiver this year. I have a dedicated AT setup (Kilowatts, Dynafit ST, Matrix), and I'm looking to both waste money and have fun on mellower terrain. Considering shelling out for the new Dynafit TLT boot, mating that with a Dynafit speed binding and getting a set of waxless BC touring skis for mellow laps. I have some experience with Alpina skis and NNN bindings, but this would be for more aggressive skiing and have the advantage of releasability.

So, my choices seem limited to the Karhu XCD Guide or the Alpina X Terrain. Thoughts? Other recommendations?

Cheers,
Erik

Ive seen rigs like this. one Nordic patroller on Catherine loop has a similar setup. Also look at MAdshus,Atomic and Rossi. Rossi has one that is 95 in the waist, A bit of beast for fast travel ??
Mountain Gear out of Spokane has some of these others in thier catalog.(Just a customer)
sounds like a fun game you're getting into

I think Mike (MD2020) and Brenda have Karu Guides and seem to like them for certain conditions. If he doesn't chime in, at some point you might send him a PM.

Rossi has one that is 95 in the waist, A bit of beast for fast travel ??

Yes, I've been waiting for someone to pick up a pair of these and give them a try: www.rei.com/product/805197

We have Karhu Guides, which are no longer made by Karhu. Madshus makes them now. We really like them once the spring corn starts, but unless you're just out touring and not looking for turns, I wouldn't waste my time on them in the powder. Not wide enough for turns or trailbreaking in deep snow.

I have the Guides W/Switchbacks and T3's for tele.
I have not used them in powder conditions. Like Robie says, I would not waste my time on them if my purpose is downhill power skiing. But they do great in the corn snow. It's nice because you get to the bottom and you don't need to put skins back on. Although your track back up needs to be modified since you just can't get the grip that skins get.
Gary and Jan, from the peninsula, I have read use them with Dynafit, if they have something to offer.
Just gotta get used to the hum under foot of the scales singing while skiing downhill.
Comparing the two skis, they both make good gear.
Madshus is Karhu now if you are buying new.
There is a lot to consider to figure out the right waxless ski.
Do you want it for downhill performance more?
Are you going to go on long up and down journeys and some meadow skipping?

The Karhu Guide is now the Madshus Anum. The Karhu 10th Mountain also has an equivalent Madshus ski.

Both the Alpina X Terrain series and the Madshus XCD series are good skiis for yo-yo skiing. The patterned base on the X terrain is grippier on the ascent than the Karhu pattern -- but the Karhu pattern glides better.

When I was skiing on Guides I found that the pattern climbs quite well on spring / corn snow -- the up track being only somewhat gentler than what I would set using skins (but then I prefer moderate skin tracks) Running Yo-Yo laps is great fun with minimal farting around at the top and bottom.

On true powder snow (cold and dry enough that you can't make a snowball) I found the pattern lacking in grip -- but on more typically moist PNW mid winter snow it works pretty well.

The Guide / Annum isn't particularly happy on hard frozen snow or going fast.