2021 Alpina Control 64

For fun-loving cruising, and mainly in-track skiing, the Alpina Control 64 Nordic skis are a fantastic choice. These skis are ready to rock when it comes to the classic world, and for skiers who are looking for a fitness and adventure-oriented setup to maximize distance and fun. Built with an ultra-light wood core and a cap construction, these skis are easy to maintain your speed on, and fun to take further into the woods than you ever thought possible. Their wood core is laminated and has air channels milled in in order to save weight without jeopardizing performance. By improving upon pressure distribution, the core actually increases the durability of the entire setup, making this a great choice for skiers who are in it for the long haul, and not necessarily looking to upgrade their gear every year.

Thanks to the multi-grip embossed base, you’re getting a ton of grip and an efficient glide, and that’s really what it’s all about. A polyethelene base is ideal for skiers who are looking for little to no maintenance, allowing them to just click in and go no matter what the conditions or terrain looks like. An NNN binding system affixes to the NIS plate, making this setup an awesome one for skiers looking for simplicity and efficiency. The sidecut measurements of 64/52/60 offer skiers a bit of a sidecut for control in the turns, while keeping the shape of the ski straight enough for strong kicks and glide in the classic track.

Marcus Shakun is one of our bigger testers, and he was on the 185 cm ski. His top score of 5 out of 5 for stability is noteworthy, as these skis certainly have enough power to get them through some gnarly snow and terrain. A 4 out of 5 was given for grip, noting that this multi-grip embossed base definitely stands up to some serious use. The lowly 2 for speed isn’t that surprising, given that these skis are mainly served in-track for intermediate skiers, and not used in a racing format. Marcus calls the Control 64 a “very stable ski. You can feel the stiffness when riding on hard track, when you get off into the snow it mellows out. It really likes being off-track in soft snow adventuring around.” A lot of skiers get that, and that’s one of the funnest things about cross-country skiing, we think. “Good edge grip which does affect its maneuverability. Good grip on hard and soft snow, which does take away from the glide.” In terms of intended audience, Marcus “could see it for a heavier, more adventure-bound person getting away from the Nordic center.” All good things, especially when it comes to the stability and comfort-levels of the skier on the ski.

These things don’t all have to be prime-time racing skis, there’s so much more to Nordic skiing than that. The Alpina Control 64 is a perfect example of a ski that has a good combination of strength and weight, and while they might not be the fastest skis out there, they’re certainly a ton of fun, and built for the long-haul.