Any cross country skiers here?

[Telarkaster]

Last year I picked some used boots, poles and skis and shook my winter blues by hitting the trails. Yesterday was the first time this winter I went skiing and I still have a silly grin on my face. I was waiting for it all summer and fall, I went to Mountain Equipment Coop and got some proper clothing (base layer, intemediate fleece and softshell) and it performed perfectly. I can't wait to go out again.

I've been jogging all summer and fall but haven't been physical since I ran a 5km fun charity race on Dec 5. Cross country skiing is a great winter exercise for runners: if you can walk you can ski and it's a great cardio workout and not hard on the knees. Get out and do it!

Yesterday was -11C, sunny and beautiful. Here's a few shots from last year I took on the trails of Mount Royal (public park-hill in Montreal) just to give you an idea of where I go:

My cheapo skis


Yes, that was a dog sled in the city:




A tunnel of trees, yesterday was sunny with blue skies:

[Guran]

During season I try to ski 40-50 km a week. I live right next to a 5 km running/skiing track (with lights) and do 2-3 laps on two occations during the week and then try to go to somewhere nicer for a 20-30 km trip during the weekend.

The snow came during the weekend. Time to wax!

[Eric Karonen]

I did a lot of cross country as a teenager and into my 20s, but I've got a bad foot now .. even walking is a bit of a problem.

I also did downhill skiing back then, but I always enjoyed the paths through the woods via cross country more so. It's a great activity.

There's a ski skating track north of Toronto and one my colleagues at the University of Toronto goes up regularly. In my day, it was not so sophisticated. Some days I'd ski in the local park, make my own two grooves in the snow.

Proper waxing is the key. Although I used various waxes over those years, I found it better to have it professionally applied to the skis when I hit a major trail.

[WYfish]

I get my cross country ski on during the winter. I'm a little lazy, so sometimes I need a little motivation to get going, but it's always nice to get out in the woods. They are a great way to access some fishing holes in the winter. We have thicker xc skis and they have scales on the bottom for help going up hills. We might get out over christmas if we get some new snow.

[Justinvs]

Count me in. During the winter months (okay, sometimes in the fall months and way into spring, too) I x-country ski. I try to get at least a mile per day, longer when I have the time. I run in th esummer because I should, but I ski because I love it.

Anybody else finfing it hard to get wax-based ski? I really prefer them over the non-wax, but they're scarce as hens teeth in the stores around here.

Justin

[Guran]

Originally Posted by Justinvs

Anybody else finfing it hard to get wax-based ski? I really prefer them over the non-wax, but they're scarce as hens teeth in the stores around here.

Justin

Nope. Around here I guess the ratio of wax/non wax is about ten to one. The non-wax skis are beginners skis and some skis for back country/mountain use. Things may be a little different as we are all born with skis. Well, almost...

[ADK Teleman]

I can't wait to move back up to my mountains in NY..I grew up with XC skis on my feet and so miss skiing. No snow down here in the south. For some reason the Army has way too many posts down where there is no snow....lots of heat but no cold weather!

[studio1087]

I love it.

Most of the public golf courses and county parks have free trails.

It's very pretty and it's great quiet fun.

I bought his and hers X-Country ski packages for Christmas for my wife and I 19 years ago when she was my girlfriend. We still have the equipment. The kids have used stuff (they beat it to heck).

Great fun.

[purpletele]

I went for the first time last year at a state park in Maryland the name of which escapes me at the moment (swallow falls maybe?). I haven't gotten to go since but I've really had the itch. I really dislike regular downhill skiing too, but the cross-country type was awesome.

[TelecasterBlooz]

Been doing it off and on since I moved to WI in 79. Finally ditched the pinhead boots and bindings for Salomons. Looking to improve my skating skills. Looking forward to some groomed and set track instead of back country skiing. I use it to supplement my cardio for MMA training.

[Telarkaster]

Good to see people here know how to have fun in the winter! Well, I think I overdid it: I went out again on Monday for a couple of hours on a bike path that people use for skiing and now my groin is killing me (no jokes please!). Slightly different set of muscles used in skiing than in running or rollerblading. My technique is probably terrible too.

The tip of my ski separated on Monday too, I shouldn't be too surprised because I got them used. I had to use Marine Goop and clamps to glue it back, hopefully it'll hold up when I go out again.

About the gear: I'm a noob and I have waxless skis. I know instinctively that getting the proper wax for the weather will make me ski better, but right now I just want to put them on and go. One day I'd like to get into it more but for now I just want to go outside and get moving. I have the old pinhead boots and bindings because that's what I started on when I was a kid. I can ice skate and roller blade but have no desire to ski-skate. I see those guys on the trails and they can really motor, quite impressive. I like to take my time, enjoy the scenery and get a workout at the same time. Maybe later I'll get into skating.

This is really fun for me and I can't wait to go out again. It's snowing now...

[tomringg]

Like some others, I did quite a bit of skiing in my younger days. Now I only get out a couple of times a year. We started a family tradition a few years ago to go skiing for the New Year. Should be good skiing this year as they are predicting a new foot of snow in the next few days!

[tele-martini]

I enjoy getting out and x country skiing a bit. I like the exercise and peacfulness of the woods in winter. Haven't started yet this year but weather looks like it shaping up for a good season. No intensity, just a nice stroll in the quiet woods works for me.

[Eric Karonen]

I've maybe mentioned it before, but in the mid-70s I skied around a small lake a hundred miles north of Winnepeg, a moonlit night, on New Year's Eve .. a beautiful moment ... truly. The bottle of champagne didn't hurt either. It was after midnight. My favourite ski trip of all time.

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by Eric Karonen

I've maybe mentioned it before, but in the mid-70s I skied around a small lake a hundred miles north of Winnepeg, a moonlit night, on New Year's Eve .. a beautiful moment ... truly. The bottle of champagne didn't hurt either. It was after midnight. My favourite ski trip of all time.

Eric, I can truly relate. 20 years ago I spent a lot of winter weekends at my friend's farm in the Eastern Townships (near Valcourt) Some of the happiest moments in my life not involving family or a canoe were when I went out by myself at night under a moonlit sky across the farmer's fields and into the woods to follow the old logging trail. Full moon + skis = magic...

[Guran]

Last week I gave in and bought new skis after pondering it for years. Unfortunately, temperatures have been in the -20 to -30 C / -5 to -20 F span ever since. I haven't got many miles out of them yet as I don't want to breathe too hard when it's chilly.

December 30 2009, -23 C, maiden voyage



Regarding wax, over the last few years, grip wax in the form of tape has been the new big thing. I got a roll of tape with the skis, and so far it really seems to work. The main benefit is that it changes with the temperature, so you don't have to rewax when conditions change (unless it gets warm and icy). Put it on and you're ready for +5 to -20 C or 40 to -5 F. It's supposed to last for at least 200 km.

Right now I'm experimenting with length and a short strip of a second layer to get it perfect.

[Eric Karonen]

Originally Posted by Telarkaster

Eric, I can truly relate. 20 years ago I spent a lot of winter weekends at my friend's farm in the Eastern Townships (near Valcourt) Some of the happiest moments in my life not involving family or a canoe were when I went out by myself at night under a moonlit sky across the farmer's fields and into the woods to follow the old logging trail. Full moon + skis = magic...

I hear you! One of the beauties of cross-country is all you do is bundle up and hit the trail and don't have to deal with mosquitoes or black flies. It's a terrific, reflective time, especially in the moonlight .. not to mention the exercise factor. I used to pack a wine-skin once in a while! lol I'm one of those people that loves winter.

I've always wanted to visit the Townships. I worked with a prof from there at one time and she always urged me to visit the area. Maybe one day yet ... on my way to visit the east coast.

You're a lucky guy!

But all other things aside, cross-country was a great pleasure in my life. I went through a couple of pairs of skis, but have never tried the waxless jobbies.

And, hey, I enjoyed canoeing too in warmer days! I have a 1958 Peterborough canvas on cedar strip canoe ... a classic, 14 footer. Heavy as good gosh. hehe I'm not sure where the paddles are anymore.

Best!

Edit: Some students at the university practice on skis with wheels on the off-months. It's weird to see.