July 2020 - SeniorsSkiing.com

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 31)

July 31, 2020/4 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Hints Of The Coming Winter, Questions For You, Covid Fitness, Ski Canada And Covid.

Wow, turn around, and it’s the end of July, and August is upon us. Has Covid-19 accelerated the clock? It seems like we are rushing into fall. And all the uncertainty that will bring.

One thing for certain, we know most people don’t like uncertainty, ambiguity, vagueness; we like the opposite much more: predictability, certainty, clarity. Well, that ain’t happening these days, so we might as well get used to it, because it is definitely going to affect winter sports next winter.

Take Australia, for instance. It’s winter down there, and ski resorts began operating in late June, but a record high of 191 new coronavirus cases hit the state of Victoria on July 7, prompting Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews to revert to stage three restrictions, similar to stay-at-home orders issued in the United States this spring, for six weeks. In response, Vail Resorts, operator of Hotham and Falls Creek in Victoria, announced that it would suspend operations at the two resorts, according to a report in Powder Magazine.

Boom. Closed. At least for a while.

Mt. Hotham trails open report from the resort’s website. Owner Vail Resorts closed down the area after a spike in virus infections.

On the other hand, resorts in New Zealand are operating without the usual Covid restrictions, because the country locked down tight in late March, flattened the curve, and beat the virus. However, it’s a domestic crowd hitting The Remarkables and Mount Hutt, resulting in 50-80 percent of normal visitations. International visitors won’t be making the En-Zed scene this year due to travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, The Remarkables in Queenstown, NZ, are open to domestic visitors only. NZ locked down in late March and beat the virus. At least so far.

So, while US and Canadian resorts will be limiting visitor capacity, accepting only online reservations, practicing distancing on lifts and lift lines, frequently sanitizing facilities, restricting food service and even terrain accessibility, if the virus peaks again regionally, some local resort owners could do what the Victoria areas did and shut down for some length of time.

That will leave winter sports lovers with some choices. At SeniorsSkiing.com, we feel—based on our survey responses—that readers will either find somewhere else to go or start or re-introduce themselves to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat-biking, outdoor winter sports that may satisfy the need for cold weather activity. Should that future scenario unfold, SeniorsSkiing.com plans to help our readers make a transition to alternative winter sports with information resources and recommendations specifically for our senior readership.

Look for “Make More Tracks” coming up this fall.

This Week

Downtown Banff. Bike rental on Banff Ave. which was closed to traffic this summer for social distancing. Credit: SkiBig3

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Yvette Cardozo reports on preparations underway in some leading Canadian resorts, anticipating the US-Canada will be open by the beginning of ski season. One thing is for sure, uncertainty is out there, but planning the details helps boost confidence in visitors.

Have you been keeping up with your Covid-era exercise and fitness program? We ask that question in one of our Questions For You. Also, SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent tells about what Covid has done for him, physical-fitness-wise.

We also have a question for you about our upcoming SeniorsSkiing.com Classified Ad section. We’d like your input on what categories you’d like to see and your impressions about carrying classified ads in our online magazine.

And finally, speaking of “Make More Tracks”, here’s a GoPro promo video of a guy named Chuck Patterson skiing down some waves in Hawaii. Perhaps we should all be learning to ski on water? Global warming? Eh?

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Be safe out there. Wear a mask, wash your hands, distance. And remember there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

Ski Canada And Covid

July 30, 2020/6 Comments/in International/by Yvette Cardozo

Ski resorts are still trying to figure out what the next season will look like.

We heard from a few Canadian ski area representatives and whatever finally happens, next year your favorite resort won’t look like what you remember from the past.

Many resorts opened for a revised summer season that several called “a great dress rehearsal” for next winter.

Downtown Banff. Bike rental on Banff Ave. which was closed to traffic this summer for social distancing. Credit: SkiBig3

It involved limits to daily lift ticket totals, spaced tables in restaurants (and a lot of outdoor eating), social distancing in lift lines and yes, restrictions on lifts themselves.

But the final details for winter, everyone said, are still being determined.

Not so, though, for Air Canada.

Tony Celio of Air Canada had a very specific list:

Touch-free checkins, mandatory masks on board, hand sanitizing stations throughout the airports, health questions and temperature checks (top temp is 99.5).
In the boarding area, no lining up to board. Everyone stays seated until their group number is called, then boarding is back to front, window to isle.
On board, free packs containing hand sanitizer, wipes, mask, gloves, bottle of water, snack and headset are given to each passenger. Crews wear masks and gloves. Everything is sanitized between flights with hospital grade disinfectant and HEPA filters are being used for the cabin air.

Air Canada has this video on its website:

As for resorts, they are not expecting massive crowds since they assume their international visitor counts will be down.

Tamara Melanson of SilverStar said hotel guests have been naturally spaced out because there is a mandatory 24 hour gap between check out and the next check in so rooms can be deep cleaned.

But specifics for winter, she and others admitted, are all still being worked out, though Melanson could speak to what they’re doing about lift lines and lifts now.

Interestingly, this is the busiest year they’ve ever had for cyclists going up the mountain but still, they are limiting tickets to keep people socially spread and keeping people in a single stretched out line to board.

In summer, they have only the six-pack lift and gondola open. And for now, it’s one person (or group of friends) to a gondola and a max of two strangers to a lift. She figures seating on the resort’s quads and the six pack in winter will be similar.

Andre Quenneville, general manager of Mt. Norquay added that some resorts are experimenting with spraying lifts with disinfectant.

Jen Kyles of SkiCan which represents resorts across Canada said, “People will need more patience.” For instance, they will need to make prior reservations for rentals which will then have timed entries to keep folks spaced. Many resorts, she said, are thinking of shifting dining into their conference facilities where the rooms are larger. And buffets will be gone.

Top of lift, Norquay, this summer. Credit: Mt. Norquay

Resorts like Mt. Norquay and Panorama Mountain Resort, not exactly known for crushing crowds, don’t expect to have problems with spacing on-slope.

Meanwhile this summer, Banff has closed its main downtown corridor to provide more space for people on foot. Restaurants have 50 percent occupancy indoors but also have spaced dining on the street. And while masks are encouraged, they are not required, though that may change.

Quenneville of Norquay said he feels confident his resort will be open for winter and expects the US-Canada border will be open by then. And Steve Paccagnan, CEO of Panorama, referring to shuttles from the Calgary airport, said they would be offering private travel for those who want it along with buses with “safe practices,” meaning spacing people out.

In the end, everyone agrees, it will be a lot of trial and error.

Short Swings!

July 30, 2020/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

A Fort Lauderdale resident asked, “Do you know where we Floridians go when we want to ski?” It was a joke. Her punch line: “The airport.”

From the way things appear to be shaping up, fewer and fewer older skiers will be using planes to get to their favorite resorts. There’s a reluctance to get on planes until the virus is under control.

I get it. Regardless of our individual states of health, as a group whose age averages 69.8, we are high risk. Boarding a crowded flight – even in first or with the middle seat empty – isn’t appealing.

I think big resorts get it, too. In normal seasons, big western resorts rely on skiers flying to their destinations. Recently, some resort tourism executives told me they’re shifting attention to skiers within a 6 – 8 hour drive.

In the June readers’ survey, 92% of you indicated you definitely or probably would ski during the coming season, and 71% said you plan to take one to more than 4 long distance ski trips.

Of those planning long distance trips, 40% plan to drive and 41% plan to fly then drive a rental car.

That was in June. The way infections and fatalities have been accelerating, I’m guessing that now, about a month after that survey ended, fewer people would want to fly.

I know I wouldn’t.

In a recent media briefing, the heads of National Ski Areas Association and Vail Resorts’ mountain operations explained how they’re patching together best practices from the restaurant, hotel and other industries to protect skiers from the virus (and, I expect, themselves from liability). Based on what they said, we can expect limits on numbers of skiers/boarders, temperature checks, social distancing, fewer people on lifts, and more outdoor dining.

My biggest takeaway from the briefing was that for the coming season, we’ll need to plan before we go. “No more rolling out of bed and deciding to head to the hill,” is how one of the briefers described it.

Those living close to or at an area will do well. Those of us within a few hours drive will have their fair share of the fun. But for those who are high risk and relying on airplanes, you’ll need to make the “is it worth it?” decision.

One point of view, expressed by several of you is, why not? At this age, how many more seasons will we have?

EPIC’S $169 Unlimited Military Pass

Marc Liebman is a gifted military novelist, public speaker, and occasional SeniorsSkiing.com contributor. A combat veteran of Vietnam and Desert Shield/Storm, he flew helicopters on combat search and rescue, special operations missions, anti-submarine warfare and logistics support missions. He retired as Navy Commander after 24 years of service. His six novels are based on his experience and are really good reads. Recently, he emailed this tidbit about what he calls “the lift ticket deal of the century.” Epic Pass is offering an unlimited pass to ski at any of their 30+ resorts (Xmas excluded) to members of the military – active, reserve and retired, dependents – for $169. Details: click here.

$75 Parka; $50 Pants Deal

Orsden Parkas: Great Colors; $75

Here’s another “deal of the century.” Orsden, the parka and ski pants manufacturer, is having a “Mystery Sale.” Visit the company website, select a men’s or women’s parka, and let the company pick the color. You really can’t go wrong. Like Orsden’s styling, every one of it’s colors is good. I’ve been wearing my Orsden parka for 3-4 seasons. It’s held up exceptionally well, and has many nice features (e.g. underarm zips, RFID pass pocket, built-in goggle/glasses wipe, detachable powder skirt). The company specializes in direct-to-customer sales. It’s parkas sell for $300 and, if sold through retailers, would be double that. My wife purchased one a few years ago on sale for $175. She loves it. Now, Orsden parkas are going for $75!!! The only catch: the company picks the color and final sale/no returns. While visiting the site, check out the men’s and women’s ski pants; normally $200; now $50. Some sizes are sold out and final sale/no returns policy applies to sale pants, as well.

Liftopia Faces Bankruptcy; Collects PPP Funds

According to a Federal database, Liftopia, the online ticket-seller, received a Paycheck Protection Program loan between $350,000 and $1 million. This, while the company may be forced into bankruptcy by a group of resorts claiming Liftopia owes them $2+ million in advance ticket sales.

Elevate Suspends Operations

Roam Robotics, which makes the innovative Elevate Ski Exoskeleton, announced that due to the uncertain context caused by COVID, it is temporarily suspending investment in its unique Elevate product. The company will not be producing pre-ordered product (all deposits have been refunded) and will not be renting/demoing Elevate during the 20/21 season. The announcement said that the company would continue to develop and improve all products in its line up.

In Person 2020 Snowbound Festival Canceled

Organizers of the Boston and Denver Snowbound Festival (formerly the BEWI Ski and Snowboard Expos) announced cancellation of the 2020 events. The reason: COVID-19 and the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff. They’re working on a digital version as a possible substitute. For decades,the shows have served as “the unofficial kickoff to Winter.” Last Fall, Snowsports Industries America (SIA), acquired the Boston and Denver expos from BEWI Productions. SIA is the winter industry’s non-profit trade association representing snow sports suppliers, retailers, sales reps and resorts. BEWI was founded in 1980 by Bernie Weichsel, a member of SeniorsSkiing.com’s Advisory Council.

Suicide Increasing Among Sledding Athletes

A feature in The New York Times last Sunday reports on the disproportionately high number of bobsled, luge and other sledding athletes who have taken their lives. Brain experts suspect the symptoms stem from years of crashes, brain-rattling vibrations and strong gravitational acceleration forces. The athletes often experience an exhausted fog, which they’ve named “sled head.”

Your Own (Miniature) Cable Car (and Skiers)

FelinaWorld bills itself as the world’s largest online store for Christmas villages. Among its many miniature trees, chalets, scenes, etc. is a selection of HO scale ski lifts. They’re miniaturized versions of the real ones at a numer of Austrian ski resorts. It looks like they’re motor-driven. They even have miniature skiers for the lifts. The site also sells gondola-shaped key chains. When I visited, many of the products were discounted. Click here to get to one of the ski lift pages.

Question For You 9: Corona Making You More Fit?

July 29, 2020/22 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

It’s Been Four Months. Where Are You On Your Fitness Plan?

The season ended abruptly for everyone in mid-March. One day, you were on the lift line at Killington, and, boom, next day you were heading home. Just like that.

We know that many of your resorted to picking up new activities. With the gyms. pools, tennis, and golf clubs closed, we and you were left to our own ingenuity. Everyone started walking. Some got into a yoga routine. Cycles came out when the weather cleared. All good.

Four months on, how’s it working out for you? Our yoga routine stopped short when we pulled a muscle. We know folks that got tired of walking the same three mile loop. So, here’s the question:

Please write your response in the Reply Box below:

Have you maintained a new Corona exercise routine? Have you gained/lost weight? Gained muscle mass? Flexibility? After four months, are you still doing what you started doing back in March? What’s changed?

Question For You 10: Classifieds?

July 28, 2020/41 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Help Us Decide If/How SeniorsSkiing.com Classifieds Should Work.

At SeniorsSkiing.com World Headquarters, we get frequent requests from readers looking for ski partners, places to go, house or condo rental information, and many other topics. So, we decided to create a classified ad section within SeniorsSkiing.com to accommodate these kinds of wants, needs, and desires.

What we are planning is a relatively inexpensive way to post stuff for sale of different kinds. Options include a one-week insertion all the way up to 10 weeks in the classified ad section. Prices range from $10-$50, depending on duration of the ad. Readers can post the ad themselves, including pictures (to some extent), and pay using a credit card. Nice and simple.

Here are the categories we are thinking of. Please let us know what you think. Here’s the question for you:

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? What categories are missing? Which of those listed are not important or irrelevant? Would you post a classified on SeniorsSkiing.com?

Please write your response in the Reply Box below.

Proposed Classified Categories

Alpine Equipment For Sale	Nordic Equipment For Sale	Accessories, Gizmos, Electronics For Sale	Non-Winter Sports Gear For Sale
Guides/Instructor Services	Seasonal/Weekly Rentals	Trucks, Campers, Trailers, Cars For Sale	Ride Share
In Search Of	Looking For Ski Buddies	Ski Club Trips Open To SeniorsSkiing.com Readers	Vintage equipment, collectibles, antiques

Covid Fitness

July 27, 2020/7 Comments/in Conditioning/by Pat McCloskey

Pat in his ‘Rona mask, riding into great shape.

A Lot Of Us Are In The Best Shape We’ve Been In For Many A Year.

Gasping for breath up a steep climb recently on the mountain bike with my riding friends, I thought to myself, “Where is the race? Nobody’s going to the Olympics, why are we racing on this ride?”

Then it occurred to me that my group and a lot of other groups of cyclists, runners, and other fitness enthusiasts are in really great shape. People are not traveling for work or pleasure just yet, and a lot of folks have a lot of free time to get their work done at home and then go ride, run, walk, hike, or some other form of exercise. I am calling it Covid Fitness. and it is a national phenomena.

I recently went into my local bike shop, Dirty Harry’s, in Verona, PA and learned their business is booming. Barry Jeffries, the owner, told me that they have 350 bikes on back order and their repair business is off the charts. Barry, Scott, Brocc, and the boys will have a record year in sales and service because a lot of people are turning back to cycling as a recreational activity during this pandemic.

The health clubs are not fully operational yet and people need to get out. What better way to do it than on a bicycle? As the bikes roll in the door from the manufacturers, the boys at Dirty Harry’s build them up as fast as possible and out the door they go. Sold!! All kinds of bikes. High end mountain and road bikes, E-Bikes, kids bikes, commuter bikes, you name it. They are selling like a fish sandwich in Lent.

The Peleton home cycling exercise equipment is back ordered by at least six months and that is the case with a lot of sports equipment providers. Most outdoor equipment manufacturers have had a strain on supply because of the surge in purchases due to the Covid 19 crisis. A good news-bad news scenario for the sporting equipment industry in that record sales are being offset by a strain in supply. They have the customers, many new to the sport, but are having a hard time keeping up with demand.

So back to my group. We have guys and gals who travel for work, guys and gals who are retired, and many working from home. These folks have always been active but recently, they probably have ridden mountain bikes and road bikes more than they ever have in recent years because the distractions have been put aside due to this pandemic. I have complimented a lot of cycling friends on their fitness and their response has been, “Hey, Pat, I don’t have much to do.” And, “We have not been able to go to work at the office, or sit and socialize in a restaurant, or go to a movie or concert, so really, outside of exercise, what do we have to do besides work at home and read a book?”

The end result is that a lot of us are in the best shape we have been in for many a year and my group keeps pushing, pushing, pushing every week on scheduled rides in various venues around our area of the country. The CDC says nothing better to combat this virus than boosting the immune system with sunshine and outdoor exercise. The texts and emails buzz every week with the proposed riding schedules, and the good thing is that at least we are not sitting around with nothing to do.

So, again, the pandemic has caused a lot of disruption to our lives as well as to lives all around the world. It has caused a lot of us to reflect on what is really important in life and how we have taken things for granted. This too shall pass, and the world will learn to live with these kinds of viruses and change our daily habits on how to deal with them. But in the meantime, there have been some good things that have come out of this time and the great outdoors has been calling to a lot of us.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Jackson Hole—Not For Experts Only

July 25, 2020/4 Comments/in West/by Evelyn Kanter

There also are dozens of trails and cirques for the rest of us mere mortals.

Now, that’s a blue cruiser at JH looking delicious. Credit: Jackson Hole

I’ve been skiing here since I was locked into that famous and frustrating “intermediate plateau” and took a chance on defying Jackson’s reputation for experts only. Besides, the town sounded like fun, with wooden sidewalks and real cowboys coming into town from the ranches that ring the resort.

If you’ve never skied trees, this is the place to learn. The short bursts of glades under the Sweetwater Gondola or Casper chairlift are ideal, because you if you get into trouble, you can bail out to one of the blue or green groomers alongside, or just wave or shout up to a lift rider if your trouble is serious.

When you get better, head into Moran Woods, in between the Casper or Teton lifts.

I always plan my day to be at the lodge at the bottom of the Casper quad for that mid-morning pit stop, and sometimes for lunch, since it’s always less crowded than the other mid-mountain lodges and restaurants.

The Teton is one of Jackson’s newer lifts, and accesses a network of blue and green cruisers that you can take back non-stop to the base area, down some 3,000 of the resort’s massive 4,129 vertical. The Kemmerer trail off the top is named for Jay Kemmerer, who bought the resort in 1992 and credited with turning it into a world-class destination.

It’s a fast groomer that links to the Werner cruiser. That one is named for Buddy Werner, an internationally renowned ski racer and member of the US Olympic ski team, who died trying to outrace an avalanche in the Swiss Alps in 1964. You could do laps here all day. I have.

Werner was the choice of the resort’s original owner to be the first ski school director. That went instead to Pepi Steigler, who won a gold medal in slalom and a bronze in giant slalom in the 1964 Olympics. It was the same Olympics in which Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd became the first Americans to medal in the slalom, a couple of deep breaths behind Steigler, who ran the Jackson Hole Ski School for more than 40 years before retiring.

But I digress.

Of course, you must take the famous Jackson Hole Tram to the top, and pick your way down Rendezvous Bowl to the groomed trails below. Be sure to do it on a sunny day, unless you want to hear my near-horror story about skiing it in socked in weather. Jackson Hole often is subject to inversions, when it is bright and sunny at the bottom and socked in up top. If the tram isn’t busy in the middle of the day, that’s the reason.

My favorite spot on the mountain is Laramie Bowl, off the Thunder quad. It’s really more a funnel than a bowl, with VW-sized bumps on the right and “regular” bumps on either side of a bail-out groomer.

Jackson Hole is also a great destination for multi-generation winter vacations with the grandkids. The really young ones get to ride to their own dedicated teaching slope in a wagon powered by a snowmobile. The kids love it, and we grandparents love taking photos of it.

Where you stay in Jackson Hole depends on whether you prefer base area convenience or downtown shopping and restaurants.

JH has prioritized improving the intermediate ski and snowboard experience to give guests a variety of terrain. Here’s a blue blue. Credit: Jackson Hole

Convenience is the Teton Village base area, with hotels, condos and restaurants in all price ranges and amenity levels. Best, I think, are the Four Seasons with heated walkways for no-slip snow-free access, and the Alpenhof, with a true European vibe, one of the first hotels to open when the resort opened in 1965.

Apres ski in the Village centers around the Mangy Moose, named for the dusty taxidermy moose for which it is named.

Downtown, the premiere place to stay is the Wort Hotel, one of the members of the Historic Hotels of America group, known for its rustic charm and attentive service.

The Blue Lion is known for its elk filets. Another top dining choice is the Snake River Grill, whose menu identifies the local ranchers and farmers who supplied the lamb, pork or artisanal cheese.

Apres ski downtown means The Cowboy, which features live music and country western dancing in season. This is where I learned to two-step at free Thursday night lessons. Just keep walking past the saddle-shaped bar stools in the front to the tables dance floor in the back. The burgers are pretty good here, too.

Locals and any visitors in the know head for The Stagecoach in nearby Wilson, at the base of the Teton Pass, on Sunday nights. A five-piece band has played here for more than 40 years, including a few of the originals still wielding a banjo or guitar. Be forewarned that the repertoire is usually sprinkled with a few ditties that could make a sailor blush.

Take an afternoon off the slopes to visit the National Elk Refuge just outside town, where thousands of these majestic creatures spend the winter. If you time it correctly, you can also visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art on the other side of the road, with its impressive collection of landscape paintings and Remington sculptures.

Jackson Hole is a member of both Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, neither of which provide discounts for seniors. If the only place you intend to ski or ride this season is Jackson Hole, the best deal for the 2020/21 season is the Plus Pass, which offers 25 days of lift access for $505.

Click here for Jackson Hole Trail Map

Click here for Jackson Hole Web Cams

How To Choose An XC Ski Vacation Destination

July 17, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

So Many Choices, How To Decide?

In general, xc skiers select their winter xc ski destination resorts using some rating system of how xc ski areas perform in eight categories of criteria including trail quality and grooming, scenery, food quality, staff friendliness and service, the ski lodge facility and family issues. There is a great range of xc ski areas in North America and in the eyes of xc skiers these characteristics delineate areas without concern to whether the area is an inn, a ranch, a day area, a destination resort, or a recreation park area. I’ve purposely avoided the issue of cost – whether you like to travel to distant resorts or only travel within your region, you will still compare the other criteria to select your destination resort.

The information below describes what a quality xc ski resort is all about in terms of services and amenities at some of the leading xc ski resorts in North America.

XC Ski Trails

Trail Quality relates to the skiers’ comfort on the trails, even though those skiers might be at different skiing or experience levels. The trail signage should help skiers understand where they are on the area’s trail network. And signs should help skiers know the direction that will help them return to their starting place. The trails should provide a skiing flow so there aren’t too many long uphills or sharp turns at the bottom of steep downhills. One idea that is done at Lapland Lake in Northville, New York that makes trails seem less crowded is to have skiers go in the same direction (one-way). The result is that the trails never seem crowded. Jay Richards of Maplelag in Calloway, Minnesota said, “Feedback from the majority of our skiers let us know that they prefer double-tracked trails more than single tracks. And we had overwhelmingly negative opinions about allowing dogs on the trails, too.”

Some of the best xc ski areas are just blessed with great terrain for xc skiing. The location of an area such as Royal Gorge in Soda Springs, California is perfect for xc skiing as the area’s land diversity offers flat, rolling and more challenging variety. And Royal Gorge claims Sierra maritime snow consolidates well and is great for the base on the trails, which means that skiers can count on excellent conditions when they ski there.

Trail grooming can make or break the ski conditions. Olavi Hirvonen former owner of Lapland Lake explained, “We groom every morning unless we have to wait for the snow to dry out or cool off – and I groom the way I like to ski the trails myself.” Hirvonen had the Lapland Lake staff out on the trails after windy periods to rake and pick up the debris from trees like fallen limbs and pine cones so skiers don’t have to ski over the debris as it appears on the trails from the Springtime melt.”

One thing that most of the best xc ski areas share in common is that they acquire and use the latest trail grooming technology to give them a mechanical advantage. They do not skimp when it comes to using snowcats with their grooming attachments to break up ice or powderize the snow into the finest trail surfaces.

Without getting into the details of grooming machinery and techniques, the personal pride of the area operators is paramount to the trail quality issue. There is pride and commitment to the quality of the trails at many of xc ski areas.

Staff Service And Friendliness

You know it when an area’s staff is a great one – they seem happy to see you. In most instances, areas that have veteran employees have them because it is a great place to work. Most of these great employees do not need “customer service” training. They already have the personal touch. Most of the people that work at the best xc ski areas want to work there as a lifestyle choice. This is apparent with their attitudes with the guests and about working at one of the best xc ski areas.

The Richards family, who own and run the Maplelag Resort in Callaway, Minnesota, treat their guests as part of their family. It may sound trite but their guests sincerely feel welcome and they state it unequivocally in testimonials. The staff often greets the guests by name. The Richards constantly ask their guests if there is anything that can be done and they drop everything to help their guests, be it in the lodge, on the trails, in the rental shop or at the dinner table. Richards feels, “One of us (the Richards family) is always around to help with our guests. It’s fun to chat with and be pampered by the actual owners of the resort.” Many testimonials from different areas claim the same thing with regard to their feelings about the service at the best resorts – they feel welcome, comfortable and “at home.” And Maplelag avoids posting rules or signs saying “Don’t do this or that.”

Resort Lodges

XC ski lodges can be designed to provide space, convenience and efficient utilization, but there are also other factors that make a difference to skiers. The best places are clean, cozy, and convenient, but facilities such as restrooms can get pretty yucky, that have to be kept in good condition throughout the day. Lapland also takes into account brown baggers (bring their own lunch rather than purchase food at the area) by offering them a picnic area. And they have a public shower and changing area for skiers, who want to clean up before their drive home.

At Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO, part of their ambiance is the scenic location and rustic looking facilities. They’ve added new updated facilities such as a dining room, lodge and cabins, but many guests go there to enjoy the rustic feel. It looks like what people expect Colorado to look like and they incorporate features such as a yoga studio and spa to provide guests with amenities that they appreciate while on vacation. And Devil’s Thumb has invested in many sustainable aspects, which guests support.

The main lodge at Maplelag is the area’s group meeting place, and it is a living folk art museum. Jay Richards has collected unusual items from around the world. He stated, “We work very hard cultivating this look to be a feast for the eyes.” There are nooks and crannies where people can sit and relax, read a book, play games with the family, etc. The lodge also houses the main dining room, hot tub, sauna, massage rooms, rental shop, gift store and it is where the Saturday night talent show and dance takes place.

Food And Beverage

Whether Nordic skiers bring a picnic lunch, stop at a trailside snack shack or relax with a first class dining experience, the best areas usually are known for their outstanding cuisine. Good food service is a result of the area’s commitment, quality chefs with pedigree culinary backgrounds, wine selection, and so on. The Maplelag kitchen is run by Debbie, the chef who has been on the job on and off for 25 years. There is a window opening to the kitchen where guests can speak with Debbie and see the staff cooking the meals. They make everything from scratch using only natural and fresh ingredients. They call it homestyle, hearty, and wholesome and it is a unique menu that is endorsed by the guests. Richards’ summarized, “Food is a real joy at Maplelag.

Quality Family Time

Some xc ski areas are highly touted for their commitment to families. They cater to family needs by dealing with the kids AND grandparents. So the trails have plenty of flat terrain for kids and they offer pulks (sleds that skiers use to carry small children), children’s sized snowshoes, skis, boots, and ice skates. XC skiing offers families an activity that they can all do together. And that can include a four-year old on Snoopy skis skiing right alongside of grandpa skiing on his pine tarred woody originals.

Child-oriented instructors are a key element for families and so are instructors that can cater to older skiers’ needs. For the kids to have a positive attitude about Nordic skiing they must have positive first experiences and older skiers relate to older instructors because they are on the same wavelength. Kids get comfortable with child-friendly instructors as individuals and on subsequent visits the kids commonly request to take additional lessons so they can spend more time with those friendly instructors.

Another important way to cater to families is to offer a variety of other skiing and non-skiing activities. At Lapland Lake a game played in Finland called Napa Kiikku is organized on weekends and holidays. The game involves a pole on ice with a sled that goes around in a circle. Adult lessons are conducted to correlate to the time that the kids play the game.

The entire family loves a campfire by the lake, sleigh rides, or just playing on a big pile of snow. Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont conducts many kids “classes” from swimming to puppet classes or making stuffed animals. The kids’ classes provide parents and grandparents with some child-free time for going on harder ski trails or getting a massage while the kids are being entertained. And older guests love the tour offered at the lodge with property managers who are often the children of Johannes von Trapp.

Jay Richards (Jim and Mary Richards’ son) of Maplelag commented, “Seeing our large family with our own kids running around, being involved makes families feel welcome here. We try to make parents feel at ease about having their kids run around.” Maplelag cabins and cabooses are great accommodations that can fit large families and the Richards try to help families focus on being together doing family activities. Serving meals “family style” is a key element to the atmosphere. But so are the other family activities such as the dance and the talent show. Baby sitting services are available on site, too. Jay feels that one of the biggest reasons families visit is that there are many families already at Maplelag every time people visit and that makes families feel welcome.

Summing Up

Of course, there are other criteria for selecting winter destinations – for example, couples that are looking for a romantic weekend will have different needs (and desires). There is something more memorable about traveling to a destination compared to going to the local trail network for a couple of hours to xc ski or snowshoe. Whatever your interests, there is a perfect xc ski resort for you.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Nordic Skiing Terminology

July 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

XC, Nordic, Touring, Cross-Country. What’s What?

Touring is Nordic is XC. Credit: Dynafit

If you’re new to the sport, you’re going to find people using terms that may be a little confusing at first. Here’s an explanation of most of the jargon you’re likely to meet.

Nordic skiing is the catch-all term that includes classic technique, skating, ski touring, telemarking, even jumping and biathlon… In all these cases, your boot’s toe is fixed to the binding and your heel is free to lift up, as opposed to the fixed heel in downhill (or alpine) skiing. Nordic skiing is about a jillion years old; downhill is a relative newcomer.
Grooming lets you glide on top of a solid, consistent base that’s been prepared by snowcats or snowmobiles pulling special attachments. Groomed trails are used by both classic skiers and skaters.
Cross-country refers to skiing on machine-groomed surfaces – track for classic skiers and compacted snow for skaters
Classic technique (also called diagonal stride). You’re moving straight ahead instead of skating.
Skating is a relatively new technique (was introduced to racing in the early 1980s) involving an ice-skating like motion of arms and legs, thrusting out to the side. It’s dynamic and relatively exhausting.
Ski touring means skiing on ungroomed snow, whether it’s playing in your backyard or day-long treks in the mountains.
Track skiing (for classic skiers) means skiing in precise machine-compressed grooves, with snow compacted on both sides of the track for planting your poles.
Telemarking is an elegant and practical descent and turning technique.
Ski joring means being pulled, usually by a dog, though I’ve also been pulled by a horse, reindeer, and VW bug.
Biathlon refers to skiing and target shooting, usually with a rifle.
Kilometers are how cross-country ski trail lengths are measured. A km is a little over 1/6^th of a mile. Skiers get more of a kick out of saying, “Hey, I skied 10 km today!” than “Well, I skied about 6 miles.”
Nordic Combined naturally enough refers to the blending of ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

Track Vs Tour

July 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

Groomed Vs Bushwhack? Both Have Positives.

Classic diagonal style goes down easy on groomed trails, also essential for breaking trail. Credit: WebCyclery.com

For the past 50 years or so, there’s been a generally amicable debate whether cross-country skiing on machine-groomed trails is preferable to making your own way o’er the fields and through the woods. The argument has a lot of angles, including “Free vs. Fee” and “Pristine, Silent, and Serene vs. Speedy, Social, Service-based, and Secure”.

Clearly, you don’t have to choose one over the other – they’re both delights (and the world’s best exercise), in somewhat different ways. The thing is, as my increasingly complaining bones and joints frequently announce, groomed trails for classic and skate techniques have more and more going for them.

One huge differentiator is that if you want to take up the sport, you’ll be smart to start with one or two lessons from a professional instructor at a cross-country ski area, learning and practicing efficient movement. Undesirable options are learning by yourself off-track (I know someone who tried to do that while consulting a printed manual – results were not pretty, and the manual got soaked) or getting often-incoherent suggestions from a friend while floundering in unpacked snow (‘nuff said).

Whether you’re a long-time practitioner or a newcomer, groomed trails make things easier, faster. For classic style/diagonal stride, you’re riding on a consistent, packed surface, with your skis guided forward in compressed, parallel tracks. (It takes some effort to get lost that way too; whereas I’ve been known to ski in circles in fresh snow, totally convinced I was moving in linear fashion.) Gotta love it, especially if you have balance or vision issues, as I do.

Almost as important but often not noted, your pole tips are digging into packed snow and no further; while breaking your own trail, the entire basket may sink, throwing off your balance and helping you to get up close and personal to the snowpack. And as many of us have discovered, getting up in deep snow is challenging (though your instructor can show you best techniques there too).

Skate skiing has its own techniques and gear. Credit: HuffPost Canada

Skate skiers (for downhill skiers, skating can be easier to absorb than classic style) need a packed surface even more than diagonal striders. Two or three inches of fresh snow even on a machine-packed trail are enough to catch an edge and tip you over. It’s nearly impossible to skate in ungroomed snow except for glorious spring crust-cruising (not the same as skiing on ice – you can set your edges), which gives you a solid, consistent surface – crust lets you go almost anywhere, speedily zipping along. Euphoria!

One of the delights of cross-country is that you can evolve from a groomed trail skier to an off-track tourer (fields, forests, hill country, parks, golf courses…). You’ve developed good classic technique in the tracks; you know how to make your legs do the work and your arms help out – now you can apply those skills in a quieter setting, with shorter strides but still good balance.

Cross-country areas have services – anything from plowed parking to lodges with food and drink, heated bathrooms (also heaven on a brisk day!), rental, retail, even overnight accommodations. Groomed trails may have signs, maps, possibly ski patrol, probably snowshoeing – and if you’re wild for something different, increasingly there’s fat biking available.

If you’re taken by the charms of overnight tours, there may be Forest Service cabins in your area (bring your own food, clothing, sleeping bag…). And finally, for true adventure, there’s snow camping (bring your own stove too). Touring with a pack in fresh snow can be truly character-building (been there, done that, I happily leave it to today’s kids – but there was a time before groomed trails…).

Out-think Your Feet With XC Lessons

July 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

It’s Not Like Walking. But Not Complicated To Learn.

Lessons make a difference. Credit: White Pine Touring

In the early 1970s, in a visionary but totally wrong-headed move, the fledgling Nordic ski industry declared that, “If you can walk, you can cross-country ski.”

Retrospectively, it would have been a lot more helpful and realistic to say, “If you can walk, you can learn to cross-country ski. And it takes only a single lesson from a professional to learn how to glide.”

Those were times when an alpine resort manager pigeonholed skinny skiers as, “Guys who head into the woods Friday night, and come out Sunday without having changed either their underwear or their $5 bill.” We were on the defensive – and dang, it’s tough to fight clever stereotypes!

Those were also the days that New Englander John Frado, who designed a lot of the best trails in North America, coined the hilarious phrase that’s the title of this article. And boy, was he right, because you’re going to become a better skier, use less energy, go further faster, and have more fun sooner if you start the sport with instruction. (And by that I mean ideally not just one lesson, but one, followed by practice, then another. And so on. Believe me, this approach works!)

Cross-country can be filled with grace – not just the dynamism, incredible self-discipline, and athleticism you see at the Olympics, but true beauty. Or it can be an awkward downer.

So here are half-a-dozen tips to make skiing euphoric, quickly.

First, please do something the Nordic business has never been able to, and come up with more endearing descriptions than “lesson,” “instruction,” “teaching,” and “ski school.” Who wants to go back to studies when you’re out to have winter fun?

Next, don’t even think of learning from a loved one – instead, learn from a ski professional. There’s always an uncomfortable level of stress and self-consciousness if your instructor is also a relative, or your sweetie. Too distracting; and incidentally, your kids or grandkids are likely to absorb everything depressingly faster than us oldies. But once you can glide, that’s the moment you discover that cross-country becomes incredibly social, skiing side by side with friends and family.

Third, learn to ski at a cross-country area or club with machine-groomed trails, where the compressed tracks will guide your skis. (More on this in a future article—promise!) Two outstanding resources on places to go are https://www.xcski.org and https://www.xcskiresorts.com/, which introduce you to marvelous places in both the U.S. and Canada.

Fourth, your ski pro needs to explain, early-on, how and why to hold your poles properly (my very own cliché: reach for the sky up along the shaft, then shake hands through the grip). Grabbing the poles tightly and ignoring the straps means you’ll be upright, stiff, walking rather than gliding, and a lot more fall-prone. Oh yeah, and wear gloves to avoid cold and abrasion.

Fifth, if you’re renting equipment, check to see if your instructor uses the same skis you do. It kinda levels the playing field.

And finally, think about a second lesson – or a private lesson – that concentrates on the whole range of descent techniques on these narrow skis that don’t have metal edges or heels held down, while you’re using footwear akin to sneakers. Wedge turns, step and skate turns, parallels, telemarking, traversing with kick turns, side stepping… – they’ll all get you down that hill.

And as I found even in my prideful youth, sometimes you just have to take your skis off and walk down. It’s all legit!

As we said, fun lessons. Credit: Mazamas

Snowshoes: From Wood To Metal To…Foam?

July 5, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

There’s Always A Better Way. Foam Is Light, Strong, And Long-Lasting.

Crescent Moon Eva snowshoe.

As a long-time, single-minded Nordic fanatic, snowshoeing used to seem pretty tame – kind of a melding of on-snow recreation and utility, with not much maneuverability and no glide.

Aging knees and mature perspective (or an approximation!) have changed this some, along with vast improvements in snowshoe materials and design, from wood-and-animal hides to aluminum-and-synthetics. Newer products aren’t as pretty as the natural materials, but they’re tougher, lighter, longer-lasting, have easily adjustable bindings, and come with metal crampons that can grip in crust and up (as well as down) hills. Also, rodents don’t chow down on them in summertime.

It’s always interesting to see how technology evolves. In the Nordic world, we’ve seen the introduction of groomed trails, synthetics in skis, skate skis, manmade clothing, waxless bases, boot/binding systems… All that’s led to more fun, faster skiing, better support, easier turns, warmer toes and tushies – virtually a different world.

And in snowshoeing, we may be seeing an equivalent revolution with the introduction of foam snowshoes: the Evas. (Thus far, the only foam manufacturer seems to be Crescent Moon Snowshoes in Colorado: www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com.)

Got to be kidding, right? Foam? It’s gonna fall apart in the cold, crumble into small pieces under your weight.

Nope.

I’m a 195 pound guy who’s waded around wearing Evas in a foot of fresh Montana powder as well as heavier crud; managed a 180 degree jump (no good reason, I was just curiousJ); even backed up for a couple of yards without damaging self, ego, or equipment.

Among the things I like about these ‘shoes is the weight (3.5 pounds per pair); ease of movement (you can walk, you can run… and they feel like an elongated extension of your foot, due partly to a “rocker” design, plus they’re only 24 inches long); self-explanatory bindings; flotation (the entire base is in snow contact); good insulation from the snow below; and a lot more. Even sidestepping is easy; and the price is right at $159.

I’m also delighted by the Crescent Moon sense of humor, which describes the Evas as looking like “the love child of a running shoe and a burly snow tire.”

The Evas became available in 2018, so there’s been a chance to test their longevity – has to depend on amount of use and abuse, I suppose; but figure for most of us, several years. The one weakness I found initially was that the multiple plastic cleats and lugs didn’t grab as well as metal on crust, especially on sidehill. (On the other hand, I’ve slid sideways downhill on the old wood ‘shoes, and slipped on crust with modern metal/synthetic snowshoes too.) Happily, the company now gives you the option of inserting metal cleats, which takes just a couple of minutes.

I haven’t used the Evas in more than about 14 inches of fresh snow, but Crescent Moon suggests using them on trails rather than in deep snow. My guess is that it’s not good for the foam ‘shoes to step around on abrasive surfaces like sidewalks or road crossings (yep, done that with my aluminum snowshoes – not smart then either).

And if you have any questions or concerns, call owner Tanner Dunn at 303-494-550 and ask about… yes, plans for biodegradable snowshoes! I’ve suggested to Crescent Moon making them edible as well, so if you’re stuck in the woods you’d at least have a ready food source; but so far that hasn’t been incorporated into design. But ya never know!

Lightness and improbable strength are features of the Eva.

Fat Biking At Nordic Ski Areas

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

Fat Biking Is A Combo Of XC and Cycling: What A Workout!

Fat biking at Kingdom Trails, VT

Fat bikes, dubbed the “Hummers of the two-wheelers’ world” in the Wall Street Journal are proliferating where there are more than 150 cross country (XC) ski areas that have fat bikes available to use on snow covered trails. These specially-made bicycles that accommodate ultra-wide tires that can be run at very low pressure 4-8 pounds of pressure allow fat bikes to roll over soft, slippery surfaces like snow. XC ski areas and regional pockets across the nation in Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Alaska and Washington now have fat bike trails with groomed single track and signed trails, rental bikes, and special events.

An industry source (at QBP, the manufacturers of fat bike brands Surleybikes, Salsacycles, tires, boots, gloves, and apparel) recently reported that 150,000-200,000 fat bikes have been sold since 2010 while there are about 7 million mountain bikes sold. Fat bikes provide a great way for avid cyclists to stay in shape during the winter season and they provide different recreational fun for people who are active or love the outdoors. Fat bikers are mostly male and are aged 35-65, with 80% at high education levels Bachelors degree or higher) and professional/managerial vocations.

Kingdom Trails

A small group of North American Snowsports Journalist Association members were recently introduced to fat biking by the welcoming folks at Kingdom Trails in Lyndonville, VT. The group found the bikes easy to balance and maneuver. Similar to XC skiing, the fat bikes provide exercise when going on flat terrain with more effort required up hills earning thrills on the downhills.

The Kingdom Trails in northeastern Vermont is the foremost mountain bike destination in the east with more than 40,000 day passes sold in 2017 (20% increase from the previous year) and they’ve quickly parlayed this notoriety into becoming a mecca for fat bikers in the winter. Kingdom Trails has 100 miles of bike trails (30 of which are used in winter for XC skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking) and works with 80 different land owners. They also host Winterbike, which is the biggest fat bike festival in the east.

At Darling Hill Road in Lyndonville, the Village Sport Shop has a trailside facility adjacent to the Kingdom Trails Nordic Adventure Center renting fat bikes for $55 a day and sells the bikes ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Fat bike products include softgoods, accessories and bikes available from companies such as Liv Bikes and Pivot among others.

Another option for those who would like an introduction to fat biking is to have a guide at Kingdom Experiences take care of all the details. They’ve got certified instructors and want to help cyclists have an experience catered specifically to rider skill and ability levels offering kids camps, women’s clinics and getaways and more.

Kingdom Trails has three paid groomers who maintain about 30 miles of trails. Day membership prices (day pass for trail access) are $15 a day for those aged 16-69 and $7 for youth aged 8-15. There are also year-round memberships available with an annual family membership priced at $150. The Kingdom Trails Welcome Center is in East Burke and the Kingdom Trails Nordic Adventure Center is on Darling Hill Road in Lyndonville.

Other Fat Bike Locations

At the Nordic Village outside of Flagstaff, AZ there are 25 km of snowshoe trails that accommodate fat bikes. The bikes ride much better on packed trails compared to riding on soft snow. Fat bikes can be rented at Flagstaff Nordic for $35 on weekends plus a $10 trail fee, and they offer a 40% discount on weekdays ($20) while charging a lower trail fee on weekdays ($7), too.

In eastern Washington’s Methow Trails the winter season can be longer than all other seasons combined and it was one of the first trail networks to embrace fat biking. They saw it as a new, exciting way to get outside and recreate and for the passionate XC skier interested in fitness, it provides another way to cross-train. Some guys from Methow Cycle & Sport groom some of the local trails and the shop rents 16 fat bikes.

One avid snow biker describes the thrill of riding his fat bike in the winter as, “Riding on snow has been a great alternative to my other winter love…Nordic skiing. Hopping on the snow bike has been a great way to mix up the winter activities. There’s an amazing sensation when you climb aboard a snow bike and find that you “can” ride where only skiers or snowmobilers had once been able to go!” Surveys show that 71% of fat bikes were introduced to the sport at a demo, borrow, or rent the bike that they are riding and 64% of the fat bikers said they would pay to ride on groomed trails.

Fat bike trail offerings are assessed on a day-by-day, snow conditions, user compatibility basis. Information on the trails that are open to fat bikes is available daily on the Methow Trails grooming report. Just like a skier, a valid Methow Trails day pass will be required for snow bikes.

Fat bikes are available for rent ranging from $15 per hour at Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, VT to $55 for a full day reaching $75 a day at New World Sport, a Fort Collins, CO, shop that sends riders to local packed snowshoe and XC ski trails. Methow Cycle and Sport in Winthrop, WA has a $35 half day rate or $55 for a full day. Reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays. Methow Cycle and Sport will also provide rack adapters for customers who wish to transport rental fat bikes to the riding area of their choice. Other XC ski areas that have fat bikes on location to rent include Woodstock Inn & Resort in VT, Great Glen Trails in Gorham, NH, Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI, Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, MT, in California at Bear Valley Cross Country & Adventure and Mont-Sainte-Anne, QE.

As one might imagine the price for purchasing a fat bike ranges greatly from a low-end of $200 (at Walmart) to $1,800-6,000. Like any other equipment the low end is probably less reliable and the high-end includes bells and whistles or are built with carbon fiber construction.

Currently, the issues for fat bikers include skier/biker relations and conflicts, variable and changing snow conditions, impact on trails, and building fat bike-specific trails. Fat bike riders are looking for packed snow trails, moderate climbs no more than 8% grade, and narrow single tracks to ride. They are asked to follow a code of etiquette because they can damage trails groomed for classic and skate XC skiers. A typical list of XC ski area “conditions of use” include:

Riders need to purchase a trail pass to use the area’s trails and tell the ticket vendor that they are planning on fat biking.
Trail access is dependent on conditions and they should check the daily grooming report for detailed trail access information.
Bikes should yield to all other users. Stay to right side of trail at all times, stay out of the classic ski tracks, and give skate skiers a wide berth. * Stay off trails with more than 3″ of new snow.
If you are leaving a rut deeper than an inch, having a hard time riding in a straight line, or pushing your bike, the snow is too soft and you absolutely should not be biking on the trails.
Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.
Stay on trails designated for Fat Biking.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com

Resort Review: Woodstock Inn, VT

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

The Venerable Inn Has Historic Roots In Ski History.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort is one of Vermont’s true gems for travelers. It offers warm New England hospitality amidst an atmosphere of country elegance and year round recreation. Resort facilities include the new 10,000 square-foot Spa, the Resort’s Nordic Center, Suicide Six alpine ski area, the Resort’s Golf Club, and a 41,000 square foot Racquet & Fitness Club. However, it’s the lavish details of the wood-burning fireplaces in guest rooms, luxurious terrycloth bathrobes, and locally-made furnishings, that defines the country sophistication and completes the picture of charm and comfort at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, which rises above expectations.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort is a 142-room, AAA Four Diamond Resort and a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The village of Woodstock is located in Vermont’s Green Mountains with antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and specialty food markets in the downtown area…but if you also want recreation the Woodstock Inn & Resort delivers.

In the winter months, the inn’s Racquet & Fitness Club is situated close to the inn hosting the Woodstock Nordic Center. There are partnerships between the inn and both Fischer Nordic Skis and Tubbs Snowshoes. The Nordic Center maintains some 60 kilometers of trails in the area – half of which are part of the nearby Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Professional instruction, ski storage, equipment sales and rental equipment are available at the ski shop, as well as a full line of clothing and accessories for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

The Tubbs Snowshoes Adventure Center features guided tours, group teambuilding exercises, and family-friendly scavenger hunts. Beginners and experts alike will find the 30 kilometers of trails against the backdrop of the Resort’s expansive grounds, with flat tracks along the babbling Kedron Brook on the golf course and more challenging uphills and downhills on the adjacent Mt. Peg property. Winter adventure-themed vacation packages are built around the Tubbs Snowshoes Adventure Center. From romantic to adventurous, there are value-packed getaways with the adventure centers designed for guests to enjoy an exhilarating way to experience the peace and tranquility of Woodstock in winter.

My wife and I enjoyed part of the Romance Excursion Package including accommodations for two nights, welcome gift basket, breakfast and a four-course dinner for two at the Red Rooster Restaurant, and a guided snowshoe trek to a four-course chef’s dinner at the Mt. Tom Cabin in the national park. We also went cross country skiing on groomed ski tracks accessed from the Racquet & Fitness Club on a sunny morning followed by wonderful massages in the Spa. On the second morning, I went snowboarding at the nearby Suicide Six ski area while my wife took a yoga class at the club. Overall, we were impressed with the inn and its staff, each and every one of them. In all of our interactions, the Woodstock Inn & Resort staff was especially attentive to us, often without the need of having to ask.

On Saturday evening, we reached the Mt. Tom Cabin after crunching up about one and a half miles on snowshoes up a hardpacked snowy trail under a clear and cold starry night. The meal was prepared on a wood-burning cookstove by the Woodstock Inn’s chef in a candlelight cozy setting. The evening’s guide associated with the national park was a naturalist that imparted some of his knowledge about winter nature and history of the park, which is the only national park dedicated to conservation stewardship. The park’s 550-acre forest is one of the oldest professionally managed forests in the USA with 400-year old hemlocks and Norway Spruce.

The inn’s Main Lobby is comfortably furnished and features a 10-foot fieldstone fireplace at its center. Don’t miss the newly opened Game Room, which is a hoot for the kid in all of us. It has a mix of games including a 4-foot scrabble board on the wall played with magnetic tiles, three real pinball machines, billiards, foosball, six TVs, video games, and more.

The new 10,000 square-foot spa has 10 treatment rooms, luxurious suite, tranquil men’s and women’s lounges, a light-filled Great Room, enclosed outdoor courtyard featuring a meditation tree and a wood sauna and a hot soaking pool. Guests can choose from a wide selection of treatments performed by licensed therapists.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort’s own Suicide Six Ski Area opened in 1937, just a few years after the first ski tow in the United States was rigged up just over the ridge at Gilbert’s Hill. Suicide Six has since evolved into a friendly and personal ski area that caters to families and local skiers. On Sunday morning when I visited, the slopes were covered with young local ski racers learning the ins and outs of skiing gates.

The Woodstock area offers other activities including day trips to nearby points of interest such as Simon Pearce Glass, Shackleton Furniture, or the Quechee Gorge. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, is Vermont’s first national park and it operates in partnership with the Woodstock Foundation, Inc, and the Billings Farm & Museum – a working dairy farm and agricultural museum that mirrors rural life in Vermont in the late 1800s.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Resort Review: Jackson, NH and The White Mountains

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

The Hub Of The New England Nordic World Is In New Hampshire.

We excitedly planned a weekend trip to Jackson, N.H., because it is a true Mecca for Nordic skiers. This is the quintessential New England Nordic (XC) skiing experience with the covered bridge, white steepled church, brookside trails, and the accompanying village with all of the trappings.

Many of the trails lead right to the door of local inns, shops, and restaurants. It’s no wonder that Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has been rated the top cross country ski area in the United States by the website, America’s Best Online.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization chartered to maintain XC ski trails in and about the village of Jackson. There are about 75 landowners that allow trails to cross their property. Country inns are spaced throughout the region and the base lodge is a golf country club located on the village loop. The Cocoa Cabin is a warming hut serving hot cocoa on the weekend, located 3 km from the center on the gentle Ellis River Trail. Snowshoers can take a rustic narrow marked snowshoe trail from the center to reach the Cocoa Cabin.

We stopped at nearby Bretton Woods Nordic Center on the way to Jackson to ski in a snow storm for about 10 km on beautiful trails behind the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel. The grand hotel is at the southern base of the mighty Mt. Washington with 1,700 acres of spectacular scenery. This full service ski center has its own parking area and houses the ski school, rental equipment, and a retail shop with XC ski clothing and accessories. The center has a fireplace with couches and food service with tables and seating.

It was a problematic tour for my wife Kimberly, who had snow sticking to the base of her waxless skis. I tried applying a lubricant called Swix Easyglide a few times but it didn’t work for more than 50 feet before the snow stuck to the skis again. In a husband-oriented display of gallantry, I switched skis with her but I couldn’t get them to glide very well either.

We arrived at the Inn at Ellis River in Jackson after leaving Bretton Woods and were showed to our room-with-a-view by new innkeepers John and Mary Kendzierski. The next morning we awoke to the aroma of bacon, which while incredible, does not do justice to how good the maple bacon tastes when accompanying a choice of two hot entree specialties such as cinnamon crepe stuffed with apple filling and topped with creme fraiche or pecan praline French toast. There’s also fruit, yogurt, granola, and freshly baked breads, muffins, and other breakfast treats. The breakfast tables were covered antique metal sewing treadle tables. Looking out the windows from the dining room adorned with snowman figurines, we saw frolicking squirrels hopping from tree branch to tree branch.

Behind the inn and across the Ellis River is the Ellis River Trail, one of the most popular trails from the center lodge for XC skiers and snowshoers. We first stopped by the Jackson Ski Touring Center and got my wife’s skis hot waxed as we waited. The wax job worked like a charm as we left the center for a short tour through the covered bridge, ending up at the Cocoa Cabin. The skiers along the Jackson trails are mostly experienced and courteous meaning they give the right of way to downhill skiers and get out of the groomed ski tracks when appropriate. Most say hello as they pass.

We lunched on scrumptious sandwiches at the J-Town Deli & Country Store, a warm and enticing old-fashioned country store that has a bakery, beer, wine, sweets and treats. Then, we headed to our appointment for a “couples” massages at Moondance Massage. Beside massages, Moondance offers energy work, facials, and yoga classes. By the end of the massages, we were both amazed at how our respective soreness was alleviated. We noticed three more couples coming in the door at Moondance, so this apparently is a popular venture for Jackson visitors.

The “Foundation” maintains 150 km of varied and breathtaking XC ski and snowshoe trails 2 hours north of Boston. Foundation trails connect with A.M.C. trails in Pinkham Notch and White Mountain National Forest backcountry adventure trails.

Our après ski time led us to the Wildcat Inn Tavern in downtown Jackson for some live music and libations. The tavern walls display classic ski posters and some antique gear such as snowshoes and a pair of red Jarvinen XC skis. The seats in one of the rooms were built to look like double chairlifts and there were soccer jerseys from around the world pinned to the ceiling. Afterward, we dined at the nearby Christmas Farm Inn for a great dinner and dessert.

Our getaway day included a stop and tour at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, about ten miles outside of Jackson up the Pinkham Notch toward Gorham. The panorama view from the center of the Presidential Range and Mt. Washington is unparalleled. We skied a few cold and windy kilometers on wide whimsically-named trails such as the Great Grump Grade and Hairball Passage toward the Great Angel Warming Cabin. The trails were impeccably groomed and on our way back to the lodge we stopped by the new Glen House Hotel for a drink and lunch. The hotel has 68 rooms and is one of the most sustainable operations in the business. We also checked out the Mt. Washington SnowCoach to head up to treeline on the nearby Toll Road, which is an experience not to be missed.

The White Mountains and Jackson met our expectations delivering great snow, excellent trails, and a superb weekend at a destination worthy of being named a Mecca of Nordic skiing.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Who Needs XC Lessons?

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

You Do. Take A Lesson From A Pro.

The vast majority of cross country (XC) skiers do not take XC ski lessons, but rather they start with friends or family, who are usually not trained to teach XC skiing. So, who needs XC ski lessons? Most of us do!

Starting with the basics, a XC ski instructor can help a skier choose clothing and equipment that is appropriate for weather and his or her skiing goals and abilities. Equipment selection including the ski flex, length of poles, ski boot type and fit can make a huge difference in a skier’s experience.

A ski instructor can gently guide any XC skier to better skills and match a skier’s pace to his or her level of fitness and interest, keeping the skier from working too hard…and let’s face it, most people who do not XC ski perceive the sport as too much work. The idea of sliding on snow can be a challenge for some people. An instructor can show the proper way to balance, transfer weight from one ski to another, and how to use the poles. Learning to keep the body forward with appropriate ankle and knee bend can start a new skier with confidence. Maintaining control down hills is also key to enjoying XC skiing.

The first time a new skier approaches a hill, whether going up or down, can be a make-or-break experience. A lesson can help one learn simple techniques to travel up a hill with confidence. Going down a hill on XC ski equipment can be frightful to new and experienced skiers alike. Narrow trails, difficult snow conditions, rocks and trees are challenging to even an experienced XC skier. An instructor can make sure the initial down hill experience is a safe and comfortable one by starting on the right terrain and practicing skills and techniques. Such a lesson will prepare a new skier and build their confidence.

Can a Lesson Help Seasoned Alpine Skiers?

Alpine (downhill) skiers who are trying XC skiing for the first time will also greatly benefit by getting some XC ski instruction because the equipment and techniques varies between the two sports. Skiing uphill is a totally new experience for the alpine skier and going down hills on XC ski equipment, which is lightweight and has a free heel…and no big plastic ski boot, can be more than thrilling.

An experienced XC skier, who may need to improve on some aspects of their technique can also benefit from a ski lesson. Most XC ski control and efficiency problems involve incorrect body movements or timing issues and these problems will waste energy. Even constantly looking down at the skis will distort good body position while XC skiing.

Years of incorrect technique can instill the wrong muscle memory and this really requires a certified and experienced instructor to rectify. Video analysis can be a great benefit to seasoned XC skiers. A good ski instructor will not be critical but will direct the lesson to the skier’s goals such as improve glide, control, and feeling more confident on skis.

So many XC skiers use outdated equipment and instructors can be helpful to discuss newer or more appropriate products with them. There are so many derivations of XC skiing, that it is imperative to get informed advice to match what someone wants to get out of XC skiing, be it gliding on a groomed trail or mastering the glades in untracked powder or other ski conditions.

Finding a Qualified XC Ski Instructor

To find a qualified XC ski instructor visit or call a XC ski area. Discuss skiing goals with the instructor and find out if they have been certified by the Professional Ski Instructors organization. Certification involves training and passing a test to teach XC skiing. The instructor should be a “people person” easy to talk to, and offer positive feedback on a skier’s strong points and encouragement on how they can get even better skills. With enhanced skills and techniques, XC skiers can experience the fun aspect as well as enjoy the outdoors and fitness associated with the sport.

Thank you to Brad Noren, of www.NordicFusion.ski who is a PSIA certified level 3 Alpine and Level 2 Nordic ski instructor for information in this article based on his experience teaching since 1972 in northern Michigan.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Taking The Grandkids Snowshoeing

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

A Little Planning Goes A Long Way To Ensure A Positive Experience.

Fun on snowshoes. Credit: Laura Rose/SnowshoeMag.com

On a winter trail outing near my home, I ran into a neighbor and her granddaughter on snowshoes – and it was not going well for them. The kid was whining and uncomfortable and she headed back home (nearby) by herself. Grandma kept going and since she is a neighbor, I went along with her for a while and chatted. She was not aware of how to help her granddaughter have a good time snowshoeing on a cold winter day. Here’s a primer about going snowshoeing with the grandkids.

Snowshoes

You can get the kids snowshoes that are used or new but it’s best to get equipment that is appropriate for their size. For the youngest kids 4-8 years old get colorful snowshoes but most importantly ones that are secure and easy to put on. The Tubbs SnoGlow has LED lights, and also from Tubbs is a model called the “Snowflake.” Ideal has the SnoStompers for under $20, but expect to pay more than that for name brand snowshoes. Most of the companies have a snowshoe for kids.

Keep in mind that the older the kid the more important they’ll want “cool” looking snowshoes rather than a pair intended for babies. As kids get older, they’ll need a snowshoe that is intended for lighter people and has regular snowshoe and binding characteristics (looks and performs like an adult snowshoe).

Again, the key issue is that the snowshoes are easy to put on and easy to walk in. I’ve also found that it is easy to sell used kids snowshoes after your kid gets too big for them.

Snowshoers at any age - SnowshoeMag.com — Snowshoers at any age. Credit: SnowshoeMag.com

Clothing

Light layers of clothing are comfortable and you can add or remove clothing as needed (i.e., if it gets too hot). A lightweight synthetic base layer of long underwear helps to keep you dry and transport perspiration away. A middle layer provides insulation such as a shirt or sweater and then a jacket shell on the outer layer works great. Don’t forget a headband or light hat and a pair of appropriate gloves. Alpine ski gloves may be too warm for snowshoeing unless it is very cold outside (or you have poor circulation issues).

The goal is for the kids to recognize when it is too cold or too hot and to encourage them to change to feel comfortable with the temperature. Wearing a backpack will allow kids to stash or pull out the extra clothes, and feel self sufficient.

Fun on Snowshoes

If you want it to be a good time for them (and you) you have to make the snowshoeing outing less “boring” and more exciting. Additionally, the first few outings should be short and easy so that the kids don’t feel that snowshoeing is “too much work.” Maybe they can use a camera or cell phone. Plan ahead and discuss what to look for – perhaps there are different kinds of scenic views, trees, animals, tracks, and silly poses that you can do. You can not stop too many times to take photos. Pose for them, take selfies, get some photos of them without you, send them out on social media, etc. You’re making and saving memories!

Perhaps you can print the pictures and create photo books of the adventures. Maybe the kids will discover that they love photography. It will give you an indoor activity to arrange the photos that you can do together with the kids.

Set up a scavenger hunt on the way out on the trail (hang or hide treats or something) and use the destination as a goal to be eligible to play the game. On the way back, the kids can look for and accumulate the hidden treasures.

Kids love candy and perhaps they’ll love to go snowshoeing to look for candy that is cached (hidden in specific locations in bags). Take them on a “Quest for the Candy” by following hints that you write in advance as a poetic treasure map to follow. This is a new type of orienteering for children.

“Orienteering” can be fun for older kids, whereby they snowshoe to find markers by using a compass. Set up five numbered markers in advance and figure out different ways to go to them by taking a compass reading. Give each snowshoer (or team of snowshoers) a compass and show them how to use it. Then see if they can go to the markers in a different but specific order. The first one to record all of the marker numbers wins.

“Snowshoe Biathlon” incorporates other backyard games such as ring toss or ball toss into a container. Set up a course and stations along the trails. If you want to have a competition, keep time as snowshoers race through all the stations to a finish line. Add time for each toss that is missed. If you do not have backyard games or are unable to easily create them, snowshoers can walk backwards or hop through a natural obstacle course at the stations. If you prefer not to have a competition, do the biathlon just for fun.

Choose the Trail

Don’t look down at your feet - look out at nature! — Don’t look down at your feet – look out at nature!

Make sure to take the kids on interesting trails and accept that “interesting” may be very different than it is for you. They may not like historic bridges or flat trails that lead to nothing. Have a destination such as waterfalls or a hilltop, or a site for wildlife spotting. Discuss this issue prior to planning the trek so you are aware of what they might enjoy. It may be like pulling teeth to get them to decide but it will give you a goal as to where to go. Make snow angels and slide down the hills and they’ll keep going. Be aware about whether the child is over his or her head – the trail may be too steep, too long, or you are not getting to the destination soon enough.

If you want to avoid all of this decision-making, go to a cross country ski area that can accommodate kids on snowshoes like Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham, NH. They have a scavenger hunt called “Trail Tracker” which is a big hit for kids to track down signs of cartoon animals out on the trails. When they find the animated creature signs, they stamp a card and upon return to the lodge, they get a treat.

Hydrate and Snacks

Plenty of snacks and drinks are a must for a successful outing. If you are going out more than a half hour pack enough water or drinks. The kids get thirsty fast and they may like to play the “I’m thirsty” card when they want a break. Granola bars, sandwiches, energy drinks, fresh fruit and crackers can provide ample energy boosts but also consider some snacks that you know they enjoy like chocolate or candy bars.

A Great Time with the Grandkids

Try to teach them to have fun with snowshoeing. Take snack breaks or play I-spy in the middle of the woods to keep them interested in continuing to walk. Go for a snowshoe adventure rather than just a snowshoe hike.

Take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature and exercise, while at the same time get some bonding time with your family; you’ll be glad you did.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com

Resort Review: Crested Butte, CO

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

Skis, Dogs, Bikes. It Must Be Crested Butte.

Crested Butte Nordic has rentals for $20 a day. Credit: CB Nordic

It sometimes feels like not much of the American West remains unspoiled, but the town of Crested Butte, CO, comes mighty close. It’s a ski town that used to be a mining community (gold and silver, then coal). Somehow it’s kept the serenity (population is pretty steady at around 1,700) and retained its Victorian architectural integrity.

Meanwhile, the mountains around town haven’t changed at all. They’re beautiful; inspiring; stunning! So is the Nordic skiing, from groomed trails all around town to famous telemarking at nearby Crested Butte Mountain Resort. (Now there you’ll see a lot of change—it’s morphed from a mid-sized area to a significant alpine ski destination. Still, it’s a great complement to XC for folks who like to split their time downhilling or snowboarding.)

Where?

Crested Butte is located in southwestern Colorado, about 30 miles north of the jet airport at Gunnison. It’s a genuine contender for the “Best Kept XC Secret and Remote from Everywhere” award. (Denver is about a four-hour drive, including a sometimes character-building trip over 11,312’ Monarch Pass, especially interesting in snow and wind.)

It’s a place you visit because you want to be there, not because you’re wandering the neighborhood. And you should want to visit, because it’s gorgeous (the Elk Mountains are spectacular), friendly, and kinda charmingly quirky.

The Skiing

The Crested Butte Nordic Council (https://cbnordic.org/) grooms 50 km of trail, usually starting in mid-November and running into early April. Winters can see up to 25 feet of genuine powder.

Trails are rated about 40% Easier, 40% More Difficult, and the rest Most Difficult. That beginner-intermediate emphasis is especially welcome to visitors, since elevation (up to 9,500’) is literally breathtaking. Give yourself a couple of days to get used to the altitude, and then stay a week (or two).

The skiing is very convenient, since you can hop on the trails at several points on the edge of town, plus there’s a free shuttle. Along with skiing, there’s snowshoeing and 10 km of groomed fat bike trails.

First place to visit is the Nordic Center. It’s your primary source for rentals, instruction, and information, with a pleasant lounge upstairs and ice skating next door. You can ski from the Center to The Bench (there’s some uphill) and tootle around on mostly intermediate trails, with good forest protection.

My favorite trails are around Magic Meadows, combining wonderful terrain and mind-boggling views. There’s also a ski-in yurt where you can book dinner or Sunday brunch.

For variety, the Nordic Center also offers guided trips. Another intriguing option is touring up to the old mining town of Gothic and overnighting (heat, electricity, and running water – BYOB, food, and bedding).

XC Idiosyncrasies

CB’s Alley Loop marathon starts in the middle of time. Credit: Xavier Fane/CB Nordic

Did I mention quirky? There’s the 42 km Alley Loop marathon (“best costume party of the year”) each February, which winds its way through town (a bunch of streets are closed to traffic during the event) – lots of fun, but serious enough to be an American Birkebeiner qualifying race.

A Taste of Town

One of the things I like best about Crested Butte is that everything is walking distance from everywhere else, and virtually any place you go is architecturally and historically captivating. Along the way, you’re going to see dogs and fat-tire bikes, whatever the weather.

There are a lot of dining options, but a local favorite is Sherpa’s Café (https://www.sherpascafe.com/), with Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine, also serving beer and wine. Prices are surprisingly low for a resort town.

I’d recommend staying at Elk Mountain Lodge (www.elkmountainlodge.net). An easy walk from the Nordic Center, it’s run by skiers for skiers and has pleasant rooms, fine breakfasts, and great staff. Rooms for two run from around $170/night.

Elk Mountain Lodge in Winter.

Dressing For Nordic

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

What To Wear: Ditch The Parka.

Often on the cross country (XC) ski trails the clothes that many of the uninitiated wear are malfunctioning…that is, they are dressed for downhill skiing wearing insulated ski jackets and pants, alpine ski gloves or mittens, and ski goggles. XC skiing is a form of recreation that involves moving and thus lighter clothing is appropriate. Recreational XC ski garb is versatile, functional, and fashionable, which is different than either the outfits for downhill skiing or the suction suits worn by the XC ski racers seen at the Olympics.

New parkas from Daehlie. More athletic, breathable.

Currently, the most popular cross country ski apparel is from companies such as Craft, Daehlie, Sporthill, Swix, and others, but what is important is that the products fill a function that includes comfortably allowing movement, protection from the outdoor elements, and transporting perspiration out to keep skiers dry. Of course, skiers need to heed the weather by wearing layers (base layer underwear, pants and tops, and outerwear) and when its colder, more layers or thicker layers are necessary.

XC Ski Jacket and Pants

A jacket for XC skiing provides a layer to keep warm and also a way to cool off and transport perspiration away. These jackets have a mesh liner and material that is comfortable when you have to zip up the collar on a very cold day. The hood on the jacket is useful if it suddenly gets cold out on the trail. The high-hip fit keeps you warm and the zippered side pockets can be closed to avoid losing pocketed items. In some jackets the pockets have a mesh liner that allows for the skier’s heat to escape when working hard. The jacket arms might have extended cuffs, which are a nice touch to keep snow out of your gloves. The inside chest pocket has a zipper and a hole for a phone and earbuds for the times that you may want musical accompaniment on solo trail outings.The pants for XC skiing may be light overpants with zippers along the entire length of the legs and at the ankle there is an elastic area that may be closed with a zipper. This pant ankle set-up is a most significant aspect of the pants because it tightly fits around the boot and keeps snow out of the shoe top to avoid getting wet socks while skiing. To prevent losing a set of keys, zippered side pockets (on pants or jackets) allow a way to lock away your valuables. The base layer also known as long underwear is intended to provide a dry layer next to the skin, but if there is lined material in the pants it may be enough to stay warm with or without a base layer underneath.

Other Aspects of the XC Ski Outfit

Base layers in various thicknesses can correlate to warm and cold days. Moving perspiration away from the body is very important and lightweight underwear on those nice winter or spring days are the way to stay dry, but on the coldest days use a heavier or thicker base layer pants and a top that may have a turtleneck. For your head, a light hat or headband is the way to go. Light Lycra neckies are good for your face but when it is very cold (below 15 degrees Fahrenheit) try a heavier neck gaiter like you’d wear when alpine skiing.Socks and gloves are an entirely other matter that could be covered in a separate article. In short, parameters for selecting socks include the sock material for perspiration, thickness, spacious comfort for your toes, and height of the sock on your leg. Socks for downhill skiers are intended to accommodate the higher alpine ski boots and this may be too high on the leg. Expect to pay as much as $25 for a pair of quality socks these days.Different pairs of gloves will allow adjusting to the temperature ranging from heavier insulated mittens or two-fingered gloves for the really cold days to lightweight gloves needed for the springtime. One of the glove features to consider is the patch of soft material found on the outside part of the thumb, which is useful for nose wiping.For eyewear opt for sunglasses rather than goggles. Sunglasses allow the air to flow while goggles tend to fog up when you get hot. Oversized glasses that have interchangeable lenses for sun or flat light are great for XC skiing.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Take Advantage Of An XC Demo Day

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

Try Before You Buy.

Many XC ski areas conduct demo days to give skiers an opportunity to test drive the newest XC ski equipment. It’s a day when product suppliers’ branded tents and flags are flapping in the wind and company reps stand guard armed with knowledge of their wares.

You might participate in a demo because you have outdated gear (national statistics say that XC skis are 17 years old on average) and want to test new and different equipment to replace your old clunkers. Or you might just want to experience the advantages of the new gear. There are many reasonably priced skis but a pair of XC skis can be as high as $500 for premium models, so it makes great sense to try some different skis, ski categories, and brands to find something that best fits you.

Depending on how organized the demo is, you might need a credit card and/or identification for security but remember to also bring an open mind. The rep will ask you about your skiing ability and interests. If you’re an intermediate skier who gets out on the trails four times a winter it is very different from a skier who hits the trails every weekend and can fly on skate skis. Give the rep an accurate description of your skiing prowess and interests so he or she can make a recommendation for you.

If you need a new set up and want to use a product demo to help make the decision about what to buy, do some homework before going to the demo. Talk with a knowledgeable ski shop employee who XC skis. Be wary of the alpine ski shop that limits its XC ski products to a dark or dusty back corner of the store. Find a reputable XC ski shop that sells multiple models among a few different brands of XC skis. Check out some company brand websites or other general XC ski-oriented websites.

When at the demo, get the right size skis for your weight and ski on them for about 15 minutes. Find some uphill and downhill trails to see how the skis perform. Do the skis hold going uphill or do you have to fight to prevent backsliding? Are some skis easier to turn than others? Does the glide seem to extend or do the skis slow down quickly? If you don’t know what to look for while testing, ask the rep for some tips.

It is recommended to stay in the same category of skis when testing, so if you’re trying a recreational waxless ski from one brand, test a similar ski and price point from a different brand before switching to a different kind of skis. Skis perform differently depending on flex, width, and construction – some skis glide better and some are more stable, turn easier, and are slower.

Of course, there are two different XC ski boot/bindings available and if you don’t use the same system on the different skis that you’re testing, you’ll have to change boots to ski the other boot/binding system.

Rossignol rep Will Masson commented about the advantage of demoing with the NIS binding, “The NIS system allows you to move the binding on the ski to 7 different positions so you can fine tune your grip and glide position on the skis. The binding starts out at the balance point position and moves forward 1.5 cm and back 1.5 cm to customize your weight distribution on a particular ski. This can only be achieved when using the NIS system.

There is a graph that shows the benefits of moving the binding forward and back on the plate for skating and classic. A customer might be right between a 176 cm and a 186 cm ski on the recommended weight chart. That customer can be put on the longer ski to enhance the glide, and then the binding would be moved forward to maximize their grip on that longer ski. Advantages are like fine tuning a driver in golf, or a handlebar stem height on a bike, or strings in a tennis racquet. With other Nordic binding systems once you mount the binding you are stuck in that position!”

XC ski boots are a very important aspect of XC skiing comfort and it makes great sense to ski on some different brands. Do you want your boots to feel like a comfortable sneaker or do you desire the substantial support of a stiff sole? Is the toe box area of the boot creasing in a comfortable spot when you’re skiing? Do your heels rise when you lift your foot? Is the boot too tight or too loose? Should you get custom insoles for your boots to make your feet feel more comfortable?

Have you tried XC ski poles recently? Ski poles have different grip straps that are easier to use and you may find that they are more comfortable and effective than traditional ski pole straps. Sunglasses are a great item to test. Do they fog up when you get sweaty? Do they feel so tight that you might get a headache? Are interchangeable lenses available for times of low light or bright sun?

Dedicate part of your ski day to the demo and try more than a few skis, poles, and boots. It should be fun and then you can make informed decisions when you purchase your next set of XC ski equipment and you’ll feel great that you bought the perfect gear. To find a demo day contact a XC ski area or Nordic ski retailer near you to see when they will conduct their next demo day. SIA Photo of SIA Nordic Demo at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa.

Editor Note: This article was originally published in XCSkiResorts.com.

Learning To Love Snowshoes

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

Not XC’s Poor Cousin Anymore.

Snowshoe hiking gets you out on the snow and sunshine.

Back in 1971, when I transferred winter affections from downhill to Nordic skiing (due to a spectacular fall in Austria, that racked up one knee and stripped off my nifty French-made Fusalp ski suit– but that’s another story), I tried snowshoeing too. After all, cross-country skis and snowshoes were both made of wood and quite beautiful; they’re both ways to travel over snow rather than wade through it; they’re both very low-impact sports…

But cross-country evolved into my lifelong true love, while snowshoeing became merely the affably boring cousin you contact every few years. Too much work; bindings were crappy (now you’re in, now you’re not – and your fingers are gonna freeze putting the damn things back on); ‘shoes didn’t slide like skis, except sideways downhill on crust; wood frames cracked; rodents enjoyed chewing the rawhide webbing in summer storage…

Modern snowshoes confirm the theory of evolution. They’re clearly descendants of the woodies but fill new niches in design, materials, flotation, fun…

We moved ‘way beyond Sergeant Preston and his gigantic snowshoes.

I found this out one January about a dozen years ago, designing XC trails near Big Sky resort in Montana. (Sadly, I hadn’t visited that cousin in almost 30 years.) The snow was too deep, buried underbrush and deadfall too catchy, to use Nordic skis; so since slogging through waist-deep powder on foot was out of the question, what to do? Happily, intuition had suggested bringing my new aluminum snowshoes along, to test the frozen waters; and they behaved magnificently, though I dumped a couple of times trying to back up, sinking the tails of the ‘shoes. (My style of absorbing knowledge always seems to be “education through error.”)

So what’s new about this next generation – or two – of snowshoes? It may seem minor at first, but bindings have improved incredibly – they’re easy to use, stay on, sturdy, and they don’t stretch so they slide off your boots. The ‘shoes themselves are durable and have no food value, since they’re generally made with aluminum frames and synthetic decking that’s durable and gives great flotation – that combination also allows light weight, so less effort. The addition of bottom metal cleats gives you much better grip on crust and even side-hills (though it’s still smart to avoid those when possible).

Let’s, what else? Modern models definitely aren’t as pretty, but it’s a trade of aesthetics for dependability, longevity, convenience, and ease of movement.

Snowshoes are usually not as pricey as Alpine (or even Nordic) gear, but it’s still smart to rent before you buy to see if you like the sport. You can use hiking or snow boots with today’s adjustable bindings, or even sneakers with neoprene booties. A pair of gaiters will help keep out the snow and make sure your feet stay warm and dry.

There’s a new kind of ‘shoe that came on the market recently from a Colorado company (www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com). They’re made of foam (foam!), but from my destructive testing are not just light but also sturdy, incredibly maneuverable (I backed up in them, did a 180 degree jump-turn for no good reason – no falls!), have great bindings, and are setting the snowshoe industry on its butt.

There are a thousand more subtleties to fun snowshoeing – using poles, running vs. walking, clothing, etiquette, blah blah. They’re relatively unimportant. Snowshoeing has become easy, and easy on your bones and joints. And even if you don’t glide, just repeat too yourself, “600+ calories per hour!” enjoy the burn, and head for the dessert tray after your outing.

New Gear For XC: Skin Skis

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

An Old Idea Updated With High Tech.

Author Roger Lohr on Fischer Twin Skin Skis

The cross country ski waxless “skin” bases, use inserted mohair strips on the ski bottom, which are extremely effective for all temperatures and snow conditions. It is high performance waxless base technology for the classic skier, who prefers to use a waxless ski. The ski strips are like small climbing skins and they are resistant to icing because they have a Teflon-like coating. There are conditions where a de-icer should be applied to the skins. There are anti-icing solvents that do not degrade the glue (which holds the skin to the ski) but it is best to get an anti-icer made by a ski manufacturer to avoid damage to the skin and the glue.

Specific cross country ski models that have a flex that are created in conjunction with the skin material, which rides above the snow in the glide phase, are easy to press down for excellent grip during the kick phase.

At Fischer, there are skin skis up and down the product line. The Twin Skin skis have two separate skin strips arranged in offset positions and with variable base-depth integration result in smooth and balanced gliding. These mohair skins ensure you can rely on the kick action, especially in hard or icy conditions and thanks to the unique Teflon coating of the skins, moisture absorption and subsequent icing is completely minimized.

Rottefella Move binding allows easy adjustment on the trail

Technique, temperature and snow composition all have an influence on ski performance but with all TURNAMIC® binding models, which provides tool free adjustment skiers can better match their individual needs. Sliding the system forward provides more grip, while sliding it back will noticeably improve glide. With the optimized setup of the boot-binding-plate-ski components, TURNAMIC® gives you dynamic skiing performance like never before. FLOWFLEX® technology enables the ski to flex freely. I own a pair of Twin Skin skis and I’ve found that these skis glide better than other skis that I’ve owned in the past. At the same time, the skis have not lost the ability to climb up hills.

The TURNAMIC® binding has a user-friendly entry mechanism providing individual adjustment possible in seconds and tool-free. The bindings quickly slide onto the plate without the use of tools. When it’s time to ski, the Turn Lock mechanism can be operated even with a gloved hand, making entry and exit easier than ever before. The Rottefella Move binding when it arrives in the USA, will provide even easier dial-oriented adjustments.The Fischer Twin Skin Superlite EF provides a lightweight all-around ski featuring Efficient Forward, which gives the skier an easier, more forgiving kick action and smooth gliding. The lightweight fitness sport skis come in traditional length to glide easily on the trail.

The Rossignol R-Skin Ultra features a replaceable mohair insert, and the waxless R-SKIN base structures offer an easy, consistent kick and maximum glide with no additional prep work necessary. The Rossignol ski is built with a Nomex Honeycomb construction for an accessible mohair skin classic ski for fitness-oriented skiers. The R-Skin Ultra not only offers a bit more width than a traditional race-oriented classic ski giving a more stable platform, but it also has the same high quality base as Rossignol’s top end race skis, and a great new graphic. Compatible with the Turnamic® binding system, the new Integrated Fixation Plate (IFP) allows the most natural ski flex for unparalleled snow feel, precision, and glide. Replaceable mohair inserts reportedly provide 100-150 days on the snow before they might be replaced.

With the Atomic Pro C2 Skintec, prepping and handling couldn’t be easier thanks to its Skintec technology. There’s no need for kick-waxing – instead mohair grip zones produce excellent kick and glide in all snow conditions and temperatures. And you can replace the grip zone after heavy wear. Atomic has added a high-quality base, race grinding, a sportive sidecut and a flexible tip for an easy slide-in and glide. This year they’ve also given the series a facelift with a cool new design for the track.

A suggestion is to find a cross country ski area or ski retailer that has a demo fleet of skin type skis from any product company and give them a try. Play with the binding settings on the ski binding to see the effect from adjustments on grip and glide. Expect the ski to perform better than you have ever experienced.

Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com

Keeping Your Ski (And Other) Pants On

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Jonathan Wiesel

OK, That Sounds Salacious But It’s Not.

Who knew a belt could be so important? Credit: Jeltbelt.com

I kind of collect belts, from the 50-year-old hand-stitched inches-wide leather style with ornate Mexican silver buckle; to a contemporary pseudo-leather critter with multiple off-set holes; to a futuristic version (my favorite!) that grips, flatters, goes through airport security without setting off alarms, comes in colors – and keeps my pants up in all circumstances thus-far encountered. Now, that’s versatile!

Back in July, 2017, after moving to Montana (still gotta get the dog, battered pickup, and rifle rack to feel like a native), I started exercising and leafing through local magazines, simultaneously. The exercise dropped my shorts a size; the editorial introduced me to the Jelt Belt (https://jeltbelt.com/), an ingenious product that’s fun, socially and environmentally responsible, yet totally practical – so many positive qualities that it gives renewed faith in the entrepreneurial mindset. And it fits my new almost-size-34s as well as the previous 36s.

I’ve always liked leather belts. They’re handsome, can slide reasonably easily through loops, even smell rich when they’re new – and you can commission designer buckles. But it can be tough to punch extra holes as time goes by and waistlines expand or contract; and if you don’t have belt loops, they’re slick enough to slide up and down, with consequent droopy pants.

With fabric belts, you can often pierce the material with the buckle prong, but again they’re often on the thick and wide side. Like leather, they generally have metal buckles, so you may need to remove the belt (and put it on again) while going through airport security – not fun if you’re literally running to make a flight.

Enter the all-synthetic Jelt Belt: tough, adjustable, stretchy, with a grippy inner-surface gel. Endearing from an environmental perspective, they’re made of yarn from recycled plastic water bottles; while part of sales goes to organizations supporting veterans wounded in combat, environmental causes, and kids. New belt lines are being manufactured in Montana rather than China.

Jelt Belts are slender rather than thick or wide (4 sizes plus an adjustable version), but they hold very snugly. You can order for adult jean sizes 22-40. They come in different colors (I’m partial to the River Turquoise and Denim Navy Blue; kids get fun shades too).

Maybe more importantly than aesthetics, buckles in four sizes are quick-release. I’ve even learned to release and re-buckle one-handed (let your imagination run wild, but so far they’ve been very mundane uses). Buckles are low profile – flat, actually – so there’s no bulge under your shirt or sweater. Skiing, golf, running, walking, climbing, socializing, they seem right for every occasion.

Okay, you want to know about the name. The belt was founded by Jennifer Perry, thus it’s Jen’s Belt, which evolved into “Jelt Belt.”

Why a belt for skiing? Whether you take a fall or are skiing in a storm, the Jelt keeps snow out of your pants. (I once entirely lost my pants sliding downhill after a fall, face first, on my belly – wouldn’t have happened with a Jelt Belt.)

I plan to become a collector of the Jelt Belt subset of belts, perhaps display them in chronological order of acquisition. And the price? Figure from $32 for adult belts, less for kids’.

The Meccas Of Cross-Country Skiing

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

What Are The Vails and Aspens of XC?

Ask the general public to name an alpine skiing “Mecca” — described as a location where people, who share a common interest, yearn to go — even those who don’t ski can come up with at least Aspen or Vail, if not Killington and Sun Valley. But mention the Gunflint Trail or the Methow Valley to cross country (xc) skiers and more often than not, you’ll elicit a blank stare. Yet these are just two of several xc skiing destination resorts that devout xc skiers revere. In fact, each of the following five regions is definitely an “xc skiing Mecca” — each one, a destination that all traveling xc skiers have put on their “must visit” list.

Comprising the small, picturesque towns of Conway, Sugar Hill, Bartlett and Jackson in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Mount Washington Valley has a half-dozen xc ski areas, all at the base of the most majestic mountain in the eastern U.S., the 6,288-foot Mt. Washington. Here, the spectacular scenery is enhanced by hundreds of inns, lodges and restaurants, plus unsurpassed outlet shopping. Ski past mountain streams, a white steepled church, or over a wooden covered bridge on the network of 150 kilometers (km) of trails that glide past numerous inns and stores and through the woods in Jackson Village.

Up in Pinkham Notch, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center features 40 km of trails for cross country or snowshoeing and the more adventurous can take a snowcoach up the Mt. Washington Toll Road to unparalleled views and then make the choice to ski, snowshoe or ride the coach down. On the other side of Mt. Washington, Bretton Woods Nordic Center has its Mountain Road Trail, a 7-km downhill thrill that might be the most fun to be had on xc skis in all of New England. Franconia Inn is tucked away but is known for great cuisine in the evening and more than 50 km of trails. The region also has dog sledding, snowmobiling, zip lines, and 7 alpine ski areas to round out the snow sports offerings.

The Hills are Alive

Trapp Family Lodge. Looking for Edelweiss.

The “Sound of Music” is more than 50 years old and another production by the Von Trapp family, America’s first xc ski center at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont is just two years younger. Nestled beside Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, the lodge is among the most famous and diverse xc ski trail networks in the country. Three Stowe xc ski areas interconnect to provide roughly 150 kilometers of groomed trails, and there’s a link to backcountry ski 14 km to Bolton Valley Nordic Center via the Catamount Trail. Plus, with the variety of trails for snowshoeing around Stowe, it’s no surprise that the quintessential New England village is the original home of Tubbs Snowshoes, the largest snowshoe manufacturer in the world. Stowe’s Recreation Path, which runs 5.3 miles along the river (and over 11 wooden bridges) and Route 108 is perfect for an easy snowshoe jaunt. Don’t miss the Vermont Ski Museum in downtown Stowe or the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream headquarters (most popular attraction in the state) in nearby Waterbury, Vt.

Scandinavians settled by the thousands in Minnesota so it stands to reason that their national sport, cross country skiing, would abound in the state. The trails in northeastern Minnesota near Grand Marais offers more than 200 kilometers of groomed trails in the Laurentian Highlands adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here, xc skiers enjoy moose yards, overlook ridges, old trapper trails and railroad beds. The Gunflint attractions include extensive stands of white birch, spruce, and aspen and spectacular cliffs.

Of course, in the land of 10,000 lakes there’s a multitude of frozen lakes and there is also a great chance that visitors in northern Minnesota will see the oscillating luminary curtains in the evening sky known as the Northern Lights. Perfect for those wanting to get away from it all, this area is less populated than other xc Meccas and the region is sprinkled with many isolated lodges, bed and breakfast inns, lakefront cabins, and yurts (large circular heated tents with hard floors, bunk beds and room for 6-8 people). And count on hearing the distant howls of timber wolves.

Northwest Delights

More than 70 years as a winter sports destination, the Sun Valley/Ketchum, Idaho, area was developed by railroad mogul, W. Averell Harriman to attract train travelers. Known for its alpine skiing, the area features more than 160 kilometers of trails and now it touts itself as “Nordic Town USA.” The Sun Valley Resort includes the Sun Valley alpine ski area, a Nordic ski area on the golf course, and a selection of accommodations. The North Valley Trails run from the Galena Lodge back to town along the river. Expect to see colorful performance striders and skaters alongside snowshoers out walking the dog on this popular avenue.

For superb backcountry skiing amidst forests of pine and aspen, head to the Sawtooth Mountains and its high mountain reaches laced with granite spires and inviting cirques. Here xc skiers can enjoy trekking and guide services, even overnight accommodations in backcountry huts and Mongolian-style yurts.

Methow Trails on a bluebird day.

The Methow Valley in northwest Washington on the eastern slope of the North Cascade Mountains is one of the best kept secrets among xc skiers. A network of 200 kilometers of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing combines at Methow Trails with lodges like Sun Mountain Lodge and warming huts along the trails, which are surrounded by more than a million acres of national wilderness and forest lands.

Snowfall here is not only plentiful, it is also dry thanks to the moisture traveling across 100 miles of mountains from the Pacific Ocean to get to Methow. And after the snow arrives, a crystal blue sky almost always follows revealing the incredible scenic mountain panoramas. Located only 2,000 feet above sea level, this 40-mile-long xc skiing valley requires no altitude acclimation.

Cross-Country Ski HQ in Michigan

Many other North American regions could make the list of xc skiing Meccas, including Michigan’s Grayling region and the statewide GoMichigan, California’s Lake Tahoe, Colorado, Lake Placid in New York, and Canada’s Quebec and British Columbia areas. Start your own list of “must visit” xc ski destinations, and use XCSkiResorts.com to explore the many choices and then make some reservations to explore different regions in your next winter adventure.

The Skinny On Recreational Nordic Ski Gear

July 4, 2020/0 Comments/in Make More Tracks/by Roger Lohr

Move Up To New High Tech Equipment.

As a part of the cross country ski industry for more than three decades, I had to qualify my response when SeniorsSkiing asked me about new cross country (XC) ski equipment. There was an unknown research source in the 1990’s that proclaimed, in general, owners of XC ski equipment had their gear for about 17 years. With a view of the meager statistics of annual XC ski sales, the age of the average XC skier’s equipment is now probably a couple of decades older than 17 years.

The key element is to know how you intend to use your equipment – classic or skate skiing on groomed trails; skiing on ungroomed park trails; backcountry in deep snow; serious mountain excursions; or if you are hoping to find equipment to deliver some type of hybrid performance in a variety of uses. XC skis provide varied width, flex, waxless base designs, and edges, all designed to perform optimally in different XC skiing situations and conditions. The recreational skier may be one that wants to get out in nature a few times per winter or a serious fitness-oriented person who is into skate skiing after work three times per week.

Ski magazines and websites deliver gear reviews with a focus on what’s new for the XC ski expert or racer. It is thought that the technology used in these products geared to advanced skiers will “trickle down” to be incorporated and become beneficial to recreational skiers in the future…well, the challenge is to provide a view specifically for recreational interests and to look at select products that offer a great experience XC skiing.

At the outset, it is uncertain why a recreational skier would want to wax their skis these days. If you possess an encyclopedia of knowledge on the matter of snow texture, humidity and temperature, there could still be changing conditions that will make your decision on the proper wax a big mistake. They’ve simplified waxing and at the same time have also have increased the options – but, recreational skiers are mostly on waxless skis. Of course there are many different types of bases that provide the grip when needed to go up the hill but also allow the best glide on the flats and down hills. Enough said to acknowledge that the most significant aspect of ski fitting has to do with the weight of the skier, and the length and stiffness of the ski and the different waxless bases are subservient to these qualifications. The other issue is the width of the ski where a narrower ski is faster and usually does not control as well as a wider ski, but again the stiffness of the ski is relevant. If you are skiing in groomed tracks, the narrow lightweight waxless ski can provide excellent glides and it can still grip when needed, if the match is done well for skier weight, and ski stiffness and length. On another matter, many people glide and may provide better stopping capability, but depending on the skier, even edges may be of no consequence when in an emergency situation.

XC Skin Skis

Author Roger Lohr on Fischer Twin Skin Skis

The cross country ski waxless “skin” bases, use inserted mohair strips on the ski bottom, which are extremely effective for all temperatures and snow conditions. It is high performance waxless base technology for the classic skier, who prefers to use a waxless ski. The ski strips are like small climbing skins which are embedded in the base and they are resistant to icing because they have a Teflon-like coating. I’ve found that there are certain conditions where the performance of the skin skis are less than desirable such as when there are dirt and leaves on the trail.

XC Ski Bindings

Today people want the convenience of stepping down and snapping into the ski binding. One new concept is the adjustable binding. Technique, temperature and snow composition all have an influence on ski performance but the TURNAMIC® binding models provide tool-free adjustment for skiers to match their individual needs. Sliding the system forward provides more grip, while sliding it back will noticeably improve glide. With the optimized setup of the boot-binding-plate-ski components, TURNAMIC® gives you dynamic skiing performance like never before.

Of course you want some brand information and that is mostly beyond the scope of this content but with the Rossignol EVO skis, it’s easy for skiers to choose their model from the line of skis determined by the level of use or performance to suit the skier’s needs. The ski width would be based on where they’ll be skied and how much floatation is desired

The Spider 62 Crown is Fischer Nordic’s popular versatile ski for a variety of uses including machine-groomed tracks at the ski area, in man-made tracks, or on unmaintained terrain. This ski will not glide well compared to the lighter, narrower, stiffer line of XC skis. The Spider is available in three sizes, has a steel edge for control, and a base pattern that holds going uphill.

XC Ski Boots

Modern XC boots from the big brands.

The biggest change in XC skiing is that the ski boots are built for support, comfort, and warmth. XC boots should be easy to get on, well insulated, lightweight, stiff soled, keep you dry and most of all, feel like bedroom slippers. The plastic cuffs and straps around the shin will provide more support, but some higher-cut boots just keep the snow out and do not provide support. Molded footbeds are recommended (acquire them separately) and make sure that the fitting occurs with the socks that will be worn when skiing. Be aware of whether the XC ski boot is specifically for skating, backcountry, or general use. Make sure that the boot matches the binding. Salomon and Rottefella bindings need boots that go complement them; BC models have wider connections to a wider boot, etc.

It is recommended that XC ski equipment is tried prior to purchase and you can do that at an XC ski area or a demo held at an XC ski area. Again, it is likely that most of the demo gear is set up for advanced skiers rather than recreational. The XC ski area rental operations may very well have different recreational rental products for you to try. When in the retail store be mindful that retail salespeople should be cognizant of your needs (where you’ll mostly ski, how much performance you desire from glide or control, etc.) and that the products that you purchase fit your specific needs.

The issue of price is basic – you get what you pay for. If you save substantial money, you’ll likely be foregoing quality, performance, or fit. Expect a discount if you purchase a package of XC skis, bindings, boots and poles.

Happy hunting for the right gear.

This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com

Hints Of The Coming Winter, Questions For You, Covid Fitness, Ski Canada And Covid.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Be safe out there. Wear a mask, wash your hands, distance. And remember there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

Ski resorts are still trying to figure out what the next season will look like.

A Fort Lauderdale resident asked, “Do you know where we Floridians go when we want to ski?” It was a joke. Her punch line: “The airport.”

EPIC’S $169 Unlimited Military Pass

$75 Parka; $50 Pants Deal

Liftopia Faces Bankruptcy; Collects PPP Funds

Elevate Suspends Operations

In Person 2020 Snowbound Festival Canceled

Suicide Increasing Among Sledding Athletes

Your Own (Miniature) Cable Car (and Skiers)

It’s Been Four Months. Where Are You On Your Fitness Plan?

Have you maintained a new Corona exercise routine? Have you gained/lost weight? Gained muscle mass? Flexibility? After four months, are you still doing what you started doing back in March? What’s changed?

Help Us Decide If/How SeniorsSkiing.com Classifieds Should Work.

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? What categories are missing? Which of those listed are not important or irrelevant? Would you post a classified on SeniorsSkiing.com?

Proposed Classified Categories

A Lot Of Us Are In The Best Shape We’ve Been In For Many A Year.

There also are dozens of trails and cirques for the rest of us mere mortals.

So Many Choices, How To Decide?

XC Ski Trails

Staff Service And Friendliness

Resort Lodges

Food And Beverage

Quality Family Time

Summing Up

XC, Nordic, Touring, Cross-Country. What’s What?

It’s Not Like Walking. But Not Complicated To Learn.

There’s Always A Better Way. Foam Is Light, Strong, And Long-Lasting.

Kingdom Trails

The Venerable Inn Has Historic Roots In Ski History.

You Do. Take A Lesson From A Pro.

A Little Planning Goes A Long Way To Ensure A Positive Experience.

Skis, Dogs, Bikes. It Must Be Crested Butte.

XC Ski Jacket and Pants

Other Aspects of the XC Ski Outfit

Try Before You Buy.

An Old Idea Updated With High Tech.

OK, That Sounds Salacious But It’s Not.

What Are The Vails and Aspens of XC?

Move Up To New High Tech Equipment.

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