going nordic = going ghay?

Our skis hills are still closed due to the lockdown but the nordic trails are open. Finally got enough snow for them to open, been a very snow free year here. I'm usually cross country skiing solo. I love when the sun is streaming through the trees, maybe (hopefully) it's snowing, it's so quiet and peaceful. And with any good descents it goes from quiet bliss to real excitement. Love it.

Thing is, after a few years of getting out maybe 8 times a winter, I absolutely suck going down hill. I have zero confidence, and if the trail going down has curves that I can't see around I generally chicken out and walk.

For alpine skiing, I've been on stiff-as-fuck Moment M1's for over a decade. I'm a decent alpine skier, nothing really scares except unexpected ice. I can handle steep stuff with confidence.

I wonder if my stiff downhill skis have sort of taught me some bad habits that are carrying over. I just can't adapt to my xc skis.

My skis are a touch short for my height and definitely not a match for my (heavy) weight so that could be part of it. My plan was to get better appropriately sized skis this year but I've had zero luck finding something that isn't out of my price range.

In the mean time, does anyone have any advice for someone who is sketchy AF going down hills? I ski the same places every season, and at first I'm walking down most hills, and after a few sessions I get marginally better, but nowhere near where I want to be. My confidence always resets itself to zero every fall.

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Best wishes for your Mom's successful and speedy recover from renal surgery. UPJ surgery or something else?

If you're that close to Cable and Hayward, check out the CAMBA area trails. I've only ridden them on a bike, but they sure do look like fun in the winter too.

Also, IF you head a little east, stop in Merrill and get a beer or 'tree at the old WPA DNR building at Sawmill brewing. It's the town I kind of grew up in.

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

Thing is, after a few years of getting out maybe 8 times a winter, I absolutely suck going down hill.
I just can't adapt to my xc skis.
My skis are a touch short for my height and definitely not a match for my (heavy) weight so that could be part of it. My plan was to get better appropriately sized skis this year but I've had zero luck finding something that isn't out of my price range.

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Everything changed when I went to a real shop and was sized appropriately with the right skis. Just like alpine, XC technology changes. For example, Mrs. Plug is now on the 1 model below top of the line Salomon skate boots, and they are as stiff as her old Scarpa T3s tele boots, (maybe stiffer), and weigh a lot less than her old skate boots. Just like alpine, the front of your skis needs to stay planted and activated in the turn, and if you out weigh them, you loose the tips.
Just to help in the meantime, watch how WC skate skiers turn downhill. The turn radius of the skis is way to large to carve, so they skate w/ the outside leg and step w/ the inside.

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Originally Posted by turbomike15

my thoughts exactly, eldora charges way too much for their grooming frequency/quality and everywhere else is too far. I do enjoy it when we get enough snow for them to groom in town, but that hasn't really happened this year yet...

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Agree...I've always thought Eldora could attract tons more people (esp based on their location) and in the end make more money if it wasn't so freaking expensive for their nordic passes, but that place specializes in moronic management so....

last year we had a big group hammering the trails on the mountain by headlamp a few times. flying through the woods with friends at night was a pretty fun way to stay fit. this year it’s all solo action, but i’m still pretty happy there are extensive free networks in town. nice way to pass the time while the gf had some checkups at the hospital today. canada, eh

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Update: mom is home, resting comfortably. Doc says surgery successful. Thanks everybody.


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Glad to hear all went well Harry!

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

Our skis hills are still closed due to the lockdown but the nordic trails are open. Finally got enough snow for them to open, been a very snow free year here. I'm usually cross country skiing solo. I love when the sun is streaming through the trees, maybe (hopefully) it's snowing, it's so quiet and peaceful. And with any good descents it goes from quiet bliss to real excitement. Love it.

Thing is, after a few years of getting out maybe 8 times a winter, I absolutely suck going down hill. I have zero confidence, and if the trail going down has curves that I can't see around I generally chicken out and walk.

For alpine skiing, I've been on stiff-as-fuck Moment M1's for over a decade. I'm a decent alpine skier, nothing really scares except unexpected ice. I can handle steep stuff with confidence.

I wonder if my stiff downhill skis have sort of taught me some bad habits that are carrying over. I just can't adapt to my xc skis.

My skis are a touch short for my height and definitely not a match for my (heavy) weight so that could be part of it. My plan was to get better appropriately sized skis this year but I've had zero luck finding something that isn't out of my price range.

In the mean time, does anyone have any advice for someone who is sketchy AF going down hills? I ski the same places every season, and at first I'm walking down most hills, and after a few sessions I get marginally better, but nowhere near where I want to be. My confidence always resets itself to zero every fall.

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8 times a season isn't going to help you improve your technique. And having skis that aren't matched for your weight definitely will not help. I didn't catch if you are talking classic or skating, but the same general principle applies - you have to match your weight to the camber. Length is secondary, with going as short as the camber will allow for skate (maneuverability outweighs speed), and as long as your technique allows for classic (in set track, maneuverability takes a backseat to length of stride for speed).
And as mentioned, your tips set up the stride, plowing/skating with the outside ski and steering/stepping with the inside.

But no matter how good you are, steep icy track will always get the heart pumping. If you really get sketched on a downhill, with standard classic poles you can put them together under a thigh and (lightly!) use them as a brake. Harder to do with long skate ski poles, that often having specific constraining wrist straps. Don't forget to bend the knees - at least as much if not more than your back. Hard not to tense up, but do your best to stay supple on those wild descents.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

Our skis hills are still closed due to the lockdown but the nordic trails are open. Finally got enough snow for them to open, been a very snow free year here. I'm usually cross country skiing solo. I love when the sun is streaming through the trees, maybe (hopefully) it's snowing, it's so quiet and peaceful. And with any good descents it goes from quiet bliss to real excitement. Love it.

Thing is, after a few years of getting out maybe 8 times a winter, I absolutely suck going down hill. I have zero confidence, and if the trail going down has curves that I can't see around I generally chicken out and walk.

In the mean time, does anyone have any advice for someone who is sketchy AF going down hills? .

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On classic long skinnies, downhills are always sketch as fuck! Accept that you may have to sit down/fall sometimes. Fast feet are your friend, step turns work well. And nothing wrong with a gorilla stance snowplow!

I've known a few xc ski racers who post xc ski racing got into touring and the BC, the V02 max conditioning from years of ski racing from when their parents made them walk around on them misery sticks make for some awesume performance on the skin track

https://youtu.be/QrHMFVDVc74

Captain Nordic of truckee was always an inspiration. His BC skate ski exploits were amazing. I remember v1’ing once up a hill at royal gorge trying not to yack while he smoothly v2’ed past me. I knew him a little, some on this board knew him well.

My 15 yo needs new gear. He’s a sprout! We often shuffle around nearby but have passes this year to royal gorge. Any input on where to find used gear in the truckee area? We missed all the ski swaps this fall due covid.

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Originally Posted by BCMtnHound

https://youtu.be/QrHMFVDVc74

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Pizza! Pizzza! (Or whatever they call it in Estonia)

The greatest part is not the pile-ups, but the individual bails. The catalyst guy in blue at 30sec and last couple near the end, as the camera pans. Misery sticks indead.

This just in this AM: Jessie Diggens takes a first over Johaug of Norway ( Yes that Johaug, ye of little faith) Best year ever for there USA women.

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Originally Posted by new yabyum

This just in this AM: Jessie Diggens takes a first over Johaug of Norway ( Yes that Johaug, ye of little faith) Best year ever for there SA women.

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https://m.soundcloud.com/thedirtbagd...e-races-behind

if you find yourself wanting to listen to a pod about competitive xc skiing. it’s a classic.

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Originally Posted by Harry

Update: mom is home, resting comfortably. Doc says surgery successful. Thanks everybody.


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great news.


p.s. nordic is super, thanks for asking.

Hey thanks guys for the tips, that is greatly appreciated. Heading back out to hack at it this afternoon, and redoubling efforts to upgrade skis.

Good to hear news Harry.

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

redoubling efforts to upgrade skis.

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the local xc ski & bike store got part of their order of xc skis in and they gone really quick so i'm hearing there is a shortage of skis along with bikes and just about every other outdoor rec product

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Originally Posted by XXX-er

the local xc ski & bike store got part of their order of xc skis in and they gone really quick so i'm hearing there is a shortage of skis along with bikes and just about every other outdoor rec product

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Back in December I was driving through Spokane, and was gonna buy some snowshoes for Mrs. Plug at the REI. They basically laughed and said they hadn't had snoeshows in stock for months.
My local shops have lots of skis FYI. For example: http://www.nordicultratune.com

When I lived in FoCo I thought Eldora was expensive so I paid my $15/yr to the Medicine Bow Nordic Club and just hit Happy Jack. Awesome trail network and a mellow/casual WY type of gig(think opposite of Boulder and similar jellyfish zones). Saw a guy pull up in an F350 with a Heeler hanging on the spare gas tank. He took off his insulated Carharts and was wearing a UW Nordic team kit. He had it all, handlebar moustache, a cowdog and a nice "How you doing" kind of WY greeting when he walked be me trying to put my boots on in negative temps and 40mph winds.
RE: technique, it is a daily gig. I either check a YouTube or think of one of the many tips I have gotten over the years, get to the TH, get my mind straight and then head out for high heart rate trip slippin through the woods. For the DH, Nodic skis don't really turn, they do not have the camber for it. You either step turn or initiate little hockey stops, there just isn't any arcing happening. But like a multitude of other other endeavors you will go where you look so keep your head up and eyes ahead. It all just takes practice and knowing when to stop and rest to get yourself back together. You do not want to reinforce bad habits by just struggling to keep up or something....practice makes permanent!! For those that don't have NordicCenters, look into your local 'Biler club. I have 100s of miles of Biler groomed roads with 45' of my door. I prefer the 'Biler roads.

i decided to exit the closet today and let my inner-nordork rage
BC snowpack is a little twitchy lately, so, opted for a trail system....

the wind whispered through the fir and cedar,
little brown birds serenaded me from the tree tops,
furry forest animals scurried to get a better view of the creature
that dared disturb their winter domain,
it was serene as fuck!

.

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Originally Posted by romeo tango

i decided to exit the closet today and let my inner-nordork rage
BC snowpack is a little twitchy lately, so, opted for a trail system....

the wind whispered through the fir and cedar,
little brown birds serenaded me from the tree tops,
furry forest animals scurried to get a better view of the creature
that dared disturb their winter domain,
it was serene as fuck!

.

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Awesome! Sounds like you didn’t even need lube.

the only time i needed lube
was when your sister was pulling that train in the bomb shack

.

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Originally Posted by romeo tango

the only time i needed lube
was when your sister was pulling that train in the bomb shack

.

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Well played

thank you Sensei

.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

Hey thanks guys for the tips, that is greatly appreciated. Heading back out to hack at it this afternoon, and redoubling efforts to upgrade skis.

Good to hear news Harry.

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Same here Harry.

Thaleia, Forget pretty much everything you learned about carving turns on stiff as fuck DH skis. And your skis are not a handicap. You need a new toolbox of turns to handle different snow conditions and steepness .
Step turn, Snowplow turn, Stem Christie, Hop turn, mini Telemark, true Telemark and the all important Sitz turn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by romeo tango

the wind whispered through the fir and cedar,
little brown birds serenaded me from the tree tops,
furry forest animals scurried to get a better view of the creature
that dared disturb their winter domain,
it was serene as fuck!

.

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Attachment 361492

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c233d90300.jpg
Bit of XCD attempt at one of my local mtb spots

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Been getting out on the neighborhood singletrack on my three pin XCD setup. Might be a bit overkill with plastic boots but a lot more fun than I was having in leathers. Felt like my weight and size just couldn’t control these little skis.

Anyway, for a season where the snow kinda sucks at the resort these things have really been a life saver. Great workout and we hardly see anyone out there. Wish we had a dog and then the scene would be complete.

I've been having some fun weekend days at the Kirkwood XC center with my dog. It beats long lift lines and my best friend gets in on the action.
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I've got a full backcountry setup, but in the end I'd usually rather hang out with him on the XC trails since he's a bit too old to charge through powder.

^^
That looks tasty, but you guys need snow.

3 hours of lift served followed by 2 hours of nordic. While gummy’d. Awesome day.
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Attachment 363994


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oh yeah!

how many miles do you guys usually do in a couple of hours of classic? internet says 7-10k/hr is a recreational speed but that seems a little fast to me.

10km/hr for classic is a nice sweat if the wax and trackset are paired right.

ok, i gotta work on getting good. i go out to have a good time but to me that means seeing as much as possible too.

i guess in the long run i just want to an old dude that still gets after it.

Attachment 364137

Skate skiing is fun and certainly helps with balance on the alpine planks.

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Originally Posted by Harry

3 hours of lift served followed by 2 hours of nordic.

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Woah. Can I touch you?
[emoji12]
Attachment 364146

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Originally Posted by plugboots

Woah. Can I touch you?
[emoji12]
Attachment 364146

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Wow, that's rare to not see the snowshoe tracks right in the middle of the groomed track.

Attachment 365033

nice urban ski with a sunset and full moon.

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Originally Posted by ml242

Attachment 365033

nice urban ski with a sunset and full moon.

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Niiice. I hope she doesn’t peace out on us too fast.