XC Ski Gear Picks?

[Skierchickie]

Thanks, Madscot. So, we usually have super snow by Christmas, with several great places to ski (the MTU ski trails hosted the US Nationals last year, and will again next January), if you are looking for a place within a day's drive.

So, does the box make it difficult to ski (I mean, interfering with your poles and all)? Probably helps cut that cold Minnesota wind though, huh?

[madscot13]

the box is pretty much windproof. I have NEVER been cold in my corrugated exoskeleton.

Do you know any resort- like areas up there? Or towns that are accessible to trails? I am not famiilar to Michigan. It would be a drive but if there is snow it would be worth it. Or in other words, it wouldn't be worth it without the snow.

[Miranda]

HolyBaGeeBas...thank you so much! SkierChickie you are too funny, about the paragraphs to get out what you want to say...that it SO me as well!

No, unfortunately I don't have a lot of winter cycling gear--just new to the sport as well, but am starting to get a few pieces, and now will think about the cross training with xc skii. For example, I do have two grades of tights, and I did not get them with the chamois, and now I am glad because I assume I can use them for part of my ski layers it sounds. Also, I can't do anything implactive exercise, like run, thus cycling and xc skiing are good choices for me.

Alas, wool makes me itch and break out in hives. I know it's a great natural fabric. I can't even wear a nice cashmere sweater in winter for fashion fun, whaaa . So, I will have to consider some of the other choices listed. Also, on the getting cold part in general, I am sorta a big baby there . I lost a lot of weigh in the last couple of years, and as one of my GFs said, "it's cold being skinny". None on my upper body, just all the weight I carry is in my good ole bootie--which I could transfer it North to stay warm.

Lastly, I think I do remember reading about the different types of strides for xc skiing on a gear website in the info section. Gotta do a bit more research, and learn of course.

Snow won't be long for sure...shhh, don't tell my bike! Thanks!

[Skierchickie]

Hi Miranda & Madscot!

Sorry - tied up with house guests for a couple of days.

Sorry to hear about the wool issues Miranda (is it all wool? Smartwool is nice and non-itchy, but I suppose an allergy is an allergy). Polypro works fine. I forgot to mention to be careful with Sporthill if you have pets - it is really nice stuff, but the 3SP material loves pet hair! I have a newer shirt that only requires about one strip off the lint roller before I can wear it, but it just has a couple of panels of that fabric - I could never buy the 3SP pants or full shirts. I have an older shirt made of that stuff, and it takes me ages to de-fur it, and then I still have a layer left .

Madscot - we don't really have what you would call resorts around here, but we have great places to ski, and usually great snow by late November (last year not included ). We typically have 24-36 (a couple of years ago it was more like 48") inches on the ground from Christmas through mid-March.

The Michigan Tech Trails are probably about 25k total, with some really challenging terrain, plus some easier, flatter stuff, and are in Houghton - pretty professionally groomed. Swedetown, in Calumet (about 20 miles from Houghton), is about 30k, with nice, rolling terrain - beautiful & Pisten Bully groomed. Maasto Hiito, in Hancock, combined with Churning Rapids is, hmm, not sure how much - striding only. Chassell Trails are about 10k, striding only. You can check out keweenawtrails.com for info. Since we're in the UP, we get tons of people from Madison, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, etc here over Christmas. Fewer from Michigan, actually, as downstate is pretty far away. Ironwood gets great snow, too. The only problem is that the holidays bring lots of snowmobilers, too, so the motels fill up early. The bigger towns around here (Houghton & Hancock) are each about 7000 people, and the others are, well, smaller, so so don't expect St Paul-like nightlife or anything .

Oh, and at least one ski shop does rent skis.

[madscot13]

Hi Miranda & Madscot!

so so don't expect St Paul-like nightlife or anything .

That is okay, we bring our own nightlife Well sort of. More like sleep skills. Thanks for the 411 (when was the last time you heard 411?). Now I have a place to retire to in 40 years. How I miss snow...

That may be quite the drive for us but my friends won't have seen eachother for a while and I'm sure we will have plenty to talk about.

[madscot13]

Oh and Skierchicke is dead on with the sporthill pants. I have a lintbrush (red and from target) it doesn't use an adhesive like the rollers and so I use it to my heart's desire without ripping off layer after layer of facny dancy masking tape. It does the job quite nicely might I add.