Cross Country Skiing

[solobiker]

[QUOTE=jessmarimba;540643]Eesh, I have no idea? I've only seen it on tv. Does one involve less upper-body twisting than the other?[/

Neither one involves UB twisting...although skate skiing if you are not used to it (proper form) can cause you to twist espec if you get off balance which is easy to do. Classic involves good form as well to do it efficiently, however it is less risky with twisting your back. Let me know and maybe we can meet up this winter.

[warneral]

I was thinking that cross country skiing will be something I'd like to try. Considering obtaining some skiis off of craigslist this winter. It would be a fun way to get cardio in and enjoy the winter I need a reason for loving winter!

[tulip]

I would like to go to West Virginia to do some XC skiing this winter. Unfortunately, I cannot drive in the snow, so actually getting there poses a bit of a problem. I do have a good friend with a 4WD truck who is from Wisconsin, so maybe she'll go with me.

If I lived in a snowy place, I would XC alot. I would also learn to drive in the snow!

[jessmarimba]

Tulip, they close...Skyline Drive? I think? when it snows too much in the Blue Ridge. I've gone up hiking there in the winter and tons of people just snowshoe or cross-country ski down the road.

[Crankin]

Tulip, I had to learn to drive in the snow when I was 37 . It was probably one of the worst things I have had to do. What helped was getting a 4 wheel drive car... although it doesn't help you *stop*, it does help you get through stuff. I've either lived on a huge hill or had a very long drive to work since I've been in MA, so it's sort of a requirement for me. I would say at least 40-50% of the people i know have 4 wheel drive.
I cursed the fact my parents moved me away from the snow 6 months before I got my license!

[tulip]

I haven't lived in a snowy place since I was 12 years old (and one year in college, but I didn't have a car), and don't intend to move to one now. No, when it snows here, I just stay home. That's the way it should be.

[Kathi]

Eesh, I have no idea? I've only seen it on tv. Does one involve less upper-body twisting than the other?

Eldora offers XC lessons and rentals. If you have the Colorado ski pass (Vail Resorts) you can ski free at Keystone Nordic center. They also have rentals. Frisco and Breckenridge also have Nordic Centers where you can rent equipment and take lessons.

Tulip, in all the years I drove to Snowshoe and Canaan to ski there was no snow on the roads but we often had very serious foggy conditions. White Tail is a Nordic Center near Canaan Valley that looks like it might be fun, I mtn biked there many years ago.

I'm an alpine skier but with a few lessons am really enjoying xc skiing.

[roadie gal]

XC skiing has started here already. We got about 5 feet of snow last week. This is the first time since anyone can remember that the XC areas have opened in November.

My SO and I went yesterday and today for about an hour each time. We took our striding skis and did the tracks. What a blast! But let me tell you, there is no such thing as cross training. Even though I ran and biked all summer, my legs are SORE today.

I'm going to go back to the XC center this afternoon and scrape the summer layer of wax off of the skate skis so we can abuse different muscles tomorrow. Fun!

[yellow]

roadie, I went for my first tour today. A grand total of 7 miles. I think I toodled too much to end up with sore legs tomorrow. We shall see

I love winter.

[Crankin]

Jealous!

[Pika]

First day of skiing today- the trails have been open for about a week now- we are going to go classic skiing today as I need new skate skiing boots and haven't found any yet.
soo excited..it has warmed up ( only -5C which means it will be about -10C on the trails compared to -20C last week when they opened) and we have all day to toddle along
(goal of todays workout- sustained low heartrate - another reason we are using our classic skis- my HR goes crazy skate skiing becaseu I am pretty inefficient at it)

[roadie gal]

We didn't go skiing yesterday. It was snowing like crazy all day. We had to go to Reno and then got caught behind a freeway closure. So we sat in a casino parking lot for an hour before they decided to let locals only through to get home. We crawled home in 4WD at 20 mph. Needless to say we were exhausted. (Maybe this should be a separate rant.)

I guess yesterday was a recovery day.

Today is beautiful, with about a foot of new snow. I'm going skiing today for sure!

[warneral]

I borrowed a jacket from my sister and picked up some ski pants and gloves from sierra trading post. I think I'll rent some cross country skis to try it out. We have no snow yet though.

I'd like to purchase a package from REI but I think I should probably try it out to see how I like it first. I'm excited to see there are many groomed trails in my area (when we have snow).

[roadie gal]

I'd highly recommend renting equipment and taking a lesson the first time out, even if you've downhill skied before. It'll make a big difference in your enjoyment.

[Crankin]

I didn't follow the rent equipment thing, but I have bought 2 packages from REI, and they were great. When I went to upgrade about 6 years ago after having crappy skis for ten years, I bought a pair of boots that just cut my feet to pieces. After trying 3 or 4 times, I returned them, no questions asked. The service was great. I upgraded my skis again last year, near the end of the winter and again, they were great. I decided to keep my boots, and no one pressured me into buying anything.
I did take 2-3 lessons, as I am not a down hill skier. It helped a lot. Although I do remember being so excited when I got my first skis, I drove to a local golf course and tried them out, without any instruction.