Cross Country Skiing

[Crankin]

Jolt, the conditions really matter when you are starting. And, they matter to me still, after 20+ years of skiing. I always feel totally uncoordinated at my local center, where I went today, because the conditions are marginal a good deal of the time compared to others. It's the combination of the open fields, poor grooming, and other environmental things. I did trails that were 50X more challenging up in VT and today I felt like I was going to lose it. I didn't fall, but this happens routinely at this place for me.

[Crankin]

Going up to North Conway, NH in a bit, maybe the last ski of the season? We were going to go to Franconia, where we have an inn we love, but found out that Bretton Woods is actually closed to the public as they are having a x country ski marathon this weekend. So, given the conditions I researched, there seems to be good snow further north, so we'll probably ski at Bear Notch, a small, funky, but excellent place that always has good conditions when others don't. I think on the way home, we'll drive down to Waterville Valley and ski there on Sunday.
Right now, looking forward to the lounge and dinner at the inn tonight!

[Catrin]

Crankin, you make this sound so fun

[Crankin]

Today we skied at Great Glen. I've never been there before; really nice people and good grooming. We did all do the green and blue trails and determined we could definitely do the black trails here next time. Skied for 2 hrs., ate lunch, and went back out for about an hour. Then we shopped in the store, where I bought some new ski pants 25% off. We went back to the inn, showered, and went off to the PI outlet in N. Conway. My friend spent 400.00 but PI does not fit me well; I bought some running/gym capris and some gloves and DH bought a couple of things. Got back to the inn and had wine, some free appetizers and then ate dinner.
Going to bed soon! We are going to ski at Jackson tomorrow.
It is fun, Catrin. Last blast of winter.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a great day Crankin! I should definitely get over there since it's so close to where I live Although everytime I pick up my boots, my four legged friend is ready to go... somehow I'll have to find a way to sneak out HA!

Enjoy your day today!!

[Crankin]

Today we skied for 2.5 hours at Jackson. Brilliant sun and pretty warm, 29? Because so many of the trails are not shaded, there was a good deal of slickness. The grooming was great, but, by the end of the ski, there were some bare patches at the higher elevations. Anyway, I liked it a lot, but was kind of sore from yesterday and myback was acting up. Nothing horrible, though. Did a monster climb in the beginning, then lots of smaller climbs, in between the long green loops. It took longer to get back than we thought, as one of the trails was not groomed. Anyway, we had to go down the monster climb, to get back to the center, but right before that, you have to take your skis off and cross the road. I coldn't clip in to my right ski and had to take time to clean the ice out of the binding. Hence, I did the monster downhill alone. I was fine, but probably not looking so elegant at the end. I was starving and tired! We had a good sandwich at a deli and then my friend drove off by herself to a conference in southern NH and we took her DH home.
This was a successful ski trip, and maybe the last of the year. The snow coming Wed./Thursday is going to hit north of here in a big way, we are only going to get 1-2 inches. We have theatre Friday night and staying in town, so no weekend away. I'd really like to be on my bike next weekend, but my feeling is there's going to be lots of melting and refreezing and it may not be optimal. I'll always take another ski.

[Jolt]

They're saying 6-10 inches of snow here Wednesday/Thursday...looks like more skiing and snowshoeing will be on tap. I have been enjoying the winter sports but am about ready for spring!

[ridebikeme]

Skiied today and the conditions were the best of the year! Although we have lots of snow, we also have ice under that, so it tends to come to the surface when there is melting or other tracks.

JOLT: AS Crankin mentioned, I would ve very patient with yourself. Although Southern Maine has received more snow than we have, we've also received lots of rain as well. As I'm sure you've learned, conditions change everyday, whether you are at a ski center or not. I try to remind myself that it is only making a more skilled skier, although I struggle with those thoughts all the time. HA!

More snow this week, so the trails should become even better!!! Great time to get out on ski's and the FATBIKE

[SheFly]

FATBIKE after the snow this week, not so much. The conditions for riding have been AMAZING up there though, and we have been doing A LOT of it. This snow will actually make it considerably worse, at least in the short term. The skiing, however, has been FANTASTIC. I've been hitting the Bethel Inn and/or the Outdoor Center every week. The Outdoor Center tends to have better grooming, and the trails are a bit more fun, but the Inn has Apps and Taps (1/2 price appetizers and beers) from 4-6 pm .

Definitely bringing the snow shoes up this weekend.

Crankin - Great Glen is actually pretty fun to ski if it's not too cold, and there really isn't anything that is too hard there. A couple of good climbs, but definitely do-able. Two weeks ago, they let fat bikes on the trails after being closed for the day - we went and had a blast! And Jackson is my favorite place to ski, but we haven't made it over there yet this year (too much fat biking...).

SheFly

[ridebikeme]

Well, after our last storm and another 20" of snow I was anxious to get out on skis today. Shanna, my chocolate lab is generally my partner in crime, so she was excited to be out as well. It's a beautiful blue bird day here today, so we opted to go out for a couple of miles even though the trails had not been groomed yet. What a gorgeous day, can't wait until tomorrow

[DebW]

Did my (probably last) day of skiing for the season yesterday at Windblown. Went up with 2 friends and met 2 more friends from RI. Conditions were crusty and coarse granular, as you'd expect from recent rain and then below freezing temperatures. Grooming was well done on the green and blue trails - black trails were not groomed and best avoided. Skiing was fast but controllable (at least for those with metal edges). The sun was shining all day. Great day to be out.

[ridebikeme]

I got out on ski's over the past few days, and have to admit that this freeze/thaw cycle is really doing a number on the trails. I met the groomer yesterday(snowmobile) and thought perhaps it would be a bit better, and although the trails were indeed a bit smoother... I now had huge ice chunks under my feet. Some of these ice chunks were bigger than my feet! Needless to say, it was great to be outside BUT the ice really made things very difficult with simply standing up. Ice continued to push your feet/ski's all over the place... hopefully I'll be able to get out later in the week when the temps get a bit warmer.

Unfortunately, today was one of those days that even the Fatbike would have had issues, but more good days to follow

[ridebikeme]

Got out yesterday and temps were warm enough to soften at least the top coat! Surprised this morning as we received 6-8" of new snow and still snowing as I type this.

[ridebikeme]

Well, after receiving another foot of snow this week, the conditions are great!! My four legged friend is extremely anxious to get out each day, not sure what will happen after the snow is gone. Although in reality, that will be quite awhile yet...

[Crankin]

Sounds wonderful, Ridebikeme. But, the switch has gone on for cycling down here... I really need to be on my bike.
I am sure the conditions at Windblown were awesome today, from the pictures I've seen. If I were up north, I'd be skiing!