Cross Country Skiing

[Crankin]

Bumping this thread up, because we just made a reservation for our annual x country ski trip we do in February! We are going back to Stowe, staying in a new place, and I am hoping, this time, there will be snow. Last 2 times, we ended up snow shoeing, with one day being about 45 degrees, drizzle, and huge amounts of melting snow. The mud at our inn was so bad (it was around March 1st), that even DH's 4 wheel drive, with a special heavy duty thing for getting out of places, needed some extra coaxing to work.
We had originally planned on going back to the Northeast Kingdom, but about 2 weeks ago, we got an email from the inn saying, "good news," the out the door trails are now all for fat tire bikes . Not good for us, though. We snow shoed there, and the only reason we didn't ski was the snow cover was a bit sketchy. There is a dedicated x country center, but it's not that big and not worth going there for a few days. I know that Burke is promoting fat bikes/mountain biking to make the area more desireable to people, but that is one sport I will never do. Since most of the clientele at the inn looked like families with kids, I am wondering how this will play out.
There's still lots of riding time left, but I am getting excited.

[ridebikeme]

Although at present I don't own a Fatbike, more than likely I will buy one at some point. I don't think that there will be much of an issue, there's plenty of room in the NE Kingdom to do what one wants...

When I moved back to Maine in 2000, I judged the conditions of the snow by what I took out on the trails... great snow I'm on my nordic ski's, if it was icey than I went with my mtn bike with studded tires or chains. Nothing has changed, although a Fatbike would me allow me to get more outside miles over the winter than simply being on the trainer. And of course, I'll always be on ski's when there is snow

[Crankin]

1st ski of the season at our local touring center. I am always doubtful about the conditions here, but today they were fabulous! All powder, even though we had some ice under the snow on our driveway. Did about 10.5k, and even though it was crowded, we do an outer loop which includes the only 3 bigger climbs (nothing compared to other places) here, after about the half way point, we hardly saw anyone. Lots of parents teaching very little kids to ski, also.
I'm pretty tired, from skiing, 2 hours of snow shoveling, and still recovering form my dental surgery. Nobody fell, so that's good. I did feel a little more wobbly than usual, but I always think about when I started skiing at this place, about 22 years ago, when I never left the little beginner loop and the one teeny hill used to scare the crap out of me. I didn't *really* begin to ski until 2005.
Happy.

[Crankin]

Skied again today, same place, same loop. We had 5-8 inches of powder last night, but conditions were not as good . It's gorgeous out, bright, sunny and was 28 when I left. I got there at 10:30, about a half hour after they opened. Didn't start too well when the about 80 year old woman selling me the ski ticket asked if I was a senior . I know I don't look great without make up, but geez, my hair wasn't even sweaty yet. I told her i had 5 years to go, according to their standard. Anyway, it was really gorgeous and things were fine until I did the first part of the climb and got to the top, which is an open field, exposed, with no trees. As I was skiing around the loop to catch the second part of the climb, I almost did a face plant. I realized it was getting warm out, I didn't put any Glide on my skis and the snow was getting sticky. When I got back into the woods, it was better, but then I started getting annoyed at the poor grooming. The tracks were fine, but the skating lane, where I usually ascend and descend was not groomed and the sticky snow, combined with lots of powder and big lumps kept slowing me down on the downhills. I do have edges on my skis, but they don't do well in deeper powder. Getting back was slow and one guy near the end told me pass him, as his skis were no longer functioning!
Glad I went, though. Crossed paths with an AMC group skiing, I hung with them for a bit, but they were going even slower than me. I cringed when one of them yelled, "There's my bike leader."
It was 33 when I got back, so no wonder my skis were sticking.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a great day to be out! I remember those days well with sticking snow etc... Those are the days the days when we all need the "Zero" base ski's which are made for those conditions Ummm... maybe I'll have to think about getting a pair HA!

[Crankin]

I've felt the need for a second pair of skis, but not sure what. DH is not so convinced about this... tell me more about those zero based skis.
Maybe I should get some back country skis so I can play in the real woods a bit more.

[Jolt]

Managed to get out and ski yesterday for just under an hour on the local rail trail (that the snowmobilers use, and pack down nicely for skiing). Unfortunately it is going to rain this weekend so will probably have to wait until the next snowfall to go again. Next time I will have to try some of the side trails for more of a challenge since the rail trail doesn't give me any practice turning or going up/downhill.

[Crankin]

Snow shoed in our neighborhood/conservation land trail late this afternoon (Jolt, the one we hiked on years ago). Really warm out, about 50. The snow was pasty and it was quite a work out. I didn't do quite the whole thing as I have neighbors coming over for dinner and I had to start preparing. This is the trail that has the really steep (20+%) climb back up to the street. Although I only went about 3 miles, it felt like 30 between the snow and the climb. I kind of am hoping to ski at Windblown tomorrow, as it's always colder up there and the conditions may be OK, if it doesn't start raining. There's going to be a lot of ice in northern NH and Maine, Vt., so I hope everyone is safe up there.
I love winter.

[Crankin]

Snow shoed on Friday and skied yesterday. I have never seen so many people at Great Brook Farm. Since it was about -5 early in the AM, we went at 1 PM. Conditions were Ok, but I was just off, feeling like my arms and legs were dead, back was hurting, but, hey, I went and skied about 10K. Saw She Fly early in the ski, which was about the only time I smiled! There were a lot newbies out, with poor trail etiquette, as well as many skaters, who fly by and make me feel like an old lady. I slipped and fell going up the bigger climb, just from pure tiredness. Only I would fall going up a hill.
Going to Windblown today, which, no matter how crowded it looks, never feels crowded, once you get out a bit from the lodge. And, the grooming is much better.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a great day Crankin! It seems as though this last bout of weather has really wiped people out... in terms of effort, holidays etc... I'm hearing from people everywhere that they are tired, and those are the folks that "never" say they are tired

Hope you have a great ski today!!

[SheFly]

We went back to Great Brook this morning for a skate before things got busy. Much better, but still lots of newbies out standing in the middle of the trail, or skiing two abreast. Did manage to get in a solid workout though! Great to see Crankin and her DH out yesterday, if only briefly! I am pretty beat now - 3 days of nordic in a row, using muscles I didn't know I had.

SheFly

[Crankin]

Windblown was awesome today, albeit, a bit icy in spots. Now I know why I go here to prepare for trips further north. Climbing like crazy. Some of the descents had moguls and it was slick. No falling on those, but 2 stupid falls sort of trying to be coordinated .
I am also feeling like SheFly, after 2 days of nordic and one of snow shoeing. Tired, but happy. DH and I left before our friends, as he was starting to fall a bit and had a blister. I did not fight this decision. There's an AMC ski at Windblown on Wednesday, but I will have to check on the conditions. Don't want to drive an hour for ice.

[Crankin]

Skied yesterday at Great Brook, after a "surprise" 6-8 inches when a "dusting" had been predicted. Went at 9:15 AM, by myself, with no expectations of conditions. They had stated it was a bit dicey in the woods, but I have actually seen worse, much worse. Was debating on whether to go down the steep, but short descent on one trail, as this is where I once had to take my skies off when there were rocks and roots poking through the snow! But, I like the climb, so I ditched the alternative route and up I went. The conditions were getting a bit slick and mushy, with snow piles on the sides of the descent (which curves). My edge caught and down I went. No one saw, but my back was already hurting, and I do feel the fall today.
I feel like I haven't had a really perfect ski day yet, except maybe the first one. Hoping for some snow for next Sunday, maybe, but I hope I get to ski somewhere more challenging before my trip to Stowe!

[Jolt]

OK, so today I realized what a rotten skier I am. I went to a local XC ski place with a Meetup group of people I hadn't met before, and warned them that I am not very good yet. A couple of others said they weren't either. We split into two groups based on skill level, with the idea that the less advanced group (of which I was a part) would stick to some of the easier trails. First of all, I was by far the worst skier in the group and was the straggler, which I absolutely can't stand. It is so awkward to be slowly trying to get up a hill without sliding backward and having everyone else waiting at the top and staring at you...I finally advised them to just go ahead rather than wait, knowing how annoying it can be to stand around waiting a long time for someone slow as well as not wanting an audience for my klutziness. Also, the trail junctions weren't always well marked and somehow we ended up on what I suspect was a black diamond trail, with lots of ups and downs that I really wasn't ready for. I lost count of how many times I wiped out...going downhill is scary right now especially if there is a curve and there are trees etc. along the sides of the trail. Not being very good at turning yet, there were quite a few times where I had to fall down in order to avoid hitting something. Time to take a lesson...or two or three. Preferably without a lot of other people around. I suppose I should just be thankful I didn't get hurt in the process of crashing that many times...unfortunately one woman did, right at the end. She hit a fence that was next to the trail, injured her shoulder and had to go to the ER. Haven't heard what the outcome of that was, but hoping it isn't serious and that she has a quick recovery. Really a bummer too, as it was her first time skiing.

[Crankin]

Jolt, it's better to go alone, or with one person at first. Take a lesson or two, it helps.