What do you think of skijoring? I heard you mention it on a podcast and I’d like to know more.
Jake
Taos, New Mexico
To most people who know the term, skijoring means getting pulled by a dog (or dogs). Sometimes both person and dog have harnesses connected by a rope, though it can be as informal as a dog on a leash pulling you.
Skijoring with a dog can be great fun, but it’s not the only way to be towed over the snow while you’re skiing. I’ve also gone skijoring with horses, snowmobiles, snowcats, mules, and (once) a VW bug.
All the experiences were thrilling. The only scary one was the snowcat because of those treads ahead of me (no problem on flats or uphill but interesting on the downhills). The most hilarious was at a ranch in Montana, being towed around a packed oval by the mule at the ends of the oval, you could be moving pretty fast, like playing crack-the-whip. You could always let go of the rope, and the mule’s rider slowed down for inexperienced skiers, but then (at least it felt like this!) he’d go into a gallop for those of us who’d skied more or were a little too ambitious.
Are there groomed trails in national parks? And more specifically, which parks do you recommend?
Sal
Syracuse, New York
You bet! Two of the gems in the U.S. are Yellowstone and Yosemite, and two in Canada are Banff and Jasper. All of them have machine-groomed trails, a wide range of services, and spectacular views.
I’ve skied in Yellowstone on and off since 1978. It’s a little frustrating that the Park Service hasn’t had a consistent policy about which trails will be groomed how often, but the current concessionaire, Xanterra, is very pro-skiing.
There are a number of gorgeous national parks in both countries that don’t have groomed trails or winter support services but do have reliable snow. One of my favorites is Glacier in Montana.
Incidentally, you can also find a lot of wonderful groomed trails in state and provincial parks.
This may be an unusual question for this website, but I’m looking at taking up cross country skiing purely to lose weight (and to become more fit in general). Is it good for overall fitness?
J.R.
Olympia, Washington
Absolutely! You use all your muscles Nordic skiing, just as you do swimming. One of the things I’ve always liked about XC is that you’re actually using so many muscle groups at the same time that (unless you’re really pushing the pace) none of them get sore the way they do in, for instance, running or alpine skiing.
As to weight loss, according to a study I saw couple of weeks back, a 155-pound skier burns 563 calories per hour. Another one says that if you ski for two hours at four miles per hour, whatever your weight, you’ll burn about 1,200 calories.
These studies usually don’t tell you whether skiers are on groomed trails or breaking their own trails, whether they’re diagonal striding or skating (that can make a big difference there), etc. Regardless, you’re going to get firmer and fitter and have fun too.
I’m flying from the east coast to Montana in February. What can I do to make sure my cross country skis stay safe from baggage handlers?
S.J.
New York, New York
Usually there’s no problem with equipment getting broken by the airlines, but it’s smart to give yourself an edge. I’ve taken skis overseas maybe a dozen times and had a racing pole basket and a ski tip broken on different trips. On the other hand, I’ve never had breakage on a domestic flight.
I’d get a padded ski bag and wrap some additional padding (I usually use towels) around the bindings and pole baskets. That may not protect skis and poles from being twisted by baggage handlers or carousels, but it does help if your equipment is hit with something or thrown on top of a solid object. It’s also a good idea to strap your skis together and bundle your poles handle-to-tip to minimize movement within the bag.
I always ask the airline to mark the ski bag fragile when I check baggage. Sometimes they’ll do it, sometimes not. One time I explained that Nordic skis aren’t as sturdy as alpine equipment, and a friendly Delta agent put my bag inside a plastic ski bag, and then plastered fragile in about a dozen places. That got respect!
Another option is to rent skis wherever you’re going and carry your own boots. As I found one time in Italy, you can probably find good skis, but bindings may not be compatible with your boots.
Actually, you may not have to worry about baggage handlers if you’re headed to a cross-country area in Montana places like Lone Mountain Ranch and Izaak Walton Inn rent excellent track and skating gear.
I have a question about backcountry skiing in the Rockies. I’ve heard snow can be so deep that snowshoes are better than skis. Is that your experience?
J.L.
Madison, Wisconsin
Generally I prefer XC skiing to snowshoeing (sliding and gliding is just more fun than walking on the snow!), but sometimes snowshoes are a better choice.
One of the things I do is design ski trails and cross-country ski resorts (Nordic Group International). Last winter I was working on a trails project in Montana in cold, deep, very dry snow.
My fairly wide touring skis just sank out of sight, snowmobiles had the same problem, and there was too much fallen timber to use a snowcat, so I switched to Crescent Moon Gold Series 10 snowshoes. They were phenomenal! (And no, I don’t benefit from this plug.)
Snowshoes can work a lot better than skis if you’re in that kind of bottomless dry snow, if you’re a big person (I’m medium-sized but was carrying a 20-pound pack), and if you have to maneuver through brush, dense forest, or fallen timber. That said, I was lucky enough to be working with a guy who did a lot of the trail-breaking it would have been really tough without him.
I love alpine skiing but want to try cross-country. Are there resorts you recommend where you can do both?
Sal
Austin, Texas
There are at least 50 resorts in North America which have both alpine and cross-country skiing (and usually snowshoeing too). The trouble is that Nordic tends to be kind of an afterthought trails converted from golf cart paths (or crazy-hard trails), maybe no instruction or pulk sleds, so-so equipment, unpredictable grooming, mediocre support facilities, and so on.
On the other hand, you can find incredibly good cross-country skiing at or near some great alpine areas. Since you live in Austin, I’d suggest skiing in Colorado not exactly easy driving distance, but good flight connections.
Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Aspen, Crested Butte, and Beaver Creek all have outstanding cross-country areas either right on site or within a few minutes’ drive. For that matter, you can stay at cross-country ranches (I love these places! great skiing, staff, meals, lodging, views, and more) near Steamboat and Winter Park, go Nordic skiing outside your cabin door, and get shuttled over to the alpine slopes.
You can check out more areas in other states in my e-book, Cross-Country Ski Getaways.
I’m trying to find out if anyone makes cross-country ski boots in wide widths. Have an orthotic and am looking for a wide boot that will fit it. I’m more interested in non-groomed trails.
Am hoping you can help me! No one seems to make them. Thanks.
Anna
Somerville, New Jersey
That’s an intriguing question. Here are a couple of suggestions, based partly on my own experience along with the expertise of Peter Hale of Madshus.
First, I don’t know of any boots today that are built for wide feet, but you may still be able to find some that will work for you.
A lot of boots are being designed specifically for women, who tend to have narrower feet than men. So you will probably get a slightly wider fit if you get what’s sometimes called a “unisex” boot.
Every manufacturer uses slightly different designs for their XC ski boot. (The same thing goes for running shoes.) I don’t know the subtleties of anything like every model of boot available in North America (there are so many models that probably no one knows them all!), but I’d suggest looking at Alpina or Madshus boots, which can be a little wider than some of the other suppliers. Next year (2009-2010), Atomic may have touring boots with a new lacing system that would give you a lot of flexibility in loosening or tightening.
Last thing is when you get the boots, you may be able to replace the insole with a thinner insole. I wore an orthotic for a couple of winters for classic skiing, experimented with no insole and various thicknesses of insole, and came up with a pretty good combination. Having no insole made the boot considerably chillier, but my light classic boots had very little insulation anyway — that may not be a problem for your warmer touring boots.
Hope this helps!
I just moved to Minneapolis after living in Florida for the last 12 years and my husband and I want to learn to cross country ski. I need to know a few things about cross-country skiing, specifically:
Since we don’t know how to cross country ski, what suggestions do you have for starting?
Do the terms xc skiing, Nordic skiing, and cross-country skiing all refer to the same thing?
Can you post or point me to a list of basic cross country skiing terms?
By the way, I have been looking online for cross-country skiing information and yours is the first site I have found where I could ask a question. Thank you very much!
Jessie
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I’m glad that cross-country skiing is about to get two new converts! It’s an incredible sport that’s fun, social, great exercise, and can take you to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
My top suggestion for you is to start skiing at an established ski area, where you can rent equipment on-site (and talk with staff who are knowledgeable and can suggest the right skis and boots for you) and where you can take lessons.
Lessons are a great way to learn to ski faster and more efficiently and also have more fun. Most commercial cross-country areas (where there are machine-groomed trails and other services) offer instruction.
Yes, those three terms all refer to the same thing. And you can find a good list of basic terms at the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) website (www.xcski.org), on the Nordic terms page, under ski & snowshoe information.
By the way, the Minneapolis area has good groomed trails in city parks and even a couple of locations with snowmaking. There are a lot of places to explore further north, including wonderful lodges and big trail networks up around Grand Marais, with very reliable snow. I hope you have a great winter!
Saw your blog posting on getting in shape for ski season this year. I’m planning on trying some xc ski races this year and would appreciate you providing more detail on preparing myself for the season, if you can.
Brett
Toronto, Ontario
I’ve done a few cross-country ski races including Spam Cup races in West Yellowstone, Montana, and the 30 km version of the Cariboo Marathon at 100 Mile House, B.C. but I thought I’d turn this question over to an expert: Randy Hill, the Head Physiologist at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association in Park City, Utah. He was kind enough to write out his five tips on getting ready for the cross-country ski season.
1. The Nordic skier is born in the summer months. This means that they need to start out with building their foundation. The rest of the season is based on how good the foundation is. If the foundation is flimsy, the whole thing can come down on your head, so to say. Foundation includes long slow training where your heart rate is between 120 and 150 bpm for most people.
2. Try to use workouts that include both upper and lower body exercise. Cycling is great, but it is only good for your lower body. Workouts that fit this include swimming, rowing, roller skiing, and hiking with poles.
3. Do not mix your long slow training (volume) with your race pace training (intensity). This can quickly backfire if not properly monitored. The line between doing well and doing poorly in a season will become quickly thin when these two are improperly handled and not monitored well.
4. The transition from summer training (volume) to winter training (intensity) should be brief and allow for a gradual decrease in volume to a gradual increase in intensity. Allow the body to adjust over a 2-4 week period.
5. Recovery is key after each and every workout. The entire process of training is to elicit adaptation. This is the process of slowly rebuilding the physiology that you broke down during the training. This basically requires solid recovery and should be emphasized before you go out and train intensely again. If you begin intensity training too soon after a previous intensity training, the body will slowly deteriorate and break down because you did not give it time enough to rebuild itself.
Good luck, Brett, and thanks, Randy!
Do you have any experience with buying cross-country ski season pass insurance?
Jerry
Albany, New York
I’ve never bought season pass insurance, but I know something about it.
The idea is that if you’re planning to buy a season pass at a cross-country area, you can get insurance against not being able to use the pass because you suddenly get injured or sick (as opposed to having a pre-existing condition).
Some cross-country ski areas have restrictions on passes, making them non-refundable so if you get hurt or sick, you can lose a lot of the value of the pass.
You can get Nordic season pass coverage through Skier Insurance Services. (Incidentally, I have no affiliation with the company; am just passing on information here.)
Cost through this policy is 6% of your season pass. If you’re injured and need evacuation even by helicopter the program also covers you up to $15,000. The coverage applies whether you get hurt or sick skiing or for another reason.
Like all insurance, there are some exclusions, and it’s smart to read the fine print and check that coverage is available in the state where you buy the pass.
By the way, on the subject of season passes: you can often get a hefty pre-season discount. Some areas have graduated discounts, so you can save something like 20% discount before mid-November, 10% until the end of November, etc.
Also, if winter is a little unpredictable in your part of the country, you may want to wait until there’s a solid snowpack and then buy a pass, so you’re sure that you’ll have a good long season to use it. Even at full price, cross-country season passes are usually a very good investment.
I’ve skied enough to know that I’d like to buy my own cross-country ski gear. How do I go about selecting cross-country skis that are right for me?
J. B.
Rochester, Minnesota
That question how to select cross-country skis has several answers.
First, figure out the type of skiing you want to do: Track (for machine-groomed trails), skating, touring (where you break your own trail), telemarking, and so on.
Once that’s decided, it’s a good idea (maybe you’ve already done this) to rent the kind of equipment you want. Ideally, you’ll rent it at a ski shop, ski area, or Nordic ski center where you can also buy it.
For track and touring skis, there’s a choice between waxless and waxable models. A good pair of waxless skis will work well in most snow types and temperatures. Generally they won’t be as fast as waxable Nordic skis, but you also won’t have to go through the learning process of what wax(es) to apply when, on how much of your ski base, with what thickness, etc.
Of course, cost can be important too. If you’re planning on getting outfitted for track or touring with skis, poles, boots, and bindings, a good starter package can run around $300 (U.S.). Gear of that quality should last you at least several years.
Kids’ equipment is generally cheaper, while racing and telemarking equipment can be a lot more expensive.
One final thought: Most cross-country ski equipment is still what might be called unisex, but there are an increasing number of skis and boots that are designed specifically for women. Women friends I’ve talked with say they particularly appreciate boots that are designed for a narrower foot.
Do you have any favorite cross-country ski events? If so, what are they and why do you like them? We’re looking to go to at least one event this year. Thanks.
Craig & Becky
Bozeman, Montana
As you probably know, cross-country ski events can be competitive or not competitive, maybe just what you’d call fun.
My favorite fun events tend to revolve around food. (For anyone who knows me, that’s totally predictable!) One I really love is at Enchanted Forest XC Ski Area in Red River, New Mexico, and it’s called Just Desserts. You ski or snowshoe from station to station along a 5-km course, and at each one there’s a different kind of dessert provided by local restaurants (cheesecake, chocolate, and other goodies). So you get great food and work off the calories skiing.
And if we’re talking about races, my favorite long event is the 50-km Tour of Anchorage. It’ll be held March 8th, 2009. The things I enjoy about it most are the course is fun, passing right through the city of Anchorage, there’s no altitude problem (in fact, there’s one spot that’s below sea level!), and everybody from racers to volunteers and spectators is super-friendly.
We’ve got a two-year-old daughter we’d like take Nordic skiing, but it sounds crazy to carry her in a backpack when I can barely stand up on skis. How do people take young kids skiing?
Jim Garrison
New York, New York
Good question! There are basically three options: Ski beside your daughter, carry her, or pull her in a pulk.
Kids as young as three can ski, but generally they don’t have much stamina and get chilled pretty easily. If you want her to start skiing right away, I’d suggest visiting a cross-country ski area where there are groomed trails, then staying pretty near the lodge and bringing hot chocolate with you.
I’ve seen a few skiers carrying kids on their backs, but in addition to the risk of falling (and I’ve seen that happen even when the parent’s an expert skier), children can get cold up there and their parents may not know it.
Instead of a pack, you can often rent a pulk (also referred to as a pulk sled) at a Nordic ski area. A pulk is a special insulated enclosed sled with a harness to secure your youngster; often kids are so comfortable in them that they fall asleep. It’s relatively easy to pull a pulk on groomed trails, but a lot harder to pull in deeper snow.
I’m an intermediate skier living near sea level. I’d like to ski in the Rockies but I’m concerned about altitude. Please give me your thoughts.
Bob in Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
A lot of people have altitude problems. I live at 5,000′ in Colorado and sometimes get hit by altitude (mostly don’t have much energy) when I drive up to maybe 8,000′ and start skiing hard right away.
If you’re absolutely set on skiing in the Rockies, Alberta and British Columbia have a lot of cross-country areas at around 4,000′-5,000′, which is a pretty comfortable elevation for almost everybody, but they still get plenty of snow.
If going to Canada isn’t possible, there’s phenomenal cross-country skiing and reliable snow in regions where altitude isn’t ever a problem. For instance, I’ve always felt that the upper Midwest has some of the best cross-country terrain in the world.
If you do go somewhere higher than let’s say 7,000′, it would be smart to stay a week or maybe longer so you can gradually acclimate and really enjoy the whole experience. You’ll probably get acclimated faster if you drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of sleep, and avoid a lot of caffeine and alcohol.
What do you think about taking dogs XC skiing?
Jeni B.
Sacramento, California
I think it’s great if your dogs like the idea! A lot of dogs (not all of them, but most I’ve known) love winter, and when they get to run and play in the snow with their people, it’s pretty close to heaven for them.
In terms of where to go cross-country skiing with dogs, where you take them should depend a lot on their size and endurance as well as snow conditions. For example, a small dog will get exhausted in deep snow but may have a blast when he’s running on a solid surface like a groomed trail. I’ve known small and medium-sized dogs that didn’t like powder snow all that much but had the time of their lives on firm spring corn snow.
I used to ski with my Newfoundlands (the little one was 130 pounds). I found that even big, powerful dogs get tired really fast in deep snow because they sink so far with every step.
A lot of cross-country ski areas invite guests to bring their dogs (call first to check whether an area has some dog-friendly trails and whether you need a leash or harness for your pup or can let him run free).
A lot of my friends go backcountry skiing, but I like cross-country skiing a lot more if I’m on groomed trails. Do you see advantages of one over the other?
Greg
Denver, Colorado
That’s a tough question to answer because like many people, I love doing both kinds of skiing!
Cross-country ski areas offer a lot of services that make your visit more comfortable and more fun. They’re best known for machine-groomed trails, but they’ll also have plowed parking lots and restrooms, in addition to things like a day lodge, equipment rental, instruction, and maybe meals and lodging.
Cross-country ski areas in Canada and the U.S. generally charge a trail fee to cover costs like parking lot clearance, grooming, insurance, and leasing land. If cost is a factor, I’d look for trails that are groomed by public agencies where there may be a trail or parking fee, but it’ll definitely be lower than at a commercial area. It’s maybe a four-hour drive from Denver, but Aspen has a 60-km free trail system.
For those of you who aren’t really familiar with cross-country skiing terms, backcountry skiing or ski touring is skiing off groomed trails. It has its own beauty, it’s often a little slower paced, and you probably won’t see as many people as at places with groomed trails. On the other hand, it takes more energy to break trail if there’s a lot of fresh snow.
Sorry to sound like I’m waffling, but they’re both wonderful ways to experience winter!
I just started to xc ski last year and really love everything about it except my boyfriend says I should wear a hat. He’s really adamant about it. So settle this for us, please.
name withheld
I agree, I don’t like wearing a hat, but there are a lot of good reasons to do it in winter, especially when it’s cold or snowing.
The biggest thing is that it’ll help keep you warm. (You can lose half your body heat from an unprotected head!) If you get too warm, just take off the hat and you’ll start to cool off.
Second thing, it’ll help protect you from sunburn. And third, a cap with a visor helps protect your eyes on a bright day.
I’d suggest experimenting with different hats to see what you like, or at least what works best in different weather conditions. I often carry both a tight-woven wool hat (or made of some non-itchy synthetic) for cool, wet, or windy conditions, and a cap with a visor for when it gets warmer and sunny.
