Learn the best tips for acquiring new cross country ski gear such as skis, boots, and bindings to have the most successful time on the snow covered trails
Find out the best way to fit Nordic ski boots for cross country skiing. These tips will make getting a new pair of cross country ski easy for any skier.
Socks for Nordic or cross country skiing are a most important component for comfort while skiing to be warm and comfortable while out on the snow covered trails.
It is worthwhile to be aware of the way to dress to cross country ski and this is useful info to be comfortable while doing it
XCSkiResorts.com editor sporting the Fischer Twin Skin skis
The cross country ski waxless “skin” bases, use inserted mohair strips on the ski bottom, which are extremely effective for all temperatures and snow conditions. It is high performance waxless base technology for the classic skier, who prefers to use a waxless ski. The ski strips are like small climbing skins and they are resistant to icing because they have a Teflon-like coating. There are conditions where a de-icer should be applied to the skins. There are anti-icing solvents that do not degrade the glue (which holds the skin to the ski) but it is best to get an anti-icer made by a ski manufacturer to avoid damage to the skin and the glue.
Specific cross country ski models that have a flex that are created in conjunction with the skin material, which rides above the snow in the glide phase, are easy to press down for excellent grip during the kick phase.
At Fischer, there are skin skis up and down the product line. The Twin Skin skis have two separate skin strips arranged in offset positions and with variable base-depth integration result in smooth and balanced gliding. These mohair skins ensure you can rely on the kick action, especially in hard or icy conditions and thanks to the unique Teflon coating of the skins, moisture absorption and subsequent icing is completely minimized.
Rottefella Move binding allows easy adjustment on the trail
Technique, temperature and snow composition all have an influence on ski performance but with all TURNAMIC® binding models, which provides tool free adjustment skiers can better match their individual needs. Sliding the system forward provides more grip, while sliding it back will noticeably improve glide. With the optimized setup of the boot-binding-plate-ski components, TURNAMIC® gives you dynamic skiing performance like never before. FLOWFLEX® technology enables the ski to flex freely. I own a pair of Twin Skin skis and I’ve found that these skis glide better than other skis that I’ve owned in the past. At the same time, the skis have not lost the ability to climb up hills.
The TURNAMIC® binding has a user-friendly entry mechanism providing individual adjustment possible in seconds and tool-free. The bindings quickly slide onto the plate without the use of tools. When it’s time to ski, the Turn Lock mechanism can be operated even with a gloved hand, making entry and exit easier than ever before. The Rottefella Move binding when it arrives in the USA, will provide even easier dial-oriented adjustments.The Fischer Twin Skin Superlite EF provides a lightweight all-around ski featuring Efficient Forward, which gives the skier an easier, more forgiving kick action and smooth gliding. The lightweight fitness sport skis come in traditional length to glide easily on the trail.
Rossignol R-Skin Ultra
The Rossignol R-Skin Ultra features a replaceable mohair insert, and the waxless R-SKIN base structures offer an easy, consistent kick and maximum glide with no additional prep work necessary. The Rossignol ski is built with a Nomex Honeycomb construction for an accessible mohair skin classic ski for fitness-oriented skiers. The R-Skin Ultra not only offers a bit more width than a traditional race-oriented classic ski giving a more stable platform, but it also has the same high quality base as Rossignol’s top end race skis, and a great new graphic. Compatible with the Turnamic® binding system, the new Integrated Fixation Plate (IFP) allows the most natural ski flex for unparalleled snow feel, precision, and glide. Replaceable mohair inserts reportedly provide 100-150 days on the snow before they might be replaced.
With the Atomic Pro C2 Skintec, prepping and handling couldn't be easier thanks to its Skintec technology. There's no need for kick-waxing - instead mohair grip zones produce excellent kick and glide in all snow conditions and temperatures. And you can replace the grip zone after heavy wear. Atomic has added a high-quality base, race grinding, a sportive sidecut and a flexible tip for an easy slide-in and glide. This year they've also given the series a facelift with a cool new design for the track.
A suggestion is to find a cross country ski area or ski retailer that has a demo fleet of skin type skis from any product company and give them a try. Play with the binding settings on the ski binding to see the effect from adjustments on grip and glide. Expect the ski to perform better than you have ever experienced.
Retail outlets (on line or via phone) recommended by XCSkiResorts.com include Cross Country Ski Headquarters ( 800-832-2663; www.crosscountryski.com) which is a leading XC ski outfitter and ski area in Michigan since 1974.
High Peaks Cyclery is in Lake Placid, NY and also a click away at http://highpeakscyclery.com/
The Rottefella cross country ski Move binding allows one to transfer weight balance forward or backward on the ski with the twist of a know to impact gliding or gripping on the trails.
Cross country ski products designed for women
General info about cross country ski products for equipment and clothing to enjoy the sport.
Antique skis at Carter’s Cross Country
Need some last minute gift ideas for a cross country (XC) skier? There are gifts ranging from $5 to $500, stocking stuffers to long distance trips.
You can buy gifts for a XC skier on line (google outlets) or find a XC ski retail shop or a XC ski area (or their websites) to go shopping.
The Product Gift list includes little stuff and more:
Lip balm
Skin protection
Energy snack bars
Insulated water bottles
Books about XC skiing.
Gloves (for different temperatures) and socks are popular.
Headlamp for evening XC skiing.
Ski wax and wax accessories.
Long underwear tops or bottoms (they come for different temperature ranges).
Jacket or Pants
XC skis, boots, poles, bindings.
Retail outlets (on line or via phone) recommended by XCSkiResorts.com include Cross Country Ski Headquarters ( 800-832-2663; www.crosscountryski.com) which is a leading XC ski outfitter and ski area in Michigan since 1974.
High Peaks Cyclery is in Lake Placid, NY and also a click away at http://highpeakscyclery.com/
These outlets have high quality gear and services for XC skiers ranging from the first timer to the experienced racer. They guarantee the correct fit equipment to ensure you enjoy your time skiing.
Skiing Gifts could include:
Day trail pass or booklet of passes to a ski area.
Season pass to a ski area.
XC ski lesson (general or specific skill like skating, downhill, etc.)
XC ski rental (performance if already have old XC skis).
Other special program (kids program, women’s group, etc.)
How about a surprise gift XC ski trip weekend? Have a great holiday!
Research info about the value of immersing oneself in the outdoors for health and wellness.
When it is time to go skiing or snowboarding it only takes me a few minutes to get out the door. Of course, it takes some time to dress with base layer, selected socks, and top (ski shirt) and bottom (ski pants). I admit that it may be a bit obsessive to organize a "get away" bag of accessories; but the next step to get on the snow quickly entails reaching into my oversized bag that is in my living room to get the accessories needed.
For XC SKIING the bag includes the following:
3 pairs of xc ski gloves including light for spring-like warm days, regular winter days, and extra insulated for cold days;
Belt pack that has emergency (hand and toe warmers, matches, knife, repair tool, sun cream, scraper, compass, and some speed wax. Depending on how cold it is, I might add a neck gaiter to the pack and often a spare pair of light gloves to replace wet gloves;
There is also a water bottle in a net pouch on the belt pack and a very old wrapped granola bar in a zipped side pocket;
1 pair of sunglasses in a case;
3 headbands for warm, regular and colder days;
1 hat and 2 skull caps (new and old);
2 neckgaiters;
2 headlights (you need to have the extra one for your spouse or a friend to ski at night);
Earbuds;
Additional hand and toe warmer packs and sun cream.
Obviously, skiers who use waxable skis have an assortment of waxing paraphernalia. I use only waxless skis and only occasionally hot wax my ski bases, so I keep my waxing items in a separate bag in the garage.
As a snowboarder, I keep some additional items for SNOWBOARDING in the accessories bag, which include the following:
Helmet;
2 pairs of gloves for regular and cold weather and a pair of extra glove liners;
3 pairs of goggles including an extra old pair with dark lenses and a pair with yellow lens for overcast days;
1 runaway strap (some ski areas still require it);
1 small accessory bag that includes an extra stomp pad, 5 different replacement binding straps, spare boot laces, 2 runaway straps, bag with various binding screws and washers; chunk of hard wax, tin of paste wax, and antifog lens cleaner in rub-on and spray versions.
The value of this preparedness bag is untold. Within the bag, the gloves are kept clipped together so it is easy to find a pair when needed. When getting ready for a ski trip near or far, the bag can be thrown in the car and that eliminates the need to worry about remembering any accessories. My daughter has followed my lead and created her own accessories bag. This winter when she was on college break, we were able to get out the door in less than 10 minutes from the time that we agreed to go snowboarding. And that includes checking the ski area website for conditions and the trail/lift report.
When going on nearby ski outings, I often will do a test ski on the short trails from my driveway to decide about the temperature and snow conditions. Afterward, I can easily dip into the bag to change any of the accessories that I need. Next is selecting the skis or snowboard, getting into the car, and away I go. Living so close to xc ski trails and alpine ski areas is indeed a blessing, but being organized makes it so easy to focus on what counts, which is getting outdoors and on to the snow.
Nordic walking (or ski walking) is taking off and the Human Kinetics book entitled Nordic Walking for Total Fitness by Suzanne Nottingham and Alexandra Jurasin has got it covered. For those who are unfamiliar, Nordic walking is a fitness activity that combines walking with specially designed poles to engage the upper body muscles.
Trekking (hiking with poles) and Nordic walking are two different activities that use very different poles and techniques. It may sound silly, but perhaps "walking is not just walking." The pole angle, weight, grip, and straps are different between the aforementioned modes of walking. The Nordic walking pole is designed to allow your hands to relax in order to target the larger wrapping muscles of the back. But using poles of any kind automatically stimulates your spine and all of the muscles around it, even with inefficient technique. When walking, the key postural muscles of the core and upper body are engaged.
Nordic Walking for Total Fitness outlines the health and fitness benefits and the enhancement of body posture that result from the activity. Equipment including poles, shoes, apparel, pedometers, and heart rate monitors are covered.
There are photos for every segment of the book showing technique progressions, fitness exercises, power training, and variations for balance, agility, and flexibility. Common technique errors are also reviewed as well as uphill and downhill techniques, advanced cardio training, and drills for strength training and calorie burning.
The book also includes fitness assessments, sample workouts for varying levels of interests from first timer to cross training triathletes. There are also suggestions about customizing your program. Training program recommendations are offered for building distance, fluctuating daily intensity, and rest days. If this all sounds a bit like overkill, that's because it is, particularly if you are a recreational fitness enthusiast but you need read only as much of the book as you feel is relevant to your personal situation.
I've been a Nordic Walker for a few years and found many of the claimed attributes in the book regarding posture and exercise to be true. I've always been in search of a way to decrease the amount of time spent exercising, so I was sold when I heard that using the poles increases caloric burning by 40 percent. Being a cross country skier, it is easy to quickly master Nordic walking. After a summer of Nordic walking, I noticed a marked improvement in my cross country ski poling in terms of strength and timing. It seemed that I increased the amount of forward momentum that was attributable to poling and I was able to pole stronger and longer when skiing.
Nordic Walking for Total Fitness provides a foundation for anyone, ranging from those just looking for an activity to lose weight to health aficionados interested in taking it to higher levels of fitness.
Nordic Walking for Total Fitness is available for $19.95 plus shipping from Human Kinetics at www.humankinetics.com or call 217-351-5076.