Its been a few years since I have posted (I used to be a big deal (at least in my own mind (but I digress)))
If the triathlon grind is weighing on you this winter, consider joining me and some other skinny skiers at 10K feet of elevation for the best/worst 24 hours of your Winter/Spring
Joking aside, this is an awesome grass roots event. Kind of like triathlon in the 90’s. And XC skiing will certainly keep you fit for the spring triathlon season. I did it last year, loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to get back at it this year! Now we just need some snow up here in Colorado.
Wow! Another Leadville classic - this one XC-Skiing! This does sound awesome!
I’m contemplating a return this winter to the Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM). It’s a two day 160km, point to point ski-tour in southern Quebec in the Laurentian Mountains. The trails are ONLY groomed for Classic - a lot of the route is on narrow double track trails. You ski 80km on Day 1 and 80km on Day 2. I last did it 30 years ago. The plan this winter is to have a go at the Gold Courier de Bois - which is ski the whole way and camp-out overnight at the mid-way point in Montebello, QC
Unlike the Leadville event, the CSM is close to sea level. My only experience XC-Skiing at altitude was a long time ago at the Donner Pass Ski trails near Lake Tahoe at 10,000ft. After 5km I was completely gassed and felt like I was skiing with one, half functioning lung!!
Altitude is just something you get used to. I skiied at Grand Mesa last year the day after my covid vax. Couldn’t tell what squished me, but something definately did!
I am based in Vail for the winter, our nordic center here is 8150. Leadville is right at 10000, so not much of difference between the two.