Cross Country Ski Questions?

Does anyone have any experience w/ XC skiing on the east coast? (West Virginia or Maryland esp.) Thinking about giving it a shot, and it seems that we’ve had a good deal of snow on the east coast this winter. Am I waisting my time, should I wait till I can travel out west? Any tips for a first time XC skier? Thanks.

Not familiar with your area, but as long as there is snow, then you can x-country ski almost anywhere. I ski on groomed trails, unused railway line, or break trails thru the woods. I live in rural Ontario and am fortunate to have these within a stone’s throw to my house. Investigate the area and see what kind of x-country ski fascilities you have available.

What you have trealize is that there is different types of cross country skiing. Classical style mimics running more closely than does skate skiing. The classical skis are longer and the technique is quite different. I personally much prefer skate skiing as it is faster. In fact the only time I classical nowadays is when going thru non groomed trails in the woods.

actually, the snow is far better for xc skiing in the midwest and east than it is in the west. moisture content=speed, and powder is very dry. also, in the mountains most trail systems are set on the side of mountain (duh) so you are more or less stuck crabbing along up and down in a boring off camber funk. in the east and midwest you will find trail systems more rolling and rollicking around. much better. :slight_smile:

Personally, I favor traditional nordic skiing, as opposed to skate skiing. But then again, without hard-packed snow or nicely groomed trails, it’s harder to skate. If you’re plowing through fresh snow, it just works easier to move straight ahead. The worst, though, is when you get into someone elses nordic ruts and they’re just an inch or two narrower than what you would naturally carve. It becomes a sort of high wire act with feet 2.5 meters long!
Just out of curiosity to those who might’ve tried, can still telemark easily in skate skis with the shorter heal end?

What? Snow’s pretty fast around here (Utah). Transformed snow has the same moisture content anywhere, and even the new snow’s fast if you 'hit the wax" right.

I just got back last night from three days in Sun Valley (200+ kms of groomed trails)… Not a “boring off camber funk” in the group. Just trying to figure out how to look serious at work with this perma-grin on the face.

Come out and give us a try some time.

Does anyone have any experience w/ XC skiing on the east coast? (West Virginia or Maryland esp.) Thinking about giving it a shot, and it seems that we’ve had a good deal of snow on the east coast this winter. Am I waisting my time, should I wait till I can travel out west? Any tips for a first time XC skier? Thanks.

well that was interesting. my original post didn’t appear at all below the “in reply to”. anyway.

short and sweet. rent both traditional and skate skis from your local REI (or something similar). Go to any snow covered golf course and go to town. stay off the tee boxes and greens and no one will bother you typically. if it snow regularly in your area, chances are you’ll see tracks of people who’ve already been there.

golf courses are nice to learn on since there isn’t as much to hit on the downhill.

There’s fantastic skiing north of you: check out http://www.capcan.ca/gatineau/outdoor_activities/skiconditions_e.asp. Also watch the video near the top of http://www.csm-mcs.com/en/, although the registration deadline for this year has now passed.

Cheers – John