For some of us mere mortals who are not in Kona, or who didn’t “win” the opportunity to buy a spot at the world championships, it’s time to look towards the offseason. I’m wondering if anyone uses cross-country skiing as a way to cross-train during the winter months? I’ve read that it is a good way to switch things up for a bit but was looking to hear from those with some first hand experience as it relates to triathlon and fitness.
I have no idea if it helps triathlon fitness (although most say it does). All I know is that skate skiing on nice snow in nice weather is about the most fun thing I do all year. I don’t care about the fitness benefits; I would do it even if it took years off of my life. And I don’t even like the cold.
Can’t wait to hit the trails. Season opens October 18.
I spent my best years of racing in Montana and never owned a bike trainer. The last 4 years I substituted xc skiing (skate and classic) and did a few races each winter and found it a great complement to my training, and solid substitute for cycling when the weather didn’t allow.
Canmore Nordic Center?
You mean the Canmore Awesome Centre. Yes.
Yes! Definitely a great cross-training method and a great way to get a mental break from Swim-Bike-Run. I find it so much better to train outside, which in a tough Ottawa winter means mostly running and cross-country skiing through the winter, with a little bit of pool swimming and trainer rides thrown in. It’s been a very successful formula for me over the last several years, and I’m making this winter a real cross-country ski focussed winter in preparation for the Norway Birkebeiner race late March. I’ll let you know how the transition to triathlon for summer racing works out.
Lame sport. Snow? Who wants to deal with that shit? It’s cold! Frozen water is for making rum and coke.
I hope you get a nice trip to Norway. 2 years back Joergen Aukland double poled (now wax) the whole way to fourth place. That is not easy up those hills in the beginning.
How long are you staying in Norway?
Regarding cross country skiing. I am helping out a youth program here in Seattle. http://www.momentumnorthwest.org/
We are not big, but hopefully we will grow the next years.
Lame sport. Snow? Who wants to deal with that shit? It’s cold! Frozen water is for making rum and coke.
Exactly!!!
Plus its way to easy to build any real fitness.
I didn’t know you guys open that early. Every year…everyone from canmore come to BC in early season to get decent skiing. Nickle plate and silverstar are usually the first to open with real significant trails. Altitude help get the early snow!!!
Stored snow my friend.
I see why they come to BC then 
but wow…really cool…one way to get early on the ski…
xc skiers use the bike for off season trainers. Yea, it is plenty good for you and a total break from triathlon.
Of course you can ski in the skitunnel in Torsby
http://www.skitunnel.se/otherlanguages/infoinenglish.69.html
Videos
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=torsby+ski
.
xc skiing is full body like swimming, low impact like cycling and intense like running
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I have no idea if it helps triathlon fitness (although most say it does). All I know is that skate skiing on nice snow in nice weather is about the most fun thing I do all year. I don’t care about the fitness benefits; I would do it even if it took years off of my life. And I don’t even like the cold.
Everything this guy said … +1
Well put
I have been skiing for years, the biggest single piece of advice I can give is GET LESSONS.
XC skiing like swimming is hugely technique sensitive, you can be very strong and fit and find it miserable if you have bad technique. So many people think they can just put on skiis and figure it out. Where I ski there are all these bike short wearing dudes from Boston who show up doing their cross training, and even though they would smoke me on a bike they really struggle on skiis because their egos think that cross country skiing should be like snow shoeing or something that comes naturally.
My advice would be to start with classic gear, learn double poling, weight transfer, forward body position, speed control, etc, then a couple of years later start skate technique.
It is an incredible way to stay fit over the winter. Here in NH I ski mid december and usually do my last day the first week of April. I typically ski 15-20 hours a month in the winter which maintains a very good base.
Yes! Definitely a great cross-training method and a great way to get a mental break from Swim-Bike-Run. I find it so much better to train outside, which in a tough Ottawa winter means mostly running and cross-country skiing through the winter, with a little bit of pool swimming and trainer rides thrown in. It’s been a very successful formula for me over the last several years, and I’m making this winter a real cross-country ski focussed winter in preparation for the Norway Birkebeiner race late March. I’ll let you know how the transition to triathlon for summer racing works out.
I think you proved it can be done before! I was actually tempted to head out on some roller skis today but slept in. Perhaps tomorrow.
To the OP yes and yes. My best IM this year was IM Texas when my longest ride of the year was 2:48 (done at St. Croix) and longest run of the year was 1:45 (also at St. Croix). I had several weekends with 6-8 hours of XC skiing and that took care of my near zero trainer time. My longest trainer ride was 70 min, and I showed up at Galveston 10 days off XC skiing with zero miles on my TT bike and only 4 hours on my commuter bike and had zero problem staying aero and had my fastest half IM run split of the year.
When I actually trained for triathlon specifically in the summer, I got slower than right off XC ski training. I find I can’t get to the same level of aerobic fitness with tri sports as I can with XC ski training. My FTP goes up every winter when I XC lots and my spring races are always my best races of the year. This has been going on for 20 years now, so I don’t think it is some fluke one off thing.
I agree that XC skiing gets you into a great condition. I’m always stronger on running hill workouts with my group during and just after ski season! And my biking is strong as well! I wish you could skate ski on snow all year here in central BC, but eventually the snow does melt! I like roller skiing, but I find it’s not quite the same as snow skiing! Mainly cause I like to crash and pavement is an unforgiving jerk! I always recommend some lessons or technique development for maximin benefits. Skiing is more technique than you might think, but great training! Enjoy the snow!