The XC Skiing thread

[caleb]

Mark,

I think this is what you need: Salomon SNS Interface Adaptor I for NIS Plates on Racing Skis

[Mark Kelly]

No, they just allow the pilot binding to be screwed in place over the NIS plate, which comes under bodging as outlined above.

I'm trying to make an adapter that will hold the pilot binding and slide onto the NIS plate.

[DCT]

It's almost that time of year again. I would be absolutely fine with hanging up the bikes
and skiing for the next five months.

Last year I was skiing in mid December. It doesn't look like that'll happen this year unfortunately.

[Bobonli]

Timely that this thread popped to the top today. Mrs. Bobonli asked me if there is such a thing as XC ski lessons for the kids. Is there such a thing?

I "learned" informally by going into a field with my friends in high school. I'm certain that I never learned the proper way to stop or turn efficiently. I don't want to pass on bad habits. Or should I just dial up Youtube and look for technique there?

[j44ke]

Every weekend I go up to Columbia County, I drive past Fahnestock and think okay this year we are going to do this - at least once, hopefully more.

Kid lessons? Yep: Ski Report, Ski Weather, Snow Conditions Worldwide - Fahnestock Winter Park

[Bobonli]

Thanks Jorn. I looked at that exact page a day ago (with another browser) and the page was blank except for the header. Weird.

[j44ke]

I had to shut off Ghostery and AdBlock to make it appear.

[DCT]

Where is the snow? I'm willing to drive anywhere 6 hours or less.

[72gmc]

Early mornings, good coffee, new World Cup races on crosscountryski.us. I love this time of year.

[Mark Kelly]

Early mornings, good coffee, new World Cup races on crosscountryski.us. I love this time of year.

Thanks for that site, it's great.

Loved this image:

dronefoto-beitostolen-nov-15-01-arrangorfoto.jpg

That's a place that takes XC racing seriously.

[sjauch]

Where is the snow? I'm willing to drive anywhere 6 hours or less.

I don't think there is snow anywhere. I wish this winter was like last. So much fun.

[christian]

Sophie Caldwell won the classic sprint on Wednesday at the Tour de Ski. And Jessie Diggins won the 5k Freestyle today. That's a good week for the American women!

[funcrusher]

Sophie Caldwell won the classic sprint on Wednesday at the Tour de Ski. And Jessie Diggins won the 5k Freestyle today. That's a good week for the American women!

ezra's cousin no?

[SlowPokePete]

ezra's cousin no?

Yes.

SPP

[caleb]

Check out this video of some French biathletes descending a snow covered mountain road. It's like a Tour de France descent, but with far less control.

https://video-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hv...aa&oe=56A93DC9

[lumpy]

Finally, finally got out on nordic skis last night - just a short out-and-back on a snowmobiled stage road in S. Vermont. Skiing up wasn't great because my skis always wash around on the snowmobile tracks. Skiing down was really fun, though, good rolling terrain for double-poling and not so much pitch as to be scary.

[David Tollefson]

Check out this video of some French biathletes descending a snow covered mountain road. It's like a Tour de France descent, but with far less control.

https://video-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hv...aa&oe=56A93DC9

Insane. Like a TdF descent, but with skewers (like the BBQ type).

[dutchess]

In response to fancypants Caleb and his hours cheating on man made snow this season. :P

I developed an interest in exploring actual cross country skiing through the countryside as nature sculpted it. In July. Having a large number of world class shops nearby I figured this would be quite the exciting undertaking. I was wrong. Much like snowmobiling nowadays, it is quite unheard of to venture off and tour outside of well groomed trails in prescribed areas, here. Also the snow forecast was uninspired. I did however stock up on waxes, brushes, and all the other fun tools for base prep to occupy myself with during the warmer months.

Factoring for a healthy amount of exposed ground. I opted for a set of waxable wooden K2 skis with a p-tex base that came mounted with the most desirable Rottefella 50mm 3 pin bindings and a set of Artex boots with matching soles for $10 off craigslist. Eventually we got 5" of snow that didn't immediately melt in early January. Threw the skis and poles on my shoulder and biked over to the local nature preserve to do some old fashioned learnin' on a half mile downhill - half mile uphill heavily wooded stretch of land. I should mention at this point they were given a tip to tail wax job in anticipation of getting out on flat stamped down walking trails following the first snow. Despite failing to forearm myself with the principles of heel free descending I had extensively fallen in love with the thought of miles on miles of double poling until the tall grasses were buried.

As I tentatively stepped into the bindings I realized the hours of base prep and waxing were going to reap magnificent bounties if I could stop sliding long enough to get them fastened. Unburying my sideways skis to point them downhill one sole completely separated from the boot and the second only halfway. The next day I returned with repaired boots even more determined. I fell forwards nearly dislocating fingers when the poles caught, backwards in sheer terror, sideways when even a lack of control deserted me, and at no point in the downhill portion did I manage 20' standing. Some stroke of luck allowed my fancy carbon fiber poles to stay intact for the claw upwards through the narrow track between trees. Too narrow to crab so I had to maintain constant tension against the mercury slick skis. Falling while helplessly barreling downhill backwards after my arms had given out completely was the utmost fun I'd had in months outdoors. Eventually I crested the last rise and remounted the bike. By far the most memorable dangerous whim I've fallen prey to during this truly worthless Winter.

[lumpy]

In response ... dangerous ... prey ...worthless Winter.

That's some old-time skiing! Are you sure you used kick wax? Also, K2 nordic skis? Cool.

Welcome to the sport.

[Bobonli]

Check out this video of some French biathletes descending a snow covered mountain road. It's like a Tour de France descent, but with far less control.

https://video-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hv...aa&oe=56A93DC9

As someone who never learned how to properly turn on xc skis, that's horrifying!
But I bet it would be a blast on a fat bike.