The XC Skiing thread

[Tom]

In my home town in Vermont there's a community supported set of trails... they have developed quite the network I think they're into the 30-40km range by now. Not bad for volunteers. When they set track with a snowmobile my brother would come home from work, groom most of the night and get a couple hours sleep before going again the next day. Anyway, they have their big fund raising party first week in February up on the trails at a cool spot up a hill about a quarter mile off the road. If it's a bad snow year sometimes it is dicey, one year it was so icy my brother actually floated the idea of the town sanding the hill so people wouldn't kill themselves walking up or back. They should get some decent cover this weekend, though.

[lumpy]

They should get some decent cover this weekend, though.

Fingers crossed. Got a nice short tour in last weekend at high elevation. Brilliant snow above about 2000' in Southern Vermont.

[Moke]

But hey hey Teleguy, we got a good dump today and the groomers are champing at the bit for it to stop. Yipee

[teleguy57]

But hey hey Teleguy, we got a good dump today and the groomers are champing at the bit for it to stop. Yipee

Happy for you! Our snow forecast still looks marginal at best.

[caleb]

Snowing in the flyover yesterday afternoon.

[caleb]

I'm on track for five skiing days in a row. Baby steps.



I'm up three pounds since New Years. Can a chalk it up to new skiing muscle?

[caleb]

40k this morning.



New gloves, or break out the duct tape?

[j44ke]

Go ahead. Treat yourself nice.

[caleb]

Jan Heine is right?

Tomorrow, aluminum.

[lumpy]

Jan Heine is right?

Tomorrow, aluminum.

Aw, the aluminum breaks just as much. Seriously, is there any piece of sporting equipment I break as much as nordic ski poles?

[ides1056]

aluminum poles suck

where the heck are you skiing with that much snow, Caleb?

[caleb]

aluminum poles suck

where the heck are you skiing with that much snow, Caleb?

I have a set of aluminum backup poles in my basement. They build character. Like training on heavy wheels, the carbons feel so great when you drop the weight.

I'm in Minneapolis. We're finally getting a decent base of natural snow, after skiing manmade for two months.

[ides1056]

But it's all, and I mean all, about swing, and this is one area that carbon just crushes aluminum.

I hope those aren't old Toko poles. I met a former friend of mine one fine day; he'd been out for two hours, and we started up the steepest hill at Prospect. I felt myself blow up- vest tightened- and just kept a measured pace. He tried to pass me and broke my pole.

The look on my face would have curdled milk.

What distinguishes a fine pole is the way it comes back into your hand automatically, plants at your heel without a thought, works as an extension of your arm, giving you the reach any quadruped would have. I have friends who don't believe in waxing either.

I am having serious snow envy, and yeah, you are getting buff is all.

[lumpy]

I am having serious snow envy

Five to eight inches incoming. Keep the faith.

[caleb]

I hope those aren't old Toko poles.

The one I broke is a Rex Wizard from 6-7 years ago. I've always liked them, and I'm hoping my local shop will have a spare shaft, or the new R1 shaft will work.

At least this one was entirely my fault (took a header in some soft snow and tumbled hard). I'd be pretty unhappy if someone else broke it. Did you end up tossing your Tokos, or were you able to rehab them?

[ides1056]

They no longer make them, and I gave the one and some spare parts to another skier.

Now I just make do.

[caleb]

These match, right?

[caleb]

I opened our natural snow season this morning. Definitely rock ski conditions, but doable.









We've had a couple little man made loops open for the past two or three weeks, but this is one of the earlier natural snow openers in recent memory.

Here's to the season to come!

[vertical_doug]

I opened our natural snow season this morning. Definitely rock ski conditions, but doable.









We've had a couple little man made loops open for the past two or three weeks, but this is one of the earlier natural snow openers in recent memory.

Here's to the season to come!

But your are snowing on ESPN Gopher game day, dammit...

[cny rider]

Big snow in our forecast for this weekend. Fingers crossed.