Cross country skiing

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 245 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 18, 2008 - 08:54pm PT
So I'm thinking about getting back into cross country skiing which I think has been renamed 'nordic skiing' by the idiotic yuppies who wanna feel 'nordic'.

Anyway, any tips on places that have good buys?

Any tips on the newer generation of x-country technology? I used to jump on my Mom's ski's and cruise around Valtournanche BITD, but that was early 80's gear. Seemed to work great but I'm sure there's newer stuff they've improved on.

X-country kicks ass because you can just pull off a road and take off, no chair lifts, no 'boarders', no nothin', just take off into the woods and cut a trail.

I used to love it.

EDIT: I have $150 in gift cards for REI from my folks so I thought this looked good.

http://www.rei.com/product/package/48323410,48323406,48322918,48322936,48192020/xcountry_pkg2_08

Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Dec 18, 2008 - 08:56pm PT
Meadow skipper.




Are you talking XC as in skinny skate kickers on a cut and packed trail or randonee (AT) where you will be off-piste skinning up hill for first tracks down?
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
Dec 18, 2008 - 08:59pm PT
Glacier Point road is a good ski out/in. Dang near anywhere off 395 near the Mammoth area. Upper Owens river area when there's good snow there, nice and flat, no crowds, cool hills for gliding near the area. Royal Gorge area near Tahoe. Schit I gotta go tune up my boards and maybe get out this winter too!
Peace
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2008 - 09:01pm PT
I just noticed they actually now have a high-top type 'boot'. I used to use a shoe-type. Sweet. The boots look more comfy.

Ricky...wise-ass!
Richard

climber
Bend, OR.
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:03pm PT
Think metal edges!!!!
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:03pm PT
Okay - just noticed your REI link - so you ARE going to be a meadow skipper.

Have to let others answer then - I only know AT/Randonee.
Mtnmun

Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:14pm PT
I need to replace my AT/Randonee skis, what do you recommend for a 220 pounder. I want an agile ski that turns on command and will handle various conditions.
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:23pm PT
Mtnmun - take a look at any of these for AT -

Black Diamond - http://www.bdel.com/gear/skis_overview.php - the Megawatts and Havocs set up well for AT.

G3 - http://www.genuineguidegear.com/g3_skis.html - especially the Reverends. (I have some of the old Barons - good ski)

PMGear (Powder Maggot Gear) - http://pmgear.com/index.php?cPath=52
Handmade by Reno/Tahoe locals - super combination of power and lightweight.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2008 - 09:26pm PT
Ekat, I talking about a touring ski, x-country, not a lot of downhill.

Just cruising through the woods and stuff. I have downhill skis, but that's grown a bit tiring with all the sh#t you have to deal on the slopes.

I'm talkin' backcountry/anywhere touring.

X-country, baby.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2008 - 09:36pm PT
I've gone downhill and uphill in x-country ski's, just not super long runs.

Yeah, some putting around, but hills (not downhill runs) aren't a problem. I'm pretty experienced on x-coutry rigs.

Snow shoes disallow the coasting down hills. Going uphill in x-country skis is almost as easy as the same in snowshoes if you know what you're doing.
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:36pm PT
Funny thing is, old school’s 1970s style cross-country ski touring seems to be fully cobwebbed these days.

Most people either skate ski or teli and don’t have a clue that there’s a whole margin in between.

AT/Alpine Touring/Randonee (and now Rando Racing) is yet a whole other beast.


But to keep it short and simple, if you really want to take some skis out in occasionally/usually tracked and sometimes untracked snow 'n goose around on them, you want a pair of Asnes Nansen with a short skin in the kick zone/wax pocket.

Typically you’re actually going to be on summer trails that people get out on and ski in the winter so they will be tracked somewhat, but often at the finish of a tour to get up to a high lake or a cirque or what ever, it’ll be breaking trail.

The ski I’m talking about is perfect for these activities.

 lightweight
 metal edges
 wood core
 waxable base w/tracking groove
 usable camber for a realistic kick and glide
 a nice balance of sidecut/length for flotation, breaking trail and occasional turns.
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:41pm PT
What she said...
Sir loin of leisure...

Trad climber
X
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:48pm PT
skiing sucks man,curling is where the radness is...live to sweep!!
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:52pm PT
Powder hogs rule dog.

Otherwise you're just jogging with really long shoes.
Sir loin of leisure...

Trad climber
X
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:53pm PT
sweeepy sweeepy sweeepy ..so rad
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:54pm PT
"jogging with really long shoes"

That's pretty much it, plus a bit of glide, and some nice descending.
Sir loin of leisure...

Trad climber
X
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:57pm PT
and sometimes the big stoney things hit each other...way gnarly stuff!!
TGT

Social climber
So Cal
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:59pm PT
I'm the wrong one to ask about the trendy stuff. I'm still using a 70's pair of mica base Epokes or Karhu XCD's with a smooth base and wax.

Wax is geting hard to find.

I am intrigued by the high top light weight BC binding and boot setup the rocket scientist uses. at 72 he can still out turn the rest of us with those.

I do need new boots.

Good photo Walleye. Been up and down that road a couple of times.
quartziteflight

climber
Dec 18, 2008 - 09:59pm PT
ha ha

snowshoes do suck tha donkey dong!



On groomed trails you can skate on a regular setup. Just not as cool as the old dudes wearning spandex. har har har
Mtnmun

Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
Dec 18, 2008 - 10:00pm PT
What about wax for the Rondonee's? I'm tasking mine to a shop next week, but I want to do it myself. What do you recommend?
Messages 1 - 20 of total 245 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta