going nordic = going ghay?

[Blaster]

The newer skin skis basically making fish scales obsolete. They glide that much better. The only advantage of fish scales is that you can find them for $20 at the thrift store.

[byates1]

Kicked off the season in sw Mt today. Nice xc out and back. Nice way to stretch the legs

[singlesline]

I have a couple these Swix liquid wax dispensers that were being dumped for a few bucks each at an REI garage sale: https://www.amazon.com/Swix-Temperat.../dp/B00P06SAC4

I just rub that on the scales and then buff it a bit with the felt. I'm no nordic pro, but it seems to work well enough and takes almost no time. I'm not trying for any speed records if I am on classic skis, just don't want the snow to stick.

When that eventually runs out, I might consider some toko/swix spray.

[3PinGrin]

The newer skin skis basically making fish scales obsolete. They glide that much better. The only advantage of fish scales is that you can find them for $20 at the thrift store.

However, for those of us in dry/cold climates, wax trumps skins by a long ways. So $20 can still be a pretty good investment.

[teledad]

However, for those of us in dry/cold climates, wax trumps skins by a long ways. So $20 can still be a pretty good investment.

Agreed for skis with an actual wax pocket, but skins beat single camber fishscales in almost any conditions.

[LHutz Esq]

Agreed - my skin skis replaced klister.

Because fuck klister.

[3PinGrin]

Agreed for skis with an actual wax pocket, but skins beat single camber fishscales in almost any conditions.

I wasn’t comparing skins to fish scales. Wax trumps skins on any ski for rolling terrain under dry/cold conditions in fresh snow. I waxed single camber Tua Wilderness skis for years. Skins were only for when it got steep enough that neither wax or waxless would climb effectively.

My earlier point was that waxable nordic skis can still be found for $20 at thrift stores, and those types of skis are a bargain and also trump skins. But I haven’t owned any single camber waxless skis.

[3PinGrin]

Agreed - my skin skis replaced klister.

Because fuck klister.

Agreed, and that’s kind of how I feel about waxless skis, lol.

Bzzzzzz, bzzzzzz, bzzzzzz…..

But I have one pair of waxless Fischers that cost me $15 for sloppy warm conditions.

[sb]

zzzzzz, zzzzzz, .

Lol

[romeo tango]

it's called Dorkin' for a reason ....

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that's it until the next storm cycle

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[byates1]

Beautiful thing about bullshit xc skiing. Only need a bit to get out. Enjoy the woods etc. Good times.

[romeo tango]

training for Alaska, bro ....

[byates1]

you go girl

[fastfred]

Training for Alaska

[3PinGrin]

Nice job fastfred and romeo. Agree with byates, fresh crisp air and gliding on the mother of all blankets, ahhhh…

[romeo tango]

dorked 5 miles of figure 8s through the campground/scenic overlook

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have fun with those leg blasters!

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[MagnificentUnicorn]

dorked 5 miles of figure 8s through the campground/scenic overlook

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have fun with those leg blasters!

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Sherman Pass?


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[romeo tango]

yepper

deer ck. summit is too far of a drive for marginal conditions, although.I do prefer it.
that's all the snow we have around here ......
for now

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[Boissal]

Planning on getting back on XC sticks this winter, partly to mitigate my profound anxiety about the Wasatch shit show but also to tow the baby around in the Thule Chariot. Can't really take her touring, I figure XC is a good way to get out on snow and get her used to the beauties of winter. Plus I need the fitness since I can't imagine I'll stick to my usual 50+ days of touring per season.
Been out of the game for many years, used to race nordic combined way back in the day but haven't been on skinny sticks in 20+ years. I am completely inept when it comes to classic, literally can't do it due to lack of coordination, so it's all going to be skating for me. Can anyone recommend a proper ski for this? I don't need race sticks, something a bit shorter and more stable to get back into things without having it be too heinous. Buddy recommended some Salomon RS8, I figure I'd check with the collective before doing extensive homework. I'm 5'11" 170 lbs, reasonably fit, formerly pretty good at the stuff. Thoughts on appropriate gear to get back into things?

[plugboots]

Failed edit double post.

[plugboots]

Any good Nordic shop will recommend a proper skate ski for you. It’s all done by your weight and partially your ability. Frankly, the only time I recommend the shorter ski is if it’s for example a 180 pound woman who is 5 feet four then I’ll recommend the shorter one. I mean there’s only six or seven companies that make skate skates so any of the models in your price range will work fine.
I’ll add that at our shop (which is a Rossignol shop), we really carry three of the Rossi skate skis: the Delta sport, Delta comp and XIUM. It’s not much of a price jump to go from Sport to the Comp, so we recommend that a lot, but it’s a bigger $ jump to buy an XIUM. If you could afford it though, it’s lighter, and more reactive, which in general, is better.

[teledad]

I'd get whatever "performance" skate ski you can get a deal on, length around 185-190 depending on stiffness. Salomon RS8 or S/Max are good options, also Rossi Delta, Fischer Aerolite 60, etc.. If you have a choice and you're in between sizes I'd pick a stiffer/shorter ski if you have a lot of hills (a little easier to control on descents), softer/longer for the flats (a little more stable).

Most skate skis (except the very top end) now either come with integrated bindings or have an integrated plate that the binding slides on (i.e. no drilling). If the latter, make sure the binding matches the skis. Get a manual binding, the automatic (step in) ones are fussy and prone to icing issues.

Spend your money on good skate boots (don't be tempted by combi boots). Nowadays all the boots will work with any of the bindings (even across manufacturers); if you buy used, Salomon boots with the Pilot bindings (two bars) won't work with the current bindings (even Salomon). Poles aren't as important but make sure they're the right length (probably 162.5 or 165 for you) and have good/comfortable grips and straps.

Towing a baby will definitely get you in shape! My first kid loved getting towed around but would start crying whenever I'd stop, so it was great incentive to keep moving. Obviously make sure they're bundled up and warm, check on them periodically, etc..

[romeo tango]

a wee bit bony ....

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le tits now

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[OttoP]

What difference does it make having a ski with the proper traditional Finnish sauna-base-wax-procedure in -22c (-7,5f) conditions! The glide was like in temps half as cold.

Not sure if this is common knowledge, but if anyone's interested and has facilities: heat up the sauna. While waiting, do a normal base prep and wax, but don't scrape. Go and enjoy the sauna. Let the seats dry for a while and put the skis in. Bases up and try to make them level. The sauna should not be that hot, 70-60c will suffice. Let the skis simmer overnight. A wood heated sauna seems to work the best as it cools down slower than an electric one. Be sure to protect the seat from the wax as some might drip. Works on alpine skis as well. The bases usually stay good for a very long time.

Classic skiing or "perinteinen" in Finnish seems like the way to go for me in the early season when there's really nothing else than 30-40cm of faceted base on the fjells. Feels like it translates okayish for ski touring, despite the more dynamic movement and ultra-lightweight classic skiing gear.

In most places I've lived in Lapland the access to the tracks is very easy, just ski from your door or walk a few hundred meters. As a person from a Nordic country I too feel slightly ashamed to have re-discovered nordic skiing in my thirties: some bad experiences in elementary school with very steep terrain and inadequately gripping classic skis. Skiing in the army was fun though.

By the way, do people in your countries respect the sanctity of the nordic ski track? We have a lot of foreign (and domestic) tourists who can't grasp the concept of not walking on the tracks. It's usually scandalous and gets some people extremely riled up. "Laturaivo" (fury on the tracks) makes national headlines at least a few times a year.

[romeo tango]

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By the way, do people in your countries respect the sanctity of the nordic ski track? ....

I think it depends on what part of the country you are in. Lots of "hill people" where I live and they walk
wherever they want. Dedicated, groomed touring tracks that have a user-fee will not have snow-shoes or hikers.

nice picture!

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