Nordic Skiing Puns

Hey everyone!

I'm a HS Nordic coach working in a less than affluent district and am suddenly faced with an influx of athletes (x2 from last year) who will need some of the basics (poles,boots,skis x2). I understand I could go to Great Glen/Sugarloaf or a general Nordic center but the prices are astronomical. Is anyone familiar with a shop/website that has either used or cheaper options? I plan on fundraising but I'd rather get needs met ASAP before the snow hits properly. Thanks in advance, have a wonderful ski season everyone !

I am curious what people's thoughts are on using tights instead of the usual loose skiing pants? Last season I used weatherproof running tights instead of pants for skate and found them to be more comfortable but not many brands make dedicated men's/womens nordic tights despite the professionals using tight racing suits.

Hey there,

we had some snow yesterday (around 5-6 inches = 12,5-15cm) and today even more (around 6-9"). I already practise classic and skating. Bought fischer 78mm backcountry and fischer boots. Added roterfella 3 point pins telemark bindings.

Yesterday I went for ca. 1 hour and a half and today for 2 1/2 hours.

Main problem I encoutered is that my feet got sore with blisters.

Yesterday I work hiking socks which apparently increased the amount of friction on my feet.

I replaced them today with my nordic skiing socks which was already better.

Questions are:

• is it normal to get blisters? Can I adjust anything? (blisters are on lateral right little toe and left navicular bone)
• what's the best socks to choose?
• I feel my left boot is too big and my right one not broad enough. Can I adjust/improve anything? Is it advisable to wear additional socks( 2 pairs?)

https://preview.redd.it/0lcmzisbhc281.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a5475b31b34d465e71553f38343fa4ba83373c6

Hi all,

This is my first year in SLC and I’m trying to gauge the best times to go Alpine and Nordic skiing. In my experience elsewhere, you can get some decent Nordic skiing in with only a few inches of snow on the trails, as long as it’s not too patchy. Is this true here as well? Will the Nordic Center at Solitude be decent skiing when the resort opens next week? Anywhere else I should be thinking about hitting as I wait for more snowpack at the resorts?

I never got around to publishing this back in Spring and totally forgot I had it mostly written up, was about to write a trip report for a short trip over New years and ask for a shakedown but figured I'd combine it all into one and save the hassle of answering the same questions multiple times (plus there were no good pictures from the new years trip because of constant overcast, fog and flatlight)

Paul and I continued for 2 more weeks after this on Padjelantaleden but ill save that for another post as it was very different terrain and weather wise.

Location: Northwestern Sweden, Abisko- Ritsem

Dates: March 26-April 6th 2020

Distance: Approximately 140km

Pics: http://imgur.com/gallery/zM3fb5X

Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/169rsn This is not exact LP from this trip as it no longer exists; this is the planned set up for the upcoming 1400km trip but is fairly close to what I had in March if you gave the tent to Paul and added another 5kg to base weight because of a heavier sled and such. Not everything on this list has arrived or has a confirmed weight listed yet, international mail has been extremly slow in getting to Sweden the past month for me

Weather: All the typical spring weather; windless sunny days you ski shirtless and get toasted no matter how much sunscreen is applied, -25C howling winds that drop visibility to 5m, windless days of flat light where the horizon vanishes and there is no contrast to anything and sleet mixed with rain at +5C

Background: Ive done quite a few short winter trips but this is my longest one so far by a wide margin and is a trial run for next winter when I plan to ski Vita Bandet (The white Ribbon) around 1400km along the entire swedish mountain chain. Met my German friend Paul in while I was working in Ritsem when he was doing Gröna Bandet in 2018, has slightly more outdoors experience than me but has 0 experience with proper winter, never skied, pulled a pulk, slept in a snow shelter or experienced white out. He made it out of Germany 6 hours before they closed the borders, stayed with me for a week while I finished work for the season and put in some hours getting his ski legs.

The trip:

We got started in Abisko with -1C, intermittent snow, fairly heavy winds and mostly cloudy for 3 days straight, less than ideal, second night P had to get out of the tent at 3AM and shovel the tent clear there was so much build up. We ran into two of my former classmates on tour together heading to Ritsem but by a di

Hej!

Looking to take advantage of the winter now that it is here with some sports!

1. My wife and I did not bring any winter xcountry skiing gear or ice skating gear with us (we are only in Sweden for a year). Does anyone have recommendation on where to get equipment, especially used equipment (I know Blocket is a good source and we have been looking there...) Any used sporting good stores in Uppsala/Stockholm you recommend? We would also be interested in rentals (short or long term) but from what I can find most places that normally rent equipment have suspended rentals recently (I am thinking specifically of Fjällnora).

2. Does any one have suggestions for xcountry skiing and nordic skating locations/tracks, specifically around Uppsala? (although we are totally open to trips around the country too!) Any tracks or lakes or rinks that you can recommend that you really like? Has anyone ever done a nortic skating package/day with an outfitter (I see several of them in Stockholm)? Did you enjoy it/was it worth it?

Tack in advance for any advice!

I'm interested in cross-country skiing at USAFA next year, but can't seem to find a way to get in touch with the team—anyone have any info beyond the minimal stuff on the USAFA website?

I'd like to start getting into "wild" cross country skiing. I currently do classic xc skiing, but I want to be able to cross ski anywhere there is (good enough) snow. From doing a little research it seems like what I'm thinking about is "nordic" xc skiing. But I see other places calling it "backcountry" xc skiing as well. Are these the same things?

And is the idea pretty much that the skis allow you to xc ski anywhere there is good enough snow? Doesn't have to be groomed or have any tracks?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve never cross country skied before but I have down hill skied growing up. I recently moved close to a Nordic ski place and am contemplating it as a winter activity. Is it possible to xc ski if you’re significantly overweight? I figure it might be possible because the boots aren’t over your calves like in downhill and it might be easier on my knees, but I would love feedback from experienced xc skiers. Thanks in advance!

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Which one has more scenic routes?

EDIT: Really appreciate all the suggestions guys!!

<Skiwise Main Banner>

Hey folks! I'm a college student in MN and I've been developing a free iOS, Android & Web App called Skiwise. Just yesterday I released Skiwise v2 to the public. I just finished a blog post covering the development process and I think you skiers will be interested in it. Here's the links:

Skiwise App Website: https://skiwise-app.com

Development Blog Post: The 9 Month Solo Development Journey of Skiwise

More info on Skiwise:

Skiwise is an iOS, Android and Web App that connects cross country skiers with a vast network of their peers to share knowledge around trail conditions, social events, weather updates, and more! Available for free on all platforms.

We just released on the app store and google play store yesterday!

Anybody have any intel on groomed skiing up there? Hoping there's at least something ok for skating within 2 hours or so?

I'm a BYU student and am planning on bringing my cross country skiis down this next semester. Does anybody know of any good groomed cross country skii trails around provo? Preferably where I dont have to pay to park or where it's not expensive?

Hi there.

I wanted to assemble the list of podcasts about cross-country skiing and post it at Zihi Checklists.

Google search shows just 3! podcasts.

1. The Cross Country Skier Podcast

2. Nordic Nation

3. Cowbell Fever: a Birkie Podcast

Do you know other podcasts in English or other languages where people talking about Nordic Skiing?