Recreational & Family - XC Skiing as much fun as Biking??

So, we are spending some time in the condo in the Colorado Rockies.

Much, much snow. A few years back, I bought some Hickory XC skiis at a garage sale, and got some cheap shoes - sort of a Wal Mart approach.

Anyway, we went to the Frisco Nordic Cross Country ski center today, and we decided we would try the top quality rental skis instead of the old cheap stuff.

WOW - the difference was like a Wal Mart bike special compared to my Lemond. Were they ever great. We had a blast - my wife said as much fun as biking!! Went several miles on nicely groomed trails with a light snow falling at about 20F amongst stately pines and furs. About 6 feet of snow on the ground.

Ended up buying the rental skis, poles and boots for both of us. Will go again tomorrow.

So, there are some things as much fun a biking!! Also, GREAT exercise.

Anyone else XC ski??

Hi Dnvr, I just finished the x-c skiing for this winter, as a matter of fact I'll put the boots etc away tonight!

You're right about having the right equipment for the job, as well as proper waxing, if you have waxable skis. That's one thing I like about our climate is that we get the chance to do different sports like biking and skiing. I think that they really complement each other. I didn't do any heavy duty skiing, just reacreational, but managed about 300 kms since late December.

Glad you had fun and found another sport!

I think that they really complement each other. I didn't do any heavy duty skiing, just reacreational, but managed about 300 kms since late December.

Well, that is pretty good!! They are having a benefit here at the Nordic Center - $1.00 pledge for each kilometer skied. There is a guy celebrating his 60th birthday who is going to ski 60 km in one day. No sweat - he did 70 km last year.

And guess what this guy does in the summer - yep, he bicycles!!

i actually only went XC skiing once this year, but i do enjoy it.

actually the main winter sport then i even more enjoy is ski touring. this is kind of a combination of alpine and XC skiing -- freeheel bindings with "skins" that allow you to climb uphill and then you remove the skins, clamp down the binding heel and ski down. it's kind of like mountain biking compared to road biking but on skiis. just like mountain biking, the uphill climbs are major aerobic and muscular exercise!

anyway, i really like the transition from ski touring in the winter/spring to mountain biking in the spring/summer/early fall... late fall is the only time that can be hard when it's too cold for mountain biking but not enough snow for ski touring.

Yup i Ski in the winter and bike in the summer. i started of ski with crappy waxless ski's and this year i switched to madshus waxables. SO MUCH DIFERENSE. I never knew how fast i could go on ski's. i love skiing almost as much as biking.

BTW: what skis did you rent/buy?