Foo - Roadies and Cross Country Skiing

Hi everyone. Do any of us cross country ski? I'm thinking about getting into the sport, specifically the skate skiing part.

Yep. Skate skiing is an unbelievably hard aerobic workout.

I skiied yesterday for 15-20k (Wisconsin) at moderate effort with a average HR of 158-160. It is hard for me to ski with a lower HR especially on hills. It is a great cross-training workout and a great way to get outside in the winter.

It is a technique driven sport though and isn't always easy for people to learn (especially skating). It helps if you learned to ice skate as a child.

It would probably be worth taking a few lessons so you don't develop bad habits at the onset. I can smoke my younger brother on a bike but he easily beats me on skiis because he has better technique and a stronger upper body.

I did it for the first time last year. I could go about 500 feet and I was gassed. I am a pretty good conventional cross country skier but the skate skiing is tough. A lot has to do with balance and relaxing and learning the technique.

great cross training. has a race culture all its own, too.

I skiied yesterday for 15-20k (Wisconsin) at moderate effort with a average HR of 158-160. It is hard for me to ski with a lower HR especially on hills. It is a great cross-training workout and a great way to get outside in the winter.

It is a technique driven sport though and isn't always easy for people to learn (especially skating). It helps if you learned to ice skate as a child.

It would probably be worth taking a few lessons so you don't develop bad habits at the onset. I can smoke my younger brother on a bike but he easily beats me on skiis because he has better technique and a stronger upper body.

I am planning on taking lessons at Gunstock Mtn in NH to see if I like it. As a child, are we talking 7 years old or 15? I'm 15 and it just looks like fun. My upper body is that of a stereotypical roadie, so I think it would affect my arms the most.

Thanks for all the responses, guys.

I used to as a kid, and I've been thinking about getting back into it to spend more time seeing more of the mountains. On the other hand, I might have to take cross country skiing up to get around my neighborhood lately!

It's ok but not nearly as much fun as cycling.

I used to as a kid, and I've been thinking about getting back into it to spend more time seeing more of the mountains. On the other hand, I might have to take cross country skiing up to get around my neighborhood lately!

Yeah! We just had about a foot of snow here in NH.
We had some traditional skis, but no boots :cry:

Welcome to Foo from Road.

Yep. Skate skiing is an unbelievably hard aerobic workout.
Challenging, yes. Hard, no. Not if your technique is good.


It's ok but not nearly as much fun as cycling.
incorrect.
Skating is fun. It's fast. It's a fantastic winter activity!

Challenging, yes. Hard, no. Not if your technique is good.


incorrect.
Skating is fun. It's fast. It's a fantastic winter activity!

I'm taking lessons soon at a local ski mountain. It sure seems exciting, and I love being outside, so I should like it. If i do enjoy it, is there any recommended ski setup for beginners? Or just buy used off of ebay?

Horrible sport. Stay away from it.
It does absolutely NOTHING for your fitness.
It's the worst cross-training ever.
Don't waste your time or money.
You'll need a whole new wardrobe.

heh heh heh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlkraQmgRWo&feature=player_profilepage)

(Note the heavy breathing.)

Last month. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdMFOtJJJbI&feature=player_profilepage)

I'm taking lessons soon at a local ski mountain. It sure seems exciting, and I love being outside, so I should like it. If i do enjoy it, is there any recommended ski setup for beginners? Or just buy used off of ebay?

Same as with biking, support your local shops. They'll fit you properly. Just like with snowshoes, buying skis is no time to lie about your weight. Weight and height determine what size skis and poles you'll need. Much of the biking apparel you [probably] already own will work fine for skiing. If you want to skate, you won't need as many layers. I almost never wear a jacket...wind vest over a long sleeve poly or two if it's cold.

*Invest in some ski pants (for example (http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/content/pi_2010/us/en/index/products/men/ride/apparel/0.-productCode-11111032.html)) with a windproof front and breathable back...especially if you intend to skate. They're pricey but they last. Mine are 13yo. As you can see in EventServices' videos, you cruise while skating. Seriously, at least get something windproof in front of your junk.

Same as with biking, support your local shops. They'll fit you properly. Just like with snowshoes, buying skis is no time to lie about your weight. Weight and height determine what size skis and poles you'll need. Much of the biking apparel you [probably] already own will work fine for skiing. If you want to skate, you won't need as many layers. I almost never wear a jacket...wind vest over a long sleeve poly or two if it's cold.

*Invest in some ski pants (for example (http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/content/pi_2010/us/en/index/products/men/ride/apparel/0.-productCode-11111032.html)) with a windproof front and breathable back...especially if you intend to skate. They're pricey but they last. Mine are 13yo. As you can see in EventServices' videos, you cruise while skating. Seriously, at least get something windproof in front of your junk.

Yeah, I was wondering if there was the same stigma in xc skiing as there is in cycling. There are a few shops around me, I'll have to try out those. Is there any baseline feature that a good pair of skis should have (like Tiagra is the minimum for racing?) Thanks for your help!

My county allows skiing on the county owned golf courses. I just loved to see my golfing friends have a spasm when I tell them I just skied all over the course.

Yeah I can imagine that would be funny. Their precious grass was demolished by some long skis. Ouch.

I have done traditional XC skiing all my life, however being out of shape makes it much more difficult than when I was younger and my brother and I would race each other. It IS a good workout, and a great way to see the countryside if you have heavy snow or groomed trails. However since we usually have deep snow here, I picked up some snowshoes this year. Snowshoes in 14" of fluffy powder on a good base is one heck of a workout! If I lived near xc ski groomed trails, I would have bought some new skis, but I have access to a bunch of farmland that farmers dont mind winter activities on.

Anything to get you out in the winter instead of sitting inside is a good training sport :) Heck, even sledding is better! I shoveled my driveway at 12:30am last night...er this morning. Put the 108lumen headlamp on and away I went. I only had it set to low (19 lumen) as it was plenty for me to see.

Support the local ski shop, Skis and poles need to be fit to you just like a bike. I might just have to get my skis out now, once we use the snowshoes enough to pack a trail to where the snowmobiles run the orchards!

Yeah, I was wondering if there was the same stigma in xc skiing as there is in cycling. There are a few shops around me, I'll have to try out those. Is there any baseline feature that a good pair of skis should have (like Tiagra is the minimum for racing?) Thanks for your help!
Not really. Most shops put beginner, intermed, and advanced packages together. The beginner package will provide good capability. Some of the new skis are sidecut...a carryover from the downhillers which supposedly makes turning a bit easier. I can't say as I haven't tried them. I purchased an intermed package as I knew I wanted something faster. That was in '96. I broke a couple sole plates & bindings as I learned but I still skate in the same boots.


My county allows skiing on the county owned golf courses. I just loved to see my golfing friends have a spasm when I tell them I just skied all over the course.
I used to skate on a local golf course too. The owners preferred that we go on or near the golf cart path...not good as it's paved. Snow likes to abruptly shear off that stuff thereby inducing the splits :twitchy:
Skis don't damage the turf if there's enough snow. Also, golf courses are more wide open (duh) so you'd need to dress a bit warmer due to wind.