Roller Ski to Skate Ski Transition

I need to report on how a summer of roller skiing helped with today's skiing:

I had my first ski of the season today.  Randy groomed the course two days ago, and I stayed off it yesterday to let it set up (well, truthfully I stayed off just because I hadn't prepped my skis yet).  This morning I spent too much time scraping off the storage wax Jeff had put on my skis at the end of last season, then applying a couple of layers of new wax.  I was anticipating a third application when Randy called to tell me I'd better just go ski before it warmed up too much.  So I finished scraping and brushing and buffing the second layer, then drove to the golf course, a little worried that the track wouldn't be skiable.  But it was great (I skated on CH7 wax), especially for so early in the season.  The base had set up well in many areas, although there were plenty of bare places I had to step around.  Do the snow dance, everyone! It won't take much more snow to even out the track.
 
So for my inaugural ski, I was interested to see if it would take much time to find my ski legs again.  Usually it takes me a fair bit before I feel comfortable again at the beginning of each season.  Three years ago it was a couple of weeks; two years ago it was a couple of days; last year it was about two hours (improving with age!).  But this year I have a whole summer of roller skiing under my belt, and I was really hoping I'd have zero trouble transitioning to snow.   Well,  I think roller skiing helped because today, although not zero minutes, it did only take about 15 minutes on the snow before I felt stable.  However, I was still surprised at those first 15 minutes.  I slipped and slid and caught my tips and wobbled all over the place like I'd never skated before.  I had to relearn to lift my ski higher than a roller ski and remind myself what it feels like to skate on slippery snow rather than skate on bumpy asphalt (I prefer snow any day.  It doesn't hurt when you fall).  I had to practice skating without poles, and then with poles.  Then the most bewildering moment was when I wanted to stop to adjust my gloves.  I leaned back on my right leg and waited for the stop to come.  It was a confusing moment as I kept gliding, until I realized I was trying to lean back into a non-existent roller ski brake.

Roller skiing is not the same as skate skiing.  The motions are extraordinarily similar, but there are still differences, even if only subtle ones. Anyway, when I stopped acting as if I was roller skiing on the snow today and started skating in earnest, I had a great time.   There were some really good, long stretches of fast track (mixed in with some patches of grass and gravel).  I can tell I am not as strong now as I was at the end of last season, but the fitness will come back.  Still, I was pleased that roller skiing has made me better at V2, and also doing V2 Alternate on my right side.  Last season I spent probably 90% of the time doing V2 Alternate, pulling only on my left side, and never felt entirely comfortable switching sides or switching to V2.  Roller skiing also made me better at pulling on both sides of V1 when climbing hills.  Finally, I noticed that roller skiing has helped my arm and core strength go from negative to just-barely-positive (I'm a wimp!).  Previously, I've skated with most of the power coming from legs only, even skating pretty much the same speed with or without using my arms.  That's not good.  So although I felt like my legs weren't as strong today, I think my whole body was more balanced.  Improvements in form, and yet a loss of fitness, made for a moment of mixed feelings.  But then the euphoria of just being out there trumped everything.

Roller skiing was a ton of fun this summer, and like skate skiing, it makes me feel like I'm flying.  It helped me get ready for winter, and it was fun, but nothing is as fun as actual on-snow skating.  And how nice is it that we have the golf course just a few minutes away?  Thanks to Randy for grooming and making this possible.

Groomed and put down a base for the track, it is skiable but try not to get on it when it is warm from noon on. Stephanie and I got our legs, arms, and lungs broke in this morning and enjoyed our annual re-learn session. Hopefully we will get some snow this weekend so we can build on a great start to the season. There are section that set up real nice, short grass in the fare ways, but the rough is rough. Any sun at all will take what snow there is in those sections from exposed grass. Two sections to avoid is, the road around the river, especially on the north side and the short kick up on the home stretch by the club house (by #1 tee box up to hole #27 on the middle nine) the sledders have kicked up some pea gravel there. Try to spread the word that snow bikes are not welcome on the track, we have limited resources ( my time) to keep the track in shape.
Anyone know what a good wax would be for grass?

Attention High Schoolers: Several City Skis Available for Free Use

Exciting news for our High Schoolers  

The City of Rexburg has about 10 pairs of classic skis that they will loan out to our high school club members for the season, free of charge.  I'll post more about how we'll check them out as I get that information.
We really want to make the sport accessible to everyone, so this is a fantastic development.

Reminder

Please refer to the Nov 16th Post on the Burg Nordic Club for start-up information.  As a quick recap, here's what you need to know: all ages and abilities are welcome to join in at the Teton Lakes Golf Course at 4pm Mondays and Thursdays, starting December 8th (conditions permitting).  Coaching and individual training will be geared to the High Schoolers, but all are welcome to learn as we go.

The Cross-Country Kick-Off will be Saturday, December 6th at the Teton Lakes Golf Course (NOT the municipal golf course) at 11am.  Bring your gear.  You can rent from BYU-I, and we will have city equipment for the high school kids, although I'm still not sure about boot sizing.  We'll figure it out.

Consignment Shops

Update on Purchasing Equipment

The Outdoor Resource Center (BYU-I's "ORC") does not sell equipment, but Scott Hurst made me aware of some nearby consignment shops you should check out:

Victor Outdoor Seconds in Victor, Idaho
and 
Headwall Recycle Sports in Jackson,Wyoming

Also, I've been told that Play it Again Sports in Idaho Falls sometimes has good nordic ski equipment.  

Happy trails, and keep doing the snow dance!

Skate vs. Classic Skis

(Please see the post following this one for start-up information on the 'Burg Nordic Club)

Nordic, or Cross-country, Skiing includes two styles: Classic and Skate.

Classic

Classic skiing, also known as diagonal stride or parallel skiing, requires less effort to learn, is cheaper (and also slower) than skate skiing, and is more versatile.  We will be learning on groomed trails (as opposed to back-country skiing), where two tracks are set in the snow, so learning will be easy and fun.

We recommend beginners lean toward the classic method while they get comfortable on skis, learn balance, and then work on fitness and form.

Skate

Skate skiing requires more overall physical effort and know-how but is also much faster.  You need a wide groomed trail, longer poles (about 10cm longer than the classic poles), and skate specific skis - although I learned and raced (not very well!) on old classic fish scale skis.

Skate skiing is really a lot of fun, and we will be happy to coach anyone on skating if they desire.



FYI, while classic and skate require different skis and different poles, there are combination boots that serve both classic skiing and skate skiing (combi boots), which would be a great investment for entry-level skiers.



Here is one of the many youtube videos on classic and skate skiing.

The 'Burg Nordic Club

12/03/14 Update

Please Check out the full update here.

Skip this Saturday BUT Still Come on Mondays & Thursdays

After months of discussion, we are finally putting together a volunteer-based Nordic Ski Club, serving Rexburg and surrounding areas (read: everyone is welcome).  Starting in December,  Steve Barrus (Madison High School cross-country running and track coach) and Stephanie Hancock will meet for race training and coaching.  At this point, the training is specifically for high-school age kids, although everyone is welcome to join in as long as the teens get the front-row for now. Eventually we hope to provide coaching for all ages.

Equipment:

Rentals

Rental packages are available (first-come, first-served) at a very reasonable cost at BYU-Idaho's Outdoor Resource Center (The "ORC").

Everyone is in charge of their own gear, however I know many of you are new to the sport and may be overwhelmed with the start-up costs of outfitting yourselves or children with ski equipment.  I suggest starting off with renting before you buy anything.

Purchase 

The ORC does not sell equipment.  There are some area ski shops, though, which include:

Peaked Sports (Driggs)
Free Heel and Wheel  (West Yellowstone)
Skinny Skis (Jackson, WY)
Idaho Mountain Trading  (Idaho Falls)


Also, you can check out consignment shops in Victor and Jackson (see blog post for 11/17).

Online purchasing can be hit-or-miss.  I suggest you rent first, and then if you decide to purchase online, make sure you have your fitting information from the rental before purchasing.

Cross-Country Kick-off

Feel free to drop in at the ORC for rental fittings on your own, or meet there on Saturday, December 6, 10am.  Please bring money for renting that day.

We'll be on snow at the Teton Lakes Golf Course on Saturday, December 6th, starting at 11am.  We'll hang around for a few hours, depending on how things go.

Practices

High School kids, please plan to practice on-snow at Teton Lakes Golf Course on Mondays and Thursdays at 4pm (or as soon after 4 as you can get there).

Transportation

Please be in charge of your own transportation.  I'm sure carpooling can be arranged.  High Schoolers, feel free to talk to Steve Barrus with any concerns about transportation.

Scholarship

We want to make the Nordic Club available for everyone.  As of now, there is the potential for scholarship monies to help the High School kids with equipment rentals.  Please talk with Steve Barrus.

Other

There are some nearby races coming up, including the Cupid Cup here in Rexburg.  We'll put more information up throughout the season.

The snow machine is getting a yearly service and check up and hopefully we can have some trails groomed later this week. Great start to the season, face shots on the pass last couple of days!