Cross Country Skiing

[temple5]

I would suggest a few trips to Canmore Nordic Center to start. If you get tired there is a lodge with food. Its not free but there are beginner to expert tracks there. They also give lessons at Trailsports at the Nordic Center

In Banff/LL there are some really good ones.

LL: Morraine Lake, Great Divide
Banff: Cascade valley.

Its a great workout, check online to see when they were last groomed.

For the most part I would suggest getting either skating skiis or beginner classics (no wax required).

Waxing is the worst part about XC IMHO.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by temple5

I would suggest a few trips to Canmore Nordic Center to start. If you get tired there is a lodge with food. Its not free but there are beginner to expert tracks there. They also give lessons at Trailsports at the Nordic Center

I'm assuming they have rentals there as well? Kids too?

[slots881]

I'm just going to insert a plug if I can, I manage Sports Rent and we have a huge selection of Classic XC skis for rent both waxable and waxless. All sizes adult and junior. Through the winter we're open everyday 6am-10 pm. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask or pm me.

[#22]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

So you actually traveled along the frozen creek? How long of a route? Do people do that often?

Yes, I ski The Creek all the time, it is one of my favorite legs. I'll start @ Voitiers Flats (bottom of Elbow drive), and follow the creek all the way to 37 street. In some spots you have to take to the path sometimes, but I'd say 90% of the time you're golden. It's about 8 km one way, and there and back on a cold day is pretty close to my limit, even with the help of my trusted skijoring partner Sascha.



Here we are at the turnaround, stopping for some much needed (and deserved) fuel. A juice box never tastes better than at this moment.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by blueski

Nice bump. Miss CowPerson and his pics with the dogs!

So which returnee are you?

[prarieboy]

Well we took some lessons and hit up the Norseman store for some equipment. As others have mentioned they are knowledgeable and helpful.

http://www.norsemanski.com

Looking forward to getting out in the winter more often as I'm getting turned off Downhill skiing.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by #22

Yes, I ski The Creek all the time, it is one of my favorite legs. I'll start @ Voitiers Flats (bottom of Elbow drive), and follow the creek all the way to 37 street. In some spots you have to take to the path sometimes, but I'd say 90% of the time you're golden. It's about 8 km one way, and there and back on a cold day is pretty close to my limit, even with the help of my trusted skijoring partner Sascha.



Here we are at the turnaround, stopping for some much needed (and deserved) fuel. A juice box never tastes better than at this moment.

.

Sounds cool, I'll have to give that a try sometime.

Anyone have any idea how cheap someone could get a set of skis/boots/poles for the above type of skiing?

Also where did you get the harness? I had one that looked exactly the same except the dog busted it in the summer.

[#22]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

.

Sounds cool, I'll have to give that a try sometime.

Anyone have any idea how cheap someone could get a set of skis/boots/poles for the above type of skiing?

Also where did you get the harness? I had one that looked exactly the same except the dog busted it in the summer.

Www.canadog.ca

Very good quality gear, made in Canada. Met the owner at their new location in Kimberley. Very nice lady

[TheIronMaiden]

I am gonna necro-bump this thread instead of making a new one.

I have a total noob question about x-country skiing. I am just getting into the sport. Is trying to off track ski, say in a farmers field, with classic skis completely pointless?

[Fuzz]

As a noob you will probably eat a lot of powder. But if it is flat it won't take long to get yourself sorted. Where in the city are you?

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

As a noob you will probably eat a lot of powder. But if it is flat it won't take long to get yourself sorted. Where in the city are you?

I live in mountain view county. I just want to know if it is possible to 'tour ski' in classic skis, before I buy a new pair.

Edit: i've just been renting classic skis so far.

[Fuzz]

Ah, ok. I'd definitely try to find boots with decent ankle support. It's going to depend on snow depth and how smooth the ground is underneath, for how easy you find it.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Ah, ok. I'd definitely try to find boots with decent ankle support. It's going to depend on snow depth and how smooth the ground is underneath, for how easy you find it.

Thanks. Maybe in a year or two I will buy a pair of 'back country' skis. But I think for what I am planning on doing, which is scooting around a crop field in the winter I will be okay. I will look into getting suitable boots though.

[Fuzz]

I'd see if I could find a cheap used set of skis. Good chance you damage them a bit out in the wild like that, and there are lots of choices out there. Just make sure the boots match the bindings, there are 2 popular incompatible systems. yay.