Cross Country Skiing - To Skate Ski or To Classic Ski?
Cross country skiing has evolved into almost two separate sports - one using the skating technique, and the other using the diagonal stride or classic skiing technique. Here at Brian's Bicycles and Cross Country Skis in Mammoth Lakes California we get the question of whether to buy skate or classic skis when starting out. What's the difference? And can one package be used for both skating and classic xc skiing?
Most are familiar with the classic xc ski technique or otherwise known as striding. Many just wanting to venture out their back yard choose a touring ski - an all around ski that can be used both in ungroomed and groomed xc trails. These classic skis are wider than a racing ski, and have fish scales that serve to replace kick wax in the area below the foot. This allows the user to propel forward up a hill without sliding backwards, or "missing" a kick. For the more serious athlete race classic xc skis, boots, bindings and poles are much different than the touring ski. The race ski is lighter and thinner than the touring ski equivalent. A classic nordic boot is flexible, allowing the foot to bend as you propel forward. The binding serves mainly to keep the boot on the ski, and offers little stability compared to a skating boot. Ski pole length for the classic technique typically extends to the arm pit. These poles are light, and rigid and are typically made of carbon fiber or the equivalent light material.
Skate skiing xc equipment is very different than the classic nordic equipment. The skate skis are typically shorter than the classic skis, but are also light and thin. Unlike the classic boots, skating boots are extremely rigid and tend to fit the foot snugly. The skating boots extend above the ankle, allowing for greater support when pushing from side to side. The skate binding is also rigid, allowing for greater stability than the classic binding. XC pole length is also longer than the classic pole. Skating poles extend typically to the height of the skiers nose. These poles are also light and rigid.
The cross country ski world does make a "combi" boot than can be used for both classic and skating, but the disadvantage of this boot is that is does neither well. For classic skiing, it tends to be a bit rigid and fairly uncomfortable. For skating, the boot tends to be too soft resulting in a less stable ski.
For the serious cross country skier, separate ski packages for skating and classic skiing is ideal. To answer the question of what to buy first - skate skis or classic skis. Here in Mammoth Lakes California we have seen a general trend of purchasing skate skis first. Skate skiing is faster, more dynamic, and generally a more cardiovascular workout. It is well worth taking a skating lesson if you are a beginner - or even if you are an experienced xc skier - good technique will go a long way. There is nothing wrong with the classic skiing - but it does tend to require greater skill in the technique to become proficient at it. There are some that choose only to skate ski, but this limits the number of ski days available, since on snowy days or after heavy snows classic skiing will be ideal. After heavy snows or on snowy days, skate skiing is cumbersome since the ski tips tend to get caught in the loose powder.
If you are considering purchasing a cross country ski package, visit our online shop at http://xcskistore.com or come into our Mammoth Lakes shop at 3059 Chateau Road. Tel (760) 924-8566. Happy nordic skiing to you!
http://xcskistore.com
http://mammothbikesandskis.com
Brian has been running a cross country and bike shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA for over 30 years.
We're still in summer and some of us still might have our summer breaks to the sun still to look forward to, but the low sun in the morning and evening, and the darker, colder evenings, give skiers and snowboarders thoughts that the winter season is fast approaching.
If a ski chalet holiday is something that takes your fancy this year, it's definitely an idea to get your preperations started early; here we present a basic guide on how to get prepared.
If you have not experienced the ski slopes before, congratulations; you're in for a great time! But a week of skiing can be a difficult time for a newcomer. If you have the time available and some spare money, it would be sensible to book a few ski lessons to take at home in advance of your trip. You can find a sdry slope that offer lessons for beginners or even an indoor ski slope that has real snow - a much more realistic feel. Even if you have just one lesson this will help you get used to wearing the equipment, the kind of physical effort needed, and also the sensation - it's the ideal way to prepare yourself and set your expecatations.
This advice if for those who have gained a bit more experienced and know you love skiing and are familiar with skiing equiptment and physical effort. Sad to admit it, but it's time to begin an exercise regime! Skiing uses muscles in our legs which we don't utilise in normal life of sitting and walking. The recommended exercise to do before a heading to your ski chalet is squats, lunges, and leg stretches - to build strength and flexibility. These excercises warm up the skiing muscles, improve flexibility and reduce your chances of injury. Something else to note to help prevent injury is to check your height and weight as these are important when renting your equipment.
If you ski so frequently and skillfully that you have own ski equipment, then it is worth getting your equipment out early and checking on it. Skis and snowboards require some attention and care before being brought out for another season on the slops, so give them a wax and sharpen the edges. Check the bindings are correctly attached and there are no large gauges or cracks from the last season that you forgot about. It may be worth investing in a full service by your local ski shop. When you know your destination ensure you buy some wax which is appropriate to the predicted snow and temperature conditions as this can ensure you have a smooth glide around the mountains.
If you're heading somewhere much colder, or at a much higher altitude than normal, or you're planning on pushing the limits of the winters sport, ensure you give yourself adequate time to acclimatise and familiarise yourself again. This means you should take it easy at first, as you will be rusty and more prone to injury and error at the beginning. If you have an injury in the first few days it can ruin the remainder of your trip.
When you're finalised and you know you're off skiing, do your research into the best ski resorts. Decide if you want beginners or more advanced skiing, as different resorts often vary in their offerings. Also do you want to head somewhere with lots of apres ski nightlife, or somewhere more quiet. Would you be bored of a few slopes - if so head to one of the larger ski areas such as paradiski in France.
Work out how many of you are going, and whether you want to be catered for or might want to self cater. Do you want a small skiing apartment or a larger ski chalet - and what features are you after. A sauna or jacuzzi are great features to have to soothe the aches and pains of skiing.
Sean Thompson writes about Travel and self-catered accommodation news. Pureholidayhomes.com is a innovative new holiday accommodation portal. Find your perfect holiday home, villa, cottage or chalet from our vast database of luxury properties worldwide.
Ski lessons for less in Kilternan
Each class costs €15 compared to the standard charge of €40 for an individual lesson. Ski tour operator Topflight and equipment retailer Great Outdoors are sponsoring the event which will feature bratwurst and gluhwein to get you in the mood. ... Read more on Irish Times
Ski Clothes is manufactured to fulfill each operate and fashion. It's essential to put on the appropriate clothing in Snowboarding because like in any Out of doors Exercise, you might be extra prone to harmful influences when you're on the slopes.
You should needless to say you need to maintain it heat and dry with out pointless bulk. Here is what to wear to keep that mountain chill at bay on the slopes.
Ski Headgear is important and you must Select snowboarding headgear in accordance with your type of snowboarding, your skill stage, and your consolation zone. Including; ski goggles that completely cover your eyes, block harmful sunrays, and also shield your eyes from wind and blowing snow. Facemasks, A warmth change facemask returns heat lost throughout exhaling back to your body as you inhale, protects your lungs from chilly, and keeps your face dry and helps the remainder of you stay warm, from your physique's core to the tips of your fingers and toes. Helmets, Good ski helmets are air vented and equipped with wicking liners to keep your head warm and dry in addition to safe.
Base Layers, the garments closest to your skin. Select non-absorbent materials like silk or micro-knitted fleece. Many base layers at this time are constructed with a watch to vogue in addition to function.
Mid-layer skiing clothes are the sweaters, sweatshirts, fleece shirts, and ski vests that you just wear between your base layer and your ski jacket. It offers the insulation and part of the padding that keeps you snug and safe.
Ski trousers, though many skiers at present favor trousers, salopettes, the standard leg masking for skiing, are still well-liked skiing clothing. Ski trousers should be both waterproof and weatherproof and they need to match snugly over your ski boots, but assist you to bend simply at both the hip and knees.
Gloves or Mittens Both gloves and mittens must be waterproof to provide safety from cold. They must be loose sufficient to allow for good circulation in your fingers but tight sufficient which you could get a agency grip on your poles. In addition, your gloves or mittens ought to have sufficient padding to supply protection on your fingers during a fall.
Ski socks must be thick and stretchy, snuggly conforming to your foot without slipping or lumping. Inner layers ski socks are made from lightweight, wicking materials that draw moisture into outer layers that shortly shed moisture and provide insulation.
Ski Jacket is your first defense against wind, chilly, and water. Hooded jackets keep the wind off your neck in addition to your back. Look for these with zip-out liners that let your ski in each the coldest and warmest conditions. Your ski jacket also needs to be giant enough to accommodate thick, multi-layered clothing.
Ski Boots type the essential hyperlink between you and your Skis. The Ski Boots ought to join perfectly to your Ski Bindings transferring all your body movements and pressure shifts directly to your Skis. A great Ski Boot should have a comfortable match with enough inside padding to prevent injuries and bruises however with a tricky outer shell to protect you from overstretching. Choosing a superb Ski Boot is important for your Skiing Safety and enjoyment.
It is rather important to know the several types of Ski Clothing, the supplies they're manufactured from, and the assorted options and traits of Ski Clothing in order that it is possible for you to to dress properly earlier than going to the Ski area. It's best to know what to put on and methods to dress for Skiing. Simply keep in mind that having the fitting Ski Clothing is one of the keys for consolation whereas on the slopes.
Marker Gillett Insulated Ski Bib Mens The Marker Gillett insulated mens ski bibs are warm comfortable alternatives to belt loops or suspenders These bib pants have adju...
Stay warm on your next snow skiing trip by learning to pick a good ski jacket in this free ski equipmentvideo. Expert: Brad Disabella Bio: Brad Disabella is from Running Springs, California. He started skiing when he was 4 years old and has been active in the sport ever since. Filmmaker: Devin Boddie Video Rating: 4 / 5
Downhill skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in the country. Every year, almost seven million Americans hit the ski slopes. This dwarfs by a factor of three other winter sports such as cross country skiing and ice hockey. Only the ever increasing in popularity sport of snowboarding comes close with a little over six million snowboarders in the country.
Skiing is a great all around exercise. It's excellent for strengthening the upper leg muscles such as the thigh as well as the lower calf. A season of skiing will strengthen the shoulders and back and will help to trim your stomach. Skiing is also excellent aerobically. Experts estimate that an adult skiing with moderate effort, will burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories an hour.
But in addition to its exercise benefits, Alpine skiing is also an exhilarating sport. Nothing quite compares to it. Olympic caliber skiers can top 80 miles per hour. But for a novice, even skiing at 5 miles per hours is a thrill.
So what are the dressing basics for alpine skiing? There are six essentials that every beginner should start with:
UV Rated Goggles or sunglasses - No, these are not just for style, although stylish sunglasses are always cool. You need sunglasses or goggles with a good UV protection rating. UV light can do real damage to the eyes ranging from simple sunblindness to major cataract problems. The best UV rated sunglasses are 100% UV protective and most are relatively inexpensive.
Hat - You can lose up to 80% of your body heat through your head. Most heat, as we know by now, escapes through the head. A good ski hat will keep you warm, even in the coldest of temperatures. Some of the nicer hats will even have ear protection.
Sunscreen - Skiing is a fun sport and you can easily spend an entire day on the slopes and in the sun without realizing it. Sunscreen serves the same purpose on a ski slope as it does on a beach. On an especially bright and sunny day, you can get a sunburn in as little as 20 minutes. A good sunscreen will protect you from the sun's UV radiation and from sunburn.
Gloves or mittens - to keep hands warm. If you want the best, you can pay well over 0 for a good pair of ski gloves. You'll want gloves that breathe well, are flexible, with some water proofing, and that are warm. Mittens are generally warmer than gloves, but gloves are more stylish and will do fine in most cases. Pick whichever you are more comfortable with.
Jacket and pants - to keep warm and protect you from hypothermia. The main feature you want in a ski jacket and pants is that they are water proof. This usually means that you want ones with a good polytetrafluoro-ethylene or PTFE membrane. PTFE is often laminated to nylon and polyester materials giving them excellent water protection but still allowing them to breathe. Of course, you will want jackets and pants that are warm and stylish also.
These are the minimalist clothing basics that every skier should have in order to have the best experience possible on the mountains.
Aaron Jochum is a freelance writer who writes articles relating to skiing, ski equipment, skiing tips, and resources. Visit his site at http://www.skiwhat.com .
Spyder Lightning Insulated Ski Jacket Womens The Spyder Lightning insulated ski jacket for women features a shorter athletic cut so you can show off your assets This cozy jack...
Italy skiing: The Open-gate policies at the popular ski resorts are an increasing cost of lift tickets and the incredible technological advances in skiing equipment have contributed a growing popularity for the backcountry skiing. The backcountry skiing is a method of skiing on a terrain which hasn't been marked, cleared or mapped. Normally, the Skiing in the backcountry offers the enthusiasts with the opportunity to conquer a more challenging terrain in an uncontrolled environment which has not actively managed or patrolled for the safety. The Backcountry skiing provides the experienced skiers a perfect chance to make the first ski tracks with a freshly fallen natural snow.
The Backcountry skiing usually refers to both the downhill and uphill travel. Most of the skiers in the resorts and the professional trails use some ski lifts, trams or gondolas to gain some access to downhill turns but the backcountry skiers must hike or skin up the slope. The Skiers are able to travel in the uphill by simply attaching the "skins" to their skis. The Skins on the bottom of skis can effectively grip the snow, allowing the skier to proceed the uphill as though the skis had Velcro on them. The attachments are called as the "skins" because the original founders of the backcountry skiing sport are the Norwegians who strapped the skin and fur from the seals onto the skis to accomplish the goal of skiing uphill. So, in these times the skins for skis are usually made out of plastics and also the synthetic fabrics.
If a skier doesn't have an appropriate equipment for traveling an uphill, the can use snowshoes and can carry the skiing equipment strapped to the outside of a backpack. Also, when skiing in a very populated zone for backcountry skiing, snow can become packed tightly like stairs, and it may be possible to simply hike up the packed hill without needing either skins or snowshoes. This technique is sometimes referred to as "booting up the boot pack."
The Backcountry skiers must be skilled in traveling through the mountains, should be trained in practicing first aid in the wilderness, and must carry and know how to use avalanche safety gear. The Learning to keep safe and sound in backcountry skiing terrain takes a great deal of in-depth study and continual practice. The Skiing the backcountry without a guide is totally inappropriate for most recreational skiers, for families or young children, or for anyone with physical fitness challenges. There are many resources to assistance for the skiers would like to attempt skiing in the backcountry terrain.
The Skiing in an environment that is uncontrolled and unpatrolled can be more dangerous and if you aren't aware of your surroundings and if you don't prepare for emergencies. The safety courses are provided throughout the country to help a recreational skiers who can learn about the backcountry skiing with the assistance and guidance of an experienced backcountry skier. You are solely responsible for evaluating the risks and managing any situations which may arise. In the backcountry environment, even something as simple as a sprained ankle can quickly become a life-threatening if you are unable to move quickly and have not prepared to survive through the night in the snow.
The threat of an avalanche is always a real possibility, for even the most cautious and knowledgeable backcountry skier. For this reason, everyone who skis the backcountry should always pack avalanche safety gear. This equipment includes, at a minimum, an avalanche shovel, an avalanche beacon or transceiver, a snow probe and preferably a skiing partner who also has training and rescue gear. The Skiing solo in the backcountry is a disastrous idea. For the most successful backcountry adventure, try to be sure to have a partner on your journey, prepare and practice sufficiently and pack all the gear necessary for survival.
For a feeling of solitude and freedom, the adventure of exploring a wide white world of untracked powder, there is no greater thrill than the backcountry skiing. cortina
Since 2000 Ski Italy and More has been providing Americans and others with quality hosted vacation packages to the Italian Alps. Hundreds have joined us. Many skiers as well as non-skiers have vacationed with us. Some of our travelers have been coming back year after year not only to ski or snowboard but to continue to enjoy the beauty of the Italian Alps and the hospitality of its people.
European skiers: The Telemark cross-country skiing takes fitness and strength. Northern Europeans and Scandinavians used cross-country skiing as a means of travel during snowy winters. Telemark originally referred to the smooth turning technique skiers used traveling downhill. Today, special races and leagues celebrate the hybrid type of skiing that combines classic cross-country and alpine downhill skiing.
Origins: The Skiing was more than just a sport to the citizens of countries such as Norway and Finland. The Cross-country skiing was daily transportation in snow-bound areas. The Finland used elite cross-country ski units to battle Russian tank units in World War II, the "First Strike: Preemptive War in Modern History." The Cross-country skiing allows skiers to traverse rough terrain quickly, and today elite skiers wind their way between trees and over hills for sport.
Telemark Turn: The Telemark turn lends its name to the style of ski races held today. In a classic Telemark turn, the skier puts his weight on the downhill ski, and bends his knee on the uphill ski. The resulting movement is a smooth turn typical of the style. Telemark style replaced the older method of turning, which required those on skis to plant sturdy poles into the ground, steering as they went. Sondre Norheim was a farmer in the Telemark region of Norway in the latter part of the 1800s. The Modern skiers credit him with inventing and developing the more graceful Telemark style of skiing.
Other Elements: The Telemark ski competitions have elements that require specialized skills and techniques. The classic Telemark race has a steep section that requires skiers to wind their way around race flags as they descend. The section is similar to slalom area in alpine style skiing. The Skiers also negotiate ski jumps during the race. The last main element of the race is a classic cross-country section in which skiers race across an undulating landscape.
Equipment: The Telemark cross-country skiers have boots that attach to the skis at the to est. The boots heels move up and down independent of the skis, enabling the Telemark turn. The Skiers can make forward and backward motions as well as side to side movements. The skis used in Telemark skiing are wider and sturdier than the flexible classic cross-country touring skis. They share similarities with alpine downhill skis but they taper in the center section to help accommodate the sweeping turns. The Ski poles in classic Telemark races are longer than in alpine downhill because skiers use them to help propel themselves uphill and across flat terrain.
Potential: The Telemark skiing is like an obstacle course on snow, with the combining aspects of downhill, jumping and classic cross country skiing. The increasing numbers of a downhill alpine skiers or cross-country enthusiasts turn into the Telemark skiing to take on new challenges as well as to improve their overall ski skills. Although, the Telemark skiing is not an Olympic sport with many competitors travel to compete in international skiing championships. mountain tours
We offer our customers Super Value Ski/Snowboard vacation packages during "High Season" when other tour operators usually charge higher prices. Ski Italy and More strives to provide vacationers with an excellent value for their travel dollars.
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