Cross Country Skier articles from February 2005

Cross Country Skier archives from February 2005

Talking trails ...(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... As the Executive Director of the nonprofit Adirondack Ski Touring Council (ASTC), which has built and maintained the Jackrabbit Ski Trail, I was pleased to see Tom Gibson's article Ski Town: Lake Placid, New York (November 2004). I was...

Fan of Earl and Linda.(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... The November 2004 issue articles on Earl and Linda Stetson and on Blueberry Hill in Vermont brought back memories of my early days of XC skiing in the late 70s. Although Earl was over 20 years older, we would frequently dryland train and ski...

Cross Country Skier--read around the world.(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I began subscribing about March last year. The magazine is fantastic. We are in Japan and value greatly the magazine and information. I carry it every day to read on the commuter trains. Thanks, JIM EMERY I enjoyed the article on...

Exercise machine--good deal or not.(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I am already a subscriber. I was wondering if any of you has trained on a Skiers' Edge training/exercise machine. I was just offered a one-year old machine for less than half price but I don't quite know what to make of it. It apparently can be...

Ski 'til it melts.(fresh Snow)
February 1, 2005... The thermometer read--18 F when I got up this mid-January morning. That alone really is not a significant statement for this time of year in the upper Midwest. The fact that it was the third consecutive day of such temperatures, with a couple...

Spring dessert.(frozen World)
February 1, 2005... There are some who would argue that a balanced meal should be defined thusly: equal parts, by weight, of the main course and dessert. Take salad and soup, the veggies and meat. and load one side of the scale. Then take dessert, the cakes and...

Skiing with arthritis.(balanced Life)
February 1, 2005... "You know those elliptical trainers at the gym?" asks Dr. Donald Christie. "Those are great for people with knee problems and in some ways they're not too different from classic skiing techniques." In fact, says Christie, himself an avid cross...

To V2 or not to V2.(technique & Training)
February 1, 2005... On classic skis, switching from diagonal stride to double poling becomes an obvious choice when you have enough glide to push your skis forward. On skate skis, switching from V1 (offset) to V2 (one skate) in these same conditions is an equally...

Skiing fitness.(competitive Edge)
February 1, 2005... Cross country skiing is well known for offering one of the very best overall mixes of fitness components in a single workout activity: cardiovascular development, muscular endurance and strength, body composition and flexibility. Although still...

Caring for skis.(kick & Glide)
February 1, 2005... If a tool is not working properly, it won't get the job done. The same goes for skis. With improper care, skis become scratched. Holes in the sidewalls turn into delaminations which result in broken skis. Bases glide "slow," yielding either...

One hundred years of ski jumping.
February 1, 2005... On the weekend of January 15-16th more than 4,000 ski jumping fans endured bitterly cold temperatures to attend the Ski Jumping Tournament in Fox River Grove, Illinois. The tournament's host, the Norge Ski Club knows how to put on a great...

Winter chill.
February 1, 2005... Cross country skiers are a brave bread. To pursue their passion, they endure frigid temperatures and strong February winds that take your breathe away. When the snow is right, the trails are groomed and the sun is shining, not even single digit...

Len Johnson: roller ski man: here is what you might call a life changing experience.
February 1, 2005... One day in 1973, Len Johnson, newly arrived in southern New Hampshire, went out for a roller ski to explore his neighborhood. "The roller skis I had were made in Finland--I don't even remember the name of them, but they were very fast." He...

Putting [heart] into your workout.
February 1, 2005... * Francesco Moser, an Italian bicycle racer of legendary status, set out to break the Hour Record. The Hour requires an all out effort for exactly one hour using a single-gear track-racing bicycle. The object is to cover the greatest amount of...

Polar AXN.
February 1, 2005... Polar has introduced a new line of advanced computers designed for outdoor enthusiasts. The AXN300 includes an Altimeter, Barometer, OwnCal calorie counter and the Polar Fitness Test to track your fitness level. All AXN models include Polar's...

Suunto t6.
February 1, 2005... Suunto means "direction" in Finnish. To help you keep track of yours Suunto introduced the t6 in 2004. The t6 measures and documents the effects of training on your body and fitness levels. In addition to a heart rate monitor, the t6 tracks...

Timex Bodylink System.
February 1, 2005... In 2004, Timex celebrated 150 years of watch making innovation. The new Bodylink system gives fitness enthusiasts the ability to monitor their physical condition over time. The Bodylink System combines Timex's Speed+Distance and Heart Rate...

Ironing 101: save your bases.
February 1, 2005... Short of skiing across a freshly graveled parking lot, the most destructive thing people do to skis is ironing too hot. It's true that the more often you wax your skis, the better they will both perform and last, for a well-waxed ski is a happy...

2005/2006 new equipment preview.
February 1, 2005... All of the newest cross country ski, backcountry and telemark equipment recently debuted at the Snowsports Industries Association (SIA) annual trade show in Las Vegas. Since the timing of the show pushed against our printing deadline, most...

The Birchleggings Club.
February 1, 2005... Ski clubs abound across the snowbelt of North America. We feature one such club in every issue of Cross Country Skier, but the Birchleggings Club is a ski club of a different color. Most members don't live in the same community or, for that...

Skiing in a wet and misty isle: even in a land of little snow, cross country skiers abound.
February 1, 2005... The UK is not known for its kilometers of Ioipe cut into deep crisp snow; in fact only a handful of people would think you sane if you started talking of grip waxes. Yet there are several cross country ski clubs in the UK despite little snow....

The Methow Valley: a trail community and more.
February 1, 2005... The Methow Valley immediately strikes you as a clean, wholesome and uncluttered place--one in which you'd want to live. Until recently, this perception and the area as a whole remained one of the better-kept Nordic secrets. But the word is out,...

Drysider Cascades: Washington's Lake Wenatchee State Park.
February 1, 2005... Each winter, huge storms spin like vast whirlpools off the North Pacific and crash into Washington State's Cascade mountain range. However; while western Washington is known for its ceaseless rain and gray skies, just east of the Cascade crest...

Destination guide.(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Craftsbury Outdoor Center ... . CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT VERMONT'S UNSPOILED NORTHEAST KINGDOM! Craftsbury Outdoor Center, the renowned four-season destination for cross-country skiing, biking and rowing, has accommodations for 90...

Skitown: Whitefish, Montana.
February 1, 2005... Just a long stone's throw from Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Montana, has all the prerequisites of a classic ski town. And though it may not immediately jump to mind, it has plenty of trails, good snow and most importantly, a skiing culture...

Skating the Boundary Waters.
February 1, 2005... Up north along the border between Minnesota and Ontario, spring comes later than you may think. If you don't live here, by our spring you've had your skis stored away in the garage rafters for a couple weeks; you may have the bike or canoe out...

Sondre Norheim: the Father of Modern Skiing.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... Sondre Norheim The Father of Modern Skiing Anne-Gry Blikom and Eivind Molde Paperback, black and white photos, 150 pages. North American Heritage Press P.O. Box 1 * Minot, ND 58702 www.northamericanheritagepress.com Sondre Norheim is...

Snowshoeing Colorado: Third Edition.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... Snowshoeing Colorado Third Edition Clare Walter 6 x 9, 360 pages, paperback, black and white photos Fulcrum Guides 800/992-2908 www.fulcrum-books.com Snowshoeing Colorado is a comprehensive trail guide featuring 182 easy access snowshoeing...

Wilderness Lodge Vacations.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... WildernessLodge Vacations Kimberly Lisagor and the editors of Outside Paperback, black and white photos, with color spread, 292 pages, $22.95. W. W. Norton & Company 500 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 www.wwnorton.com ...

The Simple Secrets of Striding.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... The Simple Secrets of Striding Lee Borowski VHS or DVD, 52 minutes, $25.00 + $1.75 shipping Wisconsin residents add $1.27. Available at ski shops or by contacting: Lee Borowski 4500 Cherokee Drive Brookfield, WI 53045 ...

American Skier.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... American Skier Andy Newell X Ski Films 3339 VT Rt. 7A Shaftsbury, VT 05262 xskifilms@hotmail.com www.xskifilms.com The kid from Vermont is also back, with another action packed film, American Skier. His first,...

Ski club feature: New England Nordic Ski Association.
February 1, 2005... "We were looking for a responsive organization not so much to govern but to facilitate growing the sport," said Fred Griffin. In 1996, Griffin along with John and Zach Caldwell and a few other passionate Nordic enthusiasts recognized a need for...

Meet Todd Lodwick.(Fireside)
February 1, 2005... The Nordic combined circuit may not attract as much attention as other cross country events: perhaps that's because only a few athletes can excel with the dichotomous skills required. The event combines ski jumping and cross country racing--the...

Passing of the torch at Lapland Lake.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, one of the most established and popular Nordic ski centers in the Northeast, is under new management this winter. The resort was founded in 1978 by Olympian Olavi Hirvonen (USA, 1960). Hirvonen and his...

83-year-old Nordic guru inspires skiers.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... More than 30 years ago Sven Wiik laid out the course for the American Birkebeiner in Cable, Wis. He'll get a firsthand look at how well his trail has fared when he skis the 32nd American Birkebeiner, 51 kilometer race on Saturday, Feb. 26,...

Hall of Fame names president.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... United States Ski Hall of Fame and Museum has named Thomas West of Calgary, Canada its President and CEO, following a nearly yearlong international search. The selection comes on the heels of a dramatic makeover of the organization's governing...

TeleFair 2005 nationwide telemark skiing and snow kiting tour.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... Skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers can participate in the TeleFair Tour, an exciting nationwide tour of telemark clinics. Each stop on the tour will also feature the new winter sport of snow kiting. Professional instruction is provided by...

XCZone moving ahead with many new initiatives.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... XCZone, the innovative and progressive film production team recently opened a new recording-editing studio in, Chelsea, Quebec. The facility is custom-built and equipped with state-of-the-art gear, allowing for high definition video...

Friends of Tuckerman son of the Inferno Triathlon and Pentathlon.(New Hampshire)
February 1, 2005... The fifth annual Tuckerman Inferno Triathlon and Pentathlon are set to return to Mt. Washington Valley, N.H., April 15-17. The events serve as fundraisers for Friends of Tuckerman, a North Conway, N.H.-based non-profit organization founded to...

NENSA Ski-for-Ks.(New Hampshire)
February 1, 2005... The New England Nordic Ski Association's s new Ski-for-Ks program opened to the general public this fall. Ski-For-Ks is an individual, on-line training log, where skiers can record how many kilometers and hours they have skied each day. The...

Tug Hill Tourathon to celebrate 25th anniversary.(New York)
February 1, 2005... The Tug Hill Tourathon in Boylston, New York will celebrate its 25th anniversary on February 5, 2005. The Tourathon will include classical events of 50, 25 or 15 kilometers. All competitions will take place in the Winona Forest, 35 miles North...

Loppet to guarantee its event with artificial snow.(Minnesota)
February 1, 2005... Recognizing that Minnesota winters are sometimes fickle, organizers of the City of Lakes Loppet have decided to make snow in order to guarantee the event. The World Snowmobile Association (WSA) will bring their mobile pump, generator and snow...

Learn from experts at first annual backcountry skills workshop.(Minnesota)
February 1, 2005... The Backcountry Trail Patrol Association (BPTA) and the Minnesota Backcountry Trails Alliance will be presenting the Backcountry Winter Workshop on February 26, 2005, at the Trail Center at Lake Maria State Park in Monticello, MN. The session...

U.S. Masters set for January 30-February 5 in Twin Cities despite low snow.(Minnesota)
February 1, 2005... As the Twin Cities weather the lowest snow year to-date in recorded history, organizers have had to make contingency plans for the U.S. National Masters to be held January 30-February 5. While trying to decide on the best course of action...

Capitol Square Sprints take downtown by storm.(Wisconsin)
February 1, 2005... The Capitol Square Sprints are the newest addition to the North American Continental Cup cross country ski race series. The best athletes from North America circled the Wisconsin State Capitol in the heart of downtown Madison, Wisconsin on...

World records set in 24 hours of Telemark.(Wisconsin)
February 1, 2005... The 5th Annual 24 Hours of Telemark ski race was held on the grounds of Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 8. With racers taking on the challenging, hill-filled five-kilometer loop at Telemark, this nonstop 24 hour ski...

Elk Mountains Grand Traverse challenges backcountry skills and smarts.(Colorado)
February 1, 2005... Crested Butte's Elk Mountains Grand Traverse is a one-of-a-kind event in the United States. The backcountry ski race is a test of endurance and smarts, following the mail routes that connected the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and...

Skier dies during West Yellowstone camp.(Montana)
February 1, 2005... Billy Allison, 61, of Ogden, Utah died while cross country skiing on the Rendezvous Ski Trail in West Yellowstone. According to Gallatin County Deputy Coroner Ken Davis, Allison died of a heart attack. Allison told members of his party that he...

Mt. Bachelor Youth Fesitval.(Oregon)
February 1, 2005... The Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation's Nordic program will present the Therapeutic Associates XC Youth Festival on March 18-20. This first-time event will offer challenges and races for skiers age 13 and under as well as 15 km or 25 km...

U.S. Cross Country Ski Team--World Cup highlights.(national team News)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... Nov. 27, Kuusamo, Finland--Carl Swenson (Park City, UT) collected his first World Cup points of the season, finishing 29th in a 15K freestyle race where Vincent Vittoz of France won by 1.8 seconds. Andrew Johnson (Greensboro, VT) was 63rd and...

U.S. Nationals--Soldier Hollow, Utah.(national team News)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... Jan. 3--Andrew Johnson (Greensboro, VT) celebrated his birthday by collecting the first U.S. title of his career. Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO) picked up her fifth with opening wins at the U.S. Cross Country Championships as the title races...

Cross Country World Cup team announced.(national team News)
February 1, 2005... Thirteen cross country skiers, including seven 2002 Olympians, leave been named to compete in the World Nordic Ski Championships in Germany. The U.S. cross country squad for the 2005 World Championships Feb. 17-27 in Oberstdorf, Germany:...

Nordic combined World Cup highlights.(national team News)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... Nov. 27, Kuusamo, Finland--Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) opened the 2005 Nordic combined World Cup season on the podium, finishing third with Johnny Spillane (also Steamboat) 11th. Nov. 28. Kuusamo, Finland--Todd Lodwick who opened...

Funding to be eliminated for Canadian ski jumping and Nordic combined.(national team News)
February 1, 2005... Facing $6.5 million in facility modernization costs, the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA)--the largest financial supporter of ski jumping and Nordic combined training programs in Canada--announced it will withdraw program funding...

Toko to discontinue poles.(skibiz News)
February 1, 2005... Due to a reorganization of its parent company Mammut, Toko will be discontinue the production of ski poles in 2006. According to Ian Harvey, Toko brand manager, Toko will continue selling wax, tools and gloves under the Toko brand. It will...

Rossignol may be for sale.(skibiz News)
February 1, 2005... In a recent interview published in the French newspaper Les Echos it was confirmed that Quiksilver, a manufacturer of surf-inspired active wear, had approached Rossignol about a possible takeover. Rossignol has been the subject of takeover...

Subaru, PSIA, AASI and NSP celebrate 10 years of partnership.(skibiz News)
February 1, 2005... 2004 was a milestone year in the ten-year partnership between the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), the National Ski Patrol (NSP) and Subaru of America, Inc. In September...

Gore returns as official outerwear sponsor of Winter Trails[R].(skibiz News)
February 1, 2005... W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORETEX and WINDSTOPPER fabrics, sponsored Winter Trails, a free national program that introduces the public to snowshoeing and, new this year, cross country skiing. The program celebrated its 10th anniversary...

Higher retail prices spike dollar increases.(skibiz News)
February 1, 2005... Overall equipment sales (alpine, snowboard, Nordic, Telemark and Randonee/AT) were up 9% in dollars as compared to last season with sales totaling $15.7 million by the end of October. Equipment sales fell in units but average retail prices...

Bear Valley Cross Country.(California)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Nestled in the super scenic High Sierra and surrounded by two wilderness areas, Bear Valley Cross Country offers some of the finest striding and skating anywhere! With impeccable grooming, expansive meadows, scenic ridge tops, snowshoeing,...

Montecito-Sequoia Winter Sports & XC Ski Resort.(California)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Ski 85km of groomed trails and miles of marked backcountry trails. PSIA instruction, tours and rentals. Snowshoeing, tubing with handle tow, outdoor spa, children's programs and dog sled rides. Comfortable lodging and delicious meals, mid-week,...

Sorensen's and Hope Valley Resorts.(California)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Your resort for all seasons in the Sierra Nevada... Sorensen's offers cozy housekeeping cabins, many with wood burner stoves, and delicious, homemade cuisine in the Country Cafe, serving 7 days per week. Located on the eastern edge of...

Latigo Nordic Ranch.(Colorado)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Latigo is scenic and secluded. Experience warm western hospitality, great accommodations, wonderful food and superb skiing. Enjoy a wide ranging and varied trail network through pine forests, aspen glades and open meadows groomed for classic...

North Valley Trails.(Idaho)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The North Valley Trails, located just north of Sun Valley in the heart of Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, boasts 125 km of world-class Nordic skiing amid breathtaking scenery Complimenting the trail system is historic Galena Lodge....

Marquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau.(Michigan)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Who would have thought that putting two boards together was about anything but building? Not in Marquette Country, Michigan where boards are about skiing. With over 200 inches of snow, each winter and ten individual trails to choose from,...

Sunday River Inn & Cross Country Ski Center.(Maine)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Friendly mountain hospitality featuring a family style inn, 40 km of professionally groomed Nordic ski trails, innovative kids programming, terrain park and 12 km of wooded snowshoe trails. Amenities include a professionally staffed retail...

A Place in the Woods.(Minnesota)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Cozy, secluded, and newer log cabin resort on beautiful Turtle River Lake, Bemidji, MN is the perfect setting to enjoy nature and your favorite winter activities. 20 km xc ski trails begin at your cabin's door. Ice fishing, ice skating,...

Central Gunflint Ski Trail System--Bearskin & Golden Eagle Lodges.(Minnesota)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Nationally renown skiing on 70k of snowcat-groomed trails with a dependable average snowfall of 120" groomed for traditional and skate skiing accommodating all levels of difficulties. Night skiing, snowshoe trails, sauna, heated waxing room,...

Central Gunflint Ski Trail System--Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines Resort & Campground.(Minnesota)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Ski the deep snows of the Laurentian Highlands, from November to April in NE Minnesota with 10+ feet of annual snowfall. 80+ km of groomed forest trails-from cedar swamps to aspen ridges, lots of wildlife and boreal forest birds. Honeymoon...

Lutsen Resort.(Minnesota)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Experience the beauty and wonder of Lake Superior in the winter. Nearly 200km XC ski trails nearby. Lakeside lodging includes historic lodge rooms, log cabins, and town homes/condos. In-room fireplaces & whirlpools available. Swimming...

Izaak Walton Inn.(Montana)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... A place where time stands still and lets you catch up. Located on the southern tip of Glacier National Park. This year round historic Great Northern Railroad Hotel hosts over 30km of groomed cross country ski trails. Ski shop, rentals, Finnish...

Yellowstone expeditions.(Montana)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... This is the way Yellowstone Park in winter was meant to be experienced. Join our seasoned ski guides for an unforgettable Yurt and xc skiing adventure. We offer 5-day wilderness cross country ski tours from our Yurt Camp at the Grand Canyon of...

The Balsams Wilderness.(New Hampshire)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Deep in the great north woods of New Hampshire's White Mountains, this destination resort offers 90km of tracked, groomed and annotated trails for both classical and skate skiing. Naturalist guided tours and limitless backcountry skiing....

The Nordic Center at Waterville Valley.(New Hampshire)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Ski over 70 km of trails or pristine backcountry wilderness in the scenic splendor of the White Mountains National Forest. Wide trails, expertly groomed by new Pisten Bully cat for both classic or skate. Located in an alpine village w/shops,...

Mohonk Mountain House.(New York)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... A superlative skiing experience! Mohonk Mountain House, a 251-room National Historic Landmark hotel located 90 miles north of New York City is home to 50km (33 miles) of groomed trails, perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. ...

Methow Valley.(Washington)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Located in North Central Washington, this destination area offers over 200 km of groomed trails. Experience blue skies, dry snow and rugged vistas. Ski from your front door, lodge to lodge or go hut to hut. Ready for more adventure--try heli...

Sun Mountain Lodge.(Washington)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Spectacular mountaintop resort on 3,000 acres. Ski from your door on the famous Methow Valley trail system with 200 kilometers of groomed magic. PSIA fully-certified ski school. Full service ski shop with complete rentals. DiRoNA Award winning...

Palmquist's The Farm.(Wisconsin)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Discover why so many guests return year after year to Wisconsin's oldest cross-country ski destination! Delight in our Northwoods ranch/inn atmosphere featuring cozy lodging in a handcrafted log Inn or cabins with fireplaces, 35 km of gently...

Stokely Creek Lodge.(Canada)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Stokely Creek Lodge, located just north of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, has 135 km of wilderness trails and is one of the premier Nordic ski locations in North America. The well marked trails offer skiing challenges for all levels of skiers...

Cross country skiing 101.(off Track)
February 1, 2005... You've been watching people cross country ski all winter. And now you want to try it. Before you do, here are a few tips to get you started. Basic Requirements Becoming a cross country skier requires a passion for snow. You must...

Tenth annual SkiTAM fundraising weekend benefiting the U.S. Disabled Ski Team set for April 7-10, 2005.(CCS Nordic News)
February 1, 2005... SkiTAM, an annual fundraising event of the Cable Telecommunications and Marketing Society's (CTAM) Rocky Mountain Chapter, will hold its 10th anniversary event April 7-10 in Vail, Colorado. SkiTAM's annual ski weekend directly benefits the U.S....

Journey Through the Decades.(New stuff: books & DVDs)
February 1, 2005... Journey Through the Decades Warren Miller Collector's Edition Deluxe 4-DVD Box Set 7 hours running time, $59.98 www.warrenmiller.com O.K., it's not cross country skiing, but if you've ever seen any of Warren Millers films, you have to admit...