Cross-Country Skiing Has A Dirty Little Secrete

I was really hoping for an Adventure in the Snow on Sunday, but life got in the way. So I hope you can imagine how I felt when I read this. It was like being in love and watching someone else court your darling under the sun on perfect day? Let me try and explain what I mean.

I can’t remember the first time I went cross country skiing, but I imagine I was 3 or 4 years of age. I can see myself careening down that big hill from Ridge Road, or that a crazy twisting decent and crashing into a bush, where I would lie crying on my back with my skis tangled overhead, waiting for my Dad to pluck my out.

38-years later I am still in love with skiing, and still love to plunge down hills, kamikaze-style, but now only occasionally crashing.

As an adult cross country skiing appeals to me because it's a sport I can enjoy as I age, it doesn't require a team, or (not withstanding good wax) expensive equipment. Moreover, it is one of the best aerobic sports.

With its long, snowy and cold winters WinterPeg seems to have produced one of the most active cross country ski communities in the country. There are several ski shops, and places to rent equipment and hundreds of miles of groomed trails, including ones that are lit at night.

Unlike racing a mountain bike, cross country skiing is not a difficult activity to learn. It is a low impact sport suitable for every age, temperament and ability. If you can walk or run you can ski. You could just head out on a trail with your kids in tow, but if you've never skied before, I'd recommend taking lessons.

As a sport, cross-country skiing is exceptionally demanding. It is the king of endurance sports. The aerobic energy demands of the various techniques burn the most calories per hour of execution of any endurance sport.

It is not hard to understand why cross-country skiing is one of my favorite sports, and why I might be jealous of the fortunate who were able to suffer in that wonderfully painful way that is unique to cross country skiing. . What might not be as obvious is the nasty little secret skiers have been ‘waxing’ over for years. They don’t want you to know, but I will give you the inside scoop. Waxing Sucks! I have skied all my life. I was dragged out by my Dad for 8-hour days every weekend on some of the best CX ski trails in the world. I remember being patted on the head by the legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen at the Canadian Ski Marathon. The best thing about skiing is you can improve your entire life. My Dad is 80 this year and still skis better then most people ever will. I have all the fancy equipment; benches, irons, scrapers etc, etc, etc. I have taken the courses, and consulted the best coaches in the country. I even hit up Becky Scotts husband for some insider tips on waxing. BUT you can’t get around it… Waxing Sucks. Waxing is like changing the rubber on a mountain bike for every ride, and still feeling like you have slicks in mud. Solution? Single Speed Skis, i.e., stop waxing. Why the hell are you waxing? Better kick? Put some red on and presto, perfect grip every time! The last time I waxed was 4 or 5 years ago. Sure I am not winning races, but I almost never was with 'perfect wax’.


The Benefits of Single Speed Cross Country Skiing:

1. Less expensive
2. Much less hassle
3. Ready made excuse for being slower then the little monsters who ski faster then I race my bike
4. Waxing is for the weak. Live Strong. Don’t Wax
5. Better workout
6. Others?

See you at the next race Mr. Big Wheels.

Directions

Bottom Line

Spread the love of cross-country skiing should be the common goal of all those who have been touched by the beauty of this sport. Getting people involved with a sport that so much to offer is a wonderful thing to share. I am definitely not fast and technically proficient but I would challenge anyone to have more fun then I do skiing.

Coach Dave. Ski to live. Live to ski.