Quite possibly. I'm pretty sure ours are no wax though. Much to learn ... as I'm sure they need some sort of servicing?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:
I'm pretty sure ours are no wax thoug
very likely - lots are advertised as such. But yer serious Nordic skiers can win or lose a race based on waxing choices. The equivalent of dinghy sailors altering the tension on their standing rigging. Not the sort of thing I get up to - if the mast stays more or less upright, that's fine.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Mrs M's XC skis are the waxless scaled ones. It makes everything so much easier, and I don't have to have thrilling conversations with the locals about grip wax.
She skis from Seefeld to Mittenwald to go shopping. I just checked and it looks to be about 17k each way. That's how serious she is about her shopping
@musher, I love the idea of going shopping on the skis. But a 34 km round trip...... seriously impressive! I did once ski over to Les Saisies in a blizzard, when the road was closed by a broken down snowplough to get some fresh supplies. But that was a bit of a novelty - and it was up a chairlift then down a blue run, then back up a chairlift and down a blue run (though I did manage to ski off the piste on the way back and ended up knee deep, in a whiteout, only regaining the piste with difficulty, sidestepping gingerly up a steep bank, trying not to lose the skis).
In contrast, when I worked in Barbados, overlooking the Careenage, where women sat selling flying fish, I did often see a chap who came to buy some on a windsurfer. He wore a sunhat and his dog sat on the front.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
It was a high volume board...... they pretty much all were, in those days.
One of the things I'm going to have to get used to if I do the tour is xc skiing with a rucksack. I normally only carry a bottle of water and a wind proof. We will be unsupported so will need to carry some stuff. I'm quite ruthless both on my bike and touring in keeping the weight to a minimum but this will be a new challenge, especially Mrs jobs toiletries.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
especially Mrs jobs toiletries
but she will carry her own? Might help her decide what she can do without. Do you arrange accommodation in advance?
After all it is free
After all it is free
jbob wrote:
especially Mrs jobs toiletries.
Nice catch. With her wealth, you should be able to hire someone to carry your stuff for you!
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
Skating skis don't get waxed
We go to Finland each year and the volumes of various waxes in the racks for classic & skating skis in the ski shops is truly astonishing. There are literally dozens, each related to different air and snow temperature / humidity and composition
It's truly staggering. I have no idea about any of this and just leave it someone else who knows what they're doing
If you have the patience, try reading this to see just how complex a subject it is (if you want it to be)
@pam w, she certainly will be carrying her own stuff, she's faster than me on Nordic skis on the up.
We will book in advance there are quite a few hotels and hostels on the route. It's possible to do the route as an organised trip with support but it's quite expensive, around £1500 for a week for accommodation, support and a guide, which is nearly triple our budget! My daughter lives very close to the route but is having a baby in January so will be busy.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
pam w wrote:
Quote:
the nordic touring skis have metal edges, making it much easier snowploughing down the hill
I was rather taken by that, when I was reading about XC gear, but decided that in my situation - living in one of the best XC areas in France - I really need skis which fit in the tracks.
My nordic touring skis still fits inside the tracks.
Still, the particular skis I have is a lot less efficient than typical xc skis, because it has a much longer "kick zone" and the "glide zone" is a lot shorter in comparison.
It really boils down to the skiing. I live in area that has snow that melts and refreeze frequently. When snow refreeze on the downhill section, it's next to impossible to maintain control with the usual xc skis. I would have to take it cautiously and much more slowly. With metal edges, I could fly down those icy slopes, knowing I could turn and stop if need be.
I can still go almost as fast, but it takes a lot more energy due to the loss of glide. So I got tired after 10 miles, whilst I could easily do 20 miles on my xc skis.
A big side benefit, I can just romp about in the woods even when there's no tracks.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
jbob wrote:
My daughter lives very close to the route but is having a baby in January so will be busy.
I don't think your daughter is taking this seriously.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
You could take the baby too, jbob...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Somit turns out on inspection this evening, that we acquired Fischer RCRs. Hope they're as good... !!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Skating skis need waxing down their full length with glide wax otherwise it's like cycling with your tyres half pumped up. Aspiring Olympian or beginner they still need waxing but if you're hiring the shop should supply them waxed ready for the conditions. Same applies to waxing the tips and tails of classic skis.
Do take a lesson particulary to learn how to snowplough/control your skis on the downhills [most people with an alpine background find that the hardest thing] - that way you'll enjoy xc sking more & have fewer bruises! There are lots of good videos on http://crosscountryskitechnique.com/
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
under a new name wrote:
Somit turns out on inspection this evening, that we acquired Fischer RCRs. Hope they're as good... !!
Next level up so they should be.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hi,
We converted from mediocre downhill skiers to even more mediocre nordic skiers three or four years ago and love it!. You wear comfy boots, have light weight skies, pay a few euros to access the piste, stick a baugette cheese and wine in the back pack and head off for an hour, morning or all day. The Jura is excellent with miles of trails at all grades. Resorts are small and user friendly with costs for eating out, especially during the day at around half the price of the Alps. Our favorites are the High Coombes, (La Pesse/Lajoux) and further north Chapelle du Bois, but lots and lots of places to go at. Fit youngsters definitely favour skating and lycra, we are older and stick with classic and soft shell. Probably best to have a lesson for a couple of hours to get a few pointers to help you stay on your feet as it is at first like trying to balance on a couple of clothes lines! Don't get bogged down with the waxing thing. Specialist waxes are more important in Scandanavia when the snow structure and temperature remain more or less constant through the day. In the Jura there is much more variation through the day so we find a general purpose spray on usually does the trick though most days you will not even need that.
Whilst we cannot claim to be experts we do know the Jura fairly well and if we can help with more info on the area let me know and I will do what I can.
Ian
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Quote:
Do take a lesson particulary to learn how to snowplough/control your skis on the downhills [most people with an alpine background find that the hardest thing] - that way you'll enjoy xc sking more & have fewer bruises!
I started xc skiing before downhill. So I guess I didn't get to develop bad habits from wearing high cuff stiff plastic boots. Without alpine background, I didn't find snowplough too effective. I just let it run and tried not to crash. (Being young had some advantages) Eventually, most tracks typically just flatten out, or even go up!
I was taught to turn by making those tiny steps. Practice that by stepping in and out of the track from time to time on easier slopes.
XC skiing is a lot like riding bicycles. You try to balance on a narrow patch of contact to the ground. Stopping from high speed is always iffy. Better not build up too much speed to begin with. But if you do (let's face it, speed is fun), make sure you have a clear path to turn away from things you don't want to hit. Failing that, look for path that goes UP. That'll slow you down quickly.
I never got the hang of full snowplough. That is, until much later, long after I got to be a reasonably advanced alpine skiers. (I had much better success with the half-plough). Once I got the hang of how to fine tune for-aft balance, both my alpine and my xc technique got a giant step up!
(when I watch people with ineffective snowplough, they lean back with fear and try to push the tail out with straight legs. Doesn't work too well)
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 13-12-15 16:48; edited 1 time in total
@cumbrian, We know the Jura fairly well and have had some lovely days up there on the alpine sectors but we have no idea about the various Nordic areas We'll be coming up from the French side so were thinking to base ourselves in Morbier does that sound sensible to you?
@movingfeet, that's a handy website thank you
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Quote:
Practice that by stepping in and out of the track from time to time on easier slopes.
yes, this is one of the exercises you do in lessons - very good idea. Balance has to be 100% to do it neatly. I tend to flail around a bit....
@davidof, nice, thank you, but that means more risk of being caught...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
pam w wrote:
Quote:
Practice that by stepping in and out of the track from time to time on easier slopes.
yes, this is one of the exercises you do in lessons - very good idea. Balance has to be 100% to do it neatly. I tend to flail around a bit....
Before stepping OUT of the track, just practice steps IN the track. If you don't feel comfortable stepping IN the track, it's pointless "practicing" stepping outside the track.
The sequence of practices I do at the beginning of the season just to get my legs acquainted with those narrow planks:
1) Glide one legged for a bit: First on the flat, pushing with the other (or double poling). Then slide one-legged briefly while going down a gentle downhill .
2) "Stepping" while going down a hill: First stepping within the track, just to get a sense of weight transfer. Then step outside for a bit and back in. Should be a breeze if you got the weight transfer part.
3) Half plough: I always made the mistake of not putting enough pressure on the plough leg. Then that ski goes all over the place. Frail around a bit then remember to STEP FIRMLY on that foot! Bingo, instant control!
4) Half plough to full plough. Weight needs to be on the leg already outside the track, otherwise the leg in the track simply refuse to move (or you end up doing a one-legged jump, with full body wieght on that leg ).
I have a bad habit of dropping my hands on the side. Somewhere half way through those exercises, I would fail miserably. When I remember to put my hand in front like I was carrying a tray of drinks, everything start to work properly. That's when I feel I got my winter legs back.
Backseat skiing is bad on whatever plank (including snowboard). It's just with the soft boots of xc setup, you know you're in the back seat right away. Good balance training that transfer well to downhill skiing.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Hi Again,
Morbier is a good central base which gives access to a lot of resorts within a 30 minute drive plus of course the trails in Morbier itself, (which are a drive from the town centre). In that area we would prefer heading up to either Bellefontain or Chapelle des Bois which are prettier and would keep you entertained for a good few days without having to drive. Morbier, Bellefontain, Chapelle and the next village to the north whos name escapes me are all linked so if you make good progress you have a vast area to go at. We are in our sixties and seventies and cover up to 25 kilometres in a day, younger and fitter, once you have got the hang of it can easily double those distances. Probably best if you google nordic skiing in the Jura you can have a look at the maps and get a better idea of where best suits you in terms of accommodation and access. Of the places mentioned my money would be on Chapelle but as they say ones mans goose is another mans gander! Get back if you think I can help anymore.
Ian
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I always use a spray glide wax for my fish scaled classic skis - makes them glide further for each kick but without the faff - but when I first learned in Norway about 10 years ago it was with ironed in glide wax and grip wax which needed to be changed as the day got warmer scraping off the old and corking in the new or the skis stopped gripping. It is, however, a remarkably efficient way to move about once you get used to letting the skis glide. We did 35km on day 3 having started as complete novices and that incuded a decadent level of stopping for hot chocolate. The french ski de fonde pistes are not a patch on Norway and you have to pay but my local centre at Grand Naves is only 38 Euros for a season pass so it is hardly a rip off and a Savioe pass is only about double that opening up the pistes at Pralognan and Champagny le Haut where the latter looks eminently skiable so thats where I will be going if there is not enough snow for Alpine hooning. I just wish I had the opportunity to practice a bit more and develop something that might legitimately be called a technique.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
mcspreader wrote:
I I just wish I had the opportunity to practice a bit more and develop something that might legitimately be called a technique.
By some rollerskis and you can practise anywhere with tarmac.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I must say that despite being a little dusty from the Pub's 20th birthday party - and thusly alittle challenged on the energy front - I really enjoyed the brief excursion yesterday.
If the (new) washing machine repair schedule (it lasted all of a single cycle before tripping the board and toasting itself) lends itself to the plan, another trip out tomorrow.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@under a new name, are the Chamonix tracks in decent nick?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thank you @cumbrian I will take a look at those suggestions. Not having to drive so we can do the baguette and verre de vin picnic lunch would be better
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@jbob, Only the green Bois au Bouchet open on Sunday. But I hadn't noticed how cannoned up it is so in good shape.
I suspect they're just holding off opening more until Xmas week.
Enough to get started on though.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@under a new name, are the chamonix trails all down in the valley?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@pam w, all the trails are in the valley except one at Les Houches which I'm not keen on as it crosses over the piste. I think the one in Valorcine is at a little higher altitude so is often in good nick, plus there is a pub at the end.
@pam w, there is a very nice trail in Courmayeur if you're interested. It goes up the Val Ferret has fantastic scenery and again has a very nice spot for lunch at the end.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
That sounds rather nice, @jbob. But so far I've not done much more than scratch the surface at Saisies - some of the trails are too steep (downwards) for me at my present state of expertise, and some are long, too. I intend to improve over this coming winter though the instructor told me last year that the skis I had were unnecessarily hard work - I'd bought them a bit wider, and shorter, for stability. He also said it was actually easier to snowplough on longer ones, with more edge to bring to bear. Sounds reasonable. I did hire some longer ones, at his suggestion, and they were fine, but I couldn't find what I was looking for to buy, at the end of last season with low stocks everywhere. Will pay an early visit Aux Vieux Campeur this season.
@pam w, the val ferret track is very flat, it is gently up hill on the way out, and after lunch it's an effortless (nearly) ride home. Mrs Jbob had a couple of one to one lessons last year as a Xmas present, one thing she learnt and passed on to me was to really push down on your heels when snowploughing. Even the experts don't look too graceful.
Check out the new decathlon it's right by the motorway and a fantastic building with a cafe. It has lots of good value fonding stuff, but the advice is better in Aux Campeur.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
If the trails are closed you can always X-country in the fun park.
Check out the new decathlon it's right by the motorway and a fantastic building with a cafe. It has lots of good value fonding stuff, but the advice is
that sounds like a very good idea. Will do that.
Will try pushing down on the heels, too. I suspect I don't.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
pam w wrote:
Quote:
Even the experts don't look too graceful.
that's very true. And they do fall over, too!
They even fall over on the flat bits occasionally!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
as I'm sure they need some sort of servicing? 
to get some fresh supplies. But that was a bit of a novelty - and it was up a chairlift then down a blue run, then back up a chairlift and down a blue run (though I did manage to ski off the piste on the way back and ended up knee deep, in a whiteout, only regaining the piste with difficulty, sidestepping gingerly up a steep bank, trying not to lose the skis).
Do you arrange accommodation in advance?
