Off topic question...I hope that's ok!
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Off topic question...I hope that's ok!
| Fri, 12-31-2004 - 1:04pm |
I thought I'd ask here before venturing out to other (perhaps less friendly) boards. Does anyone here cross country ski? I am very interested in giving it a go, and I live in an excellent area for it!
Just wondering what the cost of quality skis, boots, etc., might be. Also, is it something that can be self taught? Or is a lesson, or two, a good idea?
Thank you very much in advance! : )
~Karen

Hi Karen,
That is a good question.
I've done it before. It's great exercise- parks sometimes have CCS area, country clubs then of course there are places that do just that. Don't forget you can always just go down your street, in the woods around your place (if you live in the country!) but you run into obstacles like
Hi!
I popped over from the Ask Kathy Smith Board. You've already gotten some great answers! Whether you need lessons or not is kind an interesting question. If you plan to go on well-groomed fairly flat trails, you'll probably be okay if you go with someone who has been skiing before, and they can show you the basics. However, although I've been x-country skiing for years, I got rusty and would like a few lessons; especially on doing down-hill in the skis.
If you live in an area where there are down-hill ski areas, call them. Many of them also have x-country trails and you can get a quick lesson or they can refer you. You'll want to learn how to get into and out of the skis, how to turn, how to turn around, and how to take a hill. One of the parks here also offers x-country clinics. I'm not sure if they are free, but if there's a charge, it's nominal, so you might look around for that. (It's a nature center; they offer all kinds of winter activity clinics and rent equipment.)
I'd rent skis the first few times. Then decide if you actually like skiing before you buy. You can get waxless skis, which are pretty good. However, if you are in a climate where you get a variety of snow and temperature, I think skis that you wax yourself are better. You have more control over the glide of the skis. It's more work because you have to scrape the old wax off before applying the new, but I think it's worth it. Again, you can learn these things from a decent instructor. If you have a good, local sporting-goods shop that specialize in winter outdoor activities, give them a call as well. You can learn a lot about what kind of skis are right, what kind of poles to get, etc. You can buy kits where the skis, boots, and poles are already packaged or you can buy them separately.
Then, once you've gotten a lesson or two under your belt, you can ski anywhere and won't have to pay. Our state and county parks here have trails around lakes that are a lot of fun and free.
I don't x-country ski as much as I used to. I took up snowshoeing a few years ago and got absolutely hooked.
Have fun!
Judy
It is not an accident that the world is set on women obsessing constantly about their weight. It keeps us from enjoying life and successfully changing the world. We would and can change the world if we simply try to stop obsessing, and try as hard as we can to love who and what we are NOW.
Kathy Najimy
Judy