Hello,
Thank you for the continued updates. My question is: what type of rollerski is
best for pavement in mostly flat Florida? I have skied the Birkie for the last 25
years training on pavement only. I am ready to purchase a new pair of rollerski
and know little about them. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
D. In Florida
D. In Florida,
Thank you for your question. The Saab-Salomon Factory Team chooses several different rollerski brands for their dryland training. It is true, however, that many members of the team choose Marwe skis. One of the primary reasons the team has chosen these skis relates to the feel of the ski. These skis utilize a composite shaft that will flex under the weight of the athlete. This allows for a more ski-like feel across the foot.
Some other brands choose to implement a softer wheel to achieve the ski-like feel, and absorb "road noise." These skis are also fine choices, but if you are skiing on these skis on a daily basis there is a chance the wheels will wear a bit quicker. Wheels, no matter the manufacturer, will cost you a bit of money to replace.
You need to first determine what type of skiing you are going to do. If you are going to skate all the time, buy a skate-specific rollerski. If you will classic and skate, a combi ski is a great option. If you plan to double pole only and skate, then a skate ski is preferable. If you are a purist, and you love to classic ski (we understand!) the best ski is going to be a classic ski. ProSki makes a really nice classic ski with a small wheel in the front that has the ratcheted bering for 'kick'. Keep your eyes open, but first determine what you are going to be using these skis for: skate, classic, combi, etc. See you on Main Street in Hayward and at the Sawmill after come February.
Birkie Fever!
SkiPost
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While most skis these days work well in a wide variety of conditions sometimes it helps to have a specific ski for specific snow. Elite racers, for which every second counts, have quivers of skis. For these racers we recommend having 4 skis.
There are basically 4 snow/track types for Skating
Hard Track Warm Wet Snow
Hard Track Cold Dry Snow
Soft Track Warm Wet Snow
Soft Track Cold Dry Snow
Hard Track- When the ski track is firm or hard the snow does not compress much, so a skier's skating downward compression in turn goes into driving them forward. Skis can have glide zones that are shorter in these conditions. These shorter zones can handle higher pressures (a response to the snow properties), and the ski becomes very responsive. The skis need to have a camber that is stiff enough that skis do not bottom out in under the full force the skier is putting on the ski and will essentially push back in response to the skier's downward force. The stiffer the ski is the less versatile it will be and the less stable edge to edge transitions can become. A term for a ski that is too soft for hard-packed conditions is, "swimming." A soft ski under these conditions will simply loose stability, and swim around on the surface. This makes for a very ineffective ski.
Soft track- when the track is soft the pushing forces can go into moving and compressing the snow. Skis need to have lower pressure glide zones (longer glide zones). With lower pressure glide zones skis can float over more of the snow and compress less of it. Soft track skis feel very smooth and bend and float through the soft snow. If you ski on extra soft snow with a ski that is aimed at hard track it will feel spongy and may bottom out under the foot and rotate under the foot. This makes a stiff ski that is designed for hard snow far less desirable for softer conditions.
You may sometimes encounter hard tracks that are wet/icy or cold/dry. In turn, you can have Soft Tracks that are wet/soft tracks that are or either cold or dry. In any wet conditions you need to decrease suction. This is achieved in a ski by having the front glide zone shift rearward as additional weight is applied, essentially lifting the front glide zone off the wet snow. It is also achieved on a ski by increasing structure. In cold conditions a long and constant front glide zone is helpful to melt the snow under the ski - this melting will help speed the ski up in colder conditions.
Basically, when a ski is stiff it should serve you well on hard-packed snow. Small adjustments to that ski need to be made to the base through either base grind or base structure. A good rule is to remember that most structure is designed to help manage snow crystal variations (a shallow grind will work well with sharp/cold crystals, and a deeper grind will help with rounded/wet snow crystals). Most structure tools aid in moisture management, so a deeper rilling tool will aid in channeling moisture in snow from the ski base - hence, reducing suction.
All of this having been said, most athletes race 75% of their races on one pair of skis. The structures available will do a wonderful job of controlling a wide range of snow crystals, and structure tools will simply add to the effectiveness of the ski in variations outside of these conditions. An elite racer will choose a ski based on how it reacts to their specific skiing style and what the course requires Some skis function better, regardless of the snow type, to hilly courses (climbing skis), and others respond well to flatter courses. Having four pairs of skis is not a requirement, but it will certainly afford a skier the diversity they likely desire to find the "right ski" that will become the backbone of their quiver - something they use to judge the rest of their skis from.
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West Yellowstone Offers Visitors Rocky Mountain Winter Memories
Without Breaking the Bank!
Explore outdoor recreation, wildlife, and western entertainment off the beaten path this winter.
Looking for a Rocky Mountain escape this winter without traffic, high prices and congestion? Families and outdoor enthusiasts alike should consider a trip to West Yellowstone, Montana. Far away from the congestion of the I-70 corridor in Colorado, West Yellowstone’s charm lies in its off-the-beaten path location, offering visitors an enjoyable, scenic, action-packed Rocky Mountain experience at a lower cost.
“With hundreds of miles of snowmobile and ski trails, as well as family activities like the Grizzly Discovery Center and IMAX Theater, you don’t need to spend a lot to get to a more than memorable winter vacation,” says Marysue Costello, director of the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce.
For outdoor enthusiasts, West Yellowstone’s trail network is one of the many undiscovered places in the area and includes 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails that then join those in Idaho. Of special note is the Two Top trail that leads to stunning vistas and “ghost trees.” With 40 kilometers of groomed cross country ski trails, the Rendezvous and Riverside Ski Trails are within walking distance from just about anyplace in town. And, Harriman State Park’s groomed cross country trails offer inexpensive fun while Big Sky’s downhill ski areas are world class by anyone’s standards--both within just 45 miles of West Yellowstone. Free weekly ranger-led snow shoe walks along the Madison River in Yellowstone are a treat for the entire family. Back country experiences in the snow are nearly unlimited for the more adventuresome.
In addition to outdoor recreation, West Yellowstone offers inexpensive activities for children. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center’s “Keeper’s Kids” program invites children to learn about the feeding habits of bears, then they get to hide appropriate food all around the two-acre outdoor bear habitat while the animals are resting in their indoor dens. The children may then watch from a safe distance as the bears use their natural foraging skills to find the snacks. The nonprofit center is open from 8:00 a.m. until dusk 365 days a year, and children ages five and younger have free admission.
A Painted Buffalo “Treasure Trail Map” is available free of charge at various locations in West Yellowstone. The map shows the location of buffalo statues, which have been creatively painted by regional artists Answer the questions and redeem your quiz for merchant rewards. To see a calendar of events in West Yellowstone, visit www.destinationyellowstone.com.
Getting there is easy: drive to West Yellowstone from Bozeman in two hours, Helena in just over three hours, Salt Lake City in less than five hours, and Boise in six hours.
For information on lodging, Yellowstone Ski Festival World Snowmobile EXPO and other recreation, contact the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce at 406.646.7701 or visit www.destinationyellowstone.com to view exclusive winter specials.
The Saab-Salomon Factory Team Recommends:
Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
www.doyellowstone.com
West Yellowstone
Sales @doyellowstone.com
1-800-646-7365
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CXC Academy – On Demand Coaching Support
Technique drills, detailed workout description, inspirational athlete interviews, training plans and much more updated every four weeks!
There is no better way to excel in training and racing than by having a structured plan and easy to follow detailed guidelines for workouts. The CXC Academy provides a unique opportunity to create and follow a training program designed by professional coaches.
CXC Academy will provide you with yearly and monthly training overviews, objectives and goals to create an understanding of the basis for performing specific workouts and exercises. Academy coaches will guide the planning of training hours for the entire year. Each month the program will provide a sample week of daily workouts and instructions for implementation.
Free 5-day trial available at www.cxcacademy.com
$14.95 per month or $9.95 per month for full year subscription (save $60.00!)
“CXC Academy is professional and well done. Now I see what I need to do for training every day. It is a very useful tool for coaching and being coached. I can watch the videos then practice technique. I can also review the video’s when I forget how to do things instead of practicing bad technique for weeks.” – Birkie and master skier from Wisconsin.
"CXC Academy can serve as a personal coach or simply as extra curricular education for the determined athlete. Having worked closely with CXC and its coaches, I can say that this program teaches a training system similar to the programs we are writing for some of the athletes on the US Ski Team. At $120 a year, these guys are giving this away." Matt Whitcomb, Head Development Coach, US Ski Team
To learn more please visit www.cxcacademy.com
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Twin Cities Traveling Ski Clinic with Jojo Winters and Caitlin Compton.
West Side: Sunday, November 2 at Baker Park
East Side: Sunday, November 9 at Battle Creek
CXC Elite Team athletes Johanna Winters and Caitlin Compton will be hosting a
dryland traveling ski clinic on both the West and East side of the Twin Cities
to kick-off the winter season. Join them Sunday, November 2 at Baker Park or
Sunday, November 9 at Battle Creek-Winthrop for drill progressions, strength
exercises, and technique analysis for both skate and classic techniques. All
ability levels are welcome, with or without rollerskis. Both clinics will be
from 1:00pm-4:00pm, and the cost $45 per person. Register the day of your
clinic of choice, and stick around for warm beverages and snacks afterwards!
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USDST Cross Country Head Coach
Job Description
Revised: September 29, 2008
The USDST Head Coach is essential toward the efficient achievement of the athletic goals of the individual members of the Disabled Cross Country Team and the USSA. The Head Coach provides the leadership and direction for the team based on expertise, experience and the agreed upon athletic plan. This position must be filled with an individual who is results oriented, strives to lead, is a team player, operates with integrity and is a good communicator.
Individual’s holding this position should have had experience coaching and leading programs and must possess the basic skills and experience necessary to make good athletic decisions for the team and the athletes.
Position: Full-time salaried position with benefits
Reports to: USDST Program Director
Office: Park City
In Position: TBD
Please email resume and cover letter to:
Sandy Metzger
U.S.D.S.T. Program Director
U.S. Ski Team
Smetzger@ussa.org
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Cross-Country Skiing Camp
Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic
Dec 6-13, 2008
In collaboration with top trainers from the Ski Club Šumava and representatives of the companies SPRINT/MADSHUS/SWIX, we have prepared an exiting training program including personal advice on style, video recording and analyses, demonstration and learning of various skiing styles, review of the basic elements of training programs, and complete with presentations about waxing, balanced nutrition for competitive skiers and news in construction of skies and bindings including test of the top models of new skis.
Contact:
Switzerland
5, Les Pralies
1279 Bogis Bossey (Geneva)
tel: +41-22-776-8494
mob.+41-79-616-0249
e-mail: kotal@bluewin.ch
Skype: Arko.consult
Czech Republic
Vrchlického 484
150 00 Prague 5
head.gth@profihelp.cz
+420-722-654-747
+420-381-25-3851
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6th Annual Steamboat Nordic Camp – Dec. 13 – 14, 2008
http://thenordiclink.com/Nordic%20Camp.htm
Kick off your ski season with area’s top coaches helping you improve your skills. A remarkable collection of coaching talent including 2 time Nordic Olympian Sarah Konrad, former Subaru Factory team member Justin Easter, CXC development team coaching staff and other top area coaches will assemble for this 2-day instructional camp to take place Friday evening at Ski Haus, and Saturday and Sunday at The Lake Catamount Touring Center.
The Camp caters to all ability levels: true beginner to advanced and race oriented. Clinic groups are divided by ability and group size is small so that participants can get the most from their coach. Thanks to Ski Haus, 08/09 Nordic ski equipment will be available to demo at the “try before you buy” demo tents, and representatives will be on hand with equipment and information to assist you. Last but not least, hearty lunches, happy hour, great prizes and fun camaraderie add to this “not to be missed” Nordic event. For more information and to register: http://thenordiclink.com/Nordic%20Camp.htm.
Early registration fees are $150 for two days and $100 for one day through Dec. 8th. Register online at Active.com or in person at Ski Haus. Sign up early, this camp will fill up.
NOTE: If you have an event you would like to have in SkiPost please send emails to weanswer@skipost.com |
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Saab
Team Vehicles
Skis, Boots, Bindings, Technical Wear
Wax, Poles, Tools
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Media
Racewear
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