SkiPost
Volume 16 Issue 28: Nov 6, 2014
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Do you have a Nordic training, technique, equipment, travel, or event question? Just email us at [email protected] 

Don't  give me the Cold Shoulder

Hi,

 

I am perfectly warm everywhere while I ski, but tops of my shoulders are always cold because the weight of the outer shell compresses the fabric and reduces thermal insulation. I have tried to place a scarf on  my shoulders, or use two old ski hats-one on each shoulder-and fasten them with safety pins.  Both solutions work, but hardly provide a fashion statement J, plus, then you have to unfasten them for laundering. Is there a garment for guys that would provide extra insulation?

 

Thanks,

CS 


 
What are you wearing as your 1st layer? Have you ever used Craft as your 1st layer? I use nothing but Craft as I find it simply the best 1st layer made. Craft Layer 1 focuses on temperature regulation, maintaining the optimal body temperature to perform. Ventilating the body as it gets too warm and insulating the body as it gets cold. Specifically check out the Craft Windstopper base layer (image below) and check out http://shop.craftsports.us/best-best-layers  


 

Also I suggest you make sure to use a hat and neck gaiter or buff. Why a hat? Because areas around the head, neck, chest and groin don't constrict as effectively as the the rest  of the body and are thus more even more susceptible to heat loss. Furthermore water is denser than air, so it absorbs more heat (up to 32 times more) than air. So when you are skiing in rain or snow you can get hypothermia quicker if the rain or snow is falling on your uncovered head and neck. 

  

Here are some  Q & A with Craft

 

Q. How are Craft baselayers different from competitors? 

A. Craft focuses on temperature regulation, ventilating the body when it gets too warm and insulating the body when it gets cold. The big difference is Craft's level of ventilation. The knitting construction of the garments allow for maximum ventilation for all levels of activities. Like no other product, the air channel fabrics with a 3D design allow for more air flow . Competitor's product is often a tighter closed knit (gives the appearance of a t-shirt) that insulates but does not ventilate. 

 

Q. How do Craft baselayers compare to wool baselayers? 

A. Craft Keep Warm baselayers can go head to head with wool baselayers; keeping the body warm in cold temperatures and managing moisture. Unlike wool, Craft baselayers dry quickly and you can wear them for all activities, in all conditions at all intensities. 

 

 

 

 

 http://shop.craftsports.us/best-best-layers   

Lens Colors


Dear Skipost, 
I want to get some of your over-promoted ProFlips but do not know which lens Blue or Red to get. Can you explain differences?

Yes most Bliz Pro-Flip models come with either a blue multicoated smoke tint lens or a red multicoated pink tint lens. (Most models also come with a clear lens in the package). The "Blue Smoke" lens is darker (Cat 3) and is for sunny days and is model # 02. The "Red Pink" lens is lighter (Cat 1)  for lower light cloudy days and is model # 13. 

Pro-Flips: Come in Regular #9059, and Small Face #9064, OTG #9071(for over RX glasses) Kids 9069 and soon to be released XT "Olympic" models.

ProFlip Small   


Donate to the NNF's Drive for $25.00

So when the next Olympics comes around and a US athlete does win a medal you can say you played a part.
WaxlessSki - Waxes

Dear SkiPost, 
I just got a pair Salomon's RC Skins "waxless skis"? What should I apply to the skin?

Hello, 
We recommend Start Service Anti Ice for all waxless ski kick surfaces. Start's Anti Ice is specifically formulated with nano particles to prevent snow buildup without affecting the kick or picking up dirt.

You can use this on any waxless zone be it Salomon's Skin & Contragrip, Atomic's Skintec & Posigrip, Fischer's Crown & Zero, Rossignol-R Grip & Positrack, Madshus's Zero & Multigrip & MGV... this list goes on. Many skis, one treatment Start Service Anti Ice .

Also since you may become lazy and not Hot wax them much we would also suggest Start  Start Easy Glider & Wipe for tip and tail glide surfaces.
             












Skin

What is Salomon's RC Skin you might ask?

Salomon's Skin delivers the latest in waxless ski technology.


 


R Series EQUIPE RC SKIN FW14
Salomon RC Skin Video


Rollerski Poles Length

Dear SkiPost,

Should my roller ski poles be longer than my snow poles because the height of the roller skis?

You can use the same length poles roller skiing as you do on snow because the tip of the poles does not sink in.

How to Maximize Training for the Part-Time Skier


 

Dear SkiPost, 

Can you reprint your article on training for the part-time skier?

Signed 

Part-Time skier.


 

Sure, Here is Scott Loomis's article from year's ago. His insight is as valuable as ever.


 

This past season marked my last year as a full-time cross-country ski racer. After eight very worthwhile years of racing and training all over the world I have decided to move on to a new phase in my life. Whether that next phase involves working as a roadie for the next Van Halen world tour, joining the World Horseshoe Throwing circuit or attending graduate school only time will tell.

In the meantime, I am working 40 hours per week in Park City, taking two classes at the University of Utah and working a second job one day per week at a local hospital. All of this leaves me very little time for any sort of structured ski training. In fact, I am lucky if I can squeeze in three to five workouts each week.


I do not plan on completely abandoning the sport that I have spent so many years immersed in. After you spend so much time working towards something you love, it becomes hard to simply quit cold-turkey. I do hope to at least remain competitive on the American Ski Marathon Series next season. But how do I get to a competitive level on such a limited training schedule? What I have decided is that I need to figure out how to maximize my training as a part-time ski racer.
I recently read a short article on the internet about how Thomas Alsgaard is currently training three times per week in his preparation for next year's World Cup circuit. It would be nice if we all had the time (and insane physical capacity) to do this, but for those of us that are part-time racers and weekend warriors that work full-time and/or have families, we simply do not have enough hours in the day to do this. So the question is: What can we do to maximize the training we do have time for? What aspects of a training plan are most important? What can be left out or skipped?


1. Intensity

No matter how little time you are able to devote to training, you should always fit in one intensity workout every week to ten days starting in the summer. Maintaining that ability and feel of going hard throughout the year is important since it can be very difficult to regain once you have lost it. This is especially true the older you get.


Remember that an intensity workout can come in almost any shape or form. It doesn't have to be something done on rollerskis or involve skiwalking or bounding for a specific amount of time with a specific amount of rest. It can be as simple as going hard for twenty minutes in the middle of an hour long run or bike ride or even trying to mow your lawn in world-record time. I personally like doing track workouts because I feel that I am able to get a lot of out of them. I am able to fit a bunch of short intervals into a relatively small amount of time and by the end of the workout I feel pretty tired. It is also a matter of convenience since there is a track right down the street from my house. 
The point here is to periodically get your heart and lungs into hammer-mode......how you go about doing this really doesn't matter all that much, especially during the summer. It's not like your cardiovascular system knows what type of training method you are doing, all it knows is that it is working hard
.


 

2. Over-Distance
One good over-distance day is second on my list. It is amazing how well an occasional OD can maintain your endurance. If you average 45 minutes per workout, try to fit in an easy 2 hour over-distance day. If you average 1 to 1.5 hours, try to fit in a nice 3-hour outing. Again, don't forget about the variety of training methods out there. A long kayak can be just as effective as a long mountain run. Also, try combination workouts, where you bike and run or rollerski and run, etc.


 

3. Skip the Weights

Unless you feel that your upperbody is your weakest link or you need to bulk up those beach muscles for that week on the houseboat in Lake Havasu, skip the trips to weight room during the summer. Some of you may disagree about this, but remember, I am talking about maximizing training on a limited schedule. Of course, if you have a lot of time to devote to ski training, consistent weight workouts can be a valuable supplement to your plan. If you like to rollerski during the off-season, throw in some double-pole only workouts and make those your strength workouts.


Weight training is really only beneficial if you are able to keep up with it on a weekly basis. So, I feel that it is best to start doing some in the fall and try to be consistent with it until you get on snow. I personally hate hanging out in the weight room. I would much rather go for a run than do sets on the bench press any day. 


For those of you that really need to improve your upper body strength I suggest that you make a small investment in turning your garage into a Rocky Balboa old-school training gym. A padded mat, a couple of 25 lbs barbells and wooden box for dips and step-ups is all you need for a basic strength workout that is right there at home. You could even add a punching bag since it just looks cool hanging there and it makes you feel tough.

 

4. "Everyday" Workouts
For some of you, doing intervals may be unappealing and you really don't have time for OD workouts either, so training only consists of "everyday" workouts. These are simple workouts where you just head out and run or bike or whatever at a comfortable pace for the time available to you. If you are only able to train for 30 minutes three times per week, make sure that you are getting something out of them. Going at a level 1 pace for 30 minutes really doesn't do a whole lot for you, unless you are out of shape and just getting back into training or using it as a recovery workout. If you make some of these short workouts more like semi-pace workouts where you are training in your level 2 to 3 zone then you will get much more out of these days.

The main point I want to get across here is the importance of maintaining a good fitness level throughout the year and it that doesn't necessarily matter how you get it done. If you are able to throw occasional intensity and over-distance workouts into your training throughout the summer and fall, then you are going to be much better off come ski season. Have a great year see you at the races.


 
Scott Loomis

They've Updated the SkiErg 

 

As skiers working to engineer the best product possible, we're always looking to incorporate improvements into our equipment. Based on our own experiences and feedback from athletes, we're proud to introduce a second generation SkiErg. Both the original and new SkiErg provide you with a great workout; our new SkiErg is easier to maintain and provides more workout options.

 

The new SkiErg looks a lot different! We have reworked the internal mechanism with the goal of improving cord wear and making maintenance easier. This also allowed us to support classic single-stick technique. The machine is now aluminum, so it's lighter in weight, and the optional floor stand is lower-profile. Adaptive athletes especially will like the longer standard cord length. As with all our indoor rowers, we have introduced the Performance Monitor 5 (PM5), which offers a backlit screen, Bluetooth Smart connectivity, and a new USB flash drive Logbook, among other features. And we are excited to offer these additional features at similar pricing:  $770 for the SkiErg, $180 for the optional floor stand.

 

We're getting good feedback already so we think you'll like the improvements. For more information, check out concept2.com/skierg.

 

Remember, if you are a member of your regional ski association, you are entitled to a $40 discount. Be sure to ask for it when you place your order. Call Josh Carlson at 800-245-5676 ext. 3060


 

 

 

Dates: November 7-9, 2014

How it works: race 1000 meters on the SkiErg at your club, gym, school or home November 7-9. Post your time to the Concept2 Online Logbook by 5 p.m. ET Monday, November 10, 2014. The winners of each age group will receive custom engraved cowbells to help ring in the snow season. Prizes will also be awarded for the top three times in each age group. More at skierg-world-sprints  

 

 

Start's Evan Pengelly
at Bike Doc's CXC SuperFit

Join Start's Evan Pengelly at the CXC Superfit at Bike Doc this weekend.
Start is the official pole of CXC. Do a swing weigh test and discover why you get more for less with Start.
 


CXC Super Fit Program

CHECK AND COMPARE YOUR GEAR

CXC Super Fit ProgramGet your equipment fit by using a state-of-the-art CXC 3D pressure mat and light table.

Bring your old skis to test if they have a good fit for you, learn what conditions they will ski the best and compare them to new skis side by side. CXC Team athletes and coaches will also assist in finding your best pair of skis from the store stock.

Each Superfit Weekend is also about getting advice on technique, training and waxing. CXC athletes and coaches will be on hand to complement the store's staff and assist you with boots selection and fitting, poles selection and length, ski apparel and wax box insights.


'CXC Super Fit' is a weekend sale program at select store locations filled with seminars, presentations and store specials. Receive information firsthand - talk to the athletes about the type of skis you need for certain snow conditions and ways to make them glide fast. 

In addition to all listed above you will also find:

Testing your ski fitness with Nordic Ergometer (simulates double poling on snow) - Measure force output from each of your poling motion with CXC's Power Poles -Learn about Paralympic Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon 

- 'Taste of Nordic' free rollerski and dry-land clinic 

BICYCLE DOCTOR 
Dates: November 7-9
Fri 10am-8pm
Sat 10am-5pm / *Technique Clinic - 9am
(*meet in shop parking lot)

Sun 12am-4pm 

 

JOE'S SKI SHOP 
Dates: November 14-16
Fri 9am-8pm
Sat 9am-5pm / *Technique Clinic - 8am
(*meet in shop parking lot)

Sun 11am-5pm

 

RACES DESTINATIONS

  

Birkie's Capital Improvement Campaign

 

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has launched a capital campaign to raise $2.3 million to buy Telemark Resort property for the race start area and build a warming building for skiers to replace tents used since the lodge was shuttered. 

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has launched the first capital campaign in the history of the iconic race, and will seek $2.3 million to buy land for a permanent start area, improve the extensive trails and add an outdoor recreation center.

According to plans shared by the ABSF, about $115,000 will be spent on buying roughly 75 acres of the Telemark Resort property, which would serve as a new start line for the 50K Birkebeiner and 26K Kortelopet.  

Once it gains its own land for the start area, the ABSF plans to build a storage building that will serve as a warm shelter for skiers on race morning. With the Telemark lodge closed in 2014, and tents knocked down by snow, the need for a building to accommodate thousands of skiers at the start line was never more apparent. 

Popp projects that the build-out of the start line would be completed by 2017. For the 2015 Birkie, the ABSF will move ahead with improvements at the finish line in Hayward, including a skier bridge over Highway 63 and indoor food and changing areas in an armory and elementary school.

-- Tom Held


 

Complete details of the campaign and how to contribute can be found at www.birkie.com/future.   

 

 

  

 


40th Boulder Mountain Tour

Feb 7, 2015

New Race Directors 

 

The Boulder Mountain Tour is pleased to announce Kelly and Glen Allison have assumed the helm as Co-Race Directors to manage the 40th Boulder Mountain Tour.  The race will take place on February 7, 2015 in Sun Valley Idaho. 

 

While no major changes to the race are planned, racers will enjoy some enhancements to the experience.  Half Boulder skiers will have the option to be timed should they wish, and full Boulder skiers will have the option to enter the "40th Wave," an untimed wave for those looking to enjoy more of a tour experience rather than a race. In addition, should funding be found, a heated tent will be set up over the deck at Galena Lodge to alleviate crowding. 

  

The Boulder Mountain Tour, which first took place in 1974, is the longest running Marathon Nordic race in North America.  The race runs 34.3 kilometers down a scenic valley in the shadow of the Boulder Mountains.  It caps off the week-long Sun Valley Nordic Festival, which encompasses a variety of activities related to cross country skiing.  More information on the Sun Valley Nordic Festival and the Boulder Mountain Tour can be found at www.nordictownusa.com.
 

 

YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL CLINICS 

 Registration Open

November 25 - 29, 2014

 

Kick off your ski season at Yellowstone Ski Festival XC ClinicsGreat ski conditions, the Rendezvous trail system and the West Yellowstone ski culture make Thanksgiving week in West Yellowstone the best place in America to transition from dry-land training to on-snow skiing.

  • Train with and learn from a professional team of coaches (check them out here)
  • Develop and solidify good ski technique
  • Learn how to train more effectively
  • Get excellent on-snow base training to start the season

Whether you are a focused master skier preparing for the race season or a beginner skier wanting to be more efficient on skis, West Yellowstone XC ski clinics is the place for you to be Thanksgiving week.   Check out the full list of clinics and register at:   http://www.yellowstoneskifestival.com/clinic-options-cost/


 
The new 5-day race focused training clinic is sure to be a popular this year.  World Cup skier Matt Liebsch,  Olympian Erich Wilbrecht and former US Ski Team coach Miles Minson are just a few of the top tier coaches working with the clinics this year.  Reserve a spot today. 

  

more information at www.yellowstoneskifestival.com

 

 

Nordic Job Openings

Nordic Job Opening? email [email protected] to post

MANSFIELD NORDIC CLUB DEVELOPMENT TEAM
COACHING POSITION

Mansfield Nordic Club seeks to hire a Junior Team Development coach to lead our top youth skiers toward higher level skiing on our Junior Competition team. Our new coach will be a high-energy skier with strong communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. The position is for approximately 15-20 hours per week, November 2014-March 2015. There is likely potential for this position to lead into the Head Coach for our Junior Competition Team in May 2015.
 
For more specific details on this position, email: [email protected]

Soldier Hollow
 

Soldier Hollow Resort, located in Midway, UT, is seeking cross-country ski instructors and coaches for the 2014-15 winter season. Soldier Hollow, home of the 2002 Olympic cross country and biathlon events, is a full service Nordic center with 31km of trails, ski rentals, and lessons. In addition, Soldier Hollow offers recreational and competitive programs for over 400 youth. Email [email protected] for more information on available positions.

Galena Lodge

 

Galena Lodge, 23 miles North of Ketchum/Sun Valley (Nordic Town USA), is looking for a full time ski instructor for the winter season. Job would include Nordic instruction (beginner to advanced but mostly beginner) in both classic and skate as well as the following duties: servicing yurts, shoveling snow, packing snowshoe trails, renting skis and snowshoes, selling merchandise, some restaurant work, working hard and being awesome! Season is from Mid november to early April. Contact Erin at 208-726-4010 or [email protected] for more details.

Vail Nordic Center Job Opportunities

 

The Vail Nordic Center is looking for employees for the 2014/15 Nordic season.  The ideal candidate has retail experience, Nordic knowledge, Nordic teaching experience, and is able to work in a fast paced environment.  Interested candidate, please submit a resume and letter via email [email protected]. check out vailnordiccenter.com

 

About SkiPost

 

Cross-Country skiing's community lodge. Where knowledge and stories are shared. The goal of SkiPost is to make the sport of Cross-Country skiing easier and more enjoyable for all who choose to participate. If you have questions on Cross-Country Skiing email us [email protected] and visit SkiPost.com

 

Enjoy Winter,

Andrew Gerlach
Director/Editor- SkiPost
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In This Issue
Ask Us
Cold Shoulder
NNF
Waxless wax
Skin
Rollerski Pole Length
Part -Time Skier
Ski Erg
Pengelly
SuperFits at Bike Doc
Events Destinations
Birkie Improvement
40th BMT
Yellowstone Clinics
Nordic Job Openings

nnf word
Support Tomorrow's Nordic Stars Today


Bliz Active Logo


This Bliz
This Bliz


25 Medals for Bliz Athletes 
 

Rossignol Web

Start Kick Waxes

Start Wax  and Poles Explained

 




UltraAspire-Omega


Woodski roller skis, 
chosen by US Olympians


Salomon Nordic
on the Worldloppet


Craft


Craft Custom 



BD
 

find the time
The one gift you receive at birth is time.  You'll never have more  than you have today.  Find the Time.
 
 

Nordic Ski Dolomites, Italy

Feb. 14-23, 2015

Fabulous Scenery!

1000 Km of groomed trails to explore.

Sign-up before Oct. 30th for best deal!

www.carteractivetours.com



 


Jon Engen

CXC Academy


 

 
Get Lungplus to preheat your breath and save your lungs.
Lungplususa.com 
 

SkiErg
  
VisitSunValley

Birkie


LMR
 
 
 

nsc

West Yellowstone



UltraAspire-Omega


BD
 

Rossignol Catalog




Bliz RX

   

BLIZ America Dealers 

 

 

For more BLIZ USA info 

[email protected] 

406-585-2660

 

 

 

Start Race Service

Dealers

 

For more Start America 

[email protected]  

406-585-2660

 
 

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