Shoulder Replacement 

I'm considering a shoulder replacement due to arthritis and looking for anyone w/ experience competing in masters skiing post-replacement. Able to continue training/racing hard? Any issues?

Thanks,

J A

please email insight to weanswer@SkiPost.com we will share with JA

Meniscus Surgery 

Just had medial meniscus surgery. Doc says 6-8 weeks to start running but no clue on skate skiing. Surely you guys have some thoughts or experience?

Thank you. Have Great day!  Dave

please email insight to weanswer@SkiPost.com we will share with  Dave

You first need to determine if it is the base (ie glide) or the kick zone dragging.

If they are slow in a pure glide test with no kick wax in kick zone and only glide wax on tip and tails (against other identically waxed/flexed skis) than your bases ale likely sealed. Then you will need a new grind to expose fresh base. 

If the skis glide well vs other pairs before kick wax is applied but get slow no matter what kick wax then you need to re-tune your kick zone. If you have grown and put on weight than you need top adjust your kick zone or perhaps even get new skis. 

Realize that in classic waxing it is not only the length pf the pocket that matters but also the height of the pocket. After you get your pocket length measured also find the peak of the pocket. You will want to feather you kick wax layers to be thickest at the peak of the camber and thinnest at the front and rear of the kick zone. Other wise your front of the kick zone will drag when when you are in glide phase. Wax with 1 layer of kick wax entire length of kick zone and then 2nd layer 3 cm shorter and on and on.  If that does not work you may need new skis for your new weight. These skis may still work in powder for your but not hard track. 

Andy at SkiPost

Check out the all new Start Waxing Guide.

Start Race Day Wax Recs here

Multi Sport

You piqued my interest with the last post about Carl Swenson training for ski and bike racing.  I am thinking of doing the Monster Cross bike race on February 22nd and either the Sacandaga Mini Marathon on February 14th or the Winona Tourathon on February 28th.  Leaning towards the Tourathon, which would be classic technique,  for logistical reasons.   The Tourathon is pretty flat, so there will be a lot of double poling.  The Monster Cross is 50 miles of non technical riding, mainly fire roads and double track, so it is more fitness rather than skill based riding.

D

My experience in multisport training was very different. I would train almost exclusively for skiing or cycling depending on the season. When I would first get on the bike in the spring, my legs were very weak and it would take a couple of months to get them back into shape. In the fall I experienced the same with my upper body and core. I think multi-sport training is beneficial in the long run and certainly more healthy than focusing exclusively on one sport. However, to achieve best-performance in either skiing or cycling you would probably need to focus on one sport for a full season. Note, I say for a full season, not a full year.

Multi-sport training is the way to go but you would likely want to focus on just one for a few months (at the expense of the other) to get your best result. A sport like triathalon is really interesting because those athletes get really good at three different sports all at once -- for a very specific event. I'm not sure how they do it other than training a ton.I would recommend that someone like Dan continue training for both sports -- just keep in mind that you will likely get a best result towards the end of each season with more discipline-specific training.

I'm planning on the Birkie this year -- freestyle. I am also hoping for bulletproof fast conditions. See you there.

Carl Swenson

1998 Birkie Champion......

Humidity

What is the proper way to determine snow humidity and air humidity?  With wax companies relating their product to one or the other (sometimes even relating to more or less than a stated value, like 60%).  It seems like there should be a better method than a pure subjective guess. If it is important, and has an effect on ski prep choices, it seems I should be smarter in this area.

Thanks,

XC fan

XC Fan,

When wax brand refer to "humidity" they mean air's Relative Humidity.

The higher the Relative Humidity the more moisture is present that the wax (and ski structure) needs to manage. We manage the moisture with the addition of Fluorcarbon to gliders as with Pure Fluor finishing waxes.

 Do not worry about humidity differences with 1-5 % as humidity will vary throughout the course and throughout the day. Think of humidity as no, low, medium and high. 

In "no" humidity conditions (<40%) there is "no" moisture present in the air/snow/ski interface and wax with added Fluorocarbon wax is likely not beneficial (unless the snow is dirty).  

In low humidity conditions (>40-60%) Fluro is beneficial and LF glider may suffice.

In medium Humidity 60-80% Fluor is beneficial and a MF glider may suffice. 

Ihigh humidity conditions >80% high humidity is HF glider are called for and finish Fluor overlay.

The Fluor manages the water (and dirt) that is present and breaks a sheet of water into small ball bearings of water. It is rare that more fluor does not beat less fluor. (but it can happen in very cold dry clean snow conditions)

The wetter the snow or the dirtier the snow the more Fluor helps.

When the snow has remained under freezing than you can use RH as your guide. BUT: If it is refrozen snow or snow near/at/or above freezing then the snow is almost always high moisture no matter the air RH. and in these conditions the more Flour you use the better your glide will be.

One would use a hygrometer to test RH.

But keep it simple.

No

Low

Medium

High

Andy at SkiPost

Ski Prep

Hi again,

Simply, what are you supposed to do with your race skis immed. after Stonegrinding?  To me, it seems that hot-boxing and base-hardening are not the same. I thought hot-boxing is with the warmer waxes compared to the hard waxes for base-hardening.  e.g. Hot-boxing may be equivalent to me just waxing my skis with a warm wax six to ten times in a row, right?  And, if I already waxed to "harden" the base with the cold waxes, is it too late to, or, does it make any sense, to do 'hot box' type approach afterwards?

Please pardon me if you already answered a similar question recently and I missed it.

Happy Thanksgiving,

MZ,

MZ,

Keep it simple and just think about what you are trying to accomplish.

I suggest you avoid hot boxing and suggest repeated waxing. Ski manufacturers do not recommend hot boxing because even at "low" temps (55C) prolonged exposure can weaken the ski and cause damage. and you can wax 1-4 pairs of ski just fine without hot boxing.

The key to a fast skis is a fresh base. The key to keeping bases fresh is a few layers of soft wax in first to absorb any excess iron heat that comes when you apply race day cold waxes or pure fluors. So apply 2 layers of Start Base Wax or SG 2. then proceed to 1 layer of SG 4, ...

"Base hardening" is mentioned primarily to make sure your soft prep waxes do not interfere/mix with your race day cold waxes. So you can harden the base for race day waxing by stepping down in layers of hardness or by putting a harder wax just under your race day glider. And remember a Pure Fluor is not a glider but a Finishing Wax to repel moisture and dirt. The glider under it is the key partner in your final glide speed.

Keep it simple.

Andy at SkiPost

Friends of CXC

John & Leslie Taylor have teamed up with several CXC donors to challenge us again to continue to build upon our successes from last year to grow and promote Nordic skiing for all ages and abilities. This is a 1:2 challenge grant, so we need to raise $30,000 to leverage the $60,000 from our generous benefactors. This donor opportunity provides a way for anyone to give back to our sport through CXC Programs. Please make a donation today and support all of our efforts. Thank you.more here

Sincerely,

Yuriy Gusev

Central Cross Country Ski Association

Teton High Running Coach

Teton High School in Driggs, Idaho on the "back side" of the Tetons. Assistant positions in Track & Field (spring) and Cross Country running (fall). Successful school program with possible opening coaching youth nordic skiing in winter. Live in a nordic wonderland with extensive recreational opportunities. 

Contact: Neil Gleichman  ng@d401.k12.id.us

Maplelag Resort

Maplelag Resort is looking to fill a position in the Nordic department.

Duties include: Nordic ski instruction (beginner to advanced but mostly

beginner) in both classic and skate, servicing cabins, starting fires in wood stoves, keeping hole open in lake on weekends for sauna activities, shoveling snow, possible grooming, renting skis and snowshoes, kitchen help (food prep and serving guests) and ski waxing. Special perks and bonuses all in the environment of working at one of the top Nordic destination experiences in the world! Lodging and home cooked meals with all the cookies you can eat! Pay negotiable.  Season is from mid December to early March.

contact Jay Richards @ Maplelag Resort

jrichard@arvig.net or 800-654-7711

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 teamsoldierhollow@gmail.com for more information on available positions.

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 erin@galenalodge.com 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 info@vailnordiccenter.com. check out vailnordiccenter.com