BWCA XC Skiing Boundary Waters Winter Camping and Activities
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09/30/2012 12:19PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I've never gone XC skiing but want to learn. I know nothing about it except that there are a couple different styles and different skis for each style. So, what do you experts recommend for a beginner? Do I need to spend and arm and a leg on equipment? Are there certain skis that would be good for both groomed and non-groomed snow?
 
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ZaraSp00k
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09/30/2012 08:12PM  
since this is the BWCA board I am assuming you will be skiing around the midwest. There are 3 basic types here, bushwacking, classic, and skate. Bushwacking and classic are fairly similar, only difference is classic has a prepared track so the ski is slightly skinnier. Skating is for men that want to go fast wearing girls clothes :)

I guess you know what I do.

get the most expensive equipment you can afford.
1, you'll more than likely appreciate skiing with good equipment
2 you won't outgrow it so quickly

get instruction from somewhere, the quicker you learn correct technique the more apt you are to stick with it, doing face plants in the snow ain't fun

oh, and if you aren't a runner, get started now, the better condition you are in the more you will likely enjoy it
ArrowheadPaddler
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09/30/2012 09:40PM  
If you are in it for the long haul, an investment in good equipment is well worth it for performance and comfort. If you get into it, eventually you will likely have dedicated classic, skating and backcountry skis.

That being said, if you really just want to try out the sport, you could get a pair classic touring skis at Goodwill or Play it Again Sports type place. These type skis are wide enough to offer stability if you take them off trail and ski across lakes or on rivers, but also will fit in the track. I have seen some neat old skis at Goodwill.
10/01/2012 05:31AM  
Hey, thanks guys!I don't know that I will get so serious that I will have skis of each type. I'm thinking it will just be a casual hobby. But I do want to make sure I have decent equipment. Like anything else, I suspect cheap equipment makes for a frustrating experience.
schells
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10/01/2012 10:36AM  
if you are looking for off trail brush crashing or just all around fun, the Marquette back country ski is a awesome fun stick.
30% snowshoe
70% ski
100% fun

not the best for groomed trails, to wide. Ideal for getting where you want in deep snow. Ok down a snowmobile trail. Easy like snowshoes, glide like skis. any little hill with fresh snow becomes a sweet powder field, if you tele.
The ski is wide but has large fish scales on bottom for climbing hills. Short, easy to move around with in trees and brush.

I am a skier, hate snowshoeing, to boring. I have found most that can not ski like, snowshoeing. This is a great cross over.

I think Down wind sports in Marquette MI, rents them. Good place to try them out.

made in Michigan. finally a ski for the midwest woods.
marquette backcountry ski


schells
10/03/2012 06:27AM  
quote schells: "if you are looking for off trail brush crashing or just all around fun, the Marquette back country ski is a awesome fun stick.
30% snowshoe
70% ski
100% fun


not the best for groomed trails, to wide. Ideal for getting where you want in deep snow. Ok down a snowmobile trail. Easy like snowshoes, glide like skis. any little hill with fresh snow becomes a sweet powder field, if you tele.
The ski is wide but has large fish scales on bottom for climbing hills. Short, easy to move around with in trees and brush.


I am a skier, hate snowshoeing, to boring. I have found most that can not ski like, snowshoeing. This is a great cross over.


I think Down wind sports in Marquette MI, rents them. Good place to try them out.


made in Michigan. finally a ski for the midwest woods.
marquette backcountry ski



schells"



Marquette is quite a hike from LaCrosse, WI. I did find a local place that rents them AND gives lessons! I can't wait for snow. But this weather has me a little afraid that we're going to have a snowless winter like last year. I will be seriously bummed out if that happens.
10/03/2012 07:45AM  
To a newcomer (in any type of sport) I suggest renting or borrowing equipment a few times to ensure that you are going to like it and enjoy it. Then max out a coule credit cards buying good gear from skiis to clothes.
A friend of mine got into it relatively cheap by buying some older skis at a thrift shop. They worked fine for him for a season and then he upgraded to new.
There is also a forum on BWCA.com for XC skiing. You'll find a lot of knowledgeable people involved with that forum that know a lot about XC. I have been XC skiing since the late 70's but I am not anywhere near being an expert as some of the people that chime in here
BWCA.com XC forum
ZaraSp00k
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10/03/2012 07:56AM  
last year was a bad year for snow in most areas, that means there is likely a surplus of skis from last year discounted to sell early, if you think you might be buying do some internet shopping and buy early to get a great deal

at least for comparison purposes, check out Gear West & Finnsisu websites, I'm sure there are shops in LaCrosse, Madison, and Rochester and other larger cities in your area.

it is critical that you get the right ski length, so buying used will be hit and miss, even ski shops sometimes don't get it right because they miss on your ability level

once the lakes freeze, there is always the option of skiing the perimeter even if it is a bad snow year, kinda fun looking at the back side of houses, and there is always wildlife nearby.
10/04/2012 06:03AM  
I plan on renting before I buy, just to get a feel for the different types of skis out there. I found out that Three Rivers Outdoors here in LaCrosse rents them and will be offering classes when the snow flies.
sayer
member (14)member
  
01/01/2013 11:37PM  
Although skis displace your weight very well, it makes sense to prepare for the worst by choosing bindings that will be easy to release if you ever go through the ice.
01/02/2013 09:41AM  
quote Goldenbadger: "I plan on renting before I buy, just to get a feel for the different types of skis out there. I found out that Three Rivers Outdoors here in LaCrosse rents them and will be offering classes when the snow flies.
"


Best idea is to do exactly what you are planning. Rent the gear, try it out to see how you like it. Cross country skiing is great exercise and it can be a lot of fun, but it isn't for everyone.
 
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