Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: XC Skiing
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ZaraSp00k |
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 |
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Goldenbadger |
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fitgers1 |
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 |
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ZaraSp00k |
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. |
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schells |
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 |
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Goldenbadger |
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. 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. |
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awbrown |
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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sayer |
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Goldenbadger |
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Goldenbadger |
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ArrowheadPaddler |
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. |