2012/2013 XC Ski Thread
- Thread starter pixychick
- Start date
welcome to the 'fat guys on little skis' club. 😀
i have to say, it's encouraging to me that you can't go down on these things either...considering your background in actual skiing i would have guessed the transition would be cake.
Good to see you got out this morning Utah. How where the condtions, it looked like we got a dusting on top. Was the snow real crusty underneath?
It doesn't matter how long you've been on skis, everyone goes down on occasion, just like mtbing. When I fall I can only bend my poles, I'm not strong enough to break them.
Today I took a road trip up to New Paltz to ski the shawangunks. I've been to Minnewaska several times but wanted to check out the Mohonk Preserve. This property is owned by the Mohonk Mountain House, a really fancy hotel with awesome views. The reputation on grooming is better then neighboring Minnewaska, which is state run. Its also more expensive, $20 for a trail pass verse $6 at Minnewaska. But its worth the extra money, especially when you drive 2 hrs to get there.
The snow was a little iced over when I first got on the trail head at 9:30 but within 30 minutes the snow began to soften a bit which allowed for easier control. The trails themselves are more spread out then Minnewaska, and tucked into the woods more which I like. On a windy day Minne can be brutal. The base was nice an firm with the top just soft enough for control, this allowed for great skate skiing conditions. The sunnier locations began to get really soft as I was making my loop back but this didn't slow me down much. The above pic shows the corduroy skating lane to the right of the set tracks.
In my 3+hrs there I passed a couple skate skiers going in the opposite direction. We just grinned at each and said good morning, by the look on the other guys face it looked like he was having as much fun as I was. Looking at my gamin profile the data is very similar to the cannonball run I do with Kirt, Utah, Woody and 26er...and shit it was just as much fun. Those homos need to throw on some skate skis and join me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/273291652
The best part about this road trip is that I still have plenty of time to make my wife dinner for valentines day because she has school tonight. Bonus
Names Iggy, I'm into fast skis and fast women.
It doesn't matter how long you've been on skis, everyone goes down on occasion, just like mtbing. When I fall I can only bend my poles, I'm not strong enough to break them.
Today I took a road trip up to New Paltz to ski the shawangunks. I've been to Minnewaska several times but wanted to check out the Mohonk Preserve. This property is owned by the Mohonk Mountain House, a really fancy hotel with awesome views. The reputation on grooming is better then neighboring Minnewaska, which is state run. Its also more expensive, $20 for a trail pass verse $6 at Minnewaska. But its worth the extra money, especially when you drive 2 hrs to get there.
The snow was a little iced over when I first got on the trail head at 9:30 but within 30 minutes the snow began to soften a bit which allowed for easier control. The trails themselves are more spread out then Minnewaska, and tucked into the woods more which I like. On a windy day Minne can be brutal. The base was nice an firm with the top just soft enough for control, this allowed for great skate skiing conditions. The sunnier locations began to get really soft as I was making my loop back but this didn't slow me down much. The above pic shows the corduroy skating lane to the right of the set tracks.
In my 3+hrs there I passed a couple skate skiers going in the opposite direction. We just grinned at each and said good morning, by the look on the other guys face it looked like he was having as much fun as I was. Looking at my gamin profile the data is very similar to the cannonball run I do with Kirt, Utah, Woody and 26er...and shit it was just as much fun. Those homos need to throw on some skate skis and join me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/273291652
The best part about this road trip is that I still have plenty of time to make my wife dinner for valentines day because she has school tonight. Bonus
Names Iggy, I'm into fast skis and fast women.
cbiker
Active Member
I might have gone up to Minnewaska with if I checked this site, surprised its still skiiable up there. PM me if you want ski in the future I think it goes to my email I don't allways look at this website. Anyway did some tele skiing today out at Camelback wasn't to bad some spring conditions out there. Is there anywhere in New Jersey that is skiiable?
Doubtful. If places like Ringwood or Wayway have snow its gotta be thin cover and have an icey base...ng. Hopefully we get some more snow. I'll keep you posted if I head up north again.
Really?? is there good coverage, enough for 3 hrs of skiing.
Yes, only thin spots are along the railbed by Saffin. but those are iced up nicely. Almost brought the bike but that woulda sucked
I did the short loop on the saffins side, up to lake over the bridge up to a left on the main trail, actually just follow my tracks out to 3 stone or explore the wall and loop back stone gate and back up the rail bed.
The other side is just as good if you go up the railbed right up blue out to white, skip purple (cascade) unless you like downhill and loop white back out to orange then cross railbed and lool the wma side. Stay left after the down tree and foundation or you'll come out at the park n ride and follow my tracks back to the railbed.
The other side is just as good if you go up the railbed right up blue out to white, skip purple (cascade) unless you like downhill and loop white back out to orange then cross railbed and lool the wma side. Stay left after the down tree and foundation or you'll come out at the park n ride and follow my tracks back to the railbed.
Really good day of skate skiing at Minnewaska. They recieved 4" of snow Friday night, which was still in good shape today. These condtions where really fast. Some sections in the sun where hardpack while the shaded stuff was as good as it gets, firm with just enough softness on top for control/tracking.
I did 25 miles and felt great, Mid Hudson Valley/Gunks is awesome. My wife hates the cold, I need to work on her to convince her that this is where we need to retire.😀
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/275054448
XC skiing n00b question: My parents have L.L.Bean XC skis from the '80s that i've used a couple times and are still good but the boots have decomposed at this point. I was wondering if i can still find boots for the binding type they have. There are a couple pins that go into a "duck bill" on the toe of the boot and then a clamp holds the "duck bill" down. I would stick a photo in here but i dont have one. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks
Yes, those are called 3-pin bindings. They are still in production but used mostly for back country xc and light telemarke ski setups.
At one time 3-pin bindings with duck billed boots where the only choice for xc skiing. Now there are lighter more comfortable binding/boot options. If you wanted to upgrade to a newer style touring xc ski boot you would have to buy new bindings as well.
If you only want to replace the boot, they still make duckbills. This should fit your 3-pin binding. Just make sure the bindings you have are 75 mm 3-pin.
http://www.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/alpina-blazer-75mm-3-pin-ski-boots.html
At one time 3-pin bindings with duck billed boots where the only choice for xc skiing. Now there are lighter more comfortable binding/boot options. If you wanted to upgrade to a newer style touring xc ski boot you would have to buy new bindings as well.
If you only want to replace the boot, they still make duckbills. This should fit your 3-pin binding. Just make sure the bindings you have are 75 mm 3-pin.
http://www.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/alpina-blazer-75mm-3-pin-ski-boots.html
Thanks for the info Iggy. 2 more questions:
1) What would the new bindings + boots cost compared to just the duckbill boots ($60ish in your link)? I'm looking to do this on the cheap.
2) Is there a store that would actually stock duckbills so i can go try them on?
1) What would the new bindings + boots cost compared to just the duckbill boots ($60ish in your link)? I'm looking to do this on the cheap.
2) Is there a store that would actually stock duckbills so i can go try them on?
Your looking at under $200 for a new boot & binding setup
http://supersale.orscrosscountryski...t/rottefella-nis-r4-classic-ski-bindings.html
http://supersale.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/shop/product/alpina-t20-plus-nordic-ski-boots-ss.html
You can call Campmor, REI and Neils to see if they stock duckbills. Just make sure they are touring boots and not back country boots. Your best bet is to bring the ski/binding with you to match a 3 pin touring boot to it.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Category___40000000226_200368339
http://www.rei.com/map/store#NJ
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...1983&ei=H-knUbbxD7G80QHSkoEY&ved=0CJcBEPwSMAM
http://supersale.orscrosscountryski...t/rottefella-nis-r4-classic-ski-bindings.html
http://supersale.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/shop/product/alpina-t20-plus-nordic-ski-boots-ss.html
You can call Campmor, REI and Neils to see if they stock duckbills. Just make sure they are touring boots and not back country boots. Your best bet is to bring the ski/binding with you to match a 3 pin touring boot to it.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Category___40000000226_200368339
http://www.rei.com/map/store#NJ
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...1983&ei=H-knUbbxD7G80QHSkoEY&ved=0CJcBEPwSMAM
cbiker
Active Member
There is nothing wrong with three pin bindings I actually prefer them because I think they give you more control on downhills; they also make telemark turns easier because the boot flexes under your toes instead of pivoting in front of them. Also you might want to check ebay or Craigs list for a cheap pair to see if you like xc; although buying boots online is tough, some ebay auctions alllow you to return items that don't fit well.