This Winter’s Perfect Winter Sport

By Skip Holmes

Nordic Skiing, or cross country skiing as some people call it, has been around for many years with its origins in Scandinavia. Its humble beginnings started with a pair of shaped wooden boards, and over the years has seen many significant improvements to the equipment and techniques that are used to propel us across the frozen tundra, or the majestic forests of upstate New York.

As we’re into winter with the Covid-19 pandemic with colder temperatures nipping at our heels, and wonder what we can do to exercise outside, perhaps Nordic skiing can provide an alternative. It is a wonderful way to get physical exercise, reduce our stress level, and burn off some of those post-holiday calories. In addition, the skis provide a safe physical distancing environment – just try to not ski into the person in front of you!

Nordic ski equipment is lighter than alpine or downhill gear, less expensive, and easier to learn to use. There are many types of skis to choose from depending on where you consider skiing, your fitness goals and skill level.

A beginning Nordic skier may want to rent equipment from a ski center and should take a lesson or two to get acquainted with the equipment and technique. There are numerous ski centers in New York, as well as nearby Vermont and Massachusetts. In northeastern New York, we have a variety of ski centers with groomed trails including Pineridge in East Poestenkill (near Troy), Maple Ski Ridge (Mon/Tue 4-7pm) in Schenectady, Lapland Lake in Northville, Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, Gore Mountain in North Creek, Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, Cascade in Lake Placid, Whiteface & Lake Placid Club in Lake Placid, Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake, Paul Smith’s VIC in Paul Smiths, McCauley Mountain in Old Forge, and Osceola Tug Hill in Camden are close enough for a day trip for many of us. 

In addition, groomed trails can be found at Capital Hills in Albany, Garnsey Park in Clifton Park, Indian Meadows Park in Glenville, Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, Wilton Wildlife Preserve/Park in Wilton, Brookhaven Park in Greenfield Center, Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls/Queensbury, Saratoga Biathlon Club in Day, James Frenette Recreation Trails in Tupper Lake, Higley Flow State Park in Colton, Fern Park in Inlet, and BREIA Trails in Boonville.

The Jackrabbit Ski Trail links Keene, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths through XC ski centers and some longer sections of wilderness ski touring. The section that passes through the groomed trails of Whiteface and Lake Placid clubs and Cascade don’t require a trail fee if skiers stay on the marked Jackrabbit Trail.

For those of you who are new to the sport, consider getting a pair of classic style skis of the appropriate length for your height and weight, along with a set of poles of the correct length for classic style skiing. A pair of well-fitting boots that will allow you to ski in comfort and keep your toes toasty are important. Nordic ski boots for classic skis are usually ankle height, but there are also “combi” boots that are higher to provide more ankle support, and can be used for classic or skate skiing. Classic skis can be a waxless style, with either a fish-scale pattern on the bottom or mohair strips that allow you to grip the snow surface, and kick the ski forward and glide. This is called the diagonal stride technique and is relatively easy to learn. Classic style skis come in numerous widths. For your first skis consider a pair that will not be too wide for classic ski tracks.

Another ski style is the skate ski, which as the name implies is a technique similar to ice skating where you push the ski at an angle to provide forward motion, while using your ski poles to provide additional forward momentum. Skate skiing will require different skis, longer poles, and a stiffer ski boot.

For those who are accustomed to Nordic skiing, the choices in equipment and locations to ski are many. While skiing in a tracked setting, you can use skis with a waxable bottom surface that you will apply a specific wax according to snow and temperature conditions. The wax used for the kick zone, under the center portion of the ski, is different than the wax applied to the tips and tails for gliding purposes. The kick zone wax allows the ski, when compressed by your weight on the ski, to stick to the snow and provide traction before kicking the ski forward. As the ski begins to glide forward, the weight over the center of the ski is becomes less, and the ski glides on the tip and tail with a wax that is selected to correspond with the temperature and moisture content of the snow. 

While waxing may seem complicated, it provides a skiing experience that is faster than using waxless skis. Waxless skis do come in handy for snow conditions that are challenging to wax for, although not impossible. Wet snow above 32 degrees or icy conditions are well-suited for waxless skis.

For those skiers who have gained experience with a variety of conditions, there are even more opportunities to find locations to ski. Beyond the traditional Nordic ski centers there are other locations where you can ski. Many parks, golf courses and state forests allow Nordic skiing, although there may not be groomed ski trails with tracks set for use. This is where a different set of skis can be useful. Backcountry skis are popular with some skiers due to the versatility they provide. These skis come as waxable or waxless with metal edges to provide additional control in terrain that has deeper snow, changing conditions, and less room to maneuver. They are usually slightly shorter and come in various widths to provide more flotation in ungroomed conditions.

Backcountry skiing can provide a wonderful way to experience the natural winter environment. Especially if you enjoy being outside in winter conditions. Much like other winter outdoor activities such as alpine skiing, snowshoeing, running, cycling and ice skating. The proper clothing for these activities is very important, however it’s easy to overdress for Nordic skiing. I recall one of my earliest winter Nordic ski adventures on the Northville-Placid Trail, where it was 10 degrees at the start in Benson, and I was wearing a down coat over other layers. After two hours skiing in two-plus feet of snow carrying a 40-pound pack with a tent, sleeping bag and other winter gear, I ended up getting hypothermia and fortunately had the sense to turn back.

First, dress in layers with no cotton. Wool socks, polypro or wool underwear, and non-cotton layers on top that you can put-on or take-off as necessary. A windbreaker to wear or carry in a pack when you are out in more exposed conditions is essential. Extra socks, and a warm hat are important. Bring along the 10 essential items in your pack in case you get lost, or injured. The essentials are water, food (snacks), headlamp(s), new spare batteries, map, compass, fire starting material, whistle, first aid kit, and personal hygiene supplies – including hand sanitizer and a face mask. There may more items you wish to carry, depending on where you’re headed, so see ADK’s winter hiking gear list: adk.org.

I keep a plastic-coated checklist in my pack for winter activities and review it prior to heading out. It is a smaller version of the items I keep in my search and rescue pack for when I get a request to go out and have to look for missing people. Remember that your cell phone is not a flashlight and in many remote areas may not have cell reception. In cold weather your phone battery will lose its charge faster, even when not in use. Using your phone as a mapping tool can get you in trouble if the battery dies. A map/compass and a GPS unit are preferred navigation tools. Keep a phone inside a warm pocket and perhaps bring along an external battery as a backup power source. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. If no one knows where you went, it will be very difficult to locate you when you get in trouble. 

If you find yourself in an emergency situation in the backcountry, keep these NYSDEC Forest Rangers numbers handy: Adirondacks (518-891-0235) or remainder of NYS (518-408-5850). The forest rangers are outstanding professionals who can assist if you’re injured or in a life-threatening situation. If you call for help, they’ll find you but please bring the essentials to self-support yourself and others out there. Don’t be like someone who didn’t bring a light source, got caught out after dark, and can’t find the trail back. Be prepared and use common sense when going out to ski in the backcountry.

Nordic skiing is a great way to enjoy winter in the outdoors, provide a respite from pandemic fatigue, and experience what I call the Zen of sliding along on a pair of skinny skis under your own power. See you out there!

Skip Holmes (serottaskip@gmail.com) of Delmar provides training programs for Urban Green Council of NYC and taught sustainable building design at RPI for many years. He’s a member of Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club and Capital Bicycle Racing Club, and can be found road/mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, hiking or Nordic skiing.