Nordic Skiing again

After a hiatus for a few years I've been getting back into Nordic Skiing this winter. My love for this sport began back when I was 12 years old growing up in northern Minnesota. My parents took me on trips to Telemark Resort in Wisconsin, the home of the world famous American Birkebeiner, and we would ski the trails. My dad actually raced in the Birkebeiner four times and I remember watching the event as a kid idolizing the elite skiers. For me cross-country skiing is pure grace, skiing on a groomed trail through the woods effortlessly with efficient technique. It feels so good and natural. There is nothing that really compares to the workout you get from nordic skiing. Your entire body is involved and you do not have to deal with the cumulative affect of pounding that comes from long distance trail running.
My very first ski of the season was a 50 Km outing in West Yellowstone around Thanksgiving. Since that time I've been a little obsessed with the 50 Km standard for my weekend long ski and I've done it 7 times so far this season. I even skied 50 Km at North Boulder Park once, that was a lot of laps baby.
At this point I am starting to do some races, the Eldora Nighthawks, Devil's Thumb Governors Cup, Frisco Gold Rush and the Snow Mtn Ranch Classic. The races are really intense and fun and I go into them with no expectations other than doing the best I can. If I can finish the race knowing I went as hard as I could, I am satisfied. Skiing on 20-year old equipment might be a slight disadvantage, but I do not dwell on that. After being out of the sport for several years I am amazed at the increase in cost of all aspects of nordic skiing and racing. A good pair of racing skis cost $500-$700 now. Boots are ~$400, Poles ~$250, Bindings ~$100, stone grind ~$75, adequate race wax ~$500, race fees ~$35-$90. Also, the only local area with reliable snow that grooms trails are at Eldora and a season pass costs ~$300 or $24 for a day pass.With 3 kids in their own organized sports, I have made due with my 20-year old equipment, cheap wax and skiing at North Boulder Park in town whenever there is snow. On the weekends I usually venture up across the divide to one of the nordic areas in the Fraser Valley.

A perfectly groomed trail at Lone Mtn Ranch near Big Sky, Montana. Dec, 2011.

Skate skiing at Lone Mtn Ranch in Dec, 2011. I ended up skiing 53+ Km on this day with over 5000 vertical feet and over 4 hours, a big day and I loved every minute.

The top of Blue Ridge at Snow Mountain Ranch, one of my favorite trails, it gains 2,000 vertical feet in 10 Km. Jan, 2012.

The continental divide and Indian Peaks from the top of Blue Ridge, Jan, 2012.

A trail at Devil's Thumb Ranch, where I raced in the Governor's Cup 30 Km race on  Jan. 21, 2012.

My 20-year old equipment. This was my race set-up at the Governor's Cup and Jim said I looked like a street person showed up at a cross-county ski race.

Classic skiing on the CMC trail near Brainerd Lake, it's not groomed but it is free!

The Frisco Nordic center, where I skied in the 15 Km Frisco Gold Rush on Feb. 5, 2012.

Jim skate skiing on the Heckman trail at SMR after we did the classic race, Feb. 11, 2012

Skiing behind Jim at SMR on the Heckman trail through an Aspen grove.

Racing at the SMR 15 Km Classic race. It was my 2nd classic ski of the year.

West Yellowstone, Montana

Every year during Thanksgiving week the town of West Yellowstone, Montana is invaded by hundreds of nordic skiers. Several college and high school XC ski teams along with many nordic enthusiasts make the annual pilgrimage to this tiny town on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park to take advantage of reliable early season snow. The Rendezvous trail system consists of over 35 kilometers of gently rolling trails that are impeccably groomed through tall lodgepole pines and open meadows starting right from the southern end of town.

I fell and broke my Lumix

Last Saturday I got out for a double ascent of Green Mtn. My plan was to cruise the first one and hammer the second. The first time up I ran in my Saucony Peregrines and used it as a warmup, hitting the summit in 41:17 going up the front side. On the way down I ran past a very large group of Japanese tourists at the top of the Amphitheater trail. They were stopped by the side of the trail and I had a feeling that the on my second ascent I would have to deal with this group. Back at my car, parked at the switchback at the base of Flagstaff road, I changed into my New Balance MT101's for my second time up. I love running in these shoes because they are so light and every time I put them on my feet feel like they've come home. I only use them on special occasions, usually races or key workouts, because I'll get metatarsal issues if I run in them too much.