The use of trekking poles with powder baskets will help maintain your balance with whatever you have on your feet. Get the adjustable type of poles to adjust for various snow conditions; the length will depend on the snow’s density and hardness. You’ll also find that shortening your poles will make it easier to climb in fresh snow while shortening them will make it easier to descend. Powder baskets are usually $5 to 8, from the manufacturer.
Archive for the ‘Cross Country Skiing’ Category
Trekking poles are essential for winter trekking and powder baskets for those poles are, too!
“I’ve only made this mistake once and I’ll never do it again!” I’m referring to heading out for that first snowshoe trek of the winter season, grabbing the backpack, the snowshoes, and the trekking poles on the way out the door. Upon arrival at the trailhead, I noticed that the trekking poles had the small baskets that had served me so well through the summer. Well, they’ll be fine in snow, right? “I’ve only made this mistake once and I’ll never do it again!”
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The use of a gliding wax like Swix F4 Glidewax will protect your gear and improve your sliding fun!
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The Rayzar Hat is an excellent headgear choice for aerobic activities in very cold conditions.
The weather in Maine this time of year is typically in the single digits during the day and most light hats intended for aerobic workout don’t hold enough heat for temperatures below 10 degrees. Read the rest of this entry »
Nalgene bottles are awesome for hauling water on a trek, but, in the winter, need additional protection to avoid freezing. The best solution is a Nalgene bottle cover and here’s three types of products for that use:
Take the Snowskills.net headlamp test:
- Does your headlamp feel heavy?
- Does your headlamp have only one light setting?
- Does your headlamp shine less light than you could read a newspaper by?
- Does your headlamp leave you guessing as to how much power the batteries have left?
If the answer to any one of these questions is YES, then it’s time for a new headlamp, and we recommend the Princeton TEC Quad Headlamp.
Winter hiking, trekking, snowshoeing, and nordic skiing is a Tale of Two Hats. When aerobic activity in the winter is involved, it takes two hats: one for traveling and one for taking a break. The traveling hat keeps you comfortable on the go while the taking a break that keeps you warm and dry at rest.
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For about a decade, there’s been a new class of clothing designed specifically to allow freedom of movement while maximizing breathability. The clothing industry calls these products “stretch -woven” (boring), but most folks call them soft shells. This kind of outer wear relies on flexible, durable materials such as Schoeller that are weather-proof, are highly breathable, and abrasive-resistant. Exactly the sort of performance for high-energy activities in cold weather!
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The use of ski poles in skiing can add important timing, balance, and flow to your skiing movements by acting as a starting motion for a new turn. Just what is that motion called, anyhow? Thirty years ago, ski instructors taught “pole plants”. Welcome to the new Millenium, where that move is more commonly called “pole swings”.
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Here’s an off-hill exercise that will produce excellent results in your skiing. Leg lifts are way better than a home gym. Cheaper, too.