Hello,

I have a question for you guys regarding the choice of skis for a specific
type of conditions. Last year during 4 out of 6 races I did the
conditions were really soft damp and warm snow (almost melting fresh snow
and very humid) and my skis would dig into the snow making each skate
stride very short and strenuous even with HF waxes. Some people told that
the most important to get a good glide in these conditions was ski flex.
Now it is not clear for me how this would work. I believe my ski flex is
right for my weight. Lets say the fisher RSC skate plus stiff and medium
flex 182 warm base are both supporting my weight (148 lbs) .... the stiff
flex is more on the mark, but the medium flex would also be in the range
... should I choose the medium flex for such snow conditions?

Thank you

Hello,

You ask a good question.

Skis act differently based on the condition of the snow that they are trying
to glide over. While most skis available now are designed to handle a wide range of snow types, most are designed to perform at their best in well groomed and packed
firm tracks - the most common snow condition. Some skis are designed for warm
wet snow and some are designed for cold (cold designation on the ski) dry snow. From this bulls eye, some ski models handle firm snow better and some handle soft snow better.

Within a ski design and model, there are variations in how the ski is fitted to your weight and ability. This influences the ski's ability to handle various snow conditions. As I stated above, most skis are fitted to perform well on the well groomed and firm snow conditions. Many skis fit to handle this mid-range snow condition can often still perform well in extremely hard, icy snow and in soft snow. But if you are skiing in soft wet snow much of your time you would want a ski fit for soft snow (and designed) for wet snow. To satisfy the fit criteria you would want a "softer" flexing ski that will carry your load over a larger portion of its base to decrease the PSI throughout its glide zones (the area of the ski that touches the snow). Realize that each ski is unique and it is possible to get a RCS medium that is in fact stiffer than some 191 stiff skis. (To accommodate all skier weights and heights most manufacturer's soft, medium, and stiff designations have a slight overlap in flexes) But if the Fischer fit charts say both a 182 medium or a 182 stiff would fit you would want to get a medium ski for soft snow.

We work with Salomon skis and Salomon has a skate ski with a special flex and tip designed specifically for warm snow. It is designed to decrease the suction that you are referring to. Salomon creates a warm ski by creating ski tips that deflect from the snow when weight is applied to the ski. This creates "tip splay" and the pressure grid moves down the ski as a load is applied - the results is wet suction is decreased. From Salomon if you weigh 148 lbs and ski primarily in soft wet snow I would recommend the Salomon Equipe 10 warm 186 soft.

I hope this helps.

Andy at SkiPost.

By: Tazlina Mannix
USST, Salomon Athlete Force

Alaska is in transition right now, and there’s evidence everywhere.  It is decidedly autumn here as it is elsewhere, except we don’t experience the gradual fading colors and progressively declining temperatures like the continental United States.  There’s nothing slow about our transition to winter, and after many years in Alaska I’ve developed a better understanding of the training demands of this time of year.

Many people find the cold, wet weather depressing, coupled with the rapidly decreasing daylight, but for skiers this season brings excitement.  We smell change in the crisp morning air and begin to make adjustments.  Around this time of year my team shifts our daily schedule as the dark mornings push us to later training times.  It’s harder to wake up when the midnight sun isn’t staring us in the face, and we use the opportunity to give our bodies a few more winks of needed recovery.  My coach also begins to change up our training sequence, moving us to a weekly schedule that will mirror the calendar followed during racing season.  We train on the weekends, as we usually race on Saturday and Sunday, and begin to program our bodies for rest on Monday. 

We also slightly alter our workouts, as rollerskiing is more dangerous.  This time of year the pavement gets slippery, occasionally coated with wet leaves, and the light is lower, causing the visibility to be worse.  The hard, cold road surface makes it more difficult to get a solid pole pant on the pavements and the joints, especially the elbows, sometimes complain.  Thus, the weather demands that we alter our routine.  Rather than spending our recovery workout on the road bike like we do in the summer, we change the sequence to more ski specific workouts.  We still incorporate an easier day in the training week, but we don’t spend it freezing on the bike on a rainy morning.  More of our workouts are shifted to foot, with the inclusion of poles for the benefits of specificity.  Intensity sessions in the mountains, in the form of ski walking or bounding, are a great way to transition to winter and a good way to steer clear of the roads on particularly inclement days when rollerskiing can be treacherous. 

My teammates and I still spend a lot of time on rollerskis, but take extra precautions.  I choose my routes with even more care, avoiding high traffic areas and busy times of day.  In addition to this, I keep the ferrules on my poles sharp with a sharpening tool and make sure to have extras nearby.  Especially as the pavement gets harder it’s easier to break a tip.  If this happens mid-workout it’s an easy fix if you have access to the tailpipe of a car.  By inserting the tip of your pole in the exhaust pipe, you can heat the ferrule just enough to melt the glue, slide it off, and replace it with a new tip (but be careful to watch the shaft of the pole when doing this).  Last, I try to be very cognizant of the decreasing temperatures.  When it comes to all workouts, whether rollerskiing, running or biking, the colder mornings are more taxing on the body.  It’s really important to dress for the weather, and if anything to overdress and shed layers as the workout progresses.  I find it is important to wear warm-ups, just as I do during training and racing during the winter, and I make sure change into dry clothes quickly after workouts.

With these minor adjustments, fall training is more enjoyable and transitioning to snow is easier.  When working out at this time of year, it might help to take a minute to consider some adjustments that could make your workouts more beneficial.  Small changes can make a big difference in you preparedness for the season ahead.

REGISTER NOW FOR YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL CLINICS

Kick the Nordic Ski Season off Right!

The Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinics are one of the most popular aspects to Thanksgiving Week.  Our clinics are suitable for Nordic skiers of all ability levels.  This is the perfect way to learn to ski or fine-tune your technique.  Don’t spend all season wishing you would have made your first tracks in West Yellowstone this November.

The Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinics offers a wide variety of options.  Choose from multi-day or single day clinics, traditional, women’s specific, junior race, or just plain fun for the kids!

Each clinic starts off the first morning with an assessment of your current ability.  Skiers are placed by our staff of elite instructors into small groups with similar skills.  Your will ski with your group for the duration of your clinic.  Come ready for two on-snow training sessions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Additional evening classroom sessions will focus on technique, waxing, and training. 

The 3 and 5 day clinics teach both classic and skate techniques.  Why both you ask?  The fundamentals of skate skiing and classic skiing are similar.  After years of coaching these clinics, our professional instructors feel that in order to be a good skate skier you must also learn to be a good classic skier.  3 and 5 day clinic participants should be sure to bring both waxable classic and skate skis to West Yellowstone.  A limited number of skis can be rented from local shops throughout the ski season.  It is best to call in advance.  Freeheel & Wheel (406.646.7744) or Bud Lilly’s (406.646.7801).

We offer one-day clinics that focus entirely on one style of skiing.  Sign up for either Thursday November 27 or Saturday November 29 for the one day skate skiing clinic or Friday November 28 for a classic ski clinic.  The one day clinics are extremely popular and fill up quickly.  Due to skier demand, we are offering a classic specific clinic this year.  Try something new, and kick and glide your way throughout the Rendezvous Ski Trails. 

The Junior Racer’s two-day clinic will be held on November 28th and 29th.  This clinic is suited for skiers aged 11-15 who are interested in competitive racing.  A minimum of eight participants is needed to conduct this clinic and will be full at sixteen participants.

The Montana Outdoor Science School will be offering programs for children on Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th.  The details of these programs are currently being worked out and registration information and more details will be posted at http://yellowstoneskifestival.com/clinics.html as soon as it is available.  The MOSS clinics will be based out of the Days Inn.  Pre-registration is required and your children will thank you.

We recommend registering for the Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinics now!  Space is still available in all clinics but they will fill up soon.  We received this email from Jennifer R. in Pennsylvania.  “My husband and I have spent the last three years in West Yellowstone for Thanksgiving.  We have drug our feet debating whether or not to sign up for the clinics each year and wondered about snow.  Each year the clinics were full by the time we decided.  Each year West Yellowstone has had snow over Thanksgiving and we wished we had started our ski season under professional guidance.  We are already signed up for this year and can not wait to be back in West Yellowstone for the Yellowstone Ski Festival.  Thank you for providing such a wonderful ski experience for our family.”

Information about the Yellowstone Ski Festival Clinics can be found at http://yellowstoneskifestival.com/clinics.html.  Registration forms can be printed from http://yellowstoneskifestival.com/Clinic_Registration%202008.pdf.htm.   Clinic inquiries should be directed to Drew Barney (406.646.9379 evenings) PO Box 104, West Yellowstone, MT 59758.

For all other questions about the Yellowstone Ski Festival, please contact Sara Hoovler at 406-599-4465 or info@yellowstoneskifestival.com

See you on the snow this November in West Yellowstone!

For your lodging needs The Factory Team Recommends:

Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
www.doyellowstone.com
West Yellowstone

Sales@doyellowstone.com
1-800-646-7365

Salomon Equipe 10 Classic
Salomon’s Heel Toe camber makes classic skiing enjoyable.

In 2007, Salomon introduced a classic ski design that received worldwide acclaim due to its ingenious Heel Toe camber. The Heel Toe camber resulted in outstanding performances across the globe.  

The key feature of Heel Toe camber is the skis ability to sense where a skier’s weight is applied, and not simply how much weight is applied. This ingenious technology has allowed many long times skaters to enjoy classic technique for the first time ever. The consistent and reliable kick benefits everyone from first time classic skiers to the elite Saab Salomon Factory Team classic specialists, who swept the 2008 US SuperTour Nationals.

Here is how it works:

When a classic skier is in the glide phase his/her body weight is on the forward ski, and the weight is greatly concentrated over his/her heel.  Even when this ski has the skier’s maximum weight applied at the heel, the ski’s camber remains off the snow, thus enabling the skier to maintain a long fast glide without drag.  To initiate a kick, a skier starts shifting his/her weight forward, from the heel toward his/her toes; when the ski senses the forward shift in weight its camber (kick zone) closes, allowing for an easy and solid kick.

Salomon’s entire classic ski line utilizes the Heel Toe camber. The Equipe 10 warm has the high heel toe camber for dedicated racers using klister. The Equipe 10 cold has a medium camber for dedicated racers using hardwax, Equipe 9 uses a low camber for intermediate racers and the Equipe 8 uses our lowest Heel Toe camber for beginning classic racers.

By creating the Heel Toe camber and the different camber heights for the different ski models, Salomon is able to offer every skier a perfect ski fit with great glide and bomber kick. You no longer need be a World Cup athlete or Birkie Champion to enjoy each classical day.

Try a pair today and Enjoy Winter!

For more information visit www.SalomonNordic.com or email the Saab Salomon Factory Team at WeAnswer@SkiPost.com