For the second weekend in a row, I found myself travelling to Roscommon and the Cross Country Ski Headquarters. However, this time I travelled with my good friends Sai and Alekhya. After seeing photographs from the previous weekend, they asked if I could teach them to XC ski, which I was happy to do. They are two sisters who I worked with at my employer and having graduated with their master’s degree from Lawrence Technological University, started careers as a Database Administrator and Linux System Administrator respectively. Both are working towards U.S. citizenship. They are very eager to try new activities, enjoy the outdoors, and experience nature. They helped me with my physical therapy last spring, pushing me to increase my hiking distance.
We talked during the weekend about clothing for our outing. One problem I have seen is that beginners, concerned about the cold, wear clothes that are too heavy, often looking like large marshmallows moving down the trail. When you first ski, your stride is usually inefficient until you learn to glide. You work hard and generate a lot of heat. With too much clothing, you generate a large amount of moisture, especially if the clothing material is cotton. Once you stop, the moisture starts to evaporate in the cold dry air, and you get cold very quickly. The key is to dress in layers that can be adjusted for the conditions and avoid cotton which will not wick the moisture away from your body. The heavy clothing also restricts motion. I often see them walking back on the trail as that seems easier to them than skiing back. Most need a proper lesson to gain the technique needed to make skiing much more efficient than walking.
Sai and Alekhya, having done quite a bit of hiking previously, had accumulated layers of proper material that could be used on their first ski outing. Not everybody who tries a new activity, ends up liking it. So, I suggested using their already purchased items rather then spending money for new clothing and then discovering they just didn’t enjoy skiing or like being out in the cold. Saturday turned out to be a pretty cold day. Their clothing was put to the test, as the temperature when we arrived at the ski area was only 17 degrees.
On arriving at the lodge, the two sisters were sized up for waxless skis, poles, and boots. Cross Country Ski Headquarters offers a particularly good price for ski rental and a daily trail pass combined. A trail pass is $9 for the day, and ski rental adds an additional $7 for 3 hours of skiing. Three hours is plenty of time on your first outing when you are learning to ski.
We talked about the ski’s camber and kick pattern, as well as how to clip into the bindings and use the pole straps. Then we covered step turning, balance, weight distribution, and how to get up after a fall. At this point, cold began to set into hands and feet, so we started out on the easy loop trail to the west of the lodge to build up some heat. The exertion helped to increase blood flow to hands and feet. Both Sai and Alekhya quickly got the hang of getting glide between each stride. After about an hour, we took a break in the lodge with coffee to warm up feet and hands.
On our second excursion, we crossed the road to the main trail system, deciding to take the main track to the Trapper’s cabin, where if need be, we could again warm by the fire. This, however, was not necessary, as the exercise was keeping us warm, assisted by a bright sunshine and the black coats and ski pants we all wore.
Heading back to the lodge, we took the side “Adventure” trail and then arrived back at the road. This used up the remaining extent of the 3-hour rental, and both ladies were tiring. It is always best not too overdue a first outing, as many muscles not used a lot in normal day to day movement, get a surprise workout when skiing.
Starting All Over 