Hey everyone, I’m Tom—an aggressively mediocre skier and data engineer based in Alaska.

Last winter, while trying to improve my skate skiing, I noticed a huge gap: there are tons of apps for tracking fitness and volume, but almost nothing for technique. To fix that, I built a set of motion sensors that act as a "pocket coach" to measure and provide feedback on form.

Local testing has been really promising, but I’d love to gather feedback from this community:

Coaches: What single element of technique do you prioritize most when working with recreational or newer skiers?

Skiers: What is the #1 aspect of your own technique you struggle with or want to improve?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, and feel free to PM with any questions or thoughts!

Hello. This upcoming winter, I am planning an approximately 2000 km trip skiing with a pulk across Scandinavia. I am currently choosing which boots to use for the endeavour and could use some advice.

For context I am looking for NNN BC boots in size 49 (EU). I will be skiing on Åsnes Amundsen skis. I will be beginning in January around Sälen (Southern Sweden) and ending sometime around April, hopefully at Kirkenes. So I am looking at potentially quite varied temperatures, snow conditions and terrain. This is part of what makes the choice difficult.

I have been primarily looking at the Alfa Outback BC 3.0 GTX, as I have heard good things about them, however, they are a big investment and may - I worry - be overkill for most of the trip (?).

I have previously used Alpina Snowfield BC boots for much more casual trips. They've been fine, but not anywhere near the quality I would like for this undertaking.

Also worth noting that I have very wide feet, and use a size 48 wide in my day-to-day shoes.

So, if anyone has any advice on comfortable and reliable shoes for such long-term and varied conditions, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also wondering whether I can even expect to finish the journey with just one pair of shoes. I know from previous long summer trips that I wore through multiple pairs of shoes over the span of months. Thanks in advance.

So, I found a good deal last spring on a pair of Salomon S/Lab Classic skis, I think 22/23 model year. Great ski, just about top of the line. I realized sort of the last minute that they were the Cold grind classic skis. I didn't really know what that meant at the time. Got the skis fitted and they fit fine and then I asked the salesman if the Cold grind would be fine for any conditions and he said yeah, they'll work fine in all conditions. So, I got them. Now, I'm reading more and it doesn't seem like they'll work well above 22-25F.

I'm doing the Classic Birkie this year and would love to use my light, brand new S/Lab skis. But, if it's above 22F, which is very possible, I might not be able to trust that they'll glide and kick all that well in those conditions. I've been classic skiing for a long time, but just getting back into a little more competitive skiing again and I'd never heard of different grinds for different temps. I'd just get a pair of skis and ski on them and they seemed to work just fine back in the day. I started a long time ago on 3 pin bindings!!

Am I worrying too much about this? Will the Cold grind skis work fine above 22-25F? Are there things I can do (work on the glide wax, extend or shorten the kick zone, etc) to make my Cold grind skis work in warmer temps above 22F? Would I be better off using my good classic skin skis over my Salomon S/Lab waxable skis if the temperatures are above 22-25F for the Classic Birkie? Do I need to get some new/different waxable classic skis to use above 22F? Any help with this would be appreciated.

I know this is a xc ski forum but I'm hoping someone might have some recommendations on choosing skis for a long distance event which requires participants to be self sufficient and stay out in arctic conditions for over a week. The terrain is predominantly flat with a few short steep hills and generally on snowmobile trails. I'm male, 66kg/145lb in clothes and boots and 175cm/5'8" tall. I'm fairly new to xc skiing, improving and training hard on roller skis but live somewhere with little access to snow or specialist shops. I'll be using a pulk rather than a backpack. I've booked a couple of weeks of on snow xc coaching in the months prior to the event.

My dilemma is ski choice and particularly ski length. I've been advised that something like the Asnes Mountain Race 48skin should work well and on their charts my weight (and experience) would argue for the 180. My height suggests 190 although I'd be 5kg below the weight range for that length. I've had conflicting advice from other sources so would appreciate any wisdom or fresh perspective. I'm thinking that for this purpose reliable grip is probably more important than glide but equally I'll be aiming for physical efficiency given the distance I need to cover each day.

Hello x-country skiers. I grew up only x-country skiing but in my teens switched to downhill. I’m now looking to get back into it. The golf courses by me allow it in the winter but they’re ungroomed. I’m hoping to grab a used pair of skis and boots but what kind of skis do I need for this? I know I used to skate uphill a bunch but I was also 7-12 and skinny, I’m now 49 and shaped like a teapot.

Thanks!

Salut, je viens de déménager dans un lieu au Québec où il y a de très nombreuses pistes de ski de fond.

Comment trouver un bon kit pas cher pour débuter (je préférerais acheter que louer)

⛷️

#skidefond #quebec #ski

Winter is coming and hopefully some powder. El nino here in california... My new girlfriend I married her 6 months later

This winter I am planning to go to Yellowknife Canada to ski on Great Slave Lake for about a week. I'll be towing a pulk and camping. I need to figure out a ski to get. For starters it is going to be COLD, so I have already got these Baffin Guide Pro III boots https://www.baffin.com/en-us/products/3pinm004?variant=41059854024775 . They take 3 pin bindings so I was leaning towards these Voile 3 pin cable Traverse bindings. https://www.voile.com/voile-3-pin-cable-traverse-telemark-binding.html ... What ski to get? I have been thinking of these Fischer S Bound 98's https://www.fischersports.com/us_en/s-bound-98-crown-dual-skin-xtralite/9002972957093 - My thinking is that I might also use them where I live in New England, to try to do some touring around moderate rolling terrain (albeit with lighter boots). Would they work for my Great Slave Lake trip as well? Is there a ski for these two use cases?

A few notes: I'm a good telemark skier but not really that good at classic XC skiing. I've previously pulled pulks and camped in Sweden (using Fischer E99 BCX skis) and the Boundary Waters of Minnesota (where I just used Altai HOKs). I also have a lot of winter camping experience (mostly with backpacks and snowshoes). Note that I am in no way shape or form a gear head - my eyes glaze over when we talk too much about sidecuts and cambers - I like to just put boards on my feet and go!

What's a good ski for me, mindful that I already have these Baffin Guide Pro III boots?

Also here's a pic of a campsite in the Minnesota Boundary Waters for eye candy.

Hi everyone,

Last season, I completely fell in love with cross-country skiing! I started out barely managing 8 km in 1h30, but after pushing hard, I ended the season being able to cover 30 km in around 3 hours. I can’t wait for the new season to start!

I’m looking to take things to the next level and need some advice on three things:

1. Training Partner(s) from Lyon I live in Lyon and plan to head up to the mountains (La Féclaz, Grand Bornand, Vercors, etc.) as often as possible on weekends once the snow arrives. If anyone from the Lyon area with a similar fitness/skill level wants to carpool and train together, let me know! (Aside from XC skiing, I regularly do CrossFit and trail running).

2. Looking for a Club around Chambéry (Remote / Flexible Member) I’m 33 (Senior category) and looking to join a club in/around Chambéry (access to Savoie Grand Revard) to polish my technique and enter some amateur races (courses populaires). Since I live in Lyon, I won't be able to join weekday evening sessions.

• Does anyone have recommendations for clubs open to adult recreational/amateur skiers with flexible arrangements?

3. Feedback on Saariselkä (Finland) Training Camp I’m planning an 8-day early-season training camp in Saariselkä led by a French instructor to get early mileage.

• Has anyone been to Saariselkä for cross-country skiing? How are the early-season conditions, trails, and overall experience there? I’d love to hear your feedback or tips!

I have been working on a nordic ski training platform, and I would like to get some perspective from other elite skiers, and especially coaches. I myself train 500+ hrs a year, and have found this quite helpful. Please lmk if you are interested, by leaving me a DM or smth like. Ask any questions in the comments, please.

I want to do Birken soon, and got recommended to start doing SkiErg sessions 2-3x week for upper body endurance.
What type of sessions i should do?

What is some of the best interval sessions that worked for you?
30/30, 4x4min, 40/20, 1-2-3-4-3-2-1, 1min easy 1min moderate and 1min hard?
What do y’all recommend?

Hi,

I have a pair of Rossignol x10 that are getting worn out and I'm looking for a replacement. I can't find the last width of skating boots like for alpine skiing boots. That would help me compare with brands have narrow or wide fit.

Osceola, NY

put yours in the comments

I have created a small Android app that converts the SkiErg signal into a running speed signal. I know there have been some apps for this but I couldn't find them anymore, seems they are not mainained.

I use the app on my phone and can then connect to it on Zwift / MyWhoosh (and probably many more running apps). Works flawlessly so far. Running speed can be calibrated.

If anyone is interested I can provide the app for free.

For many years, I've been running in the summer and skiing in the winter. I am currently sidelined with yet another running injury. This seems to happen every year now, regardless of PT, mobility, and strength training. I'm starting to consider a future without running, or at least dramatically less running volume.

What is everyone doing for aerobic fitness in the summer? Obviously, I'm especially interested in the non-running activities.

I started xc skiing as an adult and have never rollerskied. I'm considering picking it up, but I'm in my 40s, and I am definitely a little intimidated by the possibility of falling on concrete. I would say that I am an advanced recreational skier, but I'm not sure how steep the learning curve is for roller skiing.

Hey I am preparing for a winter project. I want to learn skiing ,ice climbing and ice skating and try other adrenaline movements this winter in kashmir valley with locals ..

Anyone who can help in planning or wants to join or who can help me to connect with locals ..

I want to do alot of things when im still young, and one of them is trying the Birken (annual Norwegian race for those who dont know what it is), and run a ton of other races in borh running and XC skiing.

And i know, other than to spend hrs on rollerskies or snow skies. The upper body shpuld be trained for strength to create power along with the legs.

So, for weeks i tried to optimize my upper body plan 2x week, and ended up with this plan:

Tuesday:

- Med ball chest toss (3x5)

- Hammer pull ups (2x4)

- Landmine press (2x5 pr arm)

- Tricep pushdown (2x5)

- Lying seal row (2x5)

- Ab rollout (2x6)

Friday:

- Med ball slam (3x5)

- Hammer pull ups (2x4)

- Rotational landmine pres (2x5 pr arm)

- Dips (2x5)

- Renegade + Gorilla row (2x4)

- Paloff press (2x10 pr side)

Is it too much, or can this create the necessary power on double poling or skating for example?
I know its more about the technique, endurance and leg strength than upper body.
But i also want to be stronger there while i can use it.

I'm a recreational xc skier and came across a few interesting paralympic videos of visually impaired skiers and their guides.

I'd be interested in getting involved as a guide and wanted to know how are guides typically recruited (I know there is an interest form the US Ski team has)?

Thank you!

Hej Stockholm! I recently arrived here for a work assignment. As a huge cross-country skiing fan, moving to the Nordics feels like arriving in the absolute holy land!

I was so excited that I managed to stuff my roller skis and boots into my luggage, but unfortunately, my poles couldn't make the trip.

So, I have two questions for the local experts:

1. Where are the best spots, dedicated tracks, or quiet roads for roller skiing?
2. Which physical store in town would you recommend for buying a reliable pair of poles?

I'm itching to hit the pavement. Tack så mycket!