What makes Nordic skiing so good this year? In years past, Nordic skiing has been amazing, even with last year’s poor skiing conditions, Theodore Wirth trailhead in Minneapolis was still able to pull off a professional Nordic Skiing World Cup with both fans and races in Aw of the Minneapolis crowd.
“When I started Nordic skiing back in the day there was only classic, and there was no skate, I’ve lived through multiple eras of skiing, and I’ve seen a lot of innovations” professional skier Al “The Hammer” Hanson said, who has skied the American Birkebeiner 47 times.
There are 2 Nordic skiing techniques each with its spin on how the action is performed. There is skate skiing which is more like ice skating, and there is classic skiing which is more of a “glorified shuffle”.
“The team usually sets me up with equipment and then I’ve bought some essentials from Gear West like a ski bag gloves and hats, lots of clothing” Orono Nordic Skier Thomas Martin said about the basics of Nordic skiing
Skate skiing is one of the 2 styles of Nordic skiing, it’s a dynamic fluid motion, with different gears, much like a bike, there are V1, V2, V2 alternate (Open Field), and free skate. V1 is a climbing gear used for steep hills, and V2 is more of a neutral and speed-gaining gear it can be used on flats, gradual hills, and gaining speed to get into the next gear which is V2 alternate (open field), this is used to maintain speed when you’re just coming out of a v2, or when you are on a truly flat terrain.
Classic skiing is the other part of Nordic skiing, it has 3 gears, striding, double polling, and a kick double pole. These have different uses, striding is used on uphills and gradual uphills that require more effort. Double polling, the most powerful form of classic skiing, is done on flats and gradual hills that require little effort. Kick double polling which can be used to go up most gradual hills and can be used across long stretches of flat terrain if double pole is getting tiresome
Where should you get your gear? There are several ski stores throughout Minnesota, the closest being Gear West, which has one of the largest sports campuses and ski floors in the entire U.S., Pioneer Midwest which is in Maple Grove. Finn SiSu which is in Minneapolis Saint Paul. These small businesses specialize in Nordic skiing, all doing excellent jobs. In terms of larger retailers, REI is another big Nordic skiing equipment vendor.
You may ask, what am I looking for if I’m just getting into this crazy sport? Well, that would depend on who you are, if you’re a high schooler most ski places like Gear West, Pioneer, and Finn Sisu all have beginner packages that they have set up to set you up for an excellent ski season. If you are an adult these places also have beginner packages. For both skate and classic along with this comes knowledgeable staff to guide you through this sometimes complicated process.
“For most skiers regardless of who they are, are going to need a base layer, some sort of ski pant, with warm gloves or split mitts (lobster mittens) along with a warm hat, with all of those plus some boots skis, and poles your pretty much set to ski!” Orono Nordic Ski Coach and Gear West employee Brian “Speedy” Mccollor said.
“In terms of skis and equipment, it depends on which one you want to try, we see mostly an even mix of people buying skate and classic skis, I will say that skate is more cost-friendly because you only have to glide wax the skis, but there are alternative options such as skin skis and fish scale skis which do not require kick waxing like most other classic skis” Finsisu employee Aiden Guiney said.
What is the best advice for new skiers?
“Have an open mindset, try to have fun, it’s not about how fast you go it should be where those skis can and will take you, whether that’s off the trail or on the race course skiing is meant to be a fun way to enjoy the cold winters!” Maple Grove Nordic Captain Kenton Prudhomme said
“Don’t be afraid to fall, it’s part of the learning process, it makes you better and it builds character!” Orono Nordic Caption Walter Holmes said.
“Skiing is super fun it can be as intense or as casual as you want, it’s important to stick with it because it gets easier and easier as you progress!” Red Wing Nordic Ski captain Eric Anderson said.
Nordic Skiing is an amazing winter sport, with tons of fun experiences whether you’re out on the race course or just casually skiing off-trail, it brings in new adventures and is a good source for winter fitness.