Planning a Winter Trails getaway? Whether you’re heading Up North for a cross-country skiing vacation or getting out on the trail to go snowshoeing or fat tire biking for the day, these tips for the trail will help you get the most from your Winter Trails experience.
BASIC EQUIPMENT: Just getting started? Consider renting your Winter Trails equipment before you buy. All of our member areas offer cross-country ski rentals, and many offer snowshoe and fat tire bike rentals as well.
LAYER UP: Dress in layers so when you come inside to rest you can take off a few and get comfortable. Make sure the layer next to the skin is made of a synthetic material or wool, not cotton. When cotton gets wet, it will remain wet and will not keep you warm.
DO NOT WEAR JEANS: If you are a beginner, you may be spending a lot of time on the ground, which makes for a very wet bottom. Purchase a pair of waterproof pants designed for winter activities. They’ll keep you dry and warm, which makes a day on the trail much more fun!
KEEP YOUR HAT ON: About 30 percent of your body heat is lost through the head, so wear a hat when it is cold.
TAKE A LESSON: Whether in a group or individual, a lesson is a great way to learn the safe way to ski. If you have skied before, take a refresher lesson to learn new techniques. Ask the sales people in the sports shop for more advice. They are there to help you.
TRY NORDIC SKI WALKING: Hill bounding and ski walking with poles has been an important part of any serious cross country ski racer’s summer training program. And now ALL ages and ALL fitness levels can unlock the calorie burning and aerobic benefits of Nordic Ski Walking Poles. Real Nordic Walking poles come with patented comfortable straps (kind of like fingerless gloves) removable rubber tips for pavement and metal tips for the trail, beach, snow and ice. One-piece poles are safer and more durable than adjustable/telescoping/adjustable poles.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back – better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout – burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.
Thirty minutes of walking with Ski Walking Poles burns the same amount of calories as fifty minutes of regular walking without poles.
HAVE FUN IN THE SNOW!!!
BREATH DEEPLY-eat chocolate!
Even if you cannot ski right away a good idea in this cold weather is to get outside and go for a brisk walk or Ski Walk (walking with poles). This will acclimate your lungs to the cold air so when you do get on the trails your lung won’t be shocked! Bob Frye, Cross Country Ski Headquarters
VISIT US OFTEN!
Make sure you come back daily to get the latest ski conditions. We will strive to bring you up to date and accurate information regarding the snow conditions of the trails so that you can plan your trip!