I thought about doing this last season. This is going to be a running thread of my adventures on skis for Winter 2022-23.
Pokey and I went to Cascade Ski Center 3 or 4 times in the 2020/21 season. We took some lessons and had a few really fun times. Last Winter, I got my own pair of skis on January 6, 2022... A little late as a result of the pandemic. I got 34 ski days in while also missing out on 2 weeks of skiing due to Covid. I thought that was pretty good.
The snow in the lower elevations melted prematurely last year (Cascade closed a week or two early as a result). Though, there was a random storm that rolled in during mid April and dropped 6 inches of snow that would melt by noon the following day. I snagged one final ski season day at Wickham Marsh. By that time, I felt pretty comfortable on skis.
Also, to note, I got a really great deal on an XC ski setup for Pokey from Cascade during their going out of business sale. So, she will be joining me on a few XC Adventures this year.
Since that random day in April, I have been looking forward to Winter XC Season. When we've hiked this year, we've mentioned while on certain trails that we think "would be pleasant skis..." a number of times.
Today, we got a foot of snow (And counting - Snow is expected to stop in 13 hours). And, thus begins, the 22/23 season of The Ramblings of an XC Noob.
Night One: Heyworth - Mason Trail
I live very close to a few town run parks and trail system. I walked down to the trail that leads to Heyworth Mason Park tonight after work and strapped on my skis. I had my headlamp on, but there was enough "Sorta Full Moon light" that I never needed to turn it on.
I glided for 20' before going down a decent sized hill. I have walked up and down this hill many times. Even walked up it once with Makwa .
What ensued was a scene out of a comedy. I needed a few more minutes of kick'n'glide before jumping into hills. But, I didn't have that. The first 6 seconds of my descent probably would've looked hilarious to a bystander. I didn't fall or anything like that. Just sloppy... Pretty freaking sloppy... But, Halfway down the hill, I made adjustments and smoothed everything out. Arriving at Heyworth-Mason Park, signs of some other skiers tracks were still visible. I hopped on a "track" and followed it to where it turned around. I continued on and made a loop. I noticed a big blowndown tree. It was very recent. You could still see the footprints underneath it from prior to the tree falling. Timber!!!
Completing the loop, I decided to do it again since the trail was now broken. Nothing left to do but glide, glide, glide.
This was a short ski but I worked up a good sweat! It was also a nice and simple warmup for Winter. I'm sure that I'll be back here a few times this Winter... But, lookout. This XC noob has a few other neat places planned!
Pokey and I went to Cascade Ski Center 3 or 4 times in the 2020/21 season. We took some lessons and had a few really fun times. Last Winter, I got my own pair of skis on January 6, 2022... A little late as a result of the pandemic. I got 34 ski days in while also missing out on 2 weeks of skiing due to Covid. I thought that was pretty good.
The snow in the lower elevations melted prematurely last year (Cascade closed a week or two early as a result). Though, there was a random storm that rolled in during mid April and dropped 6 inches of snow that would melt by noon the following day. I snagged one final ski season day at Wickham Marsh. By that time, I felt pretty comfortable on skis.
Also, to note, I got a really great deal on an XC ski setup for Pokey from Cascade during their going out of business sale. So, she will be joining me on a few XC Adventures this year.
Since that random day in April, I have been looking forward to Winter XC Season. When we've hiked this year, we've mentioned while on certain trails that we think "would be pleasant skis..." a number of times.
Today, we got a foot of snow (And counting - Snow is expected to stop in 13 hours). And, thus begins, the 22/23 season of The Ramblings of an XC Noob.
Night One: Heyworth - Mason Trail
I live very close to a few town run parks and trail system. I walked down to the trail that leads to Heyworth Mason Park tonight after work and strapped on my skis. I had my headlamp on, but there was enough "Sorta Full Moon light" that I never needed to turn it on.
I glided for 20' before going down a decent sized hill. I have walked up and down this hill many times. Even walked up it once with Makwa .
What ensued was a scene out of a comedy. I needed a few more minutes of kick'n'glide before jumping into hills. But, I didn't have that. The first 6 seconds of my descent probably would've looked hilarious to a bystander. I didn't fall or anything like that. Just sloppy... Pretty freaking sloppy... But, Halfway down the hill, I made adjustments and smoothed everything out. Arriving at Heyworth-Mason Park, signs of some other skiers tracks were still visible. I hopped on a "track" and followed it to where it turned around. I continued on and made a loop. I noticed a big blowndown tree. It was very recent. You could still see the footprints underneath it from prior to the tree falling. Timber!!!
Completing the loop, I decided to do it again since the trail was now broken. Nothing left to do but glide, glide, glide.
This was a short ski but I worked up a good sweat! It was also a nice and simple warmup for Winter. I'm sure that I'll be back here a few times this Winter... But, lookout. This XC noob has a few other neat places planned!
Comment