by dianab on Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:38 am
I'm a downhiller myself, but since you live in Saskatchewan, you'll have to stick to the flat stuff LOL.
Number one rule for skiing: get equipped, 'specially on the prairies. It'll make your experience much more pleasant, as frostbite kinda sucks. Ski only on designated paths, or they'll find your frozen ass in a wheatfield. Don't ski alone, tell someone where your going and when your coming back. If you ski in a provincial park, they have check in stations to file your route. Make sure you get the right wax for your skis, yes there is a difference between CC and downhill wax. Sharp edges will help you dig in, so if you are buying used skis, get them tuned before you use them. Don't wear thick wool socks, silk is better, and clip your toenails before you head out. Sounds dumb, but long claws dig into the front of your boot with every push, and it hurts like hell.
A wineskin of peppermint schnapps helps to keep warm, and guarantees you free of sinus troubles. Just make sure your gloves are snot-worthy.
Wall sits to stengthen and condition your quads, try overhead squats, with your butt to the floor too. If you gain that flexability, you'll be able to sit down on your skis in the flats to pick up some speed, well, as much as possible with sticky CC wax anyways.
have fun
db