I was born in Stavanger, Norway in 1934. My family did two things – we worked the land, and we skied. There were no cars to drive, no subways to take, and no busses to ride; if you wanted to get from here to there, you walked, you rode a bike, or you skied.
As a child, I hated my parents for making my life so hard. I have since come to realize that when you have no money, it’s not that life is hard, it’s that life just isn’t easy. Going to town for necessities isn’t like what we know it to be today. Commuting, getting from here to there, takes effort…like I mentioned, our family, when applicable, skied.
Fast forward to 1975 – My life, my travels, my business, and my family all landed me in the Canaan Valley region of West Virginia. I did not know how beautiful this portion of the United sates could be until I experienced my first snowfall. Adjacent to Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley is simply breathtaking. It is ironic, but for the last 28 years, what I once relied upon as my only means of travel has now become my greatest ally for adventure and capital…and that is cross country skiing! I have devoted the second portion of my life to this sport – both in engineering of product, as well as lodging and teaching. Like I tell my students, my grandchildren, and now my great-grandchildren ,if you can walk, you can cross country ski.
Let’s examine the possibilities – what type of cross country skiing do you THINK that you want to try?
1. Wilderness Skiing is ski touring in the traditional sense of the term. Skiing is done in less mountainous terrain over rolling hills and plains using touring or light touring gear.
2. Light Touring is trail and open terrain skiing. It can be group skiing or traveling in a skied-out track. Most ski touring centers offer this level of skiing on their trail systems.
3. Track Skiing is skiing on machine made tracks available only at ski touring centers. Track skiing is fast, rhythmic, and highly aerobic.
4. Recreational Skiing is skiing on city streets, golf courses, city parks, farm fields or wherever the snow is. The majority of cross country skiers are recreational skiers on lightweight and uncomplicated equipment. This type of skiing is a great alterative to winter jogging, running or walking
Now that we have reviewed the types of skiing – what do you need in order to get started?
Skis - The most important factor to consider when choosing cross country skis is camber stiffness. Skis are sprung upwards in the middle to distribute the skier’s weight all along the ski. If this camber is stiff then the ski will run fast, but traction will suffer. Soft cambered skis grip the snow better and are best for beginners.
Bindings - Bindings and boots work together to offer the skier the flexibility and stability which is important for the stride of cross country skiing. Heel plates should always be mounted on skis to assure good lateral stability and prevent icing.
Boots - Boots should fit snugly yet be roomy enough for freedom in all skiing movements. There should be room for a finger’s width between the boot and the boot heel when the foot is pushed completely forward. Light touring boots are usually cut at or slightly below the ankle, while touring and ski mountaineering boots are cut above the ankle. The sole must flex freely up and down but be relatively stiff torsionally to provide good lateral stability. The shank plays an important part in giving the boot sufficient torsional stiffness. Boots are made of leather because of its unique ability to breathe and be waterproof when properly treated. Some lightweight boots have nylon fabric uppers. Most boot makers offer lined and unlined models.
Poles - Length and strength are the main factors when choosing a set of poles. Correct length according to your height is vital to good technique and strength is important because pole shafts should resist breakage or permanent deformation. Grips can be made of plastic or cork. Wrist straps are made of leather or braided nylon and are oriented for left and right grip. Most are adjustable with a buckle to fit various sizes of bare and gloved hands.
To measure pole length, stand up straight with your arms at your side. The pole should reach from the floor to a point halfway between the top of your shoulder and your armpit. Aggressive skiers will want a longer pole-measure to the top of the shoulder.
So now we know what type of skiing we want to do, what we need to get starterd – is there skiing locally? The obvious answer to this question is ‘Yes’. Not only does the Mid-Atlantic region provide excellent places to ski, so too does the local, Washington DC Metropolitan, and surroubnding areas, region. Below, find some of my recommendations:
Cross Country Skiing In Our Region
New Germany State Park, Maryland
Located in the Savage River State Forest six miles south of Grantsville, MD., New Germany State Park and the surrounding forest provide the skier with approximately 15 miles of marked, maintained cross country trails. A trail map is available at the park headquarters. The recreation building at New Germany is open for warming fires (firewood provided by the park service), waxing, etc.
Herrington Manor State Park, Maryland
Herrington’s trails are mostly well graded and well suited to cross country skiing with approximately five miles of marked, maintained ski trails. There are several 4-5 mile skiiable routes between Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls along hiking trails. Start from the end of Herrington Manor.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The ski touring potential of the area is very vast with 90 miles of trail along the crest of the Blue Ridge, Shenandoah encompassing almost 195,000 acres. The 110 mile long Skyline Drive is plowed only from Panorama (Thornton Gap on Route 211) to Big Meadows. The remaining 30 miles north of Panorama to Front Royal, and 50 miles south of Big Meadows to Rockfish Gap remain unplowed in winter, a veritable two lane ski trail. Excellent touring on park fire roads, but be sure to check your maps first. Many of these roads go up and down steeply. Popular touring on the Old Rag fire roads, Weakly Hollow fire road, Hazel Mountain fire road, and the Nature Trail at Skyland.
Hidden Valley Ski Touring Center, Pennsylvania
Hidden Valley maintains almost 30 miles of trails in the adjacent Laurel Highlands. The Nordic Center provides rentals, instruction, waxing clinics, guided tours and citizen races. A trail map is available at the Nordic Shop. To get there from the Washington area take I-270 North to I-70 West to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Follow the Turnpike West to RT. 31 at Sommerset. Follow RT. 31 West to Hidden Valley.
Canaan Valley State Park,
West Virginia
Adjacent to Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley has both a downhill ski area and a ski touring center. Several miles of novice trails lead from the touring center. Telemarking is allowed at the downhill area. Snow conditions are usually good throughout the winter season. From the Washington, D.C. area take US RT. 50 to Redhouse, MD RT. 219 South to RT. 32 South to Davis.
White Grass Ski Touring Center, West Virginia
White Grass has an extensive trail system on the North Side of Cabin Mountain, radiating from the old Weis Knob Ski Area. Trails lead up to spectacular views from the high peaks as well as joining the Canaan Valley downhill area. Beginner to expert trails. Over 20 kilometers of trails are maintained and trackset. Many more kilometers of trails stretch off into surrounding national forest. Instructions at all levels and telemarking are offered.
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia
Near Davis, West Virginia, Blackwater Falls covers 1700 acres and has many miles of fine skiiable trails. Popular are the Red Spruce Riding Trail, Davis Trails, and the Plantation Trail. Good snow conditions; 100+ inches per year.
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Monongahela covers over 820,000 acres in Eastern West Virginia. Many miles of skiiable trails, old logging roads and unused railroad grades. Grab a topo map and explore. The Hiker's Guide to Monongahela National Forest includes a chart which lists trails suitable for ski touring.
Cross Country Skiing Locally
Gettysburg National Battlefield Park, Pennsylvania
Fine skiing on the unplowed Auto Tour Road and on the rolling meadows around the monuments and memorials. Ski the path of Pickett’s Charge.
Seneca Creek State Park, Germantown, Maryland
Perfect terrain for cross country skiing and close to home. It offers open fields, wooded trails and a scenic lake.
Oregon Ridge County Park, Cockeysville, Maryland
Once an active downhill ski area, the slopes are still fun for cross country and telemark skiing. Several miles of trails wind through the woods above and behind the main hill.
Manassas National Battlefield, Virginia
Delightful skiing close to home on the site of the Battles of the First and Second Manassas. Plenty of rolling hills, hiking trails, and bridle paths where a small contingent of Washington area skiers congregate when there is at least 5” of snow on the ground.
Remember – if you can walk, you can Cross Country Ski. This sport has been a part of my life ever since I was a boy. It will never die. As long as there is snow, people will click into their ski’s and go. Whether it be based on ones transportation, or ones refuge from the work-week, I urge you to consider Cross Country Skiing as the means to get you where you need to be!
Victor Lilheisen, free-lance writer. |
