FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.

  • Race Snapshot: WCF Classic Sprint

    A solid race from Andrew Newell, and a decent one for Kikkan Randall given that it’s a classic race. And that’s it for the sprint races for the year…

    Related posts:

    1. <Race Snapshot: Davos WC Sprint
    2. <Mid-Season Review: North American Sprint
    3. <Race Snapshot: TdS Classic Sprint


  • General Strength and Body Alignment Tips

    Part of the reason I was able to stay injury free throughout my skiing career was due to the support and advice of two of my mentors and supporters, Joy Backstrum and Katie Piraino of The Physical Therapy Place, LLC. They were able to pick up on my muscle imbalances and show me how I could work to fix them, which coincidentally helped me correct corresponding struggles in my skiing technique

  • General Strength and Body Alignment Tips

    Part of the reason I was able to stay injury free throughout my skiing career was due to the support and advice of two of my mentors and supporters, Joy Backstrum and Katie Piraino of The Physical Therapy Place, LLC. They were able to pick up on my muscle imbalances and show me how I could work to fix them, which coincidentally helped me correct corresponding struggles in my skiing technique

  • General Strength and Body Alignment Tips

    Part of the reason I was able to stay injury free throughout my skiing career was due to the support and advice of two of my mentors and supporters, Joy Backstrum and Katie Piraino of The Physical Therapy Place, LLC. They were able to pick up on my muscle imbalances and show me how I could work to fix them, which coincidentally helped me correct corresponding struggles in my skiing technique

  • General Strength and Body Alignment Tips

    Part of the reason I was able to stay injury free throughout my skiing career was due to the support and advice of two of my mentors and supporters, Joy Backstrum and Katie Piraino of The Physical Therapy Place, LLC. They were able to pick up on my muscle imbalances and show me how I could work to fix them, which coincidentally helped me correct corresponding struggles in my skiing technique

  • Oslo

    I arrived in Oslo on Monday morning for the last World Cup stop of the season.  After two weeks in Russia, Norwegian food has never tasted so good!  It’s also great to be back in more normal temperatures after some … Continue reading →

  • Oslo

    I arrived in Oslo on Monday morning for the last World Cup stop of the season.  After two weeks in Russia, Norwegian food has never tasted so good!  It’s also great to be back in more normal temperatures after some … Continue reading →

  • Oslo

    I arrived in Oslo on Monday morning for the last World Cup stop of the season.  After two weeks in Russia, Norwegian food has never tasted so good!  It’s also great to be back in more normal temperatures after some … Continue reading →

  • Review: Birkebeiner by Jeff Foltz

    Jeff Foltz graciously sent me a review copy of his novel “Birkebeiner: A Story of Motherhood and War” back in November and I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m only just now getting around to a review.
    You might remember that I posted an interview with Foltz here that you might want to have another look at to give you some background information.
    In “Birkebeiner” Foltz essentially takes the famous

  • Review: Birkebeiner by Jeff Foltz

    Jeff Foltz graciously sent me a review copy of his novel “Birkebeiner: A Story of Motherhood and War” back in November and I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m only just now getting around to a review.
    You might remember that I posted an interview with Foltz here that you might want to have another look at to give you some background information.
    In “Birkebeiner” Foltz essentially takes the famous

  • La Nina Calls

    It is a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it and when the 6AM call came I manned up.

    Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God’s country.

    The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we’d be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.

    Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you’ll see my gloved hand and pole (that’s all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!

  • La Nina Calls

    It is a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it and when the 6AM call came I manned up.

    Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God’s country.

    The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we’d be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.

    Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you’ll see my gloved hand and pole (that’s all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!

  • La Nina Calls

    It is a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it and when the 6AM call came I manned up.

    Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God’s country.

    The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we’d be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.

    Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you’ll see my gloved hand and pole (that’s all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!

  • La Nina Calls

    It is a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it and when the 6AM call came I manned up.

    Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God’s country.

    The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we’d be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.

    Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you’ll see my gloved hand and pole (that’s all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!

  • Lahti Pursuit Recap: North Americans

    A common refrain by now, but it was a mixed weekend for the North Americans. In an unusual twist, the distance race may have held better results than the sprint. Here are the men from the pursuit: Babikov had a pretty strong race, but everyone else had days that were mediocre or just not great. There are still a few races left, but we’re getting close to Kris Freeman having one of the worst seasons he’s had in several years, despite a few good races early on. On the other hand, we had the women, led by Kikkan Randall: Easily the best distance race of the season for Randall and fairly solid races for Elizabeth Stephen and Holly Brooks. Sadly, not much is going well for Morgan Arritola this season, and the Canadian ladies had fairly tough days as well.

    Related posts:

    1. <Gällivare Recap: North Americans
    2. <Kuusamo WC Recap: North Americans
    3. <Davos Recap: Distance – North Americans


  • Just another day in Norway

    Sjusjoen is a tiny village, but is surrounded by 6,500 ski cabins.
    How far to Lillehammer?
    Today was another great day of skiing.   Temps were a little warmer, and the tracks seemed a little greasy.     After a relaxed morning ski, checking out  the downhills from Sjusjoen down to Lillehammer, followed by lunch, I went out in the afternoon and did some ski and wax testing.
    Although there isn’t a big variation in temperature in the area, the tracks vary somewhat within a radius of a few km’s from the hotel.   
    It’s still a few days until the Birkie, and conditions are bound to change a fair bit, but it is a good exercise to compare skis and fiddle with a few wax combinations.
    It’s no surprise that Swix Blue Extra (V40) has such a following here – you can make it work almost all the time.     Today it wasn’t the best – a little bit of drag under the foot – but you could still make it work.     A couple other waxes seemed to have better grip and easier glide.      But the Blue Extra was still getting it done for those skiers with just two sticks of wax in their pocket.
    Quick Lunch!     The grocery store is a cultural experience.

  • Just another day in Norway

    Sjusjoen is a tiny village, but is surrounded by 6,500 ski cabins.
    How far to Lillehammer?
    Today was another great day of skiing.   Temps were a little warmer, and the tracks seemed a little greasy.     After a relaxed morning ski, checking out  the downhills from Sjusjoen down to Lillehammer, followed by lunch, I went out in the afternoon and did some ski and wax testing.
    Although there isn’t a big variation in temperature in the area, the tracks vary somewhat within a radius of a few km’s from the hotel.   
    It’s still a few days until the Birkie, and conditions are bound to change a fair bit, but it is a good exercise to compare skis and fiddle with a few wax combinations.
    It’s no surprise that Swix Blue Extra (V40) has such a following here – you can make it work almost all the time.     Today it wasn’t the best – a little bit of drag under the foot – but you could still make it work.     A couple other waxes seemed to have better grip and easier glide.      But the Blue Extra was still getting it done for those skiers with just two sticks of wax in their pocket.
    Quick Lunch!     The grocery store is a cultural experience.

  • Just another day in Norway

    Sjusjoen is a tiny village, but is surrounded by 6,500 ski cabins.
    How far to Lillehammer?
    Today was another great day of skiing.   Temps were a little warmer, and the tracks seemed a little greasy.     After a relaxed morning ski, checking out  the downhills from Sjusjoen down to Lillehammer, followed by lunch, I went out in the afternoon and did some ski and wax testing.
    Although there isn’t a big variation in temperature in the area, the tracks vary somewhat within a radius of a few km’s from the hotel.   
    It’s still a few days until the Birkie, and conditions are bound to change a fair bit, but it is a good exercise to compare skis and fiddle with a few wax combinations.
    It’s no surprise that Swix Blue Extra (V40) has such a following here – you can make it work almost all the time.     Today it wasn’t the best – a little bit of drag under the foot – but you could still make it work.     A couple other waxes seemed to have better grip and easier glide.      But the Blue Extra was still getting it done for those skiers with just two sticks of wax in their pocket.
    Quick Lunch!     The grocery store is a cultural experience.

  • Just another day in Norway

    Sjusjoen is a tiny village, but is surrounded by 6,500 ski cabins.
    How far to Lillehammer?
    Today was another great day of skiing.   Temps were a little warmer, and the tracks seemed a little greasy.     After a relaxed morning ski, checking out  the downhills from Sjusjoen down to Lillehammer, followed by lunch, I went out in the afternoon and did some ski and wax testing.
    Although there isn’t a big variation in temperature in the area, the tracks vary somewhat within a radius of a few km’s from the hotel.   
    It’s still a few days until the Birkie, and conditions are bound to change a fair bit, but it is a good exercise to compare skis and fiddle with a few wax combinations.
    It’s no surprise that Swix Blue Extra (V40) has such a following here – you can make it work almost all the time.     Today it wasn’t the best – a little bit of drag under the foot – but you could still make it work.     A couple other waxes seemed to have better grip and easier glide.      But the Blue Extra was still getting it done for those skiers with just two sticks of wax in their pocket.
    Quick Lunch!     The grocery store is a cultural experience.

  • On to Oslo

    Sunset at the stadium in Khanty.

    After the World Championships in Khanty-Mansyisk concluded with Sunday’s relay, it was off to Oslo. As a team, our relay did not go as well as planned. I did, however, have a great leg and felt very good about how I ended the series. It’s always nice to have good results to go along with good efforts, but today it just wasn’t there for us. It was, however, an improvement for the team as we all skied well and placed 14th, 3 positions higher than our Olympic finish.

    Racing in the relay. Photo: NordicFocus

    Most of the team is now in Oslo for the final World Cup. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here-and even after such a long season, moral is high and everyone seems to be looking forward to the last races. I’m excited for one more weekend and the opportunity to race another mass start. We’ll see how things go, but I feel good. There’s no better place to end the season, and hopefully it will be a good finale!