FasterSkier

Tag: Info

  • Ready for the new season

    The pace has already picked up, but I’m ready. This autumn is busier than ever at Nordic Ultratune. Service work is in full swing NOW! It’s a good time to tune up the skis.

    I’ll be flying to Utah to select the new Atomic skis at the Ogden warehouse, and Rossignol skis just down the street, during the first week of October.  Madshus skis come from Seattle, and I work closely with the folks there (Jeremy, Peter and Van) to get the right skis for Ultratune.

    All the new skis require sorting and inspection and testing so that pre-season ski orders can be filled. The new skis are picked and prepped well in advance of the coming season. Fast skis for everyone! But it takes careful work.

    If you’d like to get onto the pick list for a new pair of skate or classic skis, it’s not too late!   Email me right away so that I can get details (height, weight, preferences, etc) needed to pick you a great pair of skis.

    Here’s a profile shot of one of the Rossignol WCS skate skis (on the flex tester). You can see the wedge-shaped profile, which lowers the heel by a few millimeters. Others are using plastic wedges mounted beneath the bindings to achieve the same thing – but Rossignol’s getting it done without adding gadgets and weight.  Rossignol’s new boots have a lowered heel to further increase the effect.  Nice.

    The Nordic Ultratune shop – the windows and doors and walls and merchandise – is almost ready to open for the fall and winter. Officially, the store will resume the normal fall and winter hours on Thursday, September 27th. Shop hours are 11 – 5 on Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon. I’m often in the shop much longer than that (most of the grinding work is done when the shop is not open).

    Although we don’t get snow in the Methow Valley until November, things are busy enough to require my full time attention well in advance.

    Today its sunny and warm at home, but with smoke from the eastern Washington forest fires (it’s in the news all over, I guess). But I’m already thinking about snow. The picture to the left is the big meadow (Foster’s Field) near my house.

  • PNW Racing

    I thought it would be worthwhile to compile a list of upcoming events for the Pacific Northwest.

    Dec 31 – Mazama Ski Rodeo – Skate 10K
    Jan 1  – Methow Valley Biathlon – Pursuit Format
    Jan 7/8 – Bend OR JOQ – Jr Qual and PNSA Masters Championships
    Jan 14 – Leavenworth Skirennen – Skate 10K
    Jan 14 – Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet – 36K Classic – Salmon Arm BC
    Jan 15  – Kongsberger Gunnar Hagen Memorial – Classic 30K or 15K
    Jan 21/22 – Methow Valley Pursuit – Classic Individual Start, Skate Pursuit
    Jan 21/22 – Methow Valley Biathlon Bang  – WBA Series Events
    Jan 29 – Teacup Classic – 30K Classic at Mt Hood
    Feb 4/5 – Bavarian Cup JOQ – Leavenworth Jr Qual
    Feb 11/12 WA Biathlon Race Weekend – Mass Start; Super Sprint
    Feb 19 – Kongsberger Stampede –  15K Skate
    Feb 18 – Tour of the Methow Valley – Noncompetitive 80K Tour
    Feb 12 – Spokane Langlauf – Classic 10K
    Feb 18/19 Spokane  JOQ – 2 day Pursuit
    Feb 25/26 WA Biathlon Race Weekend – Sprint, Pursuit
    Mar 10/11 WA Biathlon Race Weekend – Individual; Super Sprint
    Mar 11  – Kongsberger Ozbaldy – Skate 50K
    Mar 18 – Cascade Crest – Skate 30K

  • November 2011 Nordic Ultratune Newsletter

    Lots more than I can post here.    It’s 14 pages of news and info.    Take a look (click here).

  • November 2011 Nordic Ultratune Newsletter

    Lots more than I can post here.    It’s 14 pages of news and info.    Take a look (click here).

  • November 2011 Nordic Ultratune Newsletter

    Lots more than I can post here.    It’s 14 pages of news and info.    Take a look (click here).

  • The Forecast Calls for Snow

    Snow arrived early in the east, and in Colorado, and Alaskans are already skiing on good snow.   So I’m happy to see that snow is finally on the way to us here in the Methow Valley.

    Most mornings are well below freezing now, so when the precipitation arrives, it should be in the form of snow!   Bring it on.

  • The Forecast Calls for Snow

    Snow arrived early in the east, and in Colorado, and Alaskans are already skiing on good snow.   So I’m happy to see that snow is finally on the way to us here in the Methow Valley.

    Most mornings are well below freezing now, so when the precipitation arrives, it should be in the form of snow!   Bring it on.

  • The Forecast Calls for Snow

    Snow arrived early in the east, and in Colorado, and Alaskans are already skiing on good snow.   So I’m happy to see that snow is finally on the way to us here in the Methow Valley.

    Most mornings are well below freezing now, so when the precipitation arrives, it should be in the form of snow!   Bring it on.

  • Alaska to Vermont

    Mark & the Mantec Grinder – it’s the busy season.

    The first half of October has passed, and the ‘busy season’ is certainly in full gear now.     The line-up of this Monday’s outbound packages have labels that span from Alaska to Vermont, and cover the entire snow belt like a list of stops on a transcontinental road trip.

    Pre-season orders for skis are being sent out quickly.   About 1/2 of the total are done and shipped; about another eighth are staged, waiting for details from clients.      As the new skis are picked, the “big wall of skis” slowly starts to lose its bulge.     A couple hundred pairs of Rossignol Xium, Madshus Nanosonic, and Atomic World Cup skis.    No “2nd tier” skis in the mix — it’s all top shelf stuff.

    All new skis are carefully selected, and they all include your stone grinding choice, and hotbox waxing service.

    The stone grinding season is in full swing, too.   Get your skis in for a tune.

    Here’s a pic of some of the new Madshus Nanosonic skate skis – already diminished by the pick list.  

    Among the odd bits of activity has been the quick purchase of the skate and classic boots this fall.  I’ve already had to re-order certain sizes, and holes will certainly develop in the size runs.   

    Even though the skis are flying away, there is still a big inventory.    And plenty of time to get new skis before the snow flies.

  • Alaska to Vermont

    Mark & the Mantec Grinder – it’s the busy season.

    The first half of October has passed, and the ‘busy season’ is certainly in full gear now.     The line-up of this Monday’s outbound packages have labels that span from Alaska to Vermont, and cover the entire snow belt like a list of stops on a transcontinental road trip.

    Pre-season orders for skis are being sent out quickly.   About 1/2 of the total are done and shipped; about another eighth are staged, waiting for details from clients.      As the new skis are picked, the “big wall of skis” slowly starts to lose its bulge.     A couple hundred pairs of Rossignol Xium, Madshus Nanosonic, and Atomic World Cup skis.    No “2nd tier” skis in the mix — it’s all top shelf stuff.

    All new skis are carefully selected, and they all include your stone grinding choice, and hotbox waxing service.

    The stone grinding season is in full swing, too.   Get your skis in for a tune.

    Here’s a pic of some of the new Madshus Nanosonic skate skis – already diminished by the pick list.  

    Among the odd bits of activity has been the quick purchase of the skate and classic boots this fall.  I’ve already had to re-order certain sizes, and holes will certainly develop in the size runs.   

    Even though the skis are flying away, there is still a big inventory.    And plenty of time to get new skis before the snow flies.

  • Alaska to Vermont

    Mark & the Mantec Grinder – it’s the busy season.

    The first half of October has passed, and the ‘busy season’ is certainly in full gear now.     The line-up of this Monday’s outbound packages have labels that span from Alaska to Vermont, and cover the entire snow belt like a list of stops on a transcontinental road trip.

    Pre-season orders for skis are being sent out quickly.   About 1/2 of the total are done and shipped; about another eighth are staged, waiting for details from clients.      As the new skis are picked, the “big wall of skis” slowly starts to lose its bulge.     A couple hundred pairs of Rossignol Xium, Madshus Nanosonic, and Atomic World Cup skis.    No “2nd tier” skis in the mix — it’s all top shelf stuff.

    All new skis are carefully selected, and they all include your stone grinding choice, and hotbox waxing service.

    The stone grinding season is in full swing, too.   Get your skis in for a tune.

    Here’s a pic of some of the new Madshus Nanosonic skate skis – already diminished by the pick list.  

    Among the odd bits of activity has been the quick purchase of the skate and classic boots this fall.  I’ve already had to re-order certain sizes, and holes will certainly develop in the size runs.   

    Even though the skis are flying away, there is still a big inventory.    And plenty of time to get new skis before the snow flies.

  • Alaska to Vermont

    Mark & the Mantec Grinder – it’s the busy season.

    The first half of October has passed, and the ‘busy season’ is certainly in full gear now.     The line-up of this Monday’s outbound packages have labels that span from Alaska to Vermont, and cover the entire snow belt like a list of stops on a transcontinental road trip.

    Pre-season orders for skis are being sent out quickly.   About 1/2 of the total are done and shipped; about another eighth are staged, waiting for details from clients.      As the new skis are picked, the “big wall of skis” slowly starts to lose its bulge.     A couple hundred pairs of Rossignol Xium, Madshus Nanosonic, and Atomic World Cup skis.    No “2nd tier” skis in the mix — it’s all top shelf stuff.

    All new skis are carefully selected, and they all include your stone grinding choice, and hotbox waxing service.

    The stone grinding season is in full swing, too.   Get your skis in for a tune.

    Here’s a pic of some of the new Madshus Nanosonic skate skis – already diminished by the pick list.  

    Among the odd bits of activity has been the quick purchase of the skate and classic boots this fall.  I’ve already had to re-order certain sizes, and holes will certainly develop in the size runs.   

    Even though the skis are flying away, there is still a big inventory.    And plenty of time to get new skis before the snow flies.

  • Schedule – Off to Norway!

    Nordic Ultratune will be closed from March 10th to March 22nd.     My wife and I will be traveling to Norway for the Birkebeiner!

    Service work that arrives during my absence will be taken care of as soon as I return.   Don’t worry – FedEx and UPS will still make deliveries while I’m gone, and the skis will be give careful attention as soon as I’m back in the shop.     If you have any questions, just send an email – I should be able to send replies from the road.    

  • Schedule – Off to Norway!

    Nordic Ultratune will be closed from March 10th to March 22nd.     My wife and I will be traveling to Norway for the Birkebeiner!

    Service work that arrives during my absence will be taken care of as soon as I return.   Don’t worry – FedEx and UPS will still make deliveries while I’m gone, and the skis will be give careful attention as soon as I’m back in the shop.     If you have any questions, just send an email – I should be able to send replies from the road.    

  • Schedule – Off to Norway!

    Nordic Ultratune will be closed from March 10th to March 22nd.     My wife and I will be traveling to Norway for the Birkebeiner!

    Service work that arrives during my absence will be taken care of as soon as I return.   Don’t worry – FedEx and UPS will still make deliveries while I’m gone, and the skis will be give careful attention as soon as I’m back in the shop.     If you have any questions, just send an email – I should be able to send replies from the road.    

  • Schedule – Off to Norway!

    Nordic Ultratune will be closed from March 10th to March 22nd.     My wife and I will be traveling to Norway for the Birkebeiner!

    Service work that arrives during my absence will be taken care of as soon as I return.   Don’t worry – FedEx and UPS will still make deliveries while I’m gone, and the skis will be give careful attention as soon as I’m back in the shop.     If you have any questions, just send an email – I should be able to send replies from the road.    

  • More Atomic HT Skate info – and Schedule Info

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a review of the new Atomic HT (hard track) skate ski.    Click here for that review.

    Today I found a video in which Roman Toferer describes the Atomic HT in detail.      It’s definitely worth watching.    Take a look!

    Want some?
    If you’d like to pre-order some of the Atomic skate skis, either the new World Cup HT or the all-around ST version, just send an email and you’ll be added to the pick list for autumn 2011 delivery.

  • More Atomic HT Skate info – and Schedule Info

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a review of the new Atomic HT (hard track) skate ski.    Click here for that review.

    Today I found a video in which Roman Toferer describes the Atomic HT in detail.      It’s definitely worth watching.    Take a look!

    Want some?
    If you’d like to pre-order some of the Atomic skate skis, either the new World Cup HT or the all-around ST version, just send an email and you’ll be added to the pick list for autumn 2011 delivery.

  • More Atomic HT Skate info – and Schedule Info

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a review of the new Atomic HT (hard track) skate ski.    Click here for that review.

    Today I found a video in which Roman Toferer describes the Atomic HT in detail.      It’s definitely worth watching.    Take a look!

    Want some?
    If you’d like to pre-order some of the Atomic skate skis, either the new World Cup HT or the all-around ST version, just send an email and you’ll be added to the pick list for autumn 2011 delivery.

  • More Atomic HT Skate info – and Schedule Info

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a review of the new Atomic HT (hard track) skate ski.    Click here for that review.

    Today I found a video in which Roman Toferer describes the Atomic HT in detail.      It’s definitely worth watching.    Take a look!

    Want some?
    If you’d like to pre-order some of the Atomic skate skis, either the new World Cup HT or the all-around ST version, just send an email and you’ll be added to the pick list for autumn 2011 delivery.