Instruction videos and other useful links

Equipment Tips by Stephanie

There are several different types of binging systems on the market. Please note that all of our children's equipment (and our limited adult rental skis) are based on the SNS system. Check out the equipment guide below when purchasing second hand gear or if you're interested in learning more! 

For more information check out this short Youtube video! 

 

Bindings


SNS means Salomon Nordic System. NNN means New Nordic Norm. The terms SNS and NNN are used most commonly, instead of  the systems' full names. 

A key thing to keep in mind is that SNS and NNN are NOT interchangeable. Ski boots will either be compatible with one binding system or the other. 

While looking online for used gear, you may also stumble upon an older style of bindings known as the 3-pin system. They are perfectly fine as long as the boots used are also for the 3-pin system.
CLASSIC TECHNIQUE

Classic 

Classic skiing can be done on any kind of snow, in the tracks on groomed trails or in powder snow/ungroomed trails. 
The bottom of some classic skis have have fish-scales or crowns which do not require grip wax. Other classic skis are  flat, which means that grip wax must be applied within the grip zone before skiing

Purchasing classic skis depends on your level of comfort with using grip wax. For new members and those with limited space at home, fish-scales or crowns are much easier to use and maintain. 

SKIS: should reach between the top of the head and the top of your outstretched hand

POLES: should fit snuggly under the armpit
SKATE TECHNIQUE

Skate 

Skate skiing or freestyle skiing, is most common on groomed trails. Skate skis are shorter than classic skis and require glide wax applied to the whole length of the bottom of the ski

SKIS: 15cm taller than the height of the skier 

POLES: should reach between the chin and the nose


A curated set of youtube skate ski videos and some tips for novices to intermediates from Lev (Eden Mills Nordic Racing Rabbits coach)

TIPs:

0) Push your hips and knees forward, flexing at the ankles.

1) Especially for novices and beginners, take plenty of time for free
     skate (no poling) and 1 skate (poling on each side) to develop good
     technique.

2) Always look where you want to go (just like learning to ride a bike. If
     you look down, that's where you can end up, especially on downhill).
     This really helps keep your body in good position.

3) Think of your whole body as a spring: compressing during the kick and
    pole push, relaxing during the recovering, and expanding fully to
    initiate the next pole push and kick.

4) A good exercise to develop full side to side weight transfer is heel
     click: during 1 skate or 2 skate, touch your heels right before the
     kick.

5) Pole push is through the straps, fingers are just for control. Relax
     hands and arms after push is complete and during recovery to next push.

6) Pole straps should be tight enough so that skier can let go at end of
     pole push during 2 skate -> relax muscles when not being used

7) Experiment and be your own coach. Try extending your range of motion
     and extending your weight shift. See what works and what doesn't.

# VIDEOS (5-10 minutes each)

weight transfer and body position, XC Ski Academy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afRZI1E5334

good brief survey of 5 skate ski techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJnPtrtri4

Nordic Ski Lab video on 1 skate timing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S47I-3gjzzg

Nordic Ski Lab 1 skate dance drill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yr0YtQ_UDQ

LNR Double polling drills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zECQ_jplNbI

LNR 2 skate drills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2vfnmRfYCk

How to adjust and use straps: https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=90&v=LmddqxemyO8&feature=emb_title


Concussion awareness

  1. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/concussion/
DEMYSTIFYING WAXING

If you have kids (or yourself) who will be skate skiing, they will need skate skis with glide wax. We recommend applying hot wax at home, but an easier alternative is some sort of universal glide wax (for instance https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-459/Universal-Liquid-Glide-Wax-80ml). This will help you out in a pinch, and can be applied at the trails.

For classic skis, we also recommend a system adjustable to different snow conditions (for instance https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5009-061/Tour-Pack-Wax-Kit), but you also have them in a liquid version that is easier to apply (for instance https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5029-974/Liquid-Grip-Wax).

These two videos provide an easy and no-nonsense approach to waxing:
For skate skis and waxless classic skis with fish scales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmEDaRSMK3A that you apply to the full base of the ski
For classic skis without fish scales: hard wax the easy way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u92PrwBbCU, but only the first 3 minutes

Useful Links