Planning Norwegian Ski Trip (with 6 year old)

[Billy-o]

It is important to wax. Properly waxed achieves a good glide forward, but also a good grip when stepping uphill.

True .. there's two ways to look at everything

But if I was pushed to make a decision about good edges or a nice wax ... I'd take the edges. There's nothing like dropping a single beautiful line down a run ... wax makes it all the more delicious, of course

 

[Paul_B]

There's a few things that cross over but I know from walking in deep powder without gaiters snow can get into any gaps in clothing. So IMHO proper ski pants are worth getting. I do need waterproof trousers for walking (and commuting / other cycling) but that's another purchase for later. I would not wear lightweight and highly breathable hiking trousers skiing I don't think they crossover that well.

I think I'll take a look at lidl/Aldi ski clothes and if they fit I'll probably get as much of that as I fit. I fully expect my height / shape will make the trousers a bust. That will mean a big expense.

I'll probably wear other clothing items bought for hiking. My waterproof jacket simply won't fit over the insulation layers needed in Norway at that time of the year. So something is needed there too.

 

[Janne]

It deprnds on your activity. My preferred clothes for cross country, -10 to -15 C at a leasure speed is: cotton T, loose cotton shirt, medium thick woolen pullover, Fjällräven Grönlands jacket

Cotton M&S loose pants, and a thin cotton overpant. Tucked into the boots.

All depends on how you are used to the cold. Personally I do not like sweating when skiing.
Most foreigners tend to overdress, we can see their red, sweaty faces when when we pass them.

I stopped downhill about 15 years ago. One more knee injury = titanium knee.

 

[Paul_B]

I guess coming from a country with proper winters you get used to it. Kind of like people brought up in families that cycle as part of their daily life who wear ordinary clothes cycling to work out the shops. You don't need the full roadie lycra look for that.

Mind you I'm used to the weathers this island nation experiences which during the occasional winter you certainly get cold conditions. Into minus double figures without windchill factored in. Certainly not Northern Norway temperature but if you're out all day in it you need the clothing to cope.

The other thing, and correct me if I'm wrong, ski resorts tend to have more places of human activity. Whether bars, restaurants or manned ski lifts. There's probably a quick way to get out of difficulties. So I guess the technical kit isn't as vital. Cross country is probably different, more like hill walking in that you get away from human activity more. Unless you're on the made up xc loops I heard some resorts have. I am really only guessing here. The resort we're staying at for example mentions a dog sledding route that's also good for xc like it's a proper signposted route.

This is all speculation based on internet sites about the resort we're going to do probably an inaccurate impression.

Whatever the case it's new to me and my partner is over protective of our son. So we're going kitted up for anything. Technical kit (as much as we're have to spend / are willing to spend) mostly for our activities. General warm clothing for inactivity. If it's cold enough snow doesn't wet you out until you go inside, but in the cold conditions it brushes off easily before you go into the warmth. I've actually experienced that in the UK too.

 

[Janne]

There will be prepared and well marked xc trails of different lengths.

Skiing in all it glory - do not forget tobbogan/sleigh/sledge !
Huge, huge fun!

As children that was our winter fun. We had to ski and skate during school but in out free time we did that.

 

[Billy-o]

Yes, Paul_B, XC is all on trail because you use super skinny skis - under 60mm. People either go off in groups locally and walk the trails at the start of the season to tramp the snow down, or for more popular sites they use various grooming machines, There is a skating style too, for which the trails are groomed in a specific way. Even tiddlier skis. Back country skis are super wide - up to 120mm - stops your boots dragging in the uncompressed snow as well as letting you float better.

 

[Paul_B]

A former colleague went to Norway years back now and said the xc routes had kind of grooves your skis went in. Two sets side by side so you can ski with someone.

He said it was a bit strange to get used to and also you'd reach a point where someone fell over. That resulted in crossed grooves which of you're a novice can make your skis spread out into the groove to your side. Basically doing the splits!

I of course have no idea if he was spinning me a yarn or he was talking the truth.

+1 on the other things to to do. Like a swimming pool at the resort with a really big water slide, sauna/steam room/jacuzzi, fat bike hire, Brusletto knife factory, etc.

Then there's trains with family carriage that sounds like a good reason for a train journey on its own. I really don't know what they are like but I think they'll be better than Northern rail carriages put it that way.

 

[Billy-o]

That's right

Sounds like a beezer of a holiday you got going there

 

[Paul_B]

It's a special treat holiday. My lass said we needed something to look forward to in winter so she's booked it to take advantage of my forced Xmas work shutdown. It's only wasted if we don't do anything.

So she's booked everything independently. It was working out very expensive to book an organised trip there so she looked up the resort used by the ski holiday company and booked directly. Then instead of using the holiday company's scheduled flights (which had flight times inappropriate for a 6 year old) she booked cheaper flights with the budget airlines or special deals with main airlines. Then she's booked trains in UK and Norway at both ends of the holiday.

I've really only had a little input because she wanted it to be her treat for us all. She's talked about doing this in other years so this time she did it.

Personally I was not fussed about skiing before but I love the cold and especially snowy conditions. I've always wanted a cold holiday. I wonder if Swedish genes in the family have suddenly come out in me? Everyone else prefers warmth. I think being out in the cold is great and then coming back into the warmth is great too. It's that whole temperature difference and the clean air feeling. Plus things I don't understand.

 

[Janne]

There are two main groups of XC skis. The ones made for speed and use in pre prepared tracks, plus the ones suitable for 'off track' skiing.

The 'speed' ones are around 4-6 cm as you say Billy, and the 'off track' are wider. The ones I have are something like 9cm wide. Perfect on very loose snow, with a load on your back.
I threw away my speed skis decades ago.
The bindings are different, most speed skis use bindings where a specific shoe is used.
(My Vintage army bindings are suitable for Telemark skiing, which is useful.)

I suspect rental skis are a little bit wider than the 'speed' ones, with a more classic binding.
Narrow skis = difficult with the balance for beginners.
The prepared tracks should be fine with the wider skis. Specially in tourist areas.

Just be prepared, you will fall a lot, but snow is soft, and a tree bole is a good way to stop you in an uncontrolled downhill excursion!

 

[Billy-o]

I have a day telemarking every year .. just rent ancient 80s kit from the hill. Gives the legs a real workout and it is a lot of fun, but past two years I have been developing a bunion without really noticing which has affected my posture and made my trailing ski all goofy ... time to see the doctor I think

I bought new boots last season with a lot of wha they call aggression in them ... means they flex a lot ... might put them in walk mode and try them on telemark boards this year. There are some real experts round here who can drop down a lumpy double black really fast .. makes them look like they are wearing seven league boots, just striding down the mountain

(By the way Paul_B, occasionally you will do a run and wonder why on earth it was so bad and you felt wobbly and out of control a bit ... check your boots. You likely switched them into walk mode accidentally )

 

[Janne]

Now you are insulting me....

'ancient 80's kit'


does that make me 'prehistoric, having been taught on pure wooden skis back in -64 or -65?
Poles made from Bamboo, with bent bamboo and leather bottom, and leather wrapped handles?
I used those up until I snapped the last one in late 80's


My (civilian) skis are from early 80', my military ones are made in the early 70's but I took them out from the regiment in 82.
My bindings are of the thick steel wire type, with a leather adjustable wide strap over the toe cap. When the steel wire/loop is loose, horizontal/small hills mode.
attach a loop that is attached to the steel wire/loop on the outside bit) to the ski outside - downhill mode.
Kind of.

Telemarking is beautiful. Should be an Olympic sport. Speed/style/ elegance.

Have you tried it with just one long pole?

 

[Billy-o]

No, but I have seen it ... like gondolas

I haven't mastered going backwards on a telemark rig ... maybe this year

 

[Janne]

Bend forward with bent knees. I only could run backwards slowly on a gentle slope, or going not straight down but at an angle.

Skis have to be lifted at the rear. Right Left Right Left.

Ages I did this, ages.. The best skis for this were my army skis, we had a specific model made for our unit and sister unit.
Slightly wider, higher bend in the middle and a higher rear end than the standard Swedish Army ski..
We did not wax them, but burned/melted in Pitch. Plus used reindeer skins.

I miss XC skiing hugely.

 

[Billy-o]

I acquired wooden XC skis of that vintage about five six years ago. One pair Norwegian, one Swedish. I don't have them in front of me to tell you the makers. There is a generation of Scandinavian Canadians dying out now. Their kids are selling their teak furniture, their skis, boots, everything. The East of the country and the prairies are the best sources. The West is all mountains.

 

[Janne]

Check the 'soles' on them. Wood? Plastic? Steel edges?

Make a new thread ( so we do not 'pollute' Paul's thread) and I can tell you what I know, maybe find info about the manufacturers.
Skis like that are worth to preserve. If they have blackened 'soles' it is the Pitch infusion I know how to do. Has to be done even when not using, but only once, to preserve the wood and prevent them warping from absorbing humidity.
I can give you other tips too.

 

[Billy-o]

They are pitch and all wood .. no metal edges

I have found some pics of them ... but not terrifically informative. I'll get better ones when I get back in January. I know the Norwegian ones are Splitkeins. The Swedish ones will come to me

 

[Janne]

PM sent

 

[Paul_B]

Yikes! It's -17°C in geilo right now. A few days like this then it's back up to -3 or -4°C or warmer, rising through Saturday / Sunday. Then on to 20th at -1 to -3°C pretty level. Plus little precipitation (snow?). So should I start to worry for snow after Xmas?

Anyone know a longer range forecast site for Norway? I've got this but would be good for something a bit longer range if available, for rough guess of conditions end of the year.
https://www.yr.no/en/details/graph/1-112132/Norway/Buskerud/Hol/Geilo

 

[vestlenning]

Yr is as good as it gets.

https://hjelp.yr.no/hc/en-us/articles/206550539-Facts-about-Yr