Local Woods Back-Country

[marcski]

Wow. Who needs to go anywhere when there is up to 4 feet of snow in the local woods with well over a foot of virgin fresh on top.

I recently purchased a back-country XC setup. I've been thinking about it for a few years to get out in the snow when I can't take a day and head to the hill and for in the mornings before work. Well, with all this snow this year and the deepest local snowpack I can remember, I pulled the plug. I ended up getting a pair of these:

full metal edge with a 102-64-87mm sidecut. I got them for mostly the local woods, both trails and off and I won't really be using them for any track XC skiing. I got a voile 3 pin cable binding, I am not even sure I need a cable for what I will be using them for but they offer more versatility and are removable in a snap. I also got a light duty 3 pin boot:

Did I mention that there is tons of snow out there? I stayed on some of the more mellow mountain biking terrain and then also ventured off into the woods. I still need to work on some good tele turns. I think the setup I have should be good enough for most mellow hills. I wanted to keep it on the lighter side, figuring that I will probably end up getting an AT setup if I were going to start to really tour for the downhills. I just LOVE getting out on the snow on skis and really enjoy the peacefulness of the woods without ANY people at all. (except my buddy). I love it and combined with a solid workout its very spiritual for me!

Here are a few pics:

What a beautiful morning. I am going to be out there at Dawn tomorrow. I don't have to be downtown for work until about 10:30....so can ski for a few hours until 9, hop in the shower and in the car by 9:30-40 I should be good. Man, this is awesome!!!

 

[gorgonzola]

nice - the smile in the last pic says it all!!! what woods are those? i lived in new rochelle and larchmont for a few years after college and mtb'd in some of the wc parks

 

[Euler]

I picked up a like new pair of Lite Terrains at a consignment rack for $150 with NNN BC bindings mounted and then scored an older pair of NNN BC boots from Ebay that week. I too have found them to be just awesome for hour long jaunts through the woods around here. While I can't say I'm rippin' turns on 'em I can point them down hill and pick my way through the trees. Its a blast, and what a workout!

 

[KD7000]

Nice stuff. I've been out a few times on my regular xc stuff, but they're really too skinny for trailblazing / backcountry.

Maybe next year I'll budget for a nice wide setup like yours.

 

[Jisch]

I've been skiing a lot, like you say, I love getting out in the woods, its so peaceful and the workout is great. Can't wait to get out tomorrow. I actually think I'm in better shape now than during MTB season. Unheard of.

 

[marcski]

Another beautiful morning in paradise. Oh wait, this isn't paradise, its the NYC suburbs!

I was out there for 2 hours this morning before work. Just insane amounts of fun. It's awesome. I think my lift served days may become fewer and fewer!

Those are both from this morning. This next one is from yesterday:

I'll be out there again tomorrow morning for another 2+ hours before I have to go to a family event.

 

[marcski]

Over the past few days, I tracked out a single width path on this one looped section of the trails with a nice hill incorporating both the up and down. Its been getting faster...here I am today trying to drop a knee for a long sweeping turn.

 

[powpig2002]

been looking at same setup. keep up reports. lookin' forward

 

[twinplanx]

Inspirational Thread

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge, about 15 minutes from my home rents XC gear for 3$. With all the incredible snow-pack here in the flatlands I had no choice but to give it a go today
Great work-out and it sure beats joining all the people crying about the weather

 

[〽❄❅]

and our numbers slowly grow...

I know what you mean, wish we had the snow depths of your NYC burbs in Philly. I've been enjoying our 16", didn't have to leave the neighborhood for skiing Wednesday night during the height of the storm.
Another skier has been teaching me to do tele turns on our park's hills between kick and glide stretches. I'm not looking to get into tele, prefer AT on a real mountain, but already want wider skis than my new and first setup's BC-65!
Thank you La Nina!

 

[marcski]

I will be out there at Dawn again tomorrow morning for a few hours before work for sure. It is supposed to start snowing around here during the early a.m. hours, so should be snowing while I'm out there. We are expecting about 2-4" during the day tomorrow and then unfortunately, they are calling for some freezing ncp/immature snow mixing in a bit wednesday before going back to all snow. I am keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't too much damage to the local snowpack and that I can keep hitting the woods up in the mornings!

 

[marcski]

Got out again this morning for about 90 minutes. It was snowing..about 1-2" of some light fluffy snow. The woods are still skiing really well. I widened the downhill track of that one loop as it was getting faster and there wasn't really enough room to make a real turn. I lapped that loop about 4 times and then headed all throughout our local woods. I am still loving this setup and recommend it highly!