Another super helpful video. Good, comprehensive information about everything that goes into Nordic skiing and its many variants is *so* hard to find. There’s no bible, just experience (read: trial and error… lots of error) and tips from folks whom you encounter. Makes sense I guess since it’s such a niche sport, at least in the US. Similar to rock climbing in that you kind of need a mentor. So I really appreciate these videos that answer all the questions that most folks won’t even think to ask.
Thanks so much for the kind words and meaningful feedback :) Over the years I've found that there's just so many smaller and seemingly insignificant details about traveling over snow with xc skis. But as I ski in every possible snow condition on a range of different gear, as well as teach and watch beginners struggle in various situations, I've simultaneously come to acknowledge that there's not a one-size-fits-all answer to every question but there is an answer. It just may not be the one we want to hear or the answer we're expecting. And, a lot of times, in order to problem shoot some of the challenges we face in this endeavor (i.e. trying to glide over a slippery uneven surface mostly on one ski!), a person needs a really good baseline from which to compare (i.e. good technical skills and an understanding of the gear in which they're running). And this is clearly something that people new to xc skiing don't yet possess. So I'm more than happy to continue being that test dummy for so many people ;) Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation! I appreciate it :)
I was a research technician in neuro biology doing a LOT of microscopy work. I used a microscope slide prep solution called Canada Balsam. My lab had the fragrance of Pine Tar/Balsam Fir day in day. H-E-A-V-E-N!@@JaredManninen
Interesting. Thanks. Makes me consider slightly hitting the edge corner with a fine sharpening stone. Might make learning to telemark turn that little bit easier. I recently put kick wax on a friend's very old wooden skis, there was NO edge corner at all, LOL. Rounder than a wooden matchstick head, but she loved 'em.
You're welcome! Glad I could provide a little additional insight. Many of the beginners that I teach at the xc ski resort often inquire about the lack of "edges" on xc skis. They often express their desire to have metal edges on their skis so that they could have more control, particularly on the downhills. But I always hazard them from running out to buy a set of off-track/backcountry xc skis to run at the resort because those metal edges can cause more harm than good on groomed terrain (i.e. more likely to be hard-packed snow at a resort and a lot easier to catch an edge as a result). Yeah, as I mentioned in a previous comment there's often not a one-size-fits all answer to every problem but there is an answer. And, often is not the one we want to hear which, is to say, invest in technique more than gear. But sometimes gear is the answer or can be the culprit, such as this case. So maybe wearing down the sharp metal edges can make for a more pleasant journey :) Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation. I appreciate it!
I have a new pair of Madshus T55, to replace my old Glittertind... I didn't realize at first, but it is the ultra sharp edges that made them feel weird... harder (or just different) to turn. I'll detuned them. Thanks for reminding me...
Interesting! It's probably a pretty subtle thing, but I agree that bc xc skis just feel different when those edges are new/sharp. Like, unless the ski is completely flat on the snow it will travel along whatever edge is catching. And once they start to cut into the snow they just keep traveling in that direction. For me, that gets really frustrating when I have a longer flat section of icy/hardpacked and uneven snow. As always, thanks for watching and for contributing to the conversation :)
I just got my spider 62 edges sharpened after skiing on them for eight years. Love it! Conditions here in the north east are pretty icy, so it's great to be able to cut in for turns.
Excellent! There is definitely the control-factor benefit to having clean and sharp metal edges when skiing in really icy terrain, particularly downhill. And, in reality, out in the northeast you probably consistently ski on way more ice than I do even though we get our fair share of boiler plate ice first thing in the morning (during the spring here in the Sierra Nevada). I just find that having sharp edges can be a double edged sword - pseudo pun intended ;) Mostly like I said when I'm diagonal striding off-trail and those edges catch on every little bit of chunky icy snow. Argh, it just gets so frustrating. Out of curiosity, where did you get your edges tuned? Type of shop, not necessarily the name of the place. I ask because in one of the inquiries I received about edge tuning last week, the person asked an alpine shop near their home and the shop was befuddled by the request. In all fairness, that shop probably just didn't want to accidentally screw up the xc skis (due to their unfamiliarity with them). Thanks for tuning in - another little play on words ;) - and for contributing to the conversation :)
Yes, they can catch and I hate that- but I hated just sliding around, with no control, more. I got the edges sharpened and tips and tails waxed at REI here in Vermont. I'm not sure what they did they may have just flat filed them, but whatever it was it made a huge difference. I really do love those skis!
Oh! I forgot to thank you for your videos, which are really great. You've helped me be a better skier, at 73 I feel like I'm skiing the best I've ever skied in my life. So thank you for your help!
My experience so far with a brand new set of Salomon Escape 60s is that the metal edges have really chewed up the tops of the skis when they cross each other. I've only used them a couple of times and they already look 20 years old.
I totally forgot about that aspect of having metal edges! But you're not alone in this. Some of the top sheets of my backcountry xc skis are pretty chewed up, too. That, and I have at least one pairs of paints that took a slice from a metal edge. Thankfully only my pants were cut (and not my leg)! All of that said, I have used a spot or two of epoxy to seal the more aggressive nicks on my skis' top sheets. Just so that they wouldn't degrade further. Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation.
Funny I was actually going to ask you about this. I’ve read you can bevel the edge of the steel about 1-3 degrees. Do you see any good reason for doing that?
Hey Andrew! I guess I'd wonder why a person would need to change the edge angle for xc skis. I think changing the angles on alpine skis or snowboards could be for better carving (although I could be wrong about this). But if that was the case, I don't think that would add much to the xc skiing experience. In fact, it might make it worse. So, personally, I'd just leave those edges as the manufacturer intended :)
Another super helpful video. Good, comprehensive information about everything that goes into Nordic skiing and its many variants is *so* hard to find. There’s no bible, just experience (read: trial and error… lots of error) and tips from folks whom you encounter. Makes sense I guess since it’s such a niche sport, at least in the US. Similar to rock climbing in that you kind of need a mentor. So I really appreciate these videos that answer all the questions that most folks won’t even think to ask.
Thanks so much for the kind words and meaningful feedback :)
Over the years I've found that there's just so many smaller and seemingly insignificant details about traveling over snow with xc skis. But as I ski in every possible snow condition on a range of different gear, as well as teach and watch beginners struggle in various situations, I've simultaneously come to acknowledge that there's not a one-size-fits-all answer to every question but there is an answer. It just may not be the one we want to hear or the answer we're expecting.
And, a lot of times, in order to problem shoot some of the challenges we face in this endeavor (i.e. trying to glide over a slippery uneven surface mostly on one ski!), a person needs a really good baseline from which to compare (i.e. good technical skills and an understanding of the gear in which they're running). And this is clearly something that people new to xc skiing don't yet possess. So I'm more than happy to continue being that test dummy for so many people ;)
Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation! I appreciate it :)
Interesting that you mention the steel edge helps maintain the camber. Neat. Thank you.
You're welcome! Yeah, another way in which to keep the ski's longevity :)
Love my xc ski kit. I miss the pine tarring/tuning though.@@JaredManninen
That's some old school skiing there!
I was a research technician in neuro biology doing a LOT of microscopy work. I used a microscope slide prep solution called Canada Balsam. My lab had the fragrance of Pine Tar/Balsam Fir day in day. H-E-A-V-E-N!@@JaredManninen
Interesting. Thanks. Makes me consider slightly hitting the edge corner with a fine sharpening stone. Might make learning to telemark turn that little bit easier. I recently put kick wax on a friend's very old wooden skis, there was NO edge corner at all, LOL. Rounder than a wooden matchstick head, but she loved 'em.
You're welcome! Glad I could provide a little additional insight.
Many of the beginners that I teach at the xc ski resort often inquire about the lack of "edges" on xc skis. They often express their desire to have metal edges on their skis so that they could have more control, particularly on the downhills. But I always hazard them from running out to buy a set of off-track/backcountry xc skis to run at the resort because those metal edges can cause more harm than good on groomed terrain (i.e. more likely to be hard-packed snow at a resort and a lot easier to catch an edge as a result).
Yeah, as I mentioned in a previous comment there's often not a one-size-fits all answer to every problem but there is an answer. And, often is not the one we want to hear which, is to say, invest in technique more than gear. But sometimes gear is the answer or can be the culprit, such as this case. So maybe wearing down the sharp metal edges can make for a more pleasant journey :)
Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation. I appreciate it!
I have a new pair of Madshus T55, to replace my old Glittertind... I didn't realize at first, but it is the ultra sharp edges that made them feel weird... harder (or just different) to turn. I'll detuned them. Thanks for reminding me...
Interesting! It's probably a pretty subtle thing, but I agree that bc xc skis just feel different when those edges are new/sharp. Like, unless the ski is completely flat on the snow it will travel along whatever edge is catching. And once they start to cut into the snow they just keep traveling in that direction. For me, that gets really frustrating when I have a longer flat section of icy/hardpacked and uneven snow.
As always, thanks for watching and for contributing to the conversation :)
I just got my spider 62 edges sharpened after skiing on them for eight years. Love it! Conditions here in the north east are pretty icy, so it's great to be able to cut in for turns.
Excellent! There is definitely the control-factor benefit to having clean and sharp metal edges when skiing in really icy terrain, particularly downhill. And, in reality, out in the northeast you probably consistently ski on way more ice than I do even though we get our fair share of boiler plate ice first thing in the morning (during the spring here in the Sierra Nevada).
I just find that having sharp edges can be a double edged sword - pseudo pun intended ;) Mostly like I said when I'm diagonal striding off-trail and those edges catch on every little bit of chunky icy snow. Argh, it just gets so frustrating.
Out of curiosity, where did you get your edges tuned? Type of shop, not necessarily the name of the place. I ask because in one of the inquiries I received about edge tuning last week, the person asked an alpine shop near their home and the shop was befuddled by the request. In all fairness, that shop probably just didn't want to accidentally screw up the xc skis (due to their unfamiliarity with them).
Thanks for tuning in - another little play on words ;) - and for contributing to the conversation :)
Yes, they can catch and I hate that- but I hated just sliding around, with no control, more.
I got the edges sharpened and tips and tails waxed at REI here in Vermont. I'm not sure what they did they may have just flat filed them, but whatever it was it made a huge difference. I really do love those skis!
Very jealous of all your powder.
Oh! I forgot to thank you for your videos, which are really great. You've helped me be a better skier, at 73 I feel like I'm skiing the best I've ever skied in my life. So thank you for your help!
@@ArtWorldville We do get a fair amount of it out here :)
My experience so far with a brand new set of Salomon Escape 60s is that the metal edges have really chewed up the tops of the skis when they cross each other. I've only used them a couple of times and they already look 20 years old.
I totally forgot about that aspect of having metal edges! But you're not alone in this. Some of the top sheets of my backcountry xc skis are pretty chewed up, too. That, and I have at least one pairs of paints that took a slice from a metal edge. Thankfully only my pants were cut (and not my leg)!
All of that said, I have used a spot or two of epoxy to seal the more aggressive nicks on my skis' top sheets. Just so that they wouldn't degrade further.
Thanks for tuning in, and for contributing to the conversation.
Funny I was actually going to ask you about this. I’ve read you can bevel the edge of the steel about 1-3 degrees. Do you see any good reason for doing that?
Hey Andrew! I guess I'd wonder why a person would need to change the edge angle for xc skis. I think changing the angles on alpine skis or snowboards could be for better carving (although I could be wrong about this). But if that was the case, I don't think that would add much to the xc skiing experience. In fact, it might make it worse. So, personally, I'd just leave those edges as the manufacturer intended :)