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XC Skiing in the Lake Tahoe Backcountry (Winter 2019-20)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ส.ค. 2024
- For years I’ve worked at a cross-country ski resort at Lake Tahoe. So, half of my winters I ski on groomed terrain. The other half of the season, I take those skills into the backcountry. Customers and friends often ask about cross-country skiing off-trail and in the backcountry. So, I produce these cross-country skiing videos to show people what backcountry cross-country skiing could look like.
Please note that this backcountry cross-country skiing video is not a “how-to” video. Although it features clips of me demonstrating technique, this video is one in which I hope will inspire you to travel off the beaten path (safely, mind you!) the next time you find yourself holding a pair of cross-country skis and standing in a winter wonderland.
Technically, this xc skiing video is a recap of my 2019/2020 cross-country ski season with an emphasis on backcountry touring. The video features photos and footage of me skiing at various backcountry locations around South Tahoe. And, it features panoramic imagery (video and photographs) since that’s often why people travel in the backcountry - for the views and open space.
Notes about locations … I’ve written about most of the locations featured in this video on Tahoe Trail Guide. I’ve also included footage from a few locations that I haven’t written about and don’t plan to. Not because they’re extra special or “locals only” locations, but simply because I’ll often just go out and find some random location in the middle of the forest with a favorable angle of terrain and play around. There usually aren’t any specific markers, signs, trailheads, or even parking areas. Essentially, I want to encourage people to develop their own process of discovery.
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Cross-Country Skiing Explained:
Please note that I produced my series of articles and videos tagged “Cross-Country Skiing Explained” with the beginner or intermediate cross-country skier in mind. Therefore, I don’t intend to address racing-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection.
Classic Cross-Country Ski Components:
Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 1)
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Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 2)
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The Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 3)
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Types of Bindings for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 4)
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Ski Boots for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 5)
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Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles (Part 6)
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FAQs about Classic Cross-Country Skiing
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Introduction to Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
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Step-by-Step Waxing Tutorial
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Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1)
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I've produced this collection of articles and videos about backcountry travel and exploration with the beginner and intermediate adventurer in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often served while working in the Lake Tahoe outdoor recreation industry. In essence, these informational projects I create and publish are extensions of the many conversations we've had over the years.
Please note that, although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility.
Copyright © 2020 Jared Manninen
For more information, visit…
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Hey Jared! I’m enjoying the videos, they’re making me excited for this snow season up here by Steamboat Springs, CO. I’m new to xc skiing and just bought a brand new pair of xc skis that are bc 65. I took them for a test spin around the town park in our first major snow event this season of 12”. I am curious to hear your opinion as to how back country I can get with 65 mm skis. I don’t want to get in over my head in going into the back country and have the wrong tool for the job.
I was curious about your comment in the video that you lose weight in the winter. Does that mean you gain in the summer? Do you do any summer endurance training?
Hey Chris,
Thanks so much for the kind words. Glad you're enjoying my videos. Motivating people to get outside during the winter is definitely one of my subversive goals ;)
As far as how far you can travel in your backcountry 65s ... that's going to be dependent on the depth of snow and your fitness and technical abilities. That said, if they're only 65mm wide at the tip, I don't know that they'll be super great for deep snow. My Spider 62s are definitely limited by depth of snow (I generally use them in 6 inches or less of fresh snow). That said, you were just out in a foot of fresh snow with them so you would have a better idea as to how your skis will perform under such conditions. I just know that in deep and soft snow, even my 112s (tip width) are often relegated to being glorified snowshoes. At least until the snow sets to some degree. Not sure what model of ski you specifically have, but some manufacturers name their skis based on the waist width (narrowest part of the ski underfoot), which means the tips in that case would be wider and work better in the deeper snow.
As far as getting in over your head (literally and figuratively - haha) your best bet really is to develop your technique. I said it many times in the video, but taking lessons to give you a foundation from which to work will provide you the most joy and safety. If you're new to xc skiing, just know that classic diagonal striding technique is deceptively complex. And, the learning curve is an interesting one because pretty much anyone can click into a set of xc skis and travel on snow. This is fantastic because it provides an accessible entry point to the winter landscape. However, most of the "technique" by beginners is something more akin to a walk or shuffle. There's nothing wrong with this, but there are more effective and efficient (and safe!) ways to travel. But to become an exceptional classic skier it takes many years. I'm fairly good at diagonal striding, but my technique is far from flawless.
And when it comes down to it, on the deep days where I'm breaking trail I seldom travel more than a few miles into the backcountry. On more favorable days, where the snow has set and has a consistent firmness to it, I can zoom along at a swift pace. Although, my backcountry xc skiing experience is less about making time compared to when I train on groomed trails.
Which brings me to the last part about my weight shift during the year. Basically, I xc ski a lot during the winter. At my xc ski resort job (3-4 days/week and more during the holidays), I'll often ski before work and then again on my lunch break. I'm not doing huge miles, usually just a 5km before and then another on lunch. But that constant movement causes my metabolism to run high. And, I'm usually pushing myself during both sessions. When it's possible during my days off, I'll head into the backcountry for a few hours each day. Then there's the constant snow management factor that's inherent with a good winter. And, because I'm always outside during the winter my body burns calories just standing around - haha. So, it's just hard for me to recreate that high-octane experience during the summer.
I don't necessarily prepare for the winter during the summer like I ought to. However, I work at a summer outdoor rec-based job so I'm always moving. And then I hike on my days off or after work. But the past two summers I've been diving into the world of naturalism. Two summers ago I was on a wildflower kick, and then this summer it's been all about birding and wildlife photography. Basically, I've spent the past couple of summers creeping around the mountains and forests looking for plants and birds. And, let me tell you, this does not result in a lot of calorie burning :)
Ok, that's enough for tonight. Time to make dinner. Thanks again for tuning in, and let me know if you have any other questions!
Oh, and I do plan to produce a series of "how-to" diagonal stride videos this winter. However, it's going take me some time. That said, I definitely encourage you to find xc ski instruction local to you. There's nothing quite like having an in-person instructor teaching you.
@@JaredManninen All great news! I am an avid cyclist; year round rider. I do gravel and road as much of the year as I can. I fat bike as well on snow, dirt, and commuting. I ride the trainer in the winter months too, when the weather isn't good for being outside. Xc skiing is another way for my girlfriend and I to have an activity to do together; get into nature (We like hiking too and just sitting in nature with our dog). I also like it for the exercise component. The other question I have is the concept, style, or technique of diagonal stride. When you say that, I immediately think skate ski form. But watching your videos and you saying you're doing it, it doesn't look skate ski style. Do you have a video where you talk about xc skiing styles? Especially if diagonal stride is the best way to do classic skiing, I would like to know more about that. We have a couple good options for lessons up here in the Steamboat area, which I will probably invest in doing to get the fundamentals down solid. As with most of my sports, I'm a stickler for form, and I like to practice good form.
@@chrisamy613 It definitely sounds like you're way more active year-round than me! You'll definitely love xc skiing when you get further into it. Diagonal striding is the same as classic or traditional cross-country skiing. Just different ways of saying the same thing. I believe it's called "diagonal" because of the way the body looks in profile (a long diagonal line formed from hand to foot). I use the terms interchangeably because there doesn't seem to be one preferred name over the other (and also to reinforce that they're all the same thing). Classic skiing is more like running (linear movement) and skate skiing is more like ice skating (lateral movement). I haven't made any videos comparing and contrasting the two yet. I'll eventually get to it! Like I said in this video, classic is more versatile. You can classic ski in any snow conditions, but skate skiing is generally most favorable on firm and uniform conditions. Even at a groomed xc ski area, skate skiing can be an absolute slog when there's even a couple of inches of fresh snow (on top of that groomed skate lane). So, I always recommend people start with diagonal striding (classic/traditional cross-country skiing) if they want to get into backcountry cross-country skiing. Skate skiing is definitely worth learning over time, but I don't recommend trying to learn both at the same time. And if you do mostly want to be off-track, learn classic skiing.
When it comes to lessons, start with some basic ones and then practice what you've learned for awhile. After a few weeks, go back and take another. As great as it would be to have private lessons every week, that's not usually a reality for most people. Besides, it sounds like you're pretty well-versed when it comes to sports, so you would do well spreading out the lessons.
I imagine you have some pretty great terrain where you're at. Enjoy! And let me know how things go for you :)
I started xcing at 65 after watching your video last year..as per your usual nice work an much appreciated
Thank you for the kind words, Pete! And I'm so glad to hear you started xc skiing. It is super fun and makes winter so much better 🤗
Thanks again for tuning in, and let me know if you ever have any questions!
What we should realize is the hard work gone into making this large video! Good job mate!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Rahul :) Yep, these longer ones definitely take a bit longer to assemble. But, it's fun way in which to reminisce about the previous season (and get inspired for the upcoming winter)!
Love this video
Thank you 🤗 The season recap is fun to do. Perhaps I'll do more in the future. Again, thanks for watching and for the kind words.
Stumbled upon this video. I loved every minute of it. So psyched the 20-21 season is underway here in Colorado. I hope to make it out to Lake Tahoe sometime.
Thanks so much for the kind words :) And, glad I could help you get inspired for the season! I hope you have a great one.
Improving Downhill Skills……for budding Nordic downhill skiers
Learn with the easiest tools (Alpine skis and plastic boots) in the best location, groomed lift serviced slopes... where you get more runs per hour.
When you have developed your posture balance and timing, transfer those new skills to your Nordic skis. As you get better, use freeheel skis on gentle alpine slopes.
I wasted too many seasons trying to “Nordic downhill” on skis more suited to the trail, not understanding the differences and failing to become a better skier because of that.
Keep up the excellent work as you are inspiring more people to an activity, we both love.
Oh yes and on the turns……be patient on each turn, learn what the ski is built to do, and then how to vary it (you have a vastly better selection of skis than when I was learning)
Make each turn smooth, not jerked and expect your turns to be much bigger than the alpinists or on piste Telemarkers, which is not a problem as you have more space and rolling terrain.
Keep the videos coming!
Thanks for all the feedback, Tim. I appreciate it :)
Your insight regarding letting the turns be smooth and not forced resonates with me. I used to snowboard many years ago and remember making the transition from causing the turns to happen to letting the turns manifest naturally. When I see both skiers and snowboarders do that now, I treat it as a reminder for me to relax and not force the turns to happen.
That said, you're definitely right about turns with xc skis being far bigger. haha. No doubt you have to plan for that when dealing with trees :)
Thanks so much again for the comments!
I like your video and your XCD enthusiasm. I'm in Bend, OR and the XC skiing is good here, but I've been interested in skiing BC around the Desolation Wilderness. I have a lot of Summer experience down there, but limited BC experience in the winter, mostly because Bend is pretty great. After COVID, next season, I'm headed down for a few weeks.
Thanks again for posting.
Very exciting, Tee Vee! I've actually only done a little bit of backcountry xc skiing in the Desolation Wilderness area. It's not been for lack of interest, but rather a lack of partners/logistics/coordination. I hate to admit it, but I'm a bit of an opportunist when it comes to accessing terrain. I prefer a low commitment to parking and the approach -- haha! Basically, to xc ski into Desolation is a relatively big commitment simply for the fact that there aren't any super fast/convenient access points. So, no matter how you cut it, it's going to be at least a full day's effort. But I highly encourage you to go for it. I, too, will eventually make the commitment.
Another reason I haven't done many super long-distance excursions of late is because I've been spending most of my off-time filming and editing these videos and articles (for my website). I only work a few days a week at an xc ski resort, but these side projects have a way of eliminating my free-time. Not that I'm complaining, because I want to build this whole channel/website thing into a long-term (and hopefully financially independent thing). But there are only 24 hours in day! haha
Thanks again for the comment, and I'm glad you're enjoying my content :)
I really enjoyed you video and inspires me to get out there (once hunting season is done). Last year was my first year off track or xcountry skiing and I've purchased the S Bound 98 and absolutely love it.
Fantastic, Aubrey! Glad the video is motivating you :)
I picked up a pair of S-bound 98s last season, too, and have really enjoyed them. We have just a little snow here at Lake Tahoe right now, so I haven't pulled them out quite yet. Still using (and probably will for awhile) a set of rock skis.
I was actually with my best friend in Northern Nevada last week on a hunt. Well, he was hunting (cow elk) and I was just there as a schlepper and photographer. But we didn't see a single one, and very few other people saw one either. Sounds like it was still too warm for them to come down from the high elevations. Anyway, good luck!
Hi! Have You used NNN BC bindings? If Yes, Why do You prefer 3 pins super tele? I've heard that 3 pins squeaking a bit,. Is it true? How often do You use cables with your bindings? Thanks for video. It is extremely inspiring. I'm looking forward to BC XC skiing.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Maksym Chumak :)
Yes, I use a bunch of different xc ski bindings: basic 3-pin for my widest skis (112mm and 98mm); NNN BC Magnum/manual for 88mm wide; and NNN BC Auto for 62mm wide; I also have a set of 62mm off-track skis that I use a standard NNN auto binding. I don't necessarily prefer one over the other. I just like to marry a large binding with a wider ski and a smaller binding with a narrow ski. A 3-pin binding on a skinnier ski just seems way too big for it, as the binding hangs far over the sides of that narrow ski. And a smaller binding on a really wide backcountry xc ski seems too small in that it won't provided enough leverage to exert the appropriate amount of pressure on that bigger ski (to get it to turn downhill). The NNN BC Magnum has the same size of a pin as the NNN BC Auto, but the overall binding size is larger and the connection feels way more secure. The locking mechanism on the magnum binding really locks your boot securely.
I've found in certain snow conditions that the 3-pin will squeak. This is because the rubber duckbill is clamped down securely by that metal bail. So, when certain snow conditions get in the middle of those two surfaces you can definitely get some squeak to it, but I've never found it to be distracting. I've also never found a consistency in cause for any squeakiness (sometimes when the snow is wet, sometimes when the snow is dry). So again, I've never found it too annoying. Full disclosure ... there was one time that I did actually get really frustrated at how much squeak was occurring with the 3-pin binding. I took off the skis to inspect the binding and clear them of any snow only to discover that, like a knucklehead, I had been wearing the skis on the opposite foot! There is a left/right binding (very slightly different angles). Once I put them on the right foot, the squeaking was neutralized.
I don't use cables with my 3-pin bindings. I'm sure they would help provide more control for downhilling, but I don't come from a Telemark background so I'm trying to learn without the cables. Besides, when I get out on the snow I can't stand having to monkey around with gear (unless there's an actual problem with it). That's the same reason I seldom use those EZ skins (for climbing). Basically, I avoid at all costs fiddling with gear when I have a good rhythm going unless, of course, there's a problem.
I'm looking forward to this coming xc ski season, too! Tahoe has received a couple of inches, but it's pretty thin out there. So I'm crossing my fingers for more snow.
Thanks again for the feedback and questions. Have a great season :)
@@JaredManninen Thanks.
@@maksymchumak9680 You're welcome!
@@JaredManninen you like the Alpina Alaska or the Fischer 675 better?
Hey Seth,
I find that the Alpina boots are stiffer and transfer power a little easier, while the BCX675s are softer and warmer. They're both great boots either way you look at them, though.
Full disclosure. I had to send back at least two pair of the Alpinas when I first bought them because one of the boot's duck bills was angled weird. Some sort of manufacturing defect that angled away from center. Basically, it was like the duck bill was about 20 degrees off, so when I'd have my skis on and stood with my feet straight ahead/neutral, my left ski (i believe it was that one) would totally be angled outward. I thought it was an optical illusion, but it was clear as day when I was bound to the skis.
I mostly used the Alpina boots at the tail end of last year, and haven't pulled them out I'd the closet yet this season. No real reason for that other than i have a lot of gear and can only wear one pair of boots at a time 😆
Hey Jared hope all is well and looking forward to another great ski season ..... Sorry but I have a tech question that has nothing to do with your new video here (ha) ! Im mounting different bindings on some CXD skis and I am having trouble with filling the old binding holes with the epoxy Im using ....It bubbles up and leaves pin holes in there .....So I thought I would ask what do you use to plug the old binding holes up with ..... Just want to be sure the skis are all water tight .... Ok thanks and have a good season !!
Thank you! And things are well with me. I'm also looking forward to another great ski season :)
No worries on asking the tech question here. It's as good a place as any!
I'm going to leave the bottom half of this response on here because somebody else may find it useful (and I already wrote it - haha). I wrote it based on initially thinking you were asking about re-mounting in the same holes. I believe what you're asking me, though, is how I go about completely plugging an old ski binding hole (that won't be re-used).
For re-mounting in the same holes I'll just use wood glue or silicone, but epoxy is fine for completely filling in a hole that you won't be using anymore. I'm wondering if you're getting pinholes in the epoxy because it has nothing to bind with other than itself.
I realize it doesn't sound very scientific, but perhaps fill the hole with a fragment of wood from a match stick or toothpick and then add the epoxy. Or, add a couple of smaller fragments of that match stick or toothpick with the epoxy. I imagine that might give the epoxy something to bind itself to and minimize some of that bubbling. You could always get really official and use a wooden or plastic ski binding hole insert (www.tognar.com/wood-binding-hole-plugs-for-skis-10pcs/) with epoxy. Personally, I'd just use the wood from a match stick or a really narrow piece of dowel (something I already have in the garage) in addition to the epoxy.
Anyway, I know it's not a super scientific answer but that's my two cents. Hopefully that gives you some ideas. Let me know what you end up doing.
- Jared
The bonus answer written for a question you didn't ask - ha!
If the holes aren't bored out completely (i.e. the new screws will hold when screwed in), I usually just use standard wood glue. I'll apply it with a toothpick in the hole or I'll actually put it on the threads of the screw before screwing it in. I've also used DAP 100% silicone (small toothpaste-like tube).
Essentially, the screws keep the bindings mounted to the skis and the wood glue or silicone keeps the water out. But I avoid using an actual epoxy due to its permanence. I've heard the occasional stories of people having minor catastrophes trying to remove screws (when replacing bindings) that had been epoxied in the holes. I don't know how true they are, but I personally wouldn't want to risk ripping bits out of the ski when trying to remove the screw (that had been epoxied) when replacing any bindings.
I don't think this is part of the question, but if the holes are bored out and the screws won't hold, I'll use one of the plastic ski binding hole inserts in addition to the wood glue or silicone so that the screw will have something of which to hold.
@@JaredManninen ....OK thanks for all the info Jared I appreciate it . Yea plugging old binding holes that are not being used any more . I will give er a go with the wood matches or tooth pick option along with epoxy next . Getting over a foot of snow over here in a couple days so getting all my gear ready along with mounting some new Voile 3 pinners on some CXD skis I just picked up ....I have old Karhus Catamounts , karhu Pavo's , and my new madshus annums I used last season in the BC. Ok thanks again and have a good season !!
@@Sirskibumsalot Sounds very exciting! I'm jealous of all the new snow you're getting. We have beautiful blue skies and cool temps in Tahoe, but no real precipitation in the forecast yet. Anyway, glad I could be of service, and good luck!
Roller ski. Will help a great deal.
One of these days I'll have to invest in a setup.
@@JaredManninen ONe of these days you mean you will become a student and dig deep to learn the physical literacy of roller skiing. You can purchase all the gear you like. But. First comes a desire to want to ski all year because you realize every NCAA, Olympic and World Cup Skier does as well. Not necessarily to win anything, rather to become a better skier. Imagine swimmers taking 7 months off. Take off 200 plus days a year of skiing and calculate that over a lifetime of adaptation. If you care to learn a very new American way of roller skiing you may enjoy SpikeBoarding. Traditional Roller skiing is a tough go to begin. Ski hard ski often.
@@EnriqueCubillo All great points, Enrique :) And, for the most part, you describe my life philosophy (fully committing to a thing). That said, as I get older I realize the importance of pacing myself and seeking balance. A couple of years ago, I let go of an an activity that I had committed to year-round for about 14 years. It was an incredible experience, obviously, but there was clearly a sacrifice that I made (i.e. opportunity cost of committing to that thing and not having much other time or mental capacity to accomplish many other things). A big reason I wanted to close that chapter of my life (permanently or only temporarily is yet to be determined) was so that I could sort things out and address the many other aspects of my life that I had neglected during that time.
Anyway, I appreciate the encouragement and words of motivation!
And, I actually have done some roller skiing in the past (borrowed a friend's setup), but wound up wrecking myself pretty good in a fall so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little gun shy about trying it again. Haha.
Hi again Jared,
Sorry to keep bothering you.
I have seen you use BC nnn bindings in another video. This one is a bit different yeah? What are the different terrains where you use each?
Thanks
No bother at all, Rahul :)
I choose what skis I use based on the anticipated snow level that I'll be skiing in. Light snow = skinnier off-track ski. Deep snow = wider off-track ski. So, bindings are mostly incidental in my ski selection.
That said, I've tried to mount appropriately sized bindings to my off-track skis so that the marriage is good. Basically, I wouldn't put a wide, standard 3-pin binding on my skinniest off-track skis (Fischer Spider 62mm). And I wouldn't put a standard NNN on my widest skis (Fischer S-bound 112mm). I try to avoid mounting big bindings on little skis because those bindings tend to hang over the edge a lot. And they can put too much pressure on the ski (and may wind up damaging the ski in challenging conditions while applying lots of pressure). Too small of a binding on a big ski will not allow for enough control, and then the binding becomes the weak point.
Here's a photo of four of my sets of skis and bindings (with tip and waist width to illustrate my approach to mounting appropriately sized bindings...
i2.wp.com/tahoetrailguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/NNN_NNBC_3-Pin_1_Jared_Manninen_72ppi_web.jpg
And the accompanying article about xc ski bindings for more information...
tahoetrailguide.com/cross-country-skiing-explained-part-4-classic-cross-country-ski-bindings/
Anyway, hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions!
@@JaredManninen thanks Jared
You are awesome
@@rahulrane1658 As are you :)
Which of these two skis do you use the most Fischer 88 or 98? Do they overlap in functionality or does each one have it's place?
Hey Neil,
Thanks so much for watching, and your question :)
This season (2020-21), I used my Fischer Excursion 88s a ton, while I never even scraped off the storage wax from my S-Bound 98s. That said, we had a relatively low snow year here at Lake Tahoe so that's why I used the 88s more. The snow was never that deep and I spent most of my time diagonal striding versus downhilling. The 88s are relatively straight compared the more generous sidecut (for an xc ski, anyway), so they're easier for me to get them to track straight.
But if we would've had deeper snow this year I most likely would've used the 98s instead of the 88s. I essentially got those S-bounds for moderately deep snow.
And, realistically, there are many seasons where I won't bother using certain gear. When it comes to xc skiing, by not using all of the pairs of skis that I own I save myself a little work by not having to wax them all. haha!
Anyway, thanks again for the question. Let me know if you want anymore feedback about the skis.
@@JaredManninen Thank you! I have a similar quiver but my Boundless Crowns are 30 years old. Same ski as your 98. I hear they fixed all the complaints so I want to replace it. Stiffer, better kick and lighter. I skiied mine tonight and it simply cannot climb as well as my Rossignol BC 70 or BC 125.
@@neilmoomey You're welcome, Neil. I definitely like my 98s, so if they're the same design as your older ones you may want to consider. If I were to choose between the two (i.e. I could only have one) it would be the 98s. I do like Fischer's line of off-track and backcountry xc skis. I've always felt they're a bit stiffer than other brands, which I like because it enables me to diagonal stride better (but also makes it a bit more challenging to turn downhill).
@@JaredManninen I think I'll have to wait until Fall. I called around and everyone is out of stock on SBounds. Super popular skis and I'm sure this pandemic did not help!
@@neilmoomey Sounds about right, unfortunately. There was definitely a boom in the xc ski industry leading up to and during this past winter. Just keep checking back with your local retailers. A lot of time they'll receive their upcoming winter shipments sometime between August-October. Good luck, and let me know what you end up getting!
I’m interested in the sport. Where do you work at? I live in Tahoe. Would like my friends and I to visit and learn. I live by Cave Rock.
Hey Mike, thanks for the comment :)
I work at Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee on the weekends. Usually I teach group lessons on Sundays, but you can always request me for a private lesson if you're interested. Otherwise, the group lessons are fun and never more than a few people per instructor. We're definitely going to be open this season (start date is November 27, 2020), but I'm not exactly sure what the season will look like. I think all the managers are getting that sorted out now. That said, stay in touch and we'll figure something out!
Do you ever do privates in south shore? Thx,
Hey Janet,
Thanks so much for inquiring about lessons :) For the most part, I only teach at Tahoe Donner Cross Country (Truckee) since it's an actual employment operation. I don't currently have a guiding permit, so I can't technically teach any lessons (i.e. take payment) on public lands.
All of that said, I'd be more than happy to meet you sometime at Grass Lake or Hope Valley, for example, and xc ski with you. Then, I could provide feedback, show you some drills/techniques to work on, and answer any questions you may have. Basically, we would just keep it informal. Two people out skiing together, and one of them happens to know a little more about the sport's technical aspects :)
If you're ever interested, contact me through my website so that we can figure out a time and date in order to ski!
jaredmanninen.com/contact/