FS Holiday Gift Guide: Under $20

Over the course of the next week we will be running a holiday gift guide to help you with your holiday shopping for the Nordic skiers in your life. Each installment will feature products in a different price range. First up are some great ideas under twenty dollars. Feel free to use the comment section to share your own ideas!

Toko Carbon GripSpray

MSRP: $13.00

Klister skiing can be one of the true pleasures of life – perfect kick and perfect glide! But application can be another matter. Toko’s GripWax sprays are an effective, quick alternative to the heat gun and tube. A great gift for the person who laments the fact that every time the conditions call for klister, he/she goes skating.

Individual GripSpray waxes are available here.

Bold Beautiful Biathlon

MSRP: $20 (Canadian)

Support the Canadian Women’s Biathlon team by purchasing this calendar. The profits go directly to funding their training and competition expenses up until the 2010 Olympics. The calendar, featuring tasteful nude photos, runs a full 14 months and details the team’s race schedule through the Vancouver Olympic Games.

This product is available here.

Cross Country Ski Touring Santa Claus Ornament

MSRP: $10.95

No cross-country ski enthusiast’s Christmas tree is complete without the Ski Touring Santa Claus Ornament! The intricately detailed skiing Santa will ensure everyone knows of your passion for Nordic skiing.

This product was recommended by Skinny Skis and is available here.

Swix Groove Pencil

MSRP: $5.95

A perfect stocking stuffer and an essential tool for the wax box. Easy removal of glide wax from the groove.

This product was recommended by Skinny Skis and is available here.

Rode Kick Wax

MSRP: $10.00

There are aren’t many “must have” kick waxes, but Rode Multigrade Violet should have a place in every wax box, and Blue Super ranks high as well. Broad ranges and high performance are the hallmarks of Rode waxes.

This product is available here.

SIGG Classic Water Bottle

MSRP: $18.00

Stylish AND functional, SIGG water bottles are extruded from a single piece of aluminum. Available in numerous colors and patterns. These bottles became very popular with the BPA plastic scare.

This product is available directly from SIGG US here. and from REI here.

2009 Project Podium Calendar

MSRP: $10.00

Another calendar option – this one featuring more skiing and less skin. All proceeds go to help Canadian skiers target the podium. Features photos of the top racers in Canada, including Chandra Crawford and Devon Kershaw, and lists the 2008-09 Canadian national race calendar.

This product is available here.

Start Grip Tape

MSRP: $17.00

Create your own waxless classic skis – one application of GripTape lasts for up to 250 kilometers and works in a full range of snow conditions. Another great option for simplifying classic ski preparation for those with time constraints! Also a good option for long classic races with highly variable conditions. No waxing tools, No Heating/Ironing – No need to re-apply between uses or remove for storage – Temperature range (+5°C to 20°C) – All snow conditions: klister, ice, powder, abrasive, etc.

This product is available here.

Bridgedale Bjorndalen Race Sock

MSRP: $19.99

The Cross Country Bjørndalen was designed with the help of World Champion Norweigan Biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen. Light-weight and breathable, yet warm, this wool/synthetic mix is a perfect race sock. These socks do not hinder your feel for the snow, but are plenty warm, and the wool content keeps them from getting smelly!

Says Bjorndalen, “I am always having problems with keeping my feet warm and comfortable after heavy training and competition,” he said. “I get sweaty, and when I stop I get cold. I brought the problem up with the Norwegian importer of Bridgedale, and the cooperation to develop the perfect sock began.”

This product is available here.

Swix BP Combi Brush

MSRP: $24.00 on sale for $19.99

Combo “Turbo” Brush. Cork and Nylon. This is a handy brush, that some World Cup Technicians use at the race start site for second-run or in between sprints Cera F application. Perfect for the quick application of any solid Cera F product.

This product is available here.

Road ID

MSRP: 19.99

We never want to consider that a friend or family member might be in a serious accident while training, but rollerskiing, biking and even running can be very dangerous. The Road ID is an identification bracelet (models for ankle, wrist, and shoe are available) listing emergency contact info and important medical information that is worn while training. If the unthinkable does occur this is a way that emergency personnel can be sure to have necessary info. While not the most jolly of gifts, it could be the most important you ever give. Available in multiple colors.

This product is available here.