West Yellowstone Report and More

(Press release)

In case you didn’t thoroughly check out the eBlast where I explained about the new JetStream 2.0 and HelX 2.0 products, here is a link where you can read and learn about them. They are fantastic!

Photos from the World Cup Opener in Ruka, Finland

Erik Bjornsen on the big screen

Reese Hanneman at the start

Ida Sargent on her way to an excellent 5th place

Reese

Erik

Ida

Sun shining through the trees

The stadium from above

West Yellowstone

I think everyone would agree that this was a great West Yellowstone week with great skiing, trees full of snow, and lots of camaraderie. One thing happened on Saturday that was interesting though. Strong winds preceded the cold front which arrived Saturday. These winds which came from the west brought with them copious amounts of dust from the potato fields just west of the Yellowstone Plateau. When the front hit, it started to snow (grauppel snow which is kind of like little Styrofoam balls). What was odd though was that the new falling snow was brown, really brown, not at all white and far less white than the old melted snow that it was falling on. Locals call this Spud Dust. It didn’t change the wax recommendation or seem to slow skis down after a bit of skiing like the volcanic ash that fell there in March of I think 2001 which really slowed skis down after a few kms.

Spud dust on the snow in West Yellowstone (Photo: Toko)

Spud Dust on the Toko car and on the surface of the snow. Underneath it was clean. There wasn’t much dust blowing around in the air visible, it seemed to be embedded in the falling snow.

Images of the West Yellowstone SuperTour Races

Chelsea Holmes 2nd place 10k Skate

Matt Gelso winner of the 15k Skate

Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess winner of the Skate Sprint

Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess in the prologue West Yellowstone skate sprint (Photo: Toko)

Dakota in the prologue

Rosie Brennan winner of the 10k Skate

Brian Gregg 2nd place 15k Skate

Matt Gelso putting the sizzle back in waxing

Matt Gelso on the finishing stretch with coach Colin Rodgers encouraging in West Yellowstone (Photo: Toko)

Matt on the finishing stretch with coach Colin Rodgers encouraging

You can see how much personal preference plays in glove selection. The models Thermo Plus, Classic, and Profi are quite different in their weights (from warmest to least warm), but were all well represented in all events. Same as in Ruka, Finland at the World Cup.

The snow was very “greasy” in West Yellowstone which creates perfect conditions for HelX. the HelX 2.0 waxes are outstanding! They have nothing in common with the HelX waxes from the 5 years previous. They are more similar to the old HelX Warm and Cold in that they are super durable and fast and definitely appropriate for distance Cross Country ski racing! We are very happy about these new waxes. For more information on how to apply, click on the link at the top of this page.

Toko US Facebook Contest

Toko US has started a promotion on its Facebook page where questions are asked and the first correct recipient receives a prize.
Questions range from Toko trivia to “where was this photo taken”? Like Toko US today to have some fun and win some prizes! This contest will run all winter!
Note: there is a Toko worldwide fb page which is quite good, but the contest will be on the Toko US site.