Karl Saidla is a member of XC-Ottawa and the Alpina Racing team. The following does not necessarily represent the views of FasterSkier.com. While at the Canadian Championships at Whistler Olympic Park, I was given the opportunity to test next year's prestigious Red Dot award winning Alpina ECL classic boots. The new boots represent a very significant redesign, but in ways that I think most racers will appreciate. For pictures of the boots, as well as...
I recently acquired a pair of Pro-Ski Roadline Tech classic rollerskis. These skis are interesting from a number of perspectives. Notably, the ratchet is located in the front wheel, which is smaller than the back wheel. The back wheel could be described as typical for a classic rollerski. www.torbjornsport.com.
I never thought I would become 'one of those GPS people.' I'd seen them out on the trails occasionally. Skiers, bikers, hikers – all with a small GPS unit strapped to their arm, pack, or bike. I didn't understand the appeal. I know how to read a map, why would I ever want to carry that extra weight? Then Endless Pursuit offered to let me try out their GPS/website system. Boy has my opinion changed....
About a month ago, I got my hands on Atomic's new RS:11 Skate ski. I immediately got them mounted and waxed and couldn't wait to try them out. Only one problem – no snow. The skiing in my neck of the woods has been marginal at best and I was not going to risk these new racing machines on minimal snow. So I waited, and waited. Finally, over the past week we have had great...
If any of you out there have friends who just don't get cross country skiing, you need to sit them down and make them watch the new video, Generation X-Ski. If your friends, co-workers, or fellow classmates still think of your sport as wool-knickers, wooden skis, and shuffling through the woods, then this video is your evidence to the contrary. Generation X-Ski is aptly titled because it features a younger generation of skiers who are...
Just when you think that the ski companies have thought of everything, they come up with something new. And I am pretty sure that not many people saw this one coming. Atomic Ski recently announced they have found that placing structure in the top sheet (ie. the top of the ski) of their high end classic and skate skis improves the flex and overall speed. “We have been putting very deep structure in the bases...