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XC SKI STYLE - GEAR NEWS and NOTES
Information about products for xc skiers (Updated July 22, 2010) For news about resorts go to or click Resort News. New items are signified by an asterisk next to the headline below.
Apparel Companies Establish Eco Index *
Erik Sports Invests in Solar Energy
Books for Sale (incl. new Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain)
Karhu Introduces Greenlight Core
Madshus Celebrates 100th Year Producing XC Skis
DVD's on XC Techniques and Learning to Nordic Ski
Fischer Adds Womens Package to Cruiser Line
Swix School for Ski Waxing and Tuning
THORLO Introduces 3 Levels of Foot Protection
DVD "The Joy of Telemark Skiing"
Rossignol
Evo XC Ski For Recreational Fun
Now You Can Use the Eco Index to Measure Products and Brands
New software has been created by a group of companies representing about 100 apparel brands to measure environmental impact of products from "cradle to grave" or more explicitly, from raw material to garbage dump.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, this so-called Eco Index will perform similar to the Energy Star rating of appliances. The Eco Index concept will be officially announced in August 2010 at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. It will provide comparative perspectives of brands with relation to environmental and human rights issues. Another way of looking at it is as a sustainability barometer for operations or a litmus test for product greenness.
This project has been underway for three years and the coalition of brands involved include Nike, Levi Strauss, Target, Adidas, Timberland, Columbia, and Patagonia. Most consumers are not aware of factors involved with the apparel business such as the toxic chemicals used for leather tanning, crude oil used in the manufacture of synthetic fabrics, incredibly low wages and no benefits for foreign workers, and excessive shipping distances for manufacturing various aspects of apparel. In 2008, Americans discarded 12.4 million tons of textiles, up from 1.8 million tons in 1960.
The Eco Index software provides a self-reported score of points on various questions regarding raw material, production, shipping, and disposal. A brand can score points with for example, a wastewater purifying system, a recycling program, good labor standards, less bulky packaging, and even washing in cold instead of hot water. There are estimations involved in the scoring system and proof is not required, but this could be the infancy in the development of international standards.
The Eco Index is a beginning but we do not know how
much of a motivational factor that it may become in the eyes of consumers.
It is admirable that competitors have come together to work on this
concept and most of the participating companies have previously undergone
an internal analysis of these issues. Environmental issues are driving
some product design these days such as printed info on garments instead
of separate tags and using less or recycled packaging. And not surprisingly,
many of the applicable design ideas save processing costs, too. If
the Eco Index succeeds and companies vie for a higher score, we all
will win.
Erik
Sports Invests in Solar Energy
Erik Sports, a Nordic and snowshoe equipment supplier for more than three decades decided to increase company sustainability by addressing building power and heating needs in the Tranquility, New Jersey location. The company is most known for the White Woods brand of Nordic and snowshoe products.
Company president, Michael Messler recently spoke with XCSkiResorts.com about the summer renovation projects including an upgrade to lighting, retrofitting the boiler, and solar panel installation for thermal and photovoltaic purposes. The greening of Erik Sports brought both environmental and financial advantages to the company's operation.
Adding the investment tax credits from the state and Federal governments to the New Jersey state renewable energy credits has been instrumental to justify the project but Messler, who is also acting as his own contractor cites other issues, too. The depreciation expense and a substantial decrease in the number of cords of wood needed to heat the plant and office are significant as well as the positive public relations of the company's commitment to sustainability. And Messler purchased the solar system directly from the manufacturer.
The lighting upgrade provides improved light and it will result in 65-70 percent in energy savings. A wood boiler replaced the oil-powered heating system. This system will now be integrated with an evacuated tubes solar unit so that the wood will be used only as a backup.
These undertakings and investments make Erik Sports the most sustainable product company in the business.
"Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper is a new edition that is easy-to-understand and accessible for snowsport novices as well as technically insightful snow safety veterans. Approximately 150 people die in avalanches each year and thousands more are lucky enough to survive them without injuries.
This manual is ideal for backcountry xc skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers and others and it is organized according to the structure of American Avalanche Association classes and it has been reviewed by peer experts.
Staying Alive covers different avalanche types, judging terrain's hazard level, routefinding and safe travel essentials. Rescue strategies and an analysis of human nature versus danger is also included. The 304-page paperbound book has 235 charts and illustrations and 60 photos, and it is available from The Mountaineers Books for $18.95.
"The Story of Modern Skiing" by John Fry is a book viewed by ski industy insiders as the definitive account of the revolution in ski equipment, technique, resorts, and competition that took place after World War II. It is 408 pages, has 86 photos and maps, a timeline, and an index of more than 1,000 names and places. Jean Claude Killy calls it a remarkable memoir and history of the sport.
The book manages to capture the essence of xc skiing in about 15 pages (though there are a few xc ski writers that could create a separate book on the topic of modern xc skiing), but the book would be a monument to anyone that is into skiing.
You can get it on Amazon but for a personally signed copy send a check of $29.95 ($29 for additional copies) to author John Fry, Editorial, 23 East Lake Drive, Katonah NY 10536. Include the name (s) of the person (s) whom you want the book dedicated to, plus address where you want the book (s) shipped to. Tell him you heard about it on XCSkiResorts.com.
Another new resource book of xc ski and snowshoe trails by First Ascent Press is "Ski Trails of Southwest Montana." This 112-page book by Melynda Harrison has 30 xc ski and snowshoe trails around the Greater Yellowstone region of Big Sky, Bozeman, and the Paradise Valley. The book is $16.95 and can be ordered at http://www.firstascentpress.com/ski-trails-volume1.html
The book "Cross Country Skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness" by Steve Hindman is available from The Mountaineers Books. Steve is a long-time Northwest PSIA certified instructor and former National Nordic Demo Team, who participated in the XCSkiResorts.com Top 10 Page panel of experts.
"Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness" provides techniques demonstrated in step-by-step photos, special learning activities to reinforce instruction, sidebars for trouble-shooting common problems and matching technique to terrain and snow conditions and tips for the whole family including 10 activities for teaching kids to xc ski with fun and games.
The book acknowledgement of contributors and photographers is a virtual who's who in the xc ski industry. It is 240 pages and it can be purchased for $19.95 at www.mountaineersbooks.org
Karhu Introduces Greenlight Core
With the sustainability buzz abounding in every industry, the ski industry is also getting on board. Karhu introduced the new Greenlight™ Core – found in the BC 100, Jak BC, Bertha, Jil, Betty, XCD Guide, XCD 10th Mountain, XCD GT and XCD Pinnacle skis – a new wood core that improves performance, cuts weight, and helps reduce the product footprint.
Greenlight™ Cores comes in several forms, depending on the type of ski, but the bulk of the core is Paulownia, laminated with stringers of maple and bamboo. Native to China, Paulownia wood is locally sourced, cutting transportation needs and reducing the impact from global shipping. Valued for its reforestation abilities on marginal and contaminated soil, it grows extremely quickly, reaching maturity two-to-four times faster than equivalent hardwoods, making it easy to farm and harvest instead of logging old growth timber. But most of all, its fast growth and large leaf production give it a high carbon sequestration value, as it sucks in carbon dioxide, converts it into wood mass and releases oxygen back out.
The core is just one of many materials that make up a
ski, and there is room for improvement in each and every one. Karhu
believes that the next generation of design should go further than just
functionality, taking into account the footprint of its entire lifecycle,
from production to disposal or reuse. They won’t get there overnight,
but they are taking the first steps and reducing their impact. According
to Karhu, "winter is our business and our life, and we’d like
to keep it that way."
If you would like to see what the coming winter Olympics has in store, the SkiTrax Magazine Holiday 2009 issue has the Countdown for 2010 Olympics. Mostly focused on ski racing, the SkiTrax magazine issue also has some pages about clothing and a snowshoe product guide.
Cross Country Skier magazine's December issue has a section on the Fine Art of Skiing featuring artists that and varying styles and media, an article about the US Biathlon team, a couple of pages of technical apparel, and description of 15 books and DVDs.
The SIA Nordic Demo was an industry event held at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO on Feb 1-2 for retailers to test drives the newest equipment. Alpina has a new waxless ski base called the Peltokintec, a waxless base material that performs like a climbing skin but also glides at the samnen Nano Grip and the CSK, which is the latest competition skate boot. Atomic rolls out Se level as a waxable race ski on the new classic ski called the Vasa Skintec. The Fischer Silent Spider is a popular and very versatile ski, which uses innovative edge technology. Rossignol's X-ium Skate package is all new but the weight of the ski, boot, and binding has been reduced by 230 grams. Salomon has a new classic boot and binding and touts the Snowscape as a ski that has great grip and control.
Madshus Celebrates 100th Year of Manufacturing
Congratulations to Madshus Skis, which celebrated its hundredth birthday making it the world's oldest ski factory. A first rate coffee table book called "Setting First Tracks" by Arvid Moller was published and sent out to ski media showing the historical record in copy and photos.
Martin Madshus founded his company in 1906 using handmade tools to make wooden skis in the barn at his father's farm in Vardal, Norway. In 2006, the Madshus factory produced 300,000 pairs of xc skis.
The distribution of Madshus in the US recently moved from
Alpina in Hanover, NH to K2 Sports in Seattle, WA. K2 also distributes
Karhu xc skis, Tubbs and Atlas snowshoes, a number of alpine/snowboard
equipment brands and different lines of clothing.
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DVD's on XC Ski Technique and Learning to XC Ski
A DVD program with a personal approach for new xc skiers on how to learn to xc ski including the fundamentals of xc skiing with instructors for novice to intermediate level skiers is available from XCZONE, self proclaimed leaders in clean oxygen fed sports cinematography. This is essentially "xc ski lessons in a box" for the price of a ski lesson. Learn to Nordic Ski is available in a time-limited promotional price at $19 Cdn.
A new DVD on nordic ski technique for intermediate to advanced xc skiers with information that can be directly applied to fast track development of xc ski skills. The DVD provides a highly interactive toolkit, uses menus, multiple viewing angles, and alternate audio tracks. There is also critical analysis and bio-mechanical modeling, MP3 audio books, a photo gallery, and more. The Nordic Ski Technique DVD is available in a time-limited promotional price at $29 Cdn.
For more details see www.xczone.tv or contact XCZONE in Ottawa, Canada at gravity@xczone.com
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Fischer Expands Nordic Cruiser Line
Fischer XC offers the VISION CRUISER package specifically for women. The ski is softer and lighter and is available in small (164 cm), medium (174 cm) or large (184 cm). But the big deal is that the ski is color-coordinated with boots, ski poles and a matching ski bag, too!
Fischer's Wide Body Technology (WBT) is the original concept behind Nordic Cruising, and is responsible for the stability and grip features. The shape creates a ski that is noticeably wider under foot with a narrowing in the forward and tail sections. Nordic Cruising sidecuts are now defined by 5 measurements instead of the usual 3.
The Cruiser series features a wider waist, which provides control and stability by allowing more pattern contact with the snow to improve uphill grip without reducing glide.
The Nordic Cruising series shows its versatility with 7 adult models and 1 junior to accommodate the whole range of recreational skiers from novice to expert, in-track, out of track or skating, to fit any xc skiing need.
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW WOMEN'S PAGE for women events and more!
SWIX SCHOOL FOR SKI WAXING AND TUNING
Swix Sport USA has developed a CD-Rom and Web site to provide info about waxing and Swix products for improving ski performance. Techniques for new ski base preparation, base cleaning, glide waxing, kick waxing, ski tuning and such are covered in one-three minute video vignettes. Each vignette features a smile-less man and a voice-over that proficiently demonstrates each of the techniques. Additionally, there is an animated review on half of the screen to display techniques and products in an artist's rendering.
Another aspect of the school is the Wax Wizard, which allows skiers to submit information (snow temp and conditions) and get wax recommendations in return. A catalog of products is also available on the CD or Web site. There is a variety of perspectives offered including racing, sport and recreational for Nordic skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding. Great steel edge tuning tips, too. The CD will be available for purchase at xc ski shops and areas or get it free on the Web at www.swixschool.com.
THORLO Introduces 3 Levels of Foot Protection
Thorlo, Inc. the originator of the activity-specific sock, has created an entire collection of snowsports sock products. The Levels of Protection is an easy 1-2-3 system, which provides maximum, moderate and minimum protection based on skiers' needs, intensity of their activity and varied weather conditions.
Level 3 is the maximum level sock comprised of Thorlon and wool/silk, which offers the most padding for foot support, impact and shearing (rubbing and blistering) resistance and insulation. The second level is a mid-level sock in terms of the THORLO characteristics while level 1 provides light padding protection for those who prefer a more technical boot fit. The Level 1 Ultra Thin Ski sock uses Thermolite, which provides low-bulk insulation and excellent moisture wicking properties.
Prices of the THORLO Snow sock collection range between $9.99 for the kids snow sock to $19.99 for a pair Thermolite adult high performance ultra thin extreme ski sock. For more info www.thorlo.com
DVD "The Joy of Telemark Skiing"
Dick Hall and friends whip up a tasty batch of innovative teaching tips in the movie "The Joy of Telemark Skiing." It is the perfect blend of clear and precise instruction, great music, and inspirational skiing. To order 800-835-3404 or on the Web site www.telemarknato.com
Dick Hall is one of the forefathers of American telemark skiing and the founder of the North American Telemark Organization (NATO). This organization has been an educational resource for two decades and has helped 40,000 people master telemark and backcountry skiing. Hall created and conducted one of the world's largest and oldest telemark skiing parties at Mad River Glen in Vermont. The annual NATO Telemark Festival is usually scheduled for March.
Keep your eyes out for the NATO telemark camps, workshops and adventure tours on the XCSkiResorts.com Resort News Page and in the words of Dick Hall, "Ski Hard, Play Fair, and Have Fun."
Rossignol Evo XC Ski For Recreational Fun
A few years ago, Rossignol introduced its Evo concept skis, which are ideal for recreational skiers, who demand equipment that is easy to use without sacrificing high performance. These skis are on average 20 cm shorter than traditional xc skis. The EVO Glade is a new model in the EVO series, which has a softer look and feel and was constructed in a more eco-friendly manner without lacquer. It is wider and has a waxless base. Evo Skate and the Evo Classic are 20 centimeters shorter than traditional skating or classic skis and come in three lengths - small, medium and large. Rossignol’s breakthrough new design means that skiers gain unprecedented control without sacrificing glide.
The Evo Skate uses a Cobra side cut to give the ski more shape (46/44/44). The Evo Classic maximizes its shape with a (53/45/50) side cut. Rossignol utilized its Air Tech core technology to offer a cross-country ski that is both lightweight and durable. Each of the Evo Skate and Evo Classic skis use Rossignol’s Active Edge, which is an ABS sidewall/edge that is placed between the cap and base of the ski. Skiers can now apply direct pressure to the edge of the ski, making it easy to corner with control. Both of the Evo ski styles also include a new integrated binding plate, which allows the skier to apply more pressure during the kick phase.
These skis are designed with two types of skiers in mind. First, Evo skis are perfect to use in Nordic Terrain Parks. XC Centers can now carve out jumps, banked turns and other moto-cross terrain on designated ski trails, which adds a whole new dimension to Nordic skiing. Skiers can also use Evo skis on the miles of snowmobile tracks behind their homes.
Second, because they are lightweight and easy to control, Evo skis are ideal for skiers, who previously experienced difficulties with mastering either the classic or skating technique. Evo skis cut the learning curve in half and even beginner skiers will be able to successfully master a technique within hours.
