Mail Bag Episode THREE

Well folks, lets just say this has not been the best run of weather for New England skiing. The mountains are holding their own thanks to tremendous efforts by their snowmaking and grooming teams. Even after Wednesday’s precipitation (some places ended up with a winter mix) the product the areas turn out this weekend will be good. Trails with snowmaking and grooming are where you want to be and you will have fun.

Personally I have 8 days under the belt this season. Unfortunately, I have zero runs in the trees and I can count the number of turns I have made in powder (nothing more than 6 inches) on both my hands. What is a Ski Guru to do?

I will tell you what. I bought a plane ticket and am heading out to Moonlight Basin in Montana for a ski lesson. Yes, even I take lessons. Not your typical type though, I will be joining Dan Egan and friends for one of the Ski Clinic’s he runs. They are remarkable experiences and truly help the development of advanced skiers mentally and physically.

Full reports will follow after the trip. Oh Yeah, Moonlight Basin is brand new this year and is located on the fabled backside of Big Sky. I recommend you look into it as a destination. I guarantee that you will be hearing much more on this resort in the Magazines and what not in the season to come…
To the mail…

If you have a snow question or comment, send it to the Ski Guru.
Name: Stu
CityTown: Boston
What’s the best way to clean and maintain ski outerwear? After a day of skiing, the insides of my North Face jacket and skipants are moist as my other layers wick away moisture from my body. Will repeated washings ruin the effectiveness of my outerwear? Do you have suggestions for alternatives to machine washing after each trip?
Thanks.
S.G. Washing outwear even once will effect how it performs. I would not recommend doing so unless absolutely necessary. Especially if your garment is Gore-Tex or some sort of membrane material. If you must wash I would advise going to your local ski shop and picking up several bottles of a special detergent designed for such gear called Tech Wash (about 12 greenbacks). The bottle has directions on it. But still, avoid the laundry machines if you can…
You may want to consider changing the way you dress to avoid sweating so much out on the slopes. From my experience I have found most skiers and riders wear the exact same layers regardless of the temps. Most have a favorite sweater or sweatshirt that is ever present…
Here is my approach to dressing appropriately. Check the temperatures and wind at the mountain, preferably the summit; this can be done by calling the Snow Phone or going online. We all have diverse body types and are affected by the cold in different ways. If it is in the 0°F to 20°F range (most common in New England) I use three layers on top. A good thermal, a fleece vest or long-sleeve and a good bombproof shell always do the trick for me. The fleece is washable and takes the brunt of any wicked moister by the thermal top. My legs never really get cold. I usually only go with quality ski socks and a pair of mesh shorts under my powder pants. If it is really cold I have a pair of long john bottoms (cut off at the knees so they do not bunch up around my boots) which I also employee.
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Name: Orlando
City/Town: Manchester NH
I recently tried skiing for the first time and loved it. I’m now looking to get a starter ski kit (Boots, Ski’s & bindings) but don’t want to get ripped off. Could you suggest a price range I should expect to pay and what brands I should focus on?
S.G. The starter kits usually include boots, bindings and poles. Boots are a separate (and the most important) purchase. Expect to spend anywhere from 250 to 400 dollars on the ski, binging and pole set up. Stick to the name brands and be honest with yourself and the sales person. If you are in the market for gear then you have already made the decision that you plan to take skiing seriously. You should look to get something more intermediate that you will not outgrow as your skill set develops. All the big names have options in this price range (personally I ski Dynastar’s and love them) Atomic, Rossignol, K2, Elan, Völkl, Head and Nordica are all quality names. Based on your future aspirations, weight and height a shop employee will be able to tell you what is best suited for you.
Boots are another story, take your time when buying them and try on as many pairs as you can. Plan on spending the same amount of money on your boots as you have for your skis, bindings and poles. If the employee does not have you take of your sock and put your foot in the boot shell (meaning they pull the liner out) you may want to go somewhere else for a fitting. As far as brands; they all fit differently, trying on as many pair as you can is the best bet. Keep each pair on for at least twenty minutes and walk around the shop with the buckled up tight. If you feel any pain (a hot spot) forget about them and move to the next pair. All the big names are good, so go with the pair that is the most comfortable for you. Also, make sure you are trying them on with a good ski sock and remember…it does not matter what color they are. Comfort and a good fit is what you are after.
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Name: Pete
City/Town: Boston, MA
What cell phone service gets the best reception in the ski mountains of NH and Vermont?
S.G. Verizon—no doubt. If you really want to get the best coverage up in the mountains get a phone that has Digital and Analog reception. Towers are going up in the North Country but there is still a lot of areas with out service. The mountains are to blame for this, the create dead spots called shadows.
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Name: Thomas
City/Town: Manchester
What is the best wax to use for my skis?
S.G. There are tons of different wax products out there. Most shops tune with a general all purpose wax, but if you bring the fellows in a six pack or slip then a fin they will hook you up with the good stuff (ask them to) for the prevailing conditions. Waxes perform differently depending on temperatures and snow surface. Your’s is a question that one can not give a simple answer to, it is akin to asking what the best way to dress is, you need to know what is happening on the mountain.
I am in the camp that the edge of your ski is much more important. I do not wax my skis nearly as much as I should, but take very good care of my edges. You should be especially cognizant of them if you use a ski rack and they are exposed to road salt and moister. Not good for for the metal at all. When you get to your destination take your skis inside and towel them off to preserve their life. Run your finger along the edge and if you feel burs it is time for a tune. Another edge trick is to knick your finger nail lightly across the edge (from base to binding). If you see a little piece of your nail on the it you will know they are still sharp.
Recognizing when you need a tune and then getting one done will help the lifespan and performance of your skis.
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Name: Hellbrook
City/Town: Boston
Hi Ethan, I am looking to buy a tele-set up this season and I am a little unsure about making the transition. I currently ski bumps and woods whenever they are good and would like to get there on a free heel set up. Any recomendations for a first timer on equipment specs. (stiffness of boots, ski dimensions or anything about the bindings.) Thanks for the time.
S.G. Free the Heal, Free the Mind! They also say Half a Binding = Half a Brain. I have a telemark set up, seldom used. I will break them out during spells like we are in now when conditions are mediocre and I am just messing around a bit on cruisers. The tele gear is also used when I am in the back country or with friends who may not aspire to ‘shred the gnar’ on the more difficult terrain. I have skied my tele’s under all conditions and I always have fun on them.
The skis and boots themselves for telemark gear are much softer and lighter than their alpine brethren. The niche has actually taken off in the last few seasons around New England and the rest of the country. It has become much easier to find the gear itself and get a deal. I picked up my stuff through some friends that invented this item called the Teleboard. Much to their chagrin I actually have two teleboards mounted up with a pair of Salomon bindings that I use for the biggest of powder days. But that is off topic.
These guys offer cut throat deals and I would send anyone and everyone looking for telemark gear their way. Check their website. They stop in at mountains all over New England for demo days and have plenty of telemark skis, not just the boards. You will find out quickly that they are extremely helpful to people just starting, they love the idea of transforming an alpine skier into a pin head. You can demo several pairs for free in the course of a day and drive home with your favorite at a price you can not beat anywhere else.
Tell Eric or Marty that I sent you…
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If you have a snow question or comment, send it to the Ski Guru.
That is it for now, get out there this weekend and enjoy. We still have two and a half months of season left and I have No Doubt conditions will improve. Be ready when they do…
Think Snow,
S.G.