Kate

Hi
This may seem a silly question but I will ask it anyway.
In Feb my husband and I are travelling from England to the US we plan on visting Jackson NH and hope to have our first xc ski lessons (We have heard it is a good place to learn)but we have a few questions.
We will be taking part in 'group lessons'but wondered do you tip the instructor? if so when, how much and who do you give the money to?

Also when xc skiing do you wear the same as downhill skiing? (See we are total novices) if not what do you suggest?

Thank you

Kate

OliveOyl

Not silly Kate, and I have no answers, but will be interested in reading those you get, because I'm going too, and I'll be skiing for the first time in 37 years!!

I grew up next to a ski area and skied for my college ski team, but moved south on graduation and never skied again. I have no earthly idea what people wear for ski pants even, but am quite sure I would be very out of place now in my Bogner stretch pants, "long thong" bindings, and skiis that reach the hollow of your wrist when you stand with arm extended straight overhead! gt;

Will take a lesson to reorient myself to the sport and am interested in the tipping side too. Am not interested in buying a one-piece parka/pant outfit as I have a parka, and would never have use for the one-piece outfit unless I ski again after this, seeing as we live in Florida. So what do people wear for ski pants these days?

Want to know how out of it I am? I don't even know what sort of boots people wear when they aren't skiing, but just walking around in the snow.

Help! This is a Girls' Ski week in Breckenridge area, and not until March, but it's not too soon to start working on it. Tipping? Ski pants? Boots? Am I crazy?? LOL

travellyn

It never occurred to me to tip a ski instructor since lessons are so expensive, but that's a really good question for others posters out there. Wear a ski bib or crosscountry ski pants, then a lot of layers on your top half. You'll generate quite a bit of heat, much more than in downhill skiing, and will want to shed layers. You'll want sunglasses, gloves, a hat, and midweight (I think) socks. Sunscreen, kleenex, a water bottle, and smaller bills for hot chocolate, tea, etc., are good. Have fun!

Sandra

Kate,

You've picked a wonderful place to learn xcountry skiing. I just love Jackson NH - it's the perfect New England little village and is renowned for it's cross country center. I've taken lessons there and have recommended them for others and I've never tipped or seen a ski instructor tipped in a group lesson. You might even have more than one instructor.

As for what to wear - The idea is to dress in layers that breathe - so as you work up some steam you can still be comfortable. I would recommend a pair of tights or long underwear on the bottom with a pair of "wind pants" over them. These are the pants that joggers/athletes wear - they cut the wind but also give you room to move in. For the top I'd suggest a base layer of a polyprophelene, fleece or some other "breathable" fabric as an first layer with a sweater (wool is best) or fleece over it. Then a parker/jacket that is a windbreaker. I'd not wear a heavy jacket such as down or anything like that unless it is very cold out. My hands tend to be cold so I do wear heavy "downhill ski" mittens, but I bring another pair of fleece mittens for when I warm up. I just hang the unused ones off me someplace with the clip that's on them. I like earmuffs instead of a hat - you do need something on your head. Watch the weather and if it's really cold (10 degrees or lower) with some wind I'd be sure and have a scarf to tie around my face. I have something called a neck gaiter which is fleece and you just pull it up off your neck if you need it. When your taking your lessons there will be times when your not moving so you'll need to dress a little warmer then but when you finally get to ski on some trails you'll be working up a sweat and be taking things off.

Also - the lessons are given in a very open field where it will be windy(it's a golf course the rest of the year) but the best skiing is on trails in the woods and there will not be any wind on those trials.
There is a wonderful trail in Jackson called the Ellis River Trail that goes from the xcountry center out to the Dana Place Inn. I forget the exact mileage - it's about 5 miles I think and takes a couple of hours. You can do this trail one way and get a ride back to the center for about $3.00. A hint: if you do this trail it's slightly more uphill on the way to the Dana Place Inn - so we always start at the Inn and ski back into Jackson Center - we have a lovely drink in front of the fire at the Wildcat Inn and then catch the shuttle bus back to our cars. Check at the Center to see if this is doable - you'll really like this trail.

Just make sure you get off the golf course and out into the woods to really enjoy the xcountry experience. The trails are well marked and patroled.

I always bring a water bottle and snacks with me - I have a waist pack with bottle holder and I'd recommend that also.

For Olive Oyl - I haven't tipped a downhill instructor either. I took some lessons a couple of years ago but with my fear of heights I found out it was still not for me and now I stick to xcountry and love it. I wore heavy tights (Hot Chilies is the brand) and a pair of "wind pants" over them and I was plenty warm enough. As for apre ski boots, I'm the outdoorsey type and wear LL Bean ones with the rubber bottoms and leather tops. Have had them for years and tho not a fashion statement they do the job just fine thank you. If you check out some outdoor store websites you'll find what you need. LLbean.com, rei.com or EMS.com all have lots of the right kind of clothes and shoes since you might not have a good selection of ski shops down south.

Good luck to both of you..
Sandra

OliveOyl

Thanks Sandra. I did look quickly in LL Bean's website yesterday, but came up empty. Have you heard of something called "snowclogs"? They are slip ons with some heavy duty looking treads on the bottom. They are low cut though, the only drawback that I can see. Otherwise they are fairly nice looking and reasonable! www.backcountrystore.com/salomonsnowclogwomens.htm

I run, but don't know what wind pants are. Running in FL we take off as many clothes as we legally can! Maybe more. Are they baggy? Is that what they are called so I could find them by name in some site?

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what lesson costs might run, semi private or group, in an area such as Breckenridge? By the way, I grew up skiing in New England so even if it hadn't been 37 years since my last trip to the slopes, CO would be a whole new ballgame.

Topper

ttt

Kate

Thanks for all the answers - This site is a fantastic resource!

travellyn - Can you describe Cross country ski pants to me are they similar to what sandra talks of - 'Wind pants'?
Also what is a ski bib? (Sorry to sound so unknowledgeable)

Sandra - Your answers are so informative thank you so much.
So you suggest I look for some 'Wind Pants' not salopettes (SP)
Are these 'Wind Pants' baggy or loose? As I have never heard of them and I am not a jogger so I have not seen them. Any ideas where to buy them (I live in England) perhaps it would be better to buy them in NH?

Thanks for the tip about skiing to the Dana place inn and the Wildcat Inn. I can imagine sitting by the fire right now.
Thanks to your info I will be looking to dress in layers.
Also I hope to try snowshoeing for the first time - Would the clothing be similar to that for XC skiing?

Any other tips for a novice would be appreciated.

Thank you all

dougd

Kate don't get too concerned about the proper clothes to wear. X-c skiing is a recreational sport that can be enjoyed by nearly everyone. Sure you'll find some folks in $500 one piece designer co-ordinated x-c racing suits, but that's really not necessary. The above tips are great - layered clothing. For pants, I usually wear a pair of baggy sweat pants with a pair of long johns underneath. Polypropelyne long johns are the warmest, but cotton is ok if it's not too cold, and your not working yourself into a heavy sweat. Silk is also great, but expensive. If it's not too cold (above 20 f) a flannel shirt under a wool sweater is often enough. If it's windy, a light nylon jacket over everything is a great help. You may also want a pair of baggy nylon wind pants that can be worn over a pair of corduroys or even jeans, just don't forget the long johns! Enjoy our beautiful state of New Hampshire.
ps: I've never heard of tipping an x-c ski instructor.

Grasshopper

You will be amazed at how hot you get out there and how cold you can get once you stop skiing and cool down. Layers. And things that you can tie around your waste. I usually wear long underware and stretch pants (flexibility is key... don't get bulky), a turtleneck and sweatshirt or jacket I can tie around my waist. A headband to cover your ears, sunglasses if it's sunny and warm gloves with leather on the palms but not big stiff ski gloves. Also, bring water and a power bar. You burn more calories cross country skiing than almost any other sport.

I don't think you need to tip the instructor.

travellyn

Dear Kate, I agree with the posters who are telling you not to worry about buying a lot of new clothing.

The crosscountry ski pants I have are some sort of synthetic black stretch pants with an extra fleece layer in front. This is a joke in my case because I am never going to move fast enough to suffer from extra wind resistance in front. I bought these a few years ago from the LL Bean sale catalog.

A ski bib is an insulated pair of overalls and is commonly used in downhill skiing. Bibs are often available at ski rental shops.

Wind pants are usually thin nylon shells worn over warmer underthings. They are the equivalent of windbreaker jackets.

Sandra

Kate,
The wind pants that I referred to are nylon and loose fitting, sometimes with a light lining. I also wear the xcountry pants (tights) that travellyn described with the fleece in the front and wear them alone or under the wind pants (if its really cold). I just thought you could pick up a pair of the wind pants anyplace since they're quite common in stores here. The LLbean.com web site has them for $49.00 US but most discount stores here have them for half that. I haven't snow shoed (yet) but think the same type of clothes would work. you frequently see snowshoers out when you're xcountry skiing and they look like they're dressed the same. I think the windpants would be better than the tights because the nylon part would go over the boot and snow couldn't get in your boots.

Olive Oyl - those country clogs look like they'd do the trick. You really don't need a high boot and the slip on part looks like it would make it easy.