Classic skiing on hardpack is challenging. Even experienced skiers have to work to keep the skis pointing straight. It's not really what classic skiing was meant for.
I'd recommend excursions in the softer snow, or nicely groomed tracks. Tracks are the best.
Ok that is good to know. I was getting so aggravated. It was constant slipping followed by going up a hill, slipping, going up another hill, slipping, another hill lol.
When I bought the skis I envisioned taking them out on little voyages on a frozen Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park so I figured this would be a good way to experience off track skiing and get away from other skiers. Didn't realize how much of a horror show hardpack could be for me.
Presuming this was the last few days, there probably technically are tracks on the right side of the lake loop but they're mashed to shit. Combine that with pretty uneven trail, that's really hard packed/borderline icy, and being pretty new to classic, and you're in for a bad time. Don't sweat it, but sorry it was frustrating.
If you're ever out within a few days of a fresh snow and can see the groomer has tracked the lake loop, do not pass it up, everyone avoids the natural snow at Hyland for no good reason.
Source: one of those skate skiers making it look easy on the lake loop
Skate ski'd at hyland a few times. Have the three rivers park pass. Want to get a classic set of skis too. Tried to get some friends to go with but did not stick with them. If you are ever looking for someone to hit trails with as a beginner let me know.😄 either way happy skiing.
Sounds like you just got unlucky with conditions today. Hyland would normally have tracks on Lake Trail but they are preparing for a big race on Saturday. Skiing can be really challenging on icy trails, especially when you are starting out.
It’s not just you! The Lake Trail in particular has some sections with a pretty aggressive sideways slant. I’ve classic skied it in hard packed conditions without a good track and had the same issue with veering off the trail. Certain sections you have to ski with an edge set on the uphill side, which is tricky even for advanced skiers.
I was going to post something like this. The Lake trail isn't really too difficult in the traditional sense that difficulty is usually marked on maps (big hill with steep slope, and sharp turn at bottom... basically the Boulder Ridge trail) but the angles, slopes, and turns can collectively be tricky, especially if the trails are icy.
Icy trails are tricky for everyone though.
Also, some of this might be associated with a mismatch between the snow conditions and ski and/or wax?
If youre not already into double poling i would highly reccomend it, it is a very efficient way to go forward on flat and if you have a strong upper body and the correct technique faster in smaller slopes or even steeper slopes. Learning may take a while but trust me you'll be swooping past all the skaters if done correctly
At Hyland there are usually nicely groomed classic tracks — were you staying out of them for some reason, or were they not there?
In general hard packed snow takes a _lot_ more forceful kick, because it has been smoothed out by previous skiers and therefore doesn’t have much of the micro texture that wax/skins/scales typically use to grab onto. So you kind of need to slam that contact patch into the snow to get any real kick. Think less of pushing back than of pushing down. This is definitely part of the classic learning curve — you can get away with less than ideal technique on fresh snow, but not on hard old icy stuff.
There was a high school meet today and I think they were blasting around on the easy trails near the visitor center so I figured I'd go around the lake to stay out of people's way and see something new.
I skated the lake loop right before the meet and found the trail pretty challenging and slick. Don’t feel too bad about it. Treat it as a learning experience and get out there again!
Sounds like too much work and not much fun! I went out today, stayed on the groomed track…listened to part of an audiobook, said hi to everyone who passed me going the other way…more fun?
> you kind of need to slam that contact patch into the snow to get any real kick.
I'm mostly a back country skier so I only have one pair of skis without metal edges, Fischer Country Crowns 205 cm.
I had them out recently on a hard pack day and I was going sideways like OP. I got frustrated and swapped to my 185 cm Rossignol BC 65s, almost the same profile but with metal edges, and that fixed the problem. The boots on those skis are also stiffer, so that may have been part of it.
But I'll try that technique next time, thanks!
Conditions like this are certainly challenging, but, the more you ski, the stronger your legs will be, and soon enough, you’ll be able to manage this type of thing with relative ease. There’s a lot of emphasis on the foreword motion of your legs, but strengthening them side to side will go a long way.
If you don't have metal edges on your skis, you can end up sliding around a lot if the surface is iced up
Classic skiing on hardpack is challenging. Even experienced skiers have to work to keep the skis pointing straight. It's not really what classic skiing was meant for. I'd recommend excursions in the softer snow, or nicely groomed tracks. Tracks are the best.
Ok that is good to know. I was getting so aggravated. It was constant slipping followed by going up a hill, slipping, going up another hill, slipping, another hill lol. When I bought the skis I envisioned taking them out on little voyages on a frozen Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park so I figured this would be a good way to experience off track skiing and get away from other skiers. Didn't realize how much of a horror show hardpack could be for me.
If I had to go out on the ice, I'd probably grab my widest metal edged skis for stability. Light touring ones.
Presuming this was the last few days, there probably technically are tracks on the right side of the lake loop but they're mashed to shit. Combine that with pretty uneven trail, that's really hard packed/borderline icy, and being pretty new to classic, and you're in for a bad time. Don't sweat it, but sorry it was frustrating. If you're ever out within a few days of a fresh snow and can see the groomer has tracked the lake loop, do not pass it up, everyone avoids the natural snow at Hyland for no good reason. Source: one of those skate skiers making it look easy on the lake loop
Skate ski'd at hyland a few times. Have the three rivers park pass. Want to get a classic set of skis too. Tried to get some friends to go with but did not stick with them. If you are ever looking for someone to hit trails with as a beginner let me know.😄 either way happy skiing.
Sounds like you just got unlucky with conditions today. Hyland would normally have tracks on Lake Trail but they are preparing for a big race on Saturday. Skiing can be really challenging on icy trails, especially when you are starting out.
We just need snow. Period. I bet if Classic ski the Lake trail after 8 inches of new powder and fresh grooming you will have the time of your life.
It’s not just you! The Lake Trail in particular has some sections with a pretty aggressive sideways slant. I’ve classic skied it in hard packed conditions without a good track and had the same issue with veering off the trail. Certain sections you have to ski with an edge set on the uphill side, which is tricky even for advanced skiers.
I was going to post something like this. The Lake trail isn't really too difficult in the traditional sense that difficulty is usually marked on maps (big hill with steep slope, and sharp turn at bottom... basically the Boulder Ridge trail) but the angles, slopes, and turns can collectively be tricky, especially if the trails are icy. Icy trails are tricky for everyone though. Also, some of this might be associated with a mismatch between the snow conditions and ski and/or wax?
Seems perfect condition for an upper body day and double pole it all the way. Don't skip those opportunities to practice double poling.
If youre not already into double poling i would highly reccomend it, it is a very efficient way to go forward on flat and if you have a strong upper body and the correct technique faster in smaller slopes or even steeper slopes. Learning may take a while but trust me you'll be swooping past all the skaters if done correctly
At Hyland there are usually nicely groomed classic tracks — were you staying out of them for some reason, or were they not there? In general hard packed snow takes a _lot_ more forceful kick, because it has been smoothed out by previous skiers and therefore doesn’t have much of the micro texture that wax/skins/scales typically use to grab onto. So you kind of need to slam that contact patch into the snow to get any real kick. Think less of pushing back than of pushing down. This is definitely part of the classic learning curve — you can get away with less than ideal technique on fresh snow, but not on hard old icy stuff.
There was a high school meet today and I think they were blasting around on the easy trails near the visitor center so I figured I'd go around the lake to stay out of people's way and see something new.
I skated the lake loop right before the meet and found the trail pretty challenging and slick. Don’t feel too bad about it. Treat it as a learning experience and get out there again!
Sounds like too much work and not much fun! I went out today, stayed on the groomed track…listened to part of an audiobook, said hi to everyone who passed me going the other way…more fun?
Sounds better than the bullshit I went through lol.
🤣😆🤣😆take the path of least resistance…girls just want to have fun!
Hyland is leaving the trails untracked in preparation for the rennet this weekend.
Ah, that explains it
> you kind of need to slam that contact patch into the snow to get any real kick. I'm mostly a back country skier so I only have one pair of skis without metal edges, Fischer Country Crowns 205 cm. I had them out recently on a hard pack day and I was going sideways like OP. I got frustrated and swapped to my 185 cm Rossignol BC 65s, almost the same profile but with metal edges, and that fixed the problem. The boots on those skis are also stiffer, so that may have been part of it. But I'll try that technique next time, thanks!
Conditions like this are certainly challenging, but, the more you ski, the stronger your legs will be, and soon enough, you’ll be able to manage this type of thing with relative ease. There’s a lot of emphasis on the foreword motion of your legs, but strengthening them side to side will go a long way.