Bonus Wax Competition

Bonus Wax Competition

We were excited about this waxing competition and decided to get a second one in this week since the conditions were drastically different than the first test. It was warmer than the first test whi...
Weekly Wax Competition #1

Weekly Wax Competition #1

Going into this season we have talked about trying to test product more in season than previous years. It is tough to find the time in November and December with sales/holidays/racing, but now that...
Mt. Itasca JNQ Wax Recap

Mt. Itasca JNQ Wax Recap

Wax recap from a cold JNQ weekend at Mt. Itasca nordic center.
Cable SuperTour/JNQ Wax Recap

Cable SuperTour/JNQ Wax Recap

Detailed recap of the wax testing from the Cable SuperTour/JNQ by our racing service manager Jeremy Hecker.
Guide to Testing Wax and Skis

Guide to Testing Wax and Skis

During the winter we are frequently testing new skis and products. When we see results come in after these tests, we usually do not elaborate on how we got to those findings. There are multiple dif...
For the New Skier: How To Navigate Clothing
Cross country skiing

For the New Skier: How To Navigate Clothing

Cross-country skiing is one of those sports: folks who’ve done it seem comfortable for hours in little more than two layers. At races, folks strip off jackets and put on skin-tight suits. If you ar...
Ski Picking Update From Fischer, Salomon, and Atomic

Ski Picking Update From Fischer, Salomon, and Atomic

Our first ski-picking trips are underway, and this year we were able to go a bit earlier than the past few years, which is a good sign that manufacturing is returning to normal capacity. We always ...
Flex Numbers Don't Matter (Much)

Flex Numbers Don't Matter (Much)

Over my years of ski picking, one of the most misunderstood ski characteristics has been the closing flex—also referred to as FA or MF value—of skis. The stiffness measurement of a pair of skate or...
Ski Lineups and Updates 2024/25

Ski Lineups and Updates 2024/25

Full Layout by Brand Below Sign Up for Handpicked Skis Here Atomic: Skate: Atomic is implementing notable changes to its lineup this year, particularly with a significant alteration to the core m...
Birkie Recap with Hannah Rudd!

Birkie Recap with Hannah Rudd!

It has been just about a week since the great cross country ski gathering in the Northwoods of Wisconsin! All who participated in the Birkebeiner, whether racing, cheering from the sidelines, or su...
Pioneer Midwest Seeley Hills Classic

Pioneer Midwest Seeley Hills Classic

The midwest marathon season kicked off with the Pioneer Midwest Seeley Hills Classic on a modified course at the American Birkebeiner trailhead.  Fresh snow and cold temperatures made for perfect c...
Waxing for Manmade Snow

Waxing for Manmade Snow

We are in the midst of a very slow start to our winter season here in the midwest and many areas around the country are facing similar issues when it comes to a low snowpack early this season. If y...
Cable JNQ Wax Review

Cable JNQ Wax Review

We just wrapped up our second of two weekends to kick off the beginning of the JNQ race season at the Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable. It was a repeat of last weekend in terms of conditions with som...

Duluth JNQ Wax Results

The first JNQ races of the year are finished up and I am going to try to continue the tradition of releasing our results from testing over the weekend. When we head up to these JNQ’s our main focus...
How the Pros Return to Snow

How the Pros Return to Snow

This past week, my team and I traveled to Canmore, Alberta for some on-snow skiing. Every fall, the Camore Nordic center creates a snow ribbon loop called “Frozen Thunder”. The snow from last year’...
Fall Dryland Training Tips w/ Kim Rudd

Fall Dryland Training Tips w/ Kim Rudd

Over the last thirty-plus years of ski marathon training, I have discovered several key pre-season workout sessions. My training at twenty years of age looked much different than in my fifties. As...
The One Piece of Active Kid Equipment I Bring Everywhere: KidRunner

The One Piece of Active Kid Equipment I Bring Everywhere: KidRunner

When our daughter was born I dove deeply into the various active kid gear available on the market. I either own or have used most of the different devices out there.  I have always enjoyed being ou...
Working Through Injury

Working Through Injury

For all my fellow skiers, runners, or active friends dealing with injury- this one is for you. I’ll preface this article by saying I am clearly not a doctor, PT, or sports therapist. However, I wan...