Here we are at what seems to be the beginning of our ski season. The snow is falling across the country (perhaps harder in some areas than others, but we are crossing our fingers for you!).

Anyone who has gone to the trouble of getting a new pair of skis for the coming year is probably asking a few questions about how to properly take care of them so they will be FAST! Here are a few quick steps for getting your skis ready for skiing. Something to always keep in mind is that the process of waxing only works in your favor when you are using your skis. Waxing over and over and over without touching them to snow will not make them as fast as if they are waxed consistently and then skied on.

Step 1 - Run gray fibertex over the glide zones of each of your skis 8-10 times. This will remove any micro-hairs from your base, and prepare them to absorb the maximum amount of wax.

Step 2 - The next step is designed to remove dirt and saturate the base of the ski with wax. Using a warm wax (CH 10 is good for this) melt it on using a wax iron at low heat (120 C). Use a single movement to run the iron evenly across the base to avoid any potential base damage.

Step 3 - Remove the wax right away starting from the grove to avoid base damage. Then remove the remaining base wax using a sharp plastic scraper. Pressure should be even, and not too hard.

Step 4 - Let the base cool, and then repeat this process once more. The protocol for the second time is similar to the first, but you should make sure the wax is cooled down before scraping. (You remove dirt and debris when you remove the wax when it is still hot)

Step 5 - The last step should be to brush your skis using a fine bronze brush. Brush your skis on one direction, but do so until there is little wax still coming from your base. Brushing and letting your skis cool before is the procedure to follow as you continue with your future waxing.

Ideally you will wax your skis after each time you ski. This is the best way to insure your bases stay saturated, and continue to get faster. There is no substitute to this process, so we should leave it at that.

This information is part of a very interesting series of video clips SWIX has put together to help you properly care for your skis - from kick to glide. The videos can be found at www.swixschool.no (not to worry, it can be found in English as well as Norwegian). Please forward any questions with regard to base wax to weanswer@skipost.com or write directly to The Wax Guy. Good luck, and we will see you on the trials!

The Subaru Factory Team is happy to have Blizzak as their official tire for the 2006/2007 season. Click the logo above to visit Bridgestone Tires for more information on this stud-less snow tire - a must have for winter drivers!

This premium Blizzak has already proven its versatility, performing in wet, icy, snowy and dry conditions. The directional stud less tread pattern with 3D and zigzag sipes, silica-based tread stock, and UNI-T technology give you the powerful grip needed in freezing conditions. Yet, it’s solid on dry roads and wonderfully quiet. Switch to Blizzak LM-25 4x4 tires for your high performance SUV/CUV and enjoy winter driving – whether the plow has cleared the way or not.

The Methow Valley Cross Country Ski Camp
December 14-17, 2006 at
Sun Mountain Lodge
Winthrop, WA
Registration opens Sept 1st MVN members
Sept 15th for non-members

Visit Methow Valley Ski Club's web site for more information
http://www.mvnordic.com/mvnordic/cccamp.html
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The Steamboat Nordic Camp and Festival
December 15th-17th, 2006
Held at the Lake Catamount Touring Center and
the Steamboat Ski Touring Center
Steamboat, CO

This weekend is filled with clinics and coaching for all abilities, free demo equipment
and fun for all! Learn from top coaches, meet new ski friends and learn in an incredible
setting! Coaching available for everyone, from beginner through advanced skiers.
Whether your focus is to race or gain fitness, have fun and meet new people, we have
what you are looking for! All abilities, both skate and classic techniques will be taught.

All major ski companies will be represented and offer free demo equipment. Try new
equipment, test the latest waxes and get basic and technical information to get you skiing in a whole new way!

Register at Ski Haus, the Steamboat Springs Touring Center or
download a registration form and send it in.
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Christmas-New Year XC Ski Camp
Waubun, MN
December 26-28, 2006

The Festival will include on-snow cross country ski clinics for both classic and skate techniques, seminars, video, food, drinks, time trials, and more!

For more information Click Here to be directed to Rainbow Resort's web page.
Or contact Amy Xu at info@rainbowresort.com phone: (612) 991-4912
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CXC Youth Festival
Saturday, December 30, 2006
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Hayward, WI

Central Cross Country Ski Association is pleased to announce the inaugural CXC Youth Festival at the Hayward Golf and Tennis Club on Saturday, December 30, 2006 from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.

Enjoyable live entertainment, organized children's activities, dog sledding, horse drawn hay wagon rides and a dazzling fireworks display will be highlights of the event.

We'll have hot chocolate and popcorn on site to keep you warm! Registration and Bib pick-up will be held from 2 to 2:15 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the Hayward Golf and Tennis Club located on the North Edge of the City of Hayward at 16005 Witter Street. The fee for children 12 and under is $5 and paid upon registration at the site.
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Tamarack Resort’s
Subaru Factory Team
Women’s Camp
Feb 8-11
The Subaru Factory Team’s
Kate Underwood will be leading this Women’s Camp!
Kate is one of America’s Top Racers
3rd place US National Championship 30km-2006, 5th place American Birkebeiner-2005
For more information call 208-325-1312 or email
LClausen@TamarackIdaho.com
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Rocky Mountain Nordic Tour Series
Breckenridge to Frisco, CO
Sunday January 7,2007
Short course: 10k • Long course: 25k
Start at 9:00am - Gold Run Nordic Center,Breckenridge
Finish at Frisco Nordic Center
Cost:Individual -$35 • Family --$50
Food at the finish, snack along the way.
Children under 17 Free. Bring friends &Family!
Promote nordic skiing in Colorado, support Rocky Mt Nordic Jr.ski team and, raise
awareness of global warming & its impact on winter recreation.

Participants earn credits per kilometer to be donated to Native Energy nativeenergy.com
to offset the RMN junior Ski Team ’ s travels to the Junior National event in
Soldier Hollow Utah.
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Lone Mountain Ranch
Big Sky, Montana
December 12-16, 2006
Women's Camp

This is a learn-to-ski/improve your technique clinic at wonderful Lone Mountain Ranch. Located 45 miles south of Bozeman, MT this area is at the foot of Lone Mountain. The terrain is forgiving for beginning skiers, but provides one of the most extensive trail networks in the country. Come join Subaru Factory Team athlete Justin Easter and Lone Mountain Ranch staff for a week of learning and fun!
For more information on this and other camps this season email Nancy Cooke at ncooke@lmranch.com.
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Wild Rose Retail Shop - 702 Third Avenue
Open House/Holiday Party
With Olympian Abby Larson (Subaru Factory Team)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday December 9, 2006
3-5pm

Come visit with Abby enter to win some free swag and check out the Wild Rose open house. Also talk to Wild Rose staff about their Signtaure Stone Grinding operation for the coming year.
www.wildrosesports.com
phone: 801 533-8671

NOTE: If you have an event you would like to have in SkiPost please send emails to weanswer@skipost.com

For more information on Subaru's technically advanced all-wheel drive vehicles check out www.subaru.com

"It's What Makes A Subaru, A Subaru."

SkiPost is a cross-country skiing informational, educational and motivational service, brought to you through a partnership with the Subaru Factory Team and the Salomon Athlete & Event Force.

The goal of SkiPost is to make the sport of cross-country skiing easier and more enjoyable for all who choose to participate. If you have questions on Cross-country Skiing see www.SkiPost.com or email us at mailto:weanswer@skipost.com

If you wish to be removed email nordic-unsubscribe@mailman.montana.com
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Enjoy Winter,
Justin Easter

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