By: Justin Easter
Subaru Factory Team - SkiPost Editor

At some vague point in my youth my mom stopped giving me ski advice. She instead tried a new tactic. Before races she would say, "ski pretty." I can probably narrow this time down if I use my reaction to this advice as a guide - I was a bit embarrassed. I would probably brush it off as being a very mom-ish thing to say, but it rings clear now.

Each of us has a mental picture of what we look like as the ideal skier. I have constant visions of myself kicking and gliding up a perfect track under a blue sky. No people, no stopping, perfect kick, graceful, and powerful. I am, in this image, absolute poetry in motion. Each powerful stride leaving no trace, but the perfect impression on the world I am in.

Sounds pretty, doesn't it?

Not so long ago I was asked to try my hand at coaching the Bridger Ski Foundation's OJ/J1 group. This is a talented group of young skiers. We share a coach, and he has made them amazingly graceful. My time with them was unique, because I tried to impart a few subtle lessons I've learned in a few short hours. The subtle lessons, I have found, are often the ones that make the most sense to me individually. And, individuality is an inherent bonus found on XC skis.

How did I get this group of young adults to reach deep into their minds to find the perfection and grace they already have? I approached it by giving simple instruction, watching them execute what I asked, and sending them on with positive reinforcement. "Faster legs, drive your knee, plant your poles with vigor, good! Good! Good!" When they each had something to think about I asked them to ski in a line. "Ski in your own way, and let it be without talking - think about what you are doing!" I said.

The value of this might not be immediately apparent. What they began to accomplish was astonishing. Each skier transformed in a sense into a quietly moving work of art. Movements fell together, silence fell among them, and I believe they each began seeing the "pretty skier" within.

Skiing is a distinct dichotomy of power and grace (I'm certainly not the first to write this). When you can see this you can begin to gel both of these entities into one movement. When the line that separates these two entities, power and grace, becomes fuzzy you will look like the perfect image of yourself skiing. This is pretty skiing.

So, to each of you I impart the wise words of my mother, "ski pretty."

Dear SkiPost,

I "upgraded" my classic poles from aluminum to carbon fiber a couple of years ago. Given the difference in material, the carbon poles flex quite a bit more than the aluminum poles. Despite the fact that my carbon poles are lighter (and a lot more expensive), I'm wondering if this pole flex leads to excessive energy loss, and subsequently reduced forward momentum? I have recently returned to my "cheap" aluminum poles where I feel there is a better energy transfer resulting in faster skiing. Am I just imagining all of this or is there some real science behind what I feel?

Any answer would be welcome.

Thanks!

Hello,

You are correct, flexible poles waste your energy, so do heavy poles. There are many grades of carbon fiber poles with different qualities and % of carbon fiber. Some poles that look like they are all carbon are actually a mixture of carbon fiber and fiberglass. All "carbon fiber" poles are not alike.

As you move up the pole quality (and price) chart you get poles which provide better performance (stiffer, more durable, and lighter).

The two drawbacks of aluminum poles are found in the vibration, and weight. The Subaru Factory Team uses Swix Star Poles

At the Swix webpage you can view the entire line of poles, and compare each in stiffness, strength, and weight.

Hope this helps!
Andy at SkiPost

Innovation, in a most dynamic new form. Introducing the progressive sport utility that adapts to your life as eagerly as it takes to the road. The B9 Tribeca is the biggest, most versatile Subaru ever, with flexible seating for up to seven. With new levels of refinement, plenty of cargo and storage space, and available features like touch-screen GPS navigation and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system that give you what you really want in an SUV. And it remains every inch a Subaru-a driver's vehicle riding on a performance-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and an extremely rigid platform, all moved by a standard 250-horsepower, 6-cylinder engine coupled with a 5-speed automatic with SPORTSHIFT. Designed inside and out with intelligence and passion, the B9 Tribeca is the new vision from Subaru. http://www.subaru.com/shop/model_consideration.jsp?model=B9_TRIBECA

Locate a dealer new you!

Rainbow Resort
The trails are in excellent condition and ready for your best skis. Bookmark their snow report page, http://www.rainbowresort.com/seasons/snow.cfm

Tamarack Resort
The Snow Report can be found at http://www.tamarackidaho.com/snowreport/
The Nordic page can be found from this site as well.

Lone Mountain Resort
If you were in West Yellowstone you know how much snow there is in South West Montana. Lone Mountain is seeing the benefit of this snow, and their snow report can be found at http://www.lmranch.com/lmr_content/winter/ski_cond.shtml

Crested Butte Resort
You can find Crested Butte's snow report on their general homepage or an expanded version at http://www.skicb.com/page.php?pname=mountain/grooming

Bohart Ski Ranch
Bohart is also enjoying early season snow, and their trail report can be found at http://www.bohartranchxcski.com/weather.php

Saturday, January 14, 2006: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skier,this Nordic ski conference
and equipment demo offers something for everyone. Competitive skiers
will learn about the latest in equipment,waxing and new techniques in dryland
training. Beginners will learn how to get started in the sport and how to teach
children to ski.

Attend this workshop and you ’ll have an opportunity to learn from the experts including, "Training as an elite athlete: finding the balance between training and life" by Chad Giese, member of the Subaru Factory Team and a United States Olympic Team hopeful. Then top it off with a “ski to remember ” using the latest equipment to ski around the Capitol Square.

Who should attend?
Anyone who wants to learn more about the sport. The goal is to promote Nordic
skiing and the health benefits it can bring to the entire family. The Univ of Wisconsin Hospital and Madison Nordic Ski Club are co-sponsors with a goal of promoting the health benefits of Nordic Skiing.

LOCATION
Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor ’s Club,1 West Dayton St.,Madison WI
WORKSHOP FEE
$20 per person by January 1,2006.$30 per person after January 1,2006
(including day of workshop).The fee covers the workshop talks,on-snow
equipment demo and a buffet lunch.No refunds.
REGISTRATION
Advanced registration is encouraged as space and demo equipment is
limited. Two course tracks are available:recreational and competitive. Walk-in
registration will be accepted if space allows. Registration is also available online
at www.capitolsquaresprints.org. Register early,this will be a popular event!
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Great Nordeen
Nordic Ski Race-Bend, OR

Event Date: Jan. 21, 2006-The Nordeen is quickly gaining the reputation as the fastest ski marathon in the West, descending 1500 feet in elevation from start to finish. Race organizers shortened the 2005 Nordeen to a 30km event where Justin Wadsworth won the men's race in a scorching 57 minutes. Suzanne King took the overall women's victory by skiing the course in just 1 hour and 6 minutes. Average times for the 2005 racecourse were 1 hr 25 minutes. The manageable terrain makes the Nordeen a great race for first time racers and recreational skiers according to MBSEF Nordic Program Director, Ben Husaby. Husaby also notes that Moon Country Snowmobile Club and Mt. Bachelor plays a large part in the success of the event by meticulously preparing the once-a-year course.

The 2005 race attracted 350 participants and organizers are expecting over 400 skiers in 2006. Top competitors receive $1,000 in cash prizes and over $1,500 will be awarded in raffle prizes. Awards will go to age class winners and will be presented at the event banquet, which is scheduled for the evening of January 21st.

Entry fees are $55 from December 24th to January 6th. After January 7th the price increases to $65. No day of race registration is available. Entry forms can be accessed at www.mbsef.org or sign up online: www.signmeupsports.com Paper entries are available at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, Sunnyside Sports, Webcyclery or Bend Bike 'N Sport. Bib pick up is from noon to 6pm at Bend Bike 'N Sport, 345 SW Century Drive.

The Great Nordeen is a fundraising event for the MBSEF Nordic department to support race-training programs and keep program costs down for MBSEF Juniors and Youth skiers.

Direct your e-mails to:
nordic@mbsef.org and phone calls to Ben Husaby (541) 388-0002.

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Lone Mountain Ranch
Women's Camps Winter 2005 - 2006

Do you want to improve your downhill control on all trails? Do you want to progress to the next level in your skiing? Are you interested in participating in a positive and supportive learning environment that will boost your confidence? Are you interested in camaraderie with women who share similar interests? If so, then join us for our Women's Camp, in the spectacular setting of Lone Mountain Ranch and Yellowstone National Park.

http://www.lmranch.com/lmr_content/winter/xc/womenscamp.htm

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24 Hours of Telemark!

January 7-8, 2006-The 24 Hours of Telemark is a cross-country ski relay race with teams of one to six members competing against each other in different age divisions and categories. The team, or individual, in each category that completes the most laps in 24 hours is the winner.

Held each winter since 2002, this x-c race is fun for cross-country skiers of all abilities. The race course is a short but challenging loop immediately adjacent to Telemark Lodge. With the course right out the door of the lodge, it's just a few short steps from skiing to warm rooms and changes of clothes, as well as Telemark's outstanding hospitality.

The 24 Hours of Telemark has grown in size and class each year. The prize list for 2006 (donated by our generous sponsors) looks to be huge... and much of it will be given away as door prizes. Maybe you should join us this year?

Please visit www.24hoursoftelemark.com for more info.

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Tamarack Academy

Thursday Feb 9 - Sunday Feb 12
3 days @ $150/day

This all-inclusive price covers ldoging, instruction, meals, and trail passes.
Attendees will enjoy five on-snow sessions (expect 8-12 hours on snow!) alongside
Subaru Factory Team/XCAcademy.com staff, with extensive technical analysis and
advice.

We will cover both classic and skate technique, drills, and training. In the classroom,
we will discuss such topics as ski preparation and maintenance, training for skiing,
and we'll have a lecture by one of our guest coaches (topic TBD). We'll also have
Salomon skis and boots available to demo throughout the weekend.

This camp is an opportunity for skiers to train alongside, and learn from some of
North America's premier athletes and instructors. What better way to enjoy winter
than with the Subaru Factory Team and XCAcademy.com staff, all at one of the
nation's newest and most remarkable ski resorts: Tamarack, Idaho.

For more information or to receive a complete academy schedule, please e-mail Tim Weston at timweston1@yahoo.com

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COLORADO CUP CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RACE SERIES

A series of cumulatively scored nordic races set to go for 2005-2006 season

Natron Nordic Enterprises, Skifire Inc., and a group of Colorado Nordic ski areas have combined efforts to create a nine-race series of cumulatively scored cross-country skiing competitions. The series will be scored similar to World Cup races, allowing skiers to accumulate points and compete for overall placing during an entire season of events.

The series includes nine well-established races that have a history of being the best events in Colorado. The Colorado Cup will join these successful events together using their established venues, distances, and techniques while providing a cumulative scoring system. Racers will be given points based on their finishing position and ranked overall by gender as well as in 10-year age group categories. At the end of the season the Colorado Cup will be awarded to overall senior and junior champions as well as age group winners. Natron Nordic Enterprises has donated four 1-year training plans to be awarded as prizes for the overall and junior champions.

The intent of the Colorado Cup is to provide a system that will support and develop junior skiers all the way through to master and elite skiers while also standardizing Nordic events so that competitors and ski areas can get the most out of every race, all season long.

More information, including the complete schedule, scoring system, event and series details as well as results can be found at www.natronnordic.com in the "Colorado Cup" section. The results will be compiled and updated approximately one week after each event. For additional information,contact Matt Muir at Skifire Inc., email Matt at matt@skifire.com, be sure to include "Colorado Cup" in the subject line.

2005-06 Colorado Cup Scored Races
Dec 10, 2005 Gold Run Classic 10km Classic Gold Run
Jan 7, 2006 Steamboat Stampede 40km Classic Steamboat Nordic Center
Jan 14, 2006 Snow Mountain Classic 15km Classic Snow Mountain Ranch
Jan 21, 2006 Devil's Thumb Ranch Pursuit 7.5/7.5 Pursuit Devil's Thumb Ranch
Jan 28, 2006 Gold Run Loppet 30km Freestyle Gold Run
Feb 11, 2006 Owl Creek Chase 30km Freestyle Aspen
Feb 18, 2006 Steamboat Pursuit 10/10 Pursuit Steamboat Nordic Center
Mar 4, 2006 Alpina Madshus Stampede 42km Freestyle Snow Mountain Ranch
Mar 12, 2006 Wilson Cup 20km Freestyle Vail

Make sure to get rewarded!
Why not let your passion for fun get you free Subaru Factory Team merchandise? The Subaru Factory Team's enjoy winter-rewards program is designed to thank you for purchasing our Subaru Factory Team partner's products.

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

"Think. Feel. Drive."

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

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Happy New Year!
Enjoy Winter,
Justin Easter

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