I have a question regarding the preparation of new skis. I heard somewhere that on a new pair of skis you should run a nylon brush tail to tip (backwards) and then run a razor blade down the ski so as to cut all the little hairs off. Is this right to do? Or is there another way?

Hello,

There are two methods that we suggest. The first is to simply get a SWIX Coarse Bronze Brush (stainless steel is available, and the material is designed to last longer), and brush from tip to tail to rid the ski base of any dirt that might have accumulated. Do this a few times before you put wax into your skis.

At this point you have two options. You can use a SWIX razor blade to 'shave' the hairs off the ski base. They are going to be too small for you to see much happening, so just pull the razor blade down the length of the ski without applying too much pressure. You may also take a piece of soft fibertex and run it the length of your ski once or twice. This should remove most of the larger hairs. From here you should be all set to begin putting many layers of wax on your ski. Skiing on icy/abrasive snow is actually good for the base, but be sure to wax right away.

In the later stages of your fall wax preparation (once you have lots of CH10 in your skis) you can start alternating between SWIX CH6 and CH10. The CH6 will stand those finer hairs on end, and when you scrape the wax off you will remove what remains. The CH10 will continue to saturate your base.

Also, consider that the nylon brush is pretty much just the final brush you will use. I use a fine bronze brush as the final brush on skis that don't have CeraF applied. It seems to do the best job. And always brush from tip to tail. Try to see us at a SWIX wax clinic or let us know when we can set one up in your area to give you a first hand look at what's what in ski waxing.

Just remember that the time tested way to make skis fast is to put many many layers of wax on your skis, and go through the process of scraping and brushing. This is why your skis will get faster over time. Work with these suggestions, and make your decisions according to what you are comfortable with.

Sincerely,
Andrew Gerlach

By: Lars Flora
Subaru Factory Team

With just over a month to go before the first race in Fairbanks, intensity workouts are in high demand for athletes. My favorite intensity session at this time of the year is called moose hooving (moose running) and is a sure way of getting ready for the upcoming season. No matter what the weather is rain or shine, moose hooves can always fit into the schedule. Moose hooving is a term used in Norway to describe a type of ski bounding.

A skier might ask themselves, "What is moose hooving?" At first I knew it as ski bounding, but as I progressed as a skier I became more familiar with moose hooving. Over the years I have acquired a good comprehension of the technique Basic Moose Hooving: A dry land activity used to prepare cross-country skiers for the up and coming ski season. Used to increase fitness and to create a fast kick for on snow training. The technique used is halfway between a powerful bound and running with poles. As skiers become stronger, the bound will become more powerful. Pay specific attention to the work effort. If the skier cannot sustain a bound for 4-5 minutes, the bound is too powerful. Preferred terrain is ski trails or a step-up series of up hills. Step-up up hills are a series of up hills that are broken up with flatter terrain and ending at a higher elevation. The equipment needed is running shoes, shorts or tights, t-shirt or race top, and classic or bounding poles. Bounding poles are the preferred choice. A good pair of bounding poles can be made from an old pair of classic poles that are cut down 5-15 cm.

Moose Hooving Workouts: A variety of moose hooving intensity workouts can be chosen from below or one can create their own specific workout. Listed below are my favorite moose hooving workouts around Anchorage and can be easily replicated in a different area.

"Chase 'em if you get 'em at the Leikish" is an easier intensity session used earlier in the season to prepare for the harder bounding workouts later in the intensity period. The workout is done on the 7.5 km loop of the Andrew Leikish Trail at Kincaid Park. This is one of the city's most difficult race courses and is ideal for continuous bounding. The terrain is rolling with 2-3 min climbs max. Normally I choose natural intervals lasting 30 min to one hour in total duration. The up hills are bounded at a high speed and the down hills and flats at level 2. (If it appears that you are chasing the moose, it is highly advisable to retreat!)

"Ride the bull at the Gas line" is the most popular of my bounding workouts and is used though out the training period. The terrain is an up hill step up series and the preferred workout is 5 x 4 min intervals with 2-5 min active rest. (Skiers can view bulls and cows at the finish of this workout at Glenn Alps. Please don't attempt to literally ride the bull!)

"Drop the moose poop at Alyeska" is done at the local Alpine resort in Girdwood, Alaska. The bounding is done on a service road that winds up the hill reaching the summit of the ski area. The preferred workout is 8X3 min with 1 min active rest. And if you would like to "drop the moose poop" take the tram down and start round two. If attempting two sets make sure of full recovery before and after the workout.

Goldstream Sports/Salomon Ski Presentation
Thurs. Nov. 3, 2005 @ 6 PM

Fairbanks, AK- Subaru Factory Team director Andrew Gerlach will host a Clinic highlighting Salomon's new Equipe 10 racing skis and explain what makes these skis so
special. He will introduce new Pressure Mapping technology that will enable all
skiers to get the best skis and ski fit ever.
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Masters World Cup - Private Tour

FAST, the Sun Valley, Idaho based Foundation for Active Sports Training, Inc., has put together a fine tour package to the Masters World Cup in Brusson, Italy February 1 - 12, 2006. Masters ski champion Jon Engen went to Italy and secured the area's finest and best suited hotel accommodations, arranged for air travel and ground transportation, and created a first class sports travel package at an affordable price. Join the FAST group of skiers for the Masters World Cup, ski the world famous Monte Rosa area, experience the Torino Olympic spirit or head to Milano for some additional culture or shopping if the spectacular Ayas Mountain Valley gets too boring. This is a private travel group and space is limited. Please contact the trip organizer Jon Engen at jonengen@cox-internet.com for more information and details.

FAST - Foundation for Active Sports Training
"a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhance the sport and fitness education opportunities for athletes"

675 Sun Valley Road, Suite N. / P. O. Box 840 Ketchum, Idaho 83340
Phone 208.726.0946
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The Bowdoin College Nordic Ski Program
is announcing a coaching internship available for 5 (months) from October 1st to the end of February. This is a very active position in a very competitive five month NCAA focused time frame. When it comes to racing and in-season training, this will be a great learning environment for any coach. Coaching responsibilities will be wide-ranging and related to the coach's initiative. The team's athletes will be focused on the NCAA and Junior Olympic qualifying process.

If interested you can contact Head Coach Marty Hall at: 207-725-3830 or by e-mail at: mhall@bowdoin.edu
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The Yellowstone Ski Festival
November 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2005
West Yellowstone, Montana

Eleven more reasons to attend the Yellowstone Ski Festival:

· Salomon and the Subaru Factory Team will be there
· Atomic will be there
· TOKO will be there
· Fischer and Team Fischer will be there
· SWIX will be there
· Free Heel and Wheel will be serving lasagna
· Alpina, Madshus and Rottefella will be there
· Rossignol and Team Rossignol will be there
· Exel will be there
· Holemkol will be there
· What else were you going to do - watch football?

The Yellowstone Ski Festival will take place during Thanksgiving Week on November 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2005 in West Yellowstone, Montana and everyone will be there. The event's highlights include a series of one, three and five day Nordic skiing clinics, the NorAm XC Supertour races, the Try It and Buy It Equipment Demo and an Indoor Ski Show.
Quit thinking about it and make your plans now! For more information, visit www.yellowstoneskifestival.com or contact:

Jamie Greene, Yellowstone Ski Festival Coordinator
The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 458
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-9427
info@yellowstoneskifestival.com

Start your ski season in West Yellowstone, Montana!

When traveling to West Yellowstone the Subaru Factory Team recommends staying at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort. www.doyellowstone.com

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. Buy a Subaru; get a free Subaru Factory Team vest. www.enjoywinter.com/rewards.htm

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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Enjoy Winter,
Justin Easter