Winter Fun – wanna try something new?

From backcountry snow camping to snowshoeing, there’s more to winter than skiing and ice skating.

Cross Country Skiing With origins in Scandinavia 4000-4500 years ago, cross country skiing has come a long way from being the sole method of transportation for snow and ice-bound Northerners.

Today, cross country skiing (aka Nordic Skiing or XC Skiing) is, in the opinion of many, the world’s best aerobic fitness activity. The sport involves simultaneous use of arms and legs utilizing ski equipment including boots, poles, and skis. Because you can XC Ski just about anywhere with snow, you can match the terrain to suit your fitness level and interests.

Dog Sledding It’s that time of year, many distance mushers are focused on training for the Iditarod – the “Last Great Race”. Of the 71 mushers who have already signed up for this dog sled race, 56 are veterans, 15 are rookies, 15 are female and 56 are males. Mushers have until Dec 1st to sign up for the 2008 race.

Ice Sailing Ice sailing, or hard water sailing—is navigating a frozen surface in a sailboat outfitted with runners. The fundamentals of this exhilarating sport can be learned in just a day or two. The most proficient sailors can adapt to rapidly changing ice and wind conditions but novices often exceed their limits and get in trouble. For those who master the sport, ice sailing offers the best of summer and winter pleasures.

Skijoring Cross country skiing has gone to the dogs. A popular sport from Scandinavia called “skijoring” can be a great workout for you and your canine. Fido is outfitted with a special harness and leash so he can pull you, wearing your XC skis, along pristine trails. Once your and your pooch are proficient you can search out races and more.

Snow Kayaking Know of a pristinehillside covered with newfallen snow? If sledding or tobogganing seems old hat, grab the kayak from your garage and improvise. A kayak will work fine if the snow is really cold, so the kayak doesn’t stick. You can get some speed going and use the paddle to carve out snow and stick the paddle behind to use as a rudder. It’s not as accurate as a sled but about the same as a toboggan and a lot more fun.

Snow Kiting Fast growing and simple to learn, skiers and boarders across the world are discovering the fun of snow kiting. All you need is snow and a power kite and you can turn a cold winter’s day into a blistering, adrenaline-soaked experience. Speeds of over 60 mph have been recorded as snow kite riders blast themselves along with just the power of the wind.

Wind power is one of life’s few free rides and already snow kiting enthusiasts have achieved incredible things. From a ground breaking unsupported journey to the North Pole and back to huge kite-powered adventures through Alaska, the world of winter sports is embracing this fantastic new sport.

Snowshoeing
Try winter’s fastest growing adventure fitness craze – snowshoeing!

The sport has grown in popularity among female Americans since 1998. The participant  level has increased 163% to 2.1% of females 16 and older. Source: Outdoor Recreation Participation Study 2003

It’s easy to see why snowshoeing is the trendiest and friendliest on-snow winter activity considering anyone who can walk can snowshoe. Until the 1970’s, snowshoes were used primarily for survival rather than recreation. Today, enthusiasts who strap on a pair of snowshoes range from casual snowshoers who hike trails for pleasure, to those who trek through the backcountry, and competitors who race. One of the best things about snowshoeing is just about anywhere you hike or mountain bike in summer, you can snowshoe in winter.

In addition, snowshoeing can help enrich your health. Known to help maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness, the sport helps burn more than 600 calories per hour. Snowshoers can burn more than 45 percent more calories than walking or running at the same speed, according to Snowsports Industries America (SIA).

Telemark – Get off the groomed trails and experience backcountry skiing! For most, tele skiing is all about the stoke, the sensation, that feeling of excited exhilaration that comes from getting into the groove of the tele turn.

Norwegian Sondre Norheim, recognized today as the father of telemark skiing, popularized this new style of turn where one ski is advanced in front of the other and the heel is raised on the rear ski, with the skier in a very bent knee position . The telemark turn is ideally suited for the moderately steep mountains and the soft, deep snow found in the Telemark region of Norway.

Kimmy Fasani: Welcome to winter – let the adventures begin!

December is around the corner so it’s time to walk ourselves into the gym and get a membership. Let’s get serious about getting our muscles firing for those groomer and powder days. I will be spending November and December dedicated to refining my diet by eating lots of protein and foods packed with energy. These things, with a hearty workout, will hopefully make my body ready to start a quick coming season. I know I’ve mentioned working out in my past posts. Health is a topic that is very important to me and there is always something to discuss.

In order to get the results I want for the early season scramble I need to ensure I am eating lots of protein, which helps muscles grow and expand. I will also make sure to stay away from simple sugars and focus on and maintain a diet high in calories, fiber, and carbohydrates. These items will keep my body going with energy no matter how hard I am working on and off the hill.

In order to find success with this plan I have linked up with a trainer at Snowcreek Athletic Club in Mammoth Lakes, California. This woman is incredible and so knowledgeable about how athletes should sustain their health with an intense gym routine. During this process she is also helping me fine-tune my intake of food so I will become lean and fit with my goals of “strength” in mind. Training with an instructor is making me realize that I am not as strong as I thought I was and that my normal diet is not as effective as I thought it was. She is giving me incredible insight on how to meet my max heart rate and how hard I need to work with a heart monitor in order to see results. Her plan is bringing me to a new level with how I feel and how much energy I have at the end of the day. This plan she created gives me hope that I will have longer endurance and stamina for the coming season.

Some of the highlights of a workout like mine include: Daily cardio, plyometrics once a week, sprints thru a gym, and intervals in between vigorous weightlifting. These exercises are to be completed about 3-4 times a week and will provide a good start for the season. Welcome to winter and let the adventures begin. I hope to see you on the hill. Stay healthy and stay happy.

No clear answer from IOC for women ski jumpers

The fight to include women’s ski jumping has been going on for a while.

After all the controversy, it seems the IOC has a responsibility to help this sport grow and with minimal effort and cost they can do it. Many sports have been added to the Olympic program over the years of lesser stature but for this sport at this time there seems to be a definitive bias. Power can be used for both good and bad and unfortunately IOC President Jacques Rogge is the one who has it right now. Here’s his response to the athletes most recent missive:

Dear Ladies,

Thank you for your letter dated 4 September 2009.

You have clearly made important strides to develop women’s ski jumping since our decision in 2006 – and in coming years we are open to considering women’s ski jumping for inclusion in future Olympic Winter Games. However, we remain convinced that our decision in 2006 was the correct one, based on the analysis of the event done at that time, and our position for the 2010 Games is unchanged.

I am sure that with your passion for your sport and with the continued support of the International Ski Federation (FIS), your efforts to improve and develop women’s ski jumping globally will create a very compelling argument for the Olympic Programme Commission, when the winter programme is reviewed in the future.

I am pleased that you agree that the inclusion of women’s ski jumping in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is a wonderful initiative and hopefully, with your help, the YOG can play a part in encouraging the next generation of young female athletes to take-up this exciting event.

We continue to work, as Justice Fenlon noted, for “the inclusion of women in the Olympics and in amateur sports”, as well as in the fields of sports leadership and administration, and your commitment to your sport and its development will greatly assist in this domain. I wish you good luck during your competitions this up-coming season and thank you for your continued engagement to sport.

Yours sincerely,
Jacques Rogge

The 15  female ski jumpers who have filed suit are (understandably)  disappointed Rogge’s letter does not address their specific query about the technical requirements they allegedly fail to meet. As they’ve stated repeatedly, they’re confident they do indeed meet all the universality and technical requirements needed to participate fully at the Olympics.

They’ll now  concentrate their efforts on the appeal of their legal case to be heard in the BC Court of Appeal Nov. 12 & 13. That’s just three months before the Olympics begin on Feb 2010. Time is  running out and a  split decision in the Appeal Court would likely prompt a bid to put the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada.

How high must these women jump to get on the Olympic programme? If you want to help out, sign the petition to let the ladies jump now.

Athletes heading to New Zealand for Winter Games

In North America, we’re still feeling the summer heat but south of the equator, it’s the dead of winter and that means snow in a lot of places.  So if you’re a winter sports athlete, you may well be heading to NZ to hit the slopes.

A quality field of top international athletes has already been confirmed for the inaugural ‘100% Pure’ New Zealand Winter Games, including a host of Olympians, world champions and national champions.

More than 800 competitors from over 20 different countries will descend on the South Island August 21-30 to take on New Zealand’s best winter sports athletes.

Among the stars confirmed so far are five-time Olympic medalist and current Olympic slalom champion Anja Paerson from Sweden, 2006 Olympic cross-country sprint gold medal winner Chandra Crawford from Canada plus Australian halfpipe snowboarder Holly Crawford who finished runner-up in this year’s World Championships in Korea.

“The strength and depth of competitors heading to New Zealand highlights the importance of the Games for athletes ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver,”

said Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap. “For some it’s about sharpening their competitive edge during the northern hemisphere summer, whereas others will be going all out to gain World Cup points and qualify for their national squads.”

Other world class athletes competing at the games include Canada’s top-ranked female skiers in slalom, giant slalom and Super G.

China is sending a large snowboard halfpipe contingent that includes current women’s world number one, Jiayu Liu.

The inaugural ‘100% Pure’ New Zealand Winter Games will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 21-30 August 2009.

The Games will feature alpine skiing, free skiing, x-country skiing, snowboarding, curling, ice skating and adaptive snow sports.

In fact, the Games claim to be a new concept in high performance competition where all athletes come together to compete regardless of whether they are able bodied or have a disability..  In contrast to existing premiere events such as the Winter and Summer Olympics, organizers believe that no distinction should be made between any athletes that perform at the highest possible level, against the best in the world.

Sounds like a great mission and a great event.

Speed Queen: Q & A with World Champion Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Vonn  made history winning her second World Championships gold Monday at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Val d’Isere. Vonn talked to journalists about her day and the accomplishment.

Your goal was to get one gold medal, now you have two.
It’s incredible. I was just looking for one gold medal and got that in the super G. I was looking for a medal in the super combined and it didn’t work out so it made me hungrier

Just like the super G, I raced with my heart. I raced well. I had good tactics, especially on the bottom where girls were losing time.

I’m so happy. It’s been an incredible World Championships for me. I hope things continue to go well.

Is it hard for you to be in the same company as great heroes like Andrea Mead Lawrence, Gretchen Fraser and others?
It’s really weird. I just feel honored to be with those great ski legends. I don’t picture myself among such great skiers. I’m still just trying to ski my best everyday. I feel like I’m breaking a lot of records, but I’m just out doing my job and I love what I’m doing. I’ll just keep working hard to do as well as I can.

The downhill is really your event, isn’t it?
Downhill is my favorite event, it always has been since I met Picabo Street. She always inspired me. For some reason I’ve always been drawn to the speed, the adrenaline, the rush of it all. It’s an amazing discipline. I’ve always wanted to win at a big event and I feel like it’s a big breakthrough for me. I was able to do it despite being nervous. My husband and I really worked through it. I’m going to take what I learned today to the Olympics and hopefully I’ll be able to do well there.

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Golden Girl: Lindsey Vonn makes history

After collecting gold in the 2009 FIS World Championship super G last week, Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) stormed to another win in Monday’s weather-delayed downhill at Val d’Isere and was crowned the official queen of speed.

Vonn clocked a 1:30.31 on the steep and technical course, while Swiss teen Lara Gut was second, .52 seconds behind. It was the first U.S. women’s downhill title since Hilary Lindh won in 1997.

The super-G and her downhill victory means Vonn joins Anja Paerson and Swiss skier Maria Walliser as the only women to sweep the speed races at a world championship. She’s easily surpassed compatriots Picabo Street and Tamara McKinney in terms of World Cup wins and world titles and can rightfully claim to be the most successful American female skier of all time.

The downside to the win? Vonn sliced her thumb open on a broken champagne bottle while celebrating her downhill victory. She had to leave the world championships today to have her stitched up right thumb checked by a specialist.

“I really think I’m safer skiing downhill at 85 mph,” Vonn said Monday. “I’m in a little bit of pain, but this shouldn’t slow me down.”

One by one, Lindsey Vonn is ticking off items on a career redefining the standard of greatness for all future U.S. Alpine skiers. The final big prize on that list won’t be available until next year in Vancouver, Canada, when Vonn hopes to check off Olympic gold.

FIS World Cup Skiing results

December 20, 2008 -  Swiss teenager Lara Gut has won a super-G race for her first World Cup victory. The 17-year-old finished in 57.38 seconds to become the youngest skier ever to win a World Cup race.

Julia Mancuso was the top American, finishing 13th. 

Anja Paerson of Sweden won a World Cup super-combined event on Friday in St. Moritz after defending her lead from the super-G race by posting the second-best time in the slalom.

Defending overall champion Lindsey Vonn was 14th in super-G, but skied out early in the slalom. The 24-year-old American still keeps her lead in the overall World Cup standings after nine races.

We’re snow happy for all the winners!!

Female jumpers sue for Olympic dream

December 19, 2008 – The world’s top women ski jumpers can set record after record this season. But since ski jumping is the only sport in the Winter Olympics that has no event for women, their distances and style points will not get them into the 2010 Vancouver Games.

A Canadian court could, however, if it rules in favor of a lawsuit filed by a group of jumpers trying to get women’s ski jumping into the next Winter Games.

Over the past three years, the athletes have gone from elation over expectations of an Olympic debut to the disappointment of being told that it wasn’t going to happen. Now the jumpers’ Olympic hopes appear to be somewhere between those extremes heading toward an April 20 date with the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said during a visit to Vancouver last winter that women’s jumping probably has a future in the Olympics, but not yet because the sport doesn’t have enough competitors to meet Olympic standards.

So, should women be allowed to jump in the 2010 Olympics? Get the facts.  And once you do, sign the online petition.

Learn to Ski or Snowboard for free in January

December 17, 2008 – Got a friend that wants to learn to ski or ride? Maybe it’s you that wants to venture out and learn the sport of skiing and riding! Either way, grab a friend and take advantage of discounted or FREE actitives.

Start the New Year resolving to ski or ride because January is Learn a Snow Sport Month at many alpine resorts, Nordic centers, state and national parks all over the U.S. Sample deals include:

New York: Starting January 5 and available all month (except MLK weekend 1/17-1/19), you can learn to ski or ride for free or at a 50% discount depending on the resort you choose.  Think of it: you get a beginners package which includes a beginners lift pass, rental ski or board package and a professional lesson (resort participation varies).

Utah: Utah’s 13 alpine resorts have put together special learn to ski and snowboard packages for Utah residents that are fun and affordable. Lucky 13

Vermont: As the holidays draw closer in the Green Mountains, Ski Vermont has announced that its member ski resorts will offer first-time skiers and riders free lessons, rentals and limited access lift tickets from January 4-11, 2009.

Earlier we linked to a promotion for fourth graders who wanted free mountain time. January’s Learn a Snow Sport program allows skiers and riders of any age to partake. Yoohoo!

And for just as much fun without the adrenaline, on January 10, 2009, the 14th annual Winter Trails, an event organized by SnowSports Industries of America, offers free snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing for those new to snow sports. Venues and information on Winter Trails can be found at Wintertrails.org.

Fourth graders ski for (almost) free in New York

December 15, 2008 – Fourth-grade students from anywhere — New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Canada, even the Bahamas — can ski or snowboard for free this winter at 28 New York State ski resorts (when accompanied by a paying adult).

Just fill out an application form and send it to the Ski Areas of New York with a copy of your student’s 4th Grade report card, progress report or letter from the school stating that your child is in 4th grade, along with a $19 processing fee.  

You will receive a Ski & Ride Passport with three coupons per participating ski area. When an adult lift ticket is purchased the child presents the 4th Grade Passport booklet and a coupon for that ski area is redeemed for a free lift ticket for the day.

Participating Resorts:

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