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John Thomas is the Instruction Chair
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Learn to X-C ski!
Our beginning cross-country ski class is held but once a year, and the time is rapidly approaching! This class is geared toward the absolute beginner, but could be helpful for those who have skied a few times but feel that they need more instruction. The classes are free and the format is informal, with ample time for questions. This is a low-pressure learning environment, with emphasis on fun and sharing.
The program consists of:
- A two-hour classroom session will be held in the community room of the Lomas-Tramway library, on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 3 pm. The classroom session is open to the general public. Guy Miller, John Thomas and Ruth Bargman-Romero will be the instructors. The library is at the Southwest intersection of Lomas and Tramway. There is parking to the south of the building.
- An all-day on-the-snow outing. If there is sufficient snow, we will ski a week after the classroom session, on Sunday January 22. The on-the-snow sessions are open to NMCCSC members only.
If you are considering taking lessons from the New Mexico Cross Country Ski Club, this information may be helpful to you:
1) What to expect:
The Club will provide classroom instruction on equipment and clothing, and on-the-snow instruction on basic skiing skills to include developing balance, maneuvering, turning and stopping. There will be optional follow-up classes wherein you will receive further individual instruction and encouragement.
When the classes are done, you will have the basic skills to cross country ski on gentle terrain and have fun. With more practice on your own, you can develop stamina and technique so that you can go several miles with ease and will be able to climb and descend moderate hills.
2) Schedule
Below is the tentative schedule for lessons in 2012. They schedule may change, so check the NMCCSC Web site periodically. I will also try to post any changes to the NMCCSC Egroups, so pay attention.
As this classroom session is open to the general public, and it is often filled to capacity, ski club members are advised to arrive 15 minutes early.
Jan 22 (date is tentative, pending acceptable snow conditions) On-the-snow instruction, Sandia Mountains, Ruth and Guy can help
Feb 5, Sunday SUPER BOWL, possible beginner ski, Guy and John
Feb 6, or 7, or 8. Possible weekday beginner ski, Ruth B-R and John
Feb 10-12, Fri-Sun, Beginner Trip to Chama
3) What you should be doing to get ready.
Cross country skiing in New Mexico/Colorado is done at relatively high elevations in cold weather. We will ski in the Sandias at about 9500-10,500 ft and air temperatures can be in the teens and 20’s and wind chills will be lower. You will also have a chance to ski north of Chama, NM in the Rio Grande National Forest, where we will be at 10,000-11,000 ft.
So, try to get yourself in shape and try to spend time hiking at the higher elevations. The better shape you are in, the easier the lessons will be. Hiking, aerobic training, weight lifting, Pilates and yoga can contribute to strength and balance. Even snow shoeing, which is a decidedly inferior winter sport, can help you exercise your leg and arm muscles and can acclimate you to higher elevations. When you take your first lessons you will fall down a lot (normal) but getting up can wear you out.
We will discuss clothing in the Classroom session but think ahead of what your clothing needs may be. Having clothing that has wind-breaker and insulating qualities is mandatory. See what is available at REI and LL Bean, etc. Hats are essential. Skiing for any length of time without a hat in severe weather can be life threatening.
Most skiers use some sort of insulating underwear. I personally use polypropylene long underwear and I would be miserable without it. There are other types on the market.
Generally, smart skiers like Guy Miller will warn novices to avoid cotton clothing because it can rapidly become wet and lose its insulating qualities. Some outdoor experts even call cotton the “Death cloth” because, once it becomes wet, it can lead to hypothermia. In the context of our classes, if a student should wear blue jeans and fall down a lot (normal for beginners), he or she would not freeze to death, but the cold and discomfort could drive the person to the warmth of a car and effectively end the lesson.
When one goes to higher elevations, altitude sickness is always a possibility. And, if one is not careful about his water intake, dehydration is a possibility. If you are not familiar with the side effects of these two sicknesses, do you own research and mentally prepare yourself for dealing with these effects.
4) Contacts
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Telemark Instruction
The February General Meeting Program (Thursday Feb. 9, 7PM) will be a presentation about Telemark Turns by Guy Dahms.
Gordon Eatman, will provide instruction in an on-the-snow Telemark Practice at Sandia Ski Area on Saturday, February 18 (tentative date, dependent on the snow). There is no charge for the instruction but you will have to buy a lift ticket. Gordon recommends shorter, shaped skis and heavier, preferably plastic boots. He recommends repeated viewing this YouTube Video. Contact Gordon at
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Scholarships
The club offers scholarships to courses such as Avalanche School and Wilderness Medicine to help build membership and leader expertise.
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New Mexico Cross Country Ski Club