10 Reasons Why Vancouver Road Weenies should Skate Ski during the Winter

The cross over benefits from cycling to cross country skiing are well known. Vancouver has a

mild climate which makes it possible to cycle 12 months a year, but you have to be pretty dedicated. Soggy clothing, limited daylight hours, dangerous riding conditions all conspire to keeping you off the bike during the winter months of November to March. Instead of banging your head against the winter brick wall of cycling why not change it this winter and try skate or classic Nordic skiing. In Vancouver we are lucky to have two great facilities for you to cross country ski at. Cypress Cross Country is only 40 minutes from downtown and Whistler Olympic Park Nordic Centre only 90 minutes.

1. Night Skiing at Cypress Mtn, Its easy to whip up the mountain for a few fun laps. There are lots of cyclist up there skiing in groups and pace lines.
2. Tuesday Night Toonie Ski Race, get a work out when you would normally be on your trainer, or in the gym. Hey Tuesday is already your UBC race night. Keep it booked!
3. You don’t have to clean your bike, nor do you need to mount fenders or sacrifice a water bottle to extend the fender. Cycling in the rain sucks and to make it worse, then you have to clean your bike. When its pouring rain in Vancouver it’s a winter wonderland up at Cypress. Why don’t they make fenders longer anyway?
4. Your fit legs will help you up the hill and your core and upper body will get a work out. XC Ski is well known as being the #1 full-body work out, and you don’t have to buy a new wardrobe, Lycra tights and Bike Jersey’s will do.
5. This one is for the guys…there is a higher ratio of women xc skiing than cycling.
6. -5 degree temperature skate skiing is nothing, -5 and cycling at 30kmh….brrrrrr, not fun!
7. Callaghan Valley, Whistler Olympic Park is a world class Nordic Facility, just up the road at Whistler.
8. Get fit for the Payak Loppet, 15, 30 and 50 km loppet. 500 participants last year. Last year’s inaugural “Loppet” (Citizen’s Nordic race) had it all, a 30 skier peloton at the lead, grueling uphill’s, gut clenching downhill’s and a whole bunch of fun rolling terrain, big smiles by everybody coming across the finish line.
9. 100 year old Hollyburn Lodge at Cypress, Warm up from your ski with Red Curry Thai Chicken Soup!
10. Skate Ski packages start at $ 500! Chump change compared to a $5000 Cervelo Frame. Top of the line gear, One Way High Modulus carbon fiber ski poles - $500, Fischer Carbonlite Hole skis- $850,Madshus Nanosonic Boots $475, Xcelerator NIS bindings = $120.
11. OK one extra.....You get to exercise your trunk and shoulder muscles….that’s the part of your body above your legs. You use them in cycling when you grab a Clif Bar out of your jersey pocket. In Nordic skiing up to 60% of your forward movement comes from trunk and shoulders.

Where to Ski:

Cypress Cross Country

Whistler Olympic Park

Dakota Ridge

Where to Buy:

Deep Cove Outdoors - North Vancouver

604-987-2202

Skate Ski Packages starting at $500

Race Scene:

Loppet is a Norwegian word that translates into “Citizen’s Race”. Participation is the focus. The goal is to complete the distance in a fun manner. At most races there is a fun, family inclusive atmosphere, feed stations and lots of young kids. There are also lots of people who giving it there best shot and going for it too. Cross Country BC is also the Provincial Sport Body for Classic and Skate skiing.

Cypress Tuesday Night Twoonie Race – Starts as soon as night skiing starts. 6:30 check-in, 7 PM race. Each week is as different course.

Sigges Payak – February 25

Cross Country BC Competition Schedule

Bob Putnam is owner of Deep Cove Outdoors and was a bit of a road weenie "back in the day". Now he is just a Weenie.