The Mt Hood Nordic Pipeline Program is the bridge between the Learn to Ski Program and the Team Program. This is where young athletes continue to develop their classic technique and learn to skate ski. Below we have made some suggestions and links to gear that would be helpful for participants to have a good experience this winter. If you have any questions after reading or through the process, please reach out to kelly@teacupnordic.org, we are happy to help! The coaches will also be available to meet in person at various fall events, included the Ski Swaps in PDX and Hood River and Buying Nights at Mountain Shop and Pure Stoke, so keep your eye out for these events. In general, for the program they will need-
Athletes in this program will spend equal amounts of time on classic skis as skate skis. Classic skiing efficiently is the foundation of a complete nordic skier. In order to have the most fun (which is the point!) a classic ski must both glide and get grip when needed. The general purpose or touring skis your child learned to ski on are going to be frustrating for them in this program. Although racing is not required for this program, a “race style” classic ski will give them the best support in the program. They glide fast, and give good feedback when a skier is transferring weight properly.
Here is a useful comprehensive look at the different styles of classic skis we put together a couple of years ago- https://teacupnordic.org/blogs/coaches-corner/get-a-grip-an-attempt-at-summarizing-the-different-kinds-of-classic-skis-and-care-for-them
Pattern base skis that are appropriate and fast can still be found but are becoming increasingly rare, and most pattern base skis are likely to fall into the touring category and therefore inappropriate.
Skin skis use a climbing ski insert under the foot and the development over the past decade has taken them from a novelty to a level that can sometimes feel like a properly grip waxed skis. Skin skis are quickly becoming the “entry level” race ski.
The fit range of a race classic ski is quite narrow compared to a skate ski. Unlike a skate ski, where a mediocre fit can still be reasonably fun, a poor fitting classic ski is not fun. Or worse, not usable. When picking up a rental or lease, it's important to be clear with the retailer of your intentions, most default to “touring style”. Whether the ski fits an athlete is a product of ski stiffness both athlete weight and (less important) height. It is best to get a proper fit from a trusted retailer, or if buying used, know who was skiing this ski before, their weight and ability.
Here are a few links to skis that would be good options for your skier. These are examples and each manufacturer has something similar in their line.
Skate skis are odd in that buyers spend a lot of time fussing over them, and yet skate skis are in fact quite easy. They just have to glide fast (fast skis are fun and take less effort). The fit parameters are much wider than it is for classic skis, and often a skate ski can be much shorter than usually recommended and still work well. The carrying capacity of a skate ski, most often measured in the “stiffness”, how much weight it takes to compress to the surface, does have an ideal range and yet a ski softer or stiffer than recommended can be pleasingly good fun. This is nice to know given that Pipeline skiers are in significant growth years. Because of the wide range of sizing workability, it is not as difficult to find options from retailers.
Combi Boots are the best option for skiers in the Pipeline Program. A specific skate boot has a stiffer sole, and more support around the ankle. A specific classic boot fits more like a running shoe with more sole flex and less ankle support. A Combi boot gives useful balance between the two- flexible sole for efficient classic skiing, but support for skating. And no worrying if you packed the right boots! If they can fit into adult boots, you may find some better support, but resist the temptation to “buy up”, or getting something too big to grow into. A ski boot needs to fit snug and not allow twisting of the foot within the boot. The result of a sloppy boot is poor control.
Here is a good example of something all manufacturers have in their line up-
Poles often appear inconsequential as a gear choice. Athletic cross country skiing makes pole choice critical – a tremendous amount of forward propulsion comes from the poling motion.
Ski poles for athletic skiing have three design elements.
Touring poles with large round baskets are frustrating to ski fast with. And downhill poles absolutely don’t work at all.
Skate poles and classic poles only differ in length. Over a certain skier height this difference is critical, it hampers fun and performance to have the wrong length. For newer skaters and smaller kids in the Pipeline program it can be possible to have one set of poles but with increased ability, they will grow out of them and need two pairs. However, keep in mind that with growing children, a skate length pole will eventually be a great classic pole length!
Simple math to select. Wearing ski boots, measure the athlete’s height in centimeters. A skate length pole is 90% of that (87-92%) and a classic length pole about 83% (80-85% range). Arguably a difference of 2cm is negligible in performance, but 5cm is not. A way without using math- with ski boots on, measure where the strap enters the grip. Classic should come to somewhere near armpit, skate somewhere around the mouth.
Adjustable NORDIC poles can be a good option for a skier less than 100 lbs, but once they are bigger and stronger than that, most models will not support them and slip a lot. Two different quality sets of poles become necessary at that point.
Questions about poles? There's a Coaches Corner post about that!
The Mountain Shop has a lease program. Here is the link for the lease program:
https://mountainshop.net/lease-programs/
The lease program is now open and the best selection and prices (10% off) are offered through the end of September. If you bring your proof of purchase of the program, they will extend the discount through December. The lease program goes from 9/1 to 6/1. Another advantage of the lease program is that equipment can be traded in if your athlete grows by mid winter assuming they have the inventory.
Pure Stoke is a Teacup Sponsor and a great resource in Hood River.
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