For the Love of Rollerskiing by David Chamberlain

Call me crazy but I love to roller ski.  I have been roller skiing every off season in some fashion since I was 14 years old, and I have always seen it as an enjoyable form of exercise.  Roller skiing also happens to be a great way to prepare for the winter season.  With some safety know how and a commitment to keeping your equipment in working shape, roller skiing can provide a technique specific way to lay the foundation for your important winter events. The following are some thoughts for those that may be considering roller skiing for the first time this spring and summer.

The first consideration will of course be gear.  At Gear West we have a very solid partnership with Swenor and love all the products that the brand offers.  Swenor offers high end skis with the Elite Skate and Fiberglass Classic.  These two models have a very ski like feel and are very stable and secure.  The Aluminum Skate offers a great option for those just getting into roller skiing and for those looking for a rollerski at a great price.  These skis, in our opinion, are the best crafted roller ski on the market and more importantly they have the most durable parts.  The shafts and forks are very strong, and the wheels are very durable.  There are also additions that can be made to the skis in the form of speed reducers and brakes.  These can be installed directly to the shaft of the skis. 

For safety equipment a helmet is a must and is the most important piece to wear.  Rollerski gloves are also a good idea to protect palms and fingers from the occasional stumble.  These are available for purchase at Gear West and are better suited for summer weather than winter gloves by being reflective, light weight and breathable.  Some skiers also use protective arm and knee pads, and these can be found at most sporting goods stores.  I also consider sharp rollerski ferrules a piece of ‘safety equipment’.   Ferrules replace winter snow baskets on poles and are made of a very hard carbide tip.  They are much less likely to break than snow tips and will hold a sharp point much longer.  Ferrules are a must and can be changed out easily using a heat gun and some pole glue.  I consider them a must for safety because I have seen some nasty crashes at low speed by skiers whose tips slipped while poling.  A small diamond file is also important to sharpen tips before skiing.  These are portable and can be easily carried in a water pack or pocket.

Proper technique is also as much a safety factor as equipment.  Skiing with a forward position and with hips that are properly stacked and stable will allow roller skis to roll through small rocks and cracks on the trails and roads.  I said this above, but some of the worst crashes I have seen happen at low speeds when roller skis stop dead on an unexpected pebble – proper technique will help to push skis through these obstacles.  When learning to roller ski it makes sense to get some instruction for a few sessions to help transfer technique basics from snow to the road.  As I said above, roller skiing can feel slightly ‘different’.

Roller skiing for me is as enjoyable as a standalone activity as snow skiing.  I don’t slog through summer workouts just to get some winter training in – I do enjoy taking my ski skills to the paved trails and roads around my house.  With the right equipment and a bit of technique instruction any skier should feel this way.  If this sounds fun – our clinics are a great place to start. 

We are offering four clinics this spring at Gear West.  Get in touch with us beforehand if you need demo equipment for the clinic, we have a full line-up of Swenor classic and skate skis to try for the afternoon. The clinics will be:

April 24th 5:30PM Intermediate Skate Roller ski Clinic

The intermediate clinics can accommodate a wide range of abilities and are for those skiers who are looking for ski technique drills and discussion. 

May 8th 5:30PM Intermediate Classic Roller ski Clinic

The intermediate clinics can accommodate a wide range of abilities and are for those skiers who are looking for ski technique drills and discussion. 

May 22^nd 5:30PM Beginner Skate Roller ski Clinic

The beginner skate clinic will focus on basics of roller ski maintenance, safety, and technique.  Safety and technique drills will be introduced to provide basic skills to build on.

June 5^th 5:30PM Beginner Classic Roller ski Clinic

The beginner classic clinic will focus on basics of roller ski maintenance, safety, and technique.  Safety and technique drills will be introduced to provide basic skills to build on.

All our roller ski clinics start at Gear West in Long Lake.  We begin with a meet and greet in the parking lot in front of the Nordic store before heading to the lawn for some technique drills and discussion.  The rest of the clinic is spent on the paths around the store focusing on safety and technique drills.  We follow up with a chance to look around the store and ask questions of our staff who will be on hand to assist.  Every participant will get %10 off items they wish to buy in store.

We are also happy to answer any questions and assist with a purchase of any equipment that you might need.  Our staff are all knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions that you might have about roller skis or roller skiing.  See you out on the paved trails soon!