We have just gotten about 5 inches of good snow down. This is enough to cover and coat the majority of downed logs in the woods so that you can float over them.
The rig I have been running has been based on the Saloman XADV Raid binding and compatable boots, the Greenlands are the ones i use currently. I have been slapping these on various versions of the thrift store waxless cross country ski. Ten bux, strip the old three pin 75 mm bindings and put the Salomans, and ski until the ski breaks. This took usually about two seasons.
I also got a pair of "army surplus" telemark/cross country things. Mildly shaped, and a steal edge which makes all the difference.
The skiing for 2010 included a couple of trips out to a State Park on Lake Michigan. The snow pack was good enough both days to open up the dunes for the short and steep. I grew up on the dunes of Lake Michigan and consider them sacred space. Erosion from human tramping has detrimental effects on the dunes, but when the snow is deep enough- seems like a fine time to take in the views from the top of these and plunge down them...and then boot pack back up for another run.
http://www.marquette-backcountry.com/
These skis seem like they might be really good for having fun in the bush of the Kalamazoo area. I seek out skiing like i used to scope out spots for skating. It used to be " maybe there is a pool or a bank over there" to cruising neighborhoods looking for lightly wooded hillsides that could support a few turns.
I have a number of regular objectives when the winter storms with lake effect slam into our cozy burg. Going out before the snow plows can clear it- a number of roads open up, as well as parks and yards. All supply me with space to ski with wild abandon.
Only now is the snow pack accumulating on the side roads making townie front door to untracked slopes a possibility.
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| Van Buren State Park, Michigan |
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| Wide Dune Gully. |
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| No shortage of crashes |
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| getting set for the turn |
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