Welcome to my series of outdoor-related video blogs aka vlogs! These short films are slightly less formal than my other informational and educational videos. Basically, I create these on-the-go videos while hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe. Once I return home, I perform some minimal editing to the footage. Then, I publish the video(s) on YouTube soon thereafter.
I began to produce these outdoor vlogs at the beginning of the 2020-21 winter. That year, we had an early start to the ski season thanks to mid-November snowstorms. Realistically, though, one of the main reasons I started creating these short videos was because 2020 was the big COVID-19/Coronavirus year. And, I knew people were eager for online cross-country skiing content. These short outdoor videos seemed like a great way in which to accomplish that task.
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All of the above said, my primary goal for producing these shorter format outdoor-related videos is to inspire people to go outside and explore the wilderness. I have a lot of diverse experience with outdoor adventuring, so I offer unique perspectives and insight about the outdoor experience. And I can say without question that my quality of daily life has increased immeasurably by incorporating outdoor activities into my life on a near-daily basis. So, I want to share with you this wonderful outdoor experience. And I hope to encourage you to find new ways to explore the great outdoors here in Tahoe or wherever you live.
These vlogs range from silent cross-country ski tours to brief outdoor sessions where I discuss training philosophy or Lake Tahoe flora and fauna. In essence, these short videos are food for thought for deeper discussions and will hopefully provide you with a new perspective regarding the outdoor experience.
Notes About Watching My Outdoor VLOG
Please note that this outdoor vlog series is just one of my YouTube playlists. You can watch all the episodes here, but I’ve published many other outdoor-related videos on my YouTube channel. So, I highly recommend checking out the channel (and subscribing to it!) in order to see what else I offer.
Keep in mind that on this page the thumbnails for each outdoor vlog is located beneath the video player. Click on the thumbnail, and then you’ll automatically jump back to the top of this page where the actual player is located.
My latest vlog will always appear first on this page. If you want to watch the entire series of outdoor vlogs from the beginning (November 2020), you’ll have to navigate to the last page. There’s a link down below that shows the total number of pages related to this series (i.e. 1 of 4) and a “next” button. Click that next button to travel back in time!
For those of you who come here primarily for cross-country skiing content, please note that there’s a section at the bottom of this page featuring links to all of my xc ski-related articles here on Tahoe Trail Guide.
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Cross-Country Skiing Explained Articles and Videos
Please note that I wrote and produced the Cross-Country Skiing Explained series of articles and videos with the beginner and intermediate cross-country skier in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often serve(d) while working in the outdoor recreation industry at Lake Tahoe. I basically treat these articles and videos as extensions of the conversations that I have (had) with those customers.
That said, expert skiers probably could take away something of value from these resources. Just know that I don’t address race-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection.
Considerations for buying cross-country ski gear (new and beginner xc skiers)
- Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used (Part 1)
- How Much Gear to Acquire, Evaluate Your Commitment, Value of Taking XC Ski Lessons (Part 2)
- Can One Set of Classic Cross-Country Skis Work for Groomed and Off-Track XC Skiing? (Part 3)
- Can I Use One Set of XC Ski Boots for All of My Cross-Country Skiing Needs? (Part 4)
- Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
- Invest in Technique More than Gear
Classic Cross-Country Ski Components
- Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 1)
- Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 2)
- The Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 3)
- Types of Bindings for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 4)
- Ski Boots for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 5)
- Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles (Part 6)
- FAQs about Classic Cross-Country Skiing
Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis (for beginner and intermediate xc skiers)
- Introduction to Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
- Step-by-Step Waxing Tutorial
- FAQs About Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
Cross-Country Skiing Techniques, Demonstrations, and Related Concepts
- Outdoor VLOG (emphasis on the cross-country skiing experience)
- Cross-Country Skiing in Challenging Conditions
- Considerations for Winter Adventure in Lake Tahoe’s Backcountry
- Using the Side-Step and Herringbone Techniques in the Backcountry
- 10 Tips for Spring Cross-Country Skiing in the Backcountry
- 5 Reasons to Love Spring Cross-Country Skiing
- Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
- Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
- The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
Can you help me to find a 42 boot for a Look Contact binding for cross country OMNI TREK skis that I inherited ?
Do I have to replace the binding on these skis, if the answer to my first question is no?
Jeffrey L. Perper
Hey Dr. Perper,
Thanks so much for reaching out!
Honestly, though, I’m not at all familiar with those types of bindings. I suspect they’ve been discontinued for many years. I could be wrong, but I’d consider just mounting newer xc ski bindings (and having a bunch of options for boots) to those skis rather than trying to track down a pair of compatible boots. As is often the case, you may find yourself spending a whole lot of time just searching for those older boots.
That said, if you want to try and find boots for that particular system you might want to try contacting the person who publishes the Across The Snowline blog (http://acrossthesnowline.com/2020/02/19/pins-to-pivots-and-the-nightmare-of-the-90s/). He’s way more familiar with older cross-country ski binding systems than I am.
It’s always a mixed bag inheriting old skis. Often people wind up spending way more time just trying to find compatible components (as opposed to being outside and xc skiing). I always tell people that if they’re going to get something free, and it’s super convenient (easy to find comfortable and compatible boots, for example) go for it. Otherwise, it’s just a pain in the neck and waste of your time. Midway down the page I have a section that I’ve included stories about buying or acquiring use xc skis and related gear, if you want to hear more of my thoughts on the subject (https://tahoetrailguide.com/buying-cross-country-ski-gear-for-beginners-part-1/).
Anyway, good luck and let me know what you decide on.
p.s. I removed your email/phone number from your comment to prevent you from getting spammed. I always discourage people from putting that type of sensitive info in the comment section because there are always web crawlers online looking for that type of information.
Jared, thanks for the reply. I did forget one thing, but remembered it today.
If you come across a pair of wooden skiis from the 70s, especially ‘Tur Langren’, buy them. Don’t pay more than $5-10 for them. Get rid of the 75 mm bindings and install a set of Solomon Profil or Rossi NNN, pine tar them (I don’t wipe the pine tar
off, even though it’s recommended); learn to wax (I still use 70+ wax I find at the thrift store for very cheap); and go out for a ride. This type of ski is not as primitive and old oaken skiis with jar-rubber bindings or even cables. You’ll have a treat in store.
I use high tech Fischer racing skiis when I go out to B.C. and my friends out there scoff at my stories of my wooden ski adventures here in the East. B.C. = British Colombia.
Keep up the good work. And Ride the Glide!!
Bob
Hey Bob,
Thanks for the tips! If I ever do come across a pair of those types of skis, I’ll definitely pick them up. Sounds super fun! And it would be a very cool experience, to say the least.
Here in the Sierra Nevada there’s a long history of cross-country skiing (i.e. Snowshoe Thompson, Longboard Races from the 1800s c. Gold Rush). The Plumas Ski Club actually hosts a current longboard race each year. People make their own old style skis (although probably much older than the skis you recommend I find 🙂 ) and race them. But, I always end up working the day of those races. One of these years I will go and watch them, though. Looks like a fantastic event.
I use higher end track and skate skis on the groomers. But, when I’m off-track I use a lot of contemporary backcountry-oriented cross-country skis. It’s cool that there is such a diverse and abundant of selection to choose from (although my wallet my say otherwise ;).
Anyway, thanks again for all the kind words. Take care, and I hope you get in some great skiing this year!
I enjoyed your last season. 19-20, final video. I am a long time skier,
Here are some suggestions you can mention on future videos:
The third pass over the track starts to get the the good snow. Why? Because the first two passes press the air out of the snow and this prevents sheer that causes the skiis to slip.
Frequency over duration…I’m in complete agreement. Every time you slip on a pair of skiis, you gain muscle memory! The confidence level increase factor is definitely a positive result.
I can tell you weren’t an alpiner in your former life. How do I know? From your downhill runs on hard snow your skiis are about the right distance apart but your knees are squeezed togehter (as you mentioned in this year’s video). Here’s my suggestion, aside from keeping your legs bent but parallel: If you imitate the up down motion as with the older time straight alpine skiis, you will tend to ski ‘parallel’ with more confidence. Now, with that up-down action a pole plant will facilitate the initiation of the ‘skidded’ turn, just what the straight alpine. With the longer poles you will unweight the skiis enough when you come up over to start them around. Have confidence in your legs and their strength.
You can skate on all skiis. I learned to skate on wooden skiis with 75 mm touring bindings and loved it.
You and I are in concert when it comes to always aiming to improve.
Since I retired (2001) I go to Silver Star in B.C. for a month during early season (cheap seats, don’t you know) and realized that even though I’m an experienced skier, i get better in some small way each year. Not this year though. Canada is not an option.
I enjoy your videos, but don’t bob your head so much on your head-mount camera – it makes me dizzy.
Keep safe, keep sane.
Ride the glide.
Bob Salesi
Hey Bob,
Thanks so much for all of the thoughtful feedback 🙂
I’ll definitely try to put into practice the tips you offer, particularly with regard to the downhill turning. It’s funny because the snow conditions are quite soft and relatively deep right now so I’ve been focusing more on learning to Telemark turn. But when the snow becomes more firm, parallel turning (or at least my little stem Christie turns) seems more appropriate. In either case, I need to practice using pole plants as cues to start initiating turns. I’ve mostly taken the poles out of the equation so as not to develop a habit of relying them on for balance. But I think you’re right in that doing them will help with my timing and unweighting of the skis.
I’ve only been xc skiing for seven seasons now (20/21 being by 7th), but I’ve definitely committed to the practice. Each season I start to dig a little deeper into the subtleties of the art and focus on my (numerous) weaknesses. But there’s always something to learn, and that’s one of the things I love the most about it. Well, that, and simply being outside in nature!
I apologize for not responding to all of your feedback, but my workload and list of commitments to keep before the holidays is a bit overwhelming. So, I’ll have to close for now.
But, thank you again for all the kind words and meaningful feedback! I really appreciate it 🙂
And, I agree that using a head-mount camera while diagonal striding is not the best combination. haha!