Tahoe Trail Guide

Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe

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Tag: classic xc skiing

XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings

January 2, 2021
| 23 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

Ski bindings, whether they be for Nordic skis, Alpine skis, Telemark skis, or Randonee skis (Alpine Touring), are the unsung heroes of the world of skiing. Without bindings, our skis would be rendered useless for they are the direct interface between human and technology (skis). Their purpose is to enable us to exert control over…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 23 Comments

XC Skiing Explained (Part 1): Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis

February 20, 2020
| 5 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

Skis began, as you might expect, as a mode of transportation over snowy terrain. Whether people were traveling from one place to another or chasing down wild game, skis were (and still are) designed to provide the means to travel most expediently across snow. Although downhill skiing has been around since the 1800s and has…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 5 Comments

XC Skiing Explained (Part 2): Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis

February 15, 2020
| 18 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

From an outward appearance, classic cross-country skis look simple in their design. They’re long, skinny, lightweight, and feature a graceful arc that (mostly) spans the length of the ski. However, the reality is that the shape of classic cross-country skis, as well as the techniques used to run them, are deceptively complex. Understanding the basic…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 18 Comments

XC Skiing Explained (Part 3): Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis

February 12, 2020
| No Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

There are many design features that make a classic cross-country ski unique, but arguably the most distinct is the grip zone. This area directly underfoot accommodates kick wax or features a textured pattern such as fish scales, skins, or a surface designed to be roughened up so you can achieve grip on the snow. The…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance Leave a comment

XC Skiing Explained (Part 5): Classic Cross-Country Ski Boots

February 8, 2020
| 14 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

There are countless variations of classic cross-country ski boots in circulation. The styles range from vintage patent leather shoes designed for use with the 3-pin binding system (NN) and will most likely be found in a thrift store or at a garage sale to high-tech and high-top styles of backcountry boots that feature ankle support…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 14 Comments

XC Skiing Explained (Part 6): Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles

February 4, 2020
| 2 Comments
| Backcountry Skills, Blog
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

When I hand first-time cross-country skiers their ski poles (in the rental shop where I seasonally work), I’m often met with disbelief. New customers will say something to the effect of, “these are so much longer than my alpine ski poles” or “are you sure they’re supposed to be so long?” They are a lot…

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Posted in Backcountry Skills, Blog Tagged classic xc skiing, cross-country skiing explained, gear maintenance 2 Comments

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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis: Introduction
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1)
XC Skiing Explained (Part 5): Classic Cross-Country Ski Boots
XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
XC Skiing Explained (Part 2): Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis
Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 2)
Waxing Your Waxless Cross-Country Skis: Step-By-Step Tutorial
XC Skiing Explained (Part 3): Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis
Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe

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Recent Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
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I hiked all through the mountains and forests toda I hiked all through the mountains and forests today hoping to see (among other birds) a Red-breasted Sapsucker, only to see one near the gas station 😂
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#birdsoflaketahoe
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#tahoelife #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #tahome #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #naturephotography #tahoesnaturalists #wildlifephotography #redbreastedsapsucker #mountainliving #mountainlifestyle #mountainculture #sierranevadawildlife #birdsofinstagram #exploretahoe #dailyadventure #livelifeoutside #birding #birder #discovertahoe #optoutside #birdphotography #mountainculture #findmeoutside #getoutside #birdnerd
I barely had time to raise my camera (hence the sl I barely had time to raise my camera (hence the slight crop of its wing tips) when I saw this beautiful (dark morph) Red-tailed Hawk swoop from its Jeffrey Pine perch 🤗
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#birdsoflaketahoe
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YouTube.com/JaredManninen
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#tahoelife #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #tahome #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #naturephotography #tahoesnaturalists #wildlifephotography #redtailedhawk #mountainliving #mountainlifestyle #mountainculture #sierranevadawildlife #birdsofinstagram #exploretahoe #dailyadventure #livelifeoutside #birding #birder #discovertahoe #optoutside #birdphotography #mountainculture #findmeoutside #getoutside #birdnerd
The Tahoe Big Year is underway! If you're in Tahoe The Tahoe Big Year is underway! If you're in Tahoe and love birds, consider taking part this year. Check out the @tahoesnaturalists website for more information 🤗
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Great Blue Heron perched on a snag.
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#birdsoflaketahoe
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TahoeTrailGuide.com
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YouTube.com/JaredManninen
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#tahoelife #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #tahome #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #naturephotography #tahoesnaturalists #wildlifephotography #greatblueheron #mountainliving #mountainlifestyle #mountainculture #sierranevadawildlife #birdsofinstagram #exploretahoe #dailyadventure #livelifeoutside #birding #birder #discovertahoe #optoutside #birdphotography #mountainculture #findmeoutside #getoutside #birdnerd
There's definitely snow in the upper elevations, b There's definitely snow in the upper elevations, but it's quite harsh. Wind-scoured, wind-swept, and wind-buffed. Not the best for xc skiing but, hey, at least I got out of the house today 😂
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#tahoe #tahoelife #tahome #tahoesouth #tahoesnaps #mybackyard #mountainliving #playoutside #optoutside #adventurelife #outdoorculture #outdooradventure #mountainculture #findmeoutside #southlaketahoe #laketahoe #exploretahoe #findyourbackcountry #lovewhereyoulive #adventurelifestyle #livelifeoutside #backcountryskiing #dailyadventure #earnyourturns #mountainlife #xcskiing #xcski #nordicskier #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing
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Popular Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

  • XC Skiing Explained (Part 4): Classic Cross-Country Ski Bindings
  • Snowshoeing on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe
  • 5 Reasons to Love Snowshoeing
  • Cross-Country Skiing on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe
  • Snowshoeing Basics: Overview of Modern Snowshoes
  • Jared Manninen’s Cross-Country Skiing VLOG
  • Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis: Introduction

Lake Tahoe Trails

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