Cross Country Skiing 101: Wax, Glide, Stride
Learn the craft of the beloved winter sport of cross country skiing! In this day long workshop, we’ll cover the basics of cross country skiing from equipment to clothing, waxing, and technique. We’ll spend some of the day out exploring on skis! This is a great opportunity to learn more about your own pair of cross country skis, or to decide if this is a sport you have interest in exploring further. Northern Michigan is a beautiful, snowy wonderland to ski in, and you’ll find that cross country skiing is a fantastic way to enjoy even the coldest days.
Morning: We’ll gather together, share some introductions, and begin to explore the craft of cross country skiing, its history, and how it’s evolved into a modern context. Then, we’ll start to explore the gear. If you have your own cross country skis with you, this will be a great time to get a better understanding about how skis are structured, and how they work in rhythm with the mechanics of your body and the snow! We’ll head out for our first lesson before lunch time.
Break for Lunch
Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll talk a bit more about the craft of caring for our skis. Each student will get the chance to try out various steps in waxing skis, and will have the tools and knowledge they need to care for their own skis at home! After waxing skis, we’ll have our final technique lesson of the day, then send students out for some independent exploration in the woods! We’ll return to the classroom for some hot tea, coffee, and final reflections.
Meet Your Instructor:
Lauren Dahl
In the eighth grade, while visiting her aunt and uncle in Northern Minnesota, Lauren pulled on her uncle “Buddy’s” cross country ski boots. Though they were a few sizes too big, she took her inaugural ski around the yard of their farm house, quickly falling in love with the sport. Lauren continued skiing through high school and college, finding her way to some of the most beautiful trails in the midwest. She’s spent the last five years continuing to train for cross country skiing, year round, coaching a high school ski team, and competing in a number of citizen races, including the American Birkebeiner, the largest cross country ski race in North America.
Lauren’s love for cross country skiing comes from a desire to form a deep relationship with the land around her. With a background in ecology and Norwegian cultural studies, she finds an intellectual connection to the sport; and as a winter enthusiast with Norwegian heritage, she feels this practice aligns with her strongest biological sensibilities.
Class Details:
Where is the class held?: This class will be held at Green Door Folk School in Cedar, MI, a place that so readily lends itself to community in crafting.
Visiting from out of town?: Surrounding Green Door Folk School is Cedar North of J2 Farms. Cedar North is dedicated to enriching the world through arts and agriculture. Stay in the airbnb…steps from the classroom, art studio, and farm!
Date/Time: January 31st @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
- Ages 18+
Booking Information and Policies:
What happens after I book the class?: After you book, we will send you a confirmation email that you are IN! A week out from the class, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.
Want to make sure you have all of the information before you dive in? Here’s our cancelation policy: We understand that plans change, and we do our best to accommodate while honoring the time, energy, and resources that go into preparing for each class.
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the class start date Receive a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. This fee helps cover the cost of filling your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 14 calendar days before class begins.
At this time, we are not able to offer:
• Course credit
• Transfers to other courses
This policy allows us to keep class sizes small and intimate, while minimizing pressure to increase overall course costs.
If the class is canceled by the school: In the event of inclement weather or other disruptions, we will issue a full refund and do our best to offer a reschedule option.
Policies:
Go for it! If you love being outside, enjoy long walks or runs, and have been looking for a way to get outside in the winter, this is the class for you!