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YES, WE DO X-C
 Once upon a time we used to not do cross country... Until (3 years ago) we decided to give the people what they wanted... So now, when you call in and ask "do you sell cross-country skis" we can gladly point you in the direction of either of our locations, on Kenaston and on Donald. Where we proudly carry Salomon and Fischer skis, boots and bindings, Alpina skis and boots, Peltonen skis, Swix wax, Excel, Salomon, Swix, and Louis Garneau poles as well as a huge selection of superbly warm outerwear.
 It's a new experience for some of us, this cross-country ski thing, a whole new category to learn... We're excited to get to meet you, to get to know an entirely new bunch of customers... And yes, while we do have XC experts on staff, some of us neophytes are quite excited about getting out and trying this great sport with you... because just like you, we have to stay in some sort of shape that doesn't look like an inflatable orb. It's for a good cause that we added this sport to our repertoire, it's with a smile that we're converting spouses and buddies to take up cross-country skiing, it's a phenomenal work out or a simple, healthy way to just get out for a few hours with friends and family and enjoy winter... Don't look now, we're hooked! Who knows, maybe we'll get in shape this winter instead of just getting plump.
 HOW TO WAX XC SKIS
Waxing skis properly can sometimes be difficult, especially in highly variable temperatures or in temperatures at or near the freezing level... Happily in Winnipeg, winter temperatures are pretty stable... Damned cold all the damned time. Learn more about how to wax your skis here: [more]
GEAR
 As we stated up here somewhere, we offer Salomon and Fischer cross-country ski gear at both our Kenaston and Donald Street stores, Salomon and Fischer are the two indisputable giants in the cross-country gear industry. For a simple reason: they offer the best gear out there. They both provide excellent quality and value, two things we are pretty adamant about when it comes to what we sell. We only sell what we'd buy ourselves. We do wax from Swix and a great glide product from Zardoz (ask us about it, you'll be very impressed, trust us, this stuff puts the capital G in glide!)
 Don't worry, We don't sell super high-end gear nor do we bother to offer the very cheapest of equipment (life is too short to use crap). We like it in the middle because that's what our market (that would be most of you) likes too. We focus on stuff like base quality (for glide, wax retention and durability), boot comfort and warmth (duh), pole performance (you'd be surprised how an extra $10 on a pole can make your experience better) and proper sizing. We'll try to convert you to using the right socks, the correct underwear and just as important a warm, stabilizing footbed... But don't worry, we're not out to load you up or to drop the hammer on you, we aim to educate and to provide you with option to acquire the right weapons against frustration, discomfort and cold. Because come on, no one wants to suffer, comfy=good! Remember, the right gear does not always cost more... The wrong gear however is always horrendously expensive!
 Do yourself a favor, drop on by either the Donald or Kenaston store, come and meet our XC "experts" (if you can call us that) and let us take a few minutes to give you the quick and complete "XC" rundown Skate versus Classic (we only sell "classic"), Wood versus Synthetic cores, NNN versus SNS, Extruded versus Sintered bases... all the good stuff and then allow us to show you what suggestions we may have for you -within your budget- to help you make the most of the white stuff.
It's all part of our evil master plan to turn our omnipresent winter into a joyous, playful and healthy time of year.
PRESET PACKAGES
Here a package, there a package, everywhere a package. Cross-Country retail in Winnipeg is all about packages. Be warned: While "packages" are an easy way for you to get an idea of what your end price will be you must be aware of the upsides and downsides of Packages.
 Upsides to preset packages: Packages are perfect for those who like to have decisions made for them. If you want simplicity and you like to have the same brand in poles, bindings, skis and boots, if customizing seems overly complicated to you and leaves you worried that you're going to be 'had', if you're the kind of person that has never ordered "a la carte" then preset packages are for you. All kidding aside, the main upside to packages for the consumer remains simplicity and the ability for less experienced staff to match the appropriate binding to the appropriate boot to the same level ski.
 Downsides to preset packages: Lets face it: preset packages are primarily put together for the benefit of suppliers and retailers in an effort to make the process simpler (not necessarily better). What if you have a foot that fits Fischer
boots better, what if you want a wider ski but the package that
you can afford does not feature a wide ski. What if you simply can't see yourself in a mauve ski boot? Some may argue with some degree of merit that preset packages restrict one's ability to get the best individual components in the quest for the most appropriate package for your skill level or budget.
And just to keep your wallet at ease, remember that all our prices are covered by Gord's LOWEST PRICE POLICY, if you find it cheaper elsewhere we'll match it and beat it by 5%:
CUSTOM PACKAGES
 This one's our favorite! This is where we shine. Custom Packages are unique-to-you build-to-suit packages where you can mix and match at will, doing it the right way... All the while still benefiting from the always discounted "package" pricing.
 Here's how we do it: First, we start with a warm, supportive footbed, then we'll introduce you to a killer pair of socks (warm, comfy, moisture-wicking), the right boot for YOUR foot (Salomon or Fischer), bindings that match the boot, skis suited perfectly for your weight, ability and where you wish to escape to from Salomon, Fischer or Karhu and then whatever poles your heart desires (stiff poles for big boys, light poles for the light-weights). Remember: Preset or Custom, our Custom packages are all "package" priced. Win-win.
WAX VERSUS WAXLESS
Let's start the following diatribe with this one clear statement (just to appease the purists that may be in the audience): Absolutely nothing is better than a properly waxed pair of skis. There. We've said it.
You can enjoy general touring on waxable or waxless skis. Many recreational skiers prefer waxless models because they're easier to care for. Waxable skis, on the other hand, typically outperform waxless models when they're prepared and cared for correctly. Waxable skis are the choice of most weekend racers and serious cross-country enthusiasts who don't mind the extra effort involved in preparation and maintenance.
 "Wax" skis are skis that need to have "grip wax" applied to the section underfoot in order for the skis to grip to the snow in order for you to move forward... "Waxless skis" (also known as "nonwax" skis) require no such grip wax, they rely on "fish scales" in order to provide the needed grip. The problem has always been that cheap "waxless" skis simply don't work very well and that nothing really beats a well waxed "Waxable" ski.
In the spirit of Gord Reid we're about to put the Winnipeg cross country market on its ear. It's a well known fact that Winnipeg cross-country retailers are notoriously conservative when it comes to XC. Just for fun,
Go ahead, ask any retailer (other than Gord's of course) what they think of waxless skis. Once they finish laughing ask them how much work is involved with maintaining waxable skis. There is an option, and we're offering it to those of you who, like some of us, have better things to do than wax.
NOW GET OUT THERE, WILL YA?
Take some time out of the rat race, put your toque on, don that sweet Patagonia underwear and that nice pair of gloves you got for Christmas last year... go on, GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!
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With origins in Scandinavia 4000-4500 years ago, Cross Country Skiing has come a long way from being the sole method of transportation for snow and ice-bound Northerners. You can Cross Country Ski on every continent on Earth and in many island nations at Cross Country Ski Centers featuring prepared tracks as well as off-track in parks, woods, mountains--just about anywhere! Competition in Cross Country Skiing spans the globe with a third of all the Winter Olympic medals being awarded in Cross Country Skiing and the other Nordic sports.
Although commonly thought of as a minor winter sport in North America, Cross Country Skiing is actually the great-great-grandparent of all ski sports since both alpine skiing and snowboarding were only recently derived from this free-heeled ancestor. A member of the Nordic sport family, Cross Country Skiing is divided into two styles or competitive disciplines; Classic (aka Traditional or Diagonal) skiing which involves a straight-ahead gliding motion, and Ski Skating (aka Freestyle) which involves a V-style glide and edge motion much like ice skating or roller blading.
The quick learning curve, low injury rate, and natural motions of XC Skiing allow folks of all ages, fitness levels and interests to participate. Even toddlers just learning to walk can often be found on XC skis. (Interestingly, many alpine ski instructors encourage parents to make Cross Country Skiing a child's very first experience on snow due to the lightweight, inexpensive equipment and the general freedom of movement.). At the other end of the spectrum, super-Masters up to 100+ years young come out every winter to enjoy the rhythmic, low-impact feeling of gliding across gentle terrain.
On packed surfaces your skis will glide much further and with classic tracks, you actually have two grooved channels to follow. Off-track ski conditions, on the other hand, are up to the weather and any previous skiers. Sometimes you may have a beautiful experience with previously "skied-in" tracks or, particularly in the Spring, you may get to experience cruising on frozen "crust" stretching to the horizon. On the downside, off-track skiing can feature numerous obstacles (downed trees, swollen rivers, rock fields, etc.), winter dangers (avalanches), and very inconsistent snow quality (everything from ice to 10 feet of powder).
Packed trails make learning or re-learning the basic motions a snap and the quality instruction available at most commercial areas will yield benefits for years to come. Usually you can get a package including lessons, trail pass, and rentals for less than the cost of a lift ticket at a major Alpine resort.
Although snow-covered golf courses offer attractive terrain and can be great places to ski, always check with the owners before venturing out! Please note, however, that skiing for the first time or first couple times on ungroomed snow and without professional instruction can often yield a less-than-optimal day on snow.
