Winter sports, anyone?

Well, if you are in the snow belt like me, you are probably now surrounded by some serious snow! After many years of cursing the winter, I've finally embraced it, and took up cross country skiing last year. I'm pretty pathetic so far, but boy do I burn a lot of cals! Haven't gotten out this year yet but tomorrow a.m. will be my first shot. I'm thinking of getting some snow shoes, too, since I love hiking soooooooooo much! I'm not great on skates but can get in a decent workout; do you think I burn extra cals be/c I'm worrying the whole time about falling? :) I broke my ankle the first time I skated/first time I fell at age 10, so my fears are not entirely groundless . . . Anyway, with the huge storm yesterday (we got 1 inch per 1/2 hour over a 6 hour stretch!!), we have enough white stuff to last until NEXT winter! I have gone sledding a couple of times already, so I guess I've already started, but there is so much more to do!

TTFN!

Hello!  I just bought a set of cross country skis a couple of days ago.  I, too, live in the northern US and we have plenty of the white stuff.  Unfortunately, it's also -9 degrees out today, with a -30 wind chill, so I'm not sure if I will get out today.  I am sooo excited about learning this sport!  Running and biking are beginning to lose their charm, I still enjoy them, but not as much anymore.  I also want to look into skiijoring, as I have a couple of high-energy pointers who get a little bored after hunting season.

Merry Christmas, and if you or anyone else has any pointers for a newbie, let me know!

I just broke out the snow shovel and made a path for my cat.  Unfortunately, with my finances that's the best I can afford!

Original Post by bippysmom:

 I also want to look into skiijoring, as I have a couple of high-energy pointers who get a little bored after hunting season.

Merry Christmas, and if you or anyone else has any pointers for a newbie, let me know!

 So what is skiijoring???

And no pointers from (or for me, pun intended) because I am a total newbie! Last year on my first try it took me 80 minutes to go 2 miles, and I must have burned 1000 calores and I am NOT exaggerating. Turns out my skis probably need wax, which I only discovered after the end of the ski season!! My husband had bought everything for me, so I never even though to ask; silly me, I thought he knew what he was doing. Of course, I got a great work out in!!

Good luck and let me know how it goes. I have to wait to tomorrow, too, b/c of the bitter (and dangerous) cold.

Skiijoring is a sport similar to dog sledding, except you (normally) only have one dog, and the dog is pulling a skier instead of a sled!  The dog is in harness attached to the skier by an 8' line, the skier is in harness with cross country skis and poles.  That is the basic concept.  Some people have up the 3 dogs, but for starters I'd just go with my pointer mix, she's got enough energy to match 10 dogs !  The point isn't to have the dog pull the skier the whole way, the skier has to work at it, too, so you don't wear your dog out too soon.  There are several websites dedicated to this sport that have a lot more info, I don't know that much about it yet, I'm just toying with the idea, since I have the dog and the skis!

I have a pointer/setter mix who would LOVE that. I'm looking into it right now!