- “Vertically addicted
family gives skinny skiing a try”
- This story was published in
the Maine Sunday Telegram: January 2003
with 1 accompanying photo
By Heather Burke
We are a family of alpine enthusiasts. You may have gathered that from
my vertically slanted articles. My 10-year-old son has been pestering
me to try cross-country skiing for four years now. A recent cold,
blustery Sunday seemed the ideal time to take to the lower elements
and try sliding horizontally for a change.
Harris
Farm in Dayton was our Nordic destination. The family operated dairy
and tree farm has been in the cross-country ski business for 14 years
now. Dixie Harris greeted us enthusiastically in the cozy warming hut
and her staff quickly fitted all four of us with boots, skis and
poles.
“The boots should feel like running shoes,” said Harris, and they did
only perhaps more comfortable. My daughter immediately said, “These
are much comfier than my ski boots.”
Tina Fajardo of Alfred was seated next to us, fitting her 5-year-old
son Isaiah for their first endeavor on skinny skis. “Many of my
friends cross-country ski so I thought I better try it,” said Fajardo.
“I hate winter, so I need to find something to make it more fun.”
Lessons are available at Harris Farm, as well as a soup to nuts learn
to ski package for $35 including you rentals and a trail pass. We
opted to go it alone, since we figured we could convert from downhill
to Nordic without much difficulty.
My son said, “These skis are so much lighter and easier to carry than
our downhill skis.” We placed the narrow boards in the snow, clicked
our boot toe pieces into the bindings with an easy snap and we were
ready to ski.
My husband Greg had cross-country skied years ago, so with a few
pointers he had us all sliding across a beautiful snow-covered field
in moments.
We came up on four women, all giggling. Julie Canning of Waterboro
said, “This is my first time, my friends dragged me out here and I am
a little wobbly.” The women were obviously having fun and for a first
timer Canning was progressing quite well. As we skied away on Meadow
Run, we could hear their laughter emanating through the woods.
We free-healed our way along the well-groomed track. The thin skis
slid efficiently within the set tracks. Some very experienced skate
skiers charged past us on the widely groomed skating lane.
Like any sport, you can take Nordic to all levels, from a leisurely
walk in the woods to skating aggressively, to backcountry.
“Sugarloaf has a lot more difficult trails and backcountry Nordic,”
said Karta Owens of York. We passed Owens and his family enjoying a
thermos of hot cocoa on a trailside picnic bench in the woods.
We skied over gentle rolling pastures, through quiet wooded paths,
along babbling brooks and up and down modest hills over the course of
the next few hours. Despite the cold temperatures and a brisk wind, we
were warm and thankful that we had dressed in layers to unzip as our
pace intensified.
“I do both Nordic and alpine. Nordic is better for you physically. Not
only is it a better workout, it is easier to get to and do,” said Bob
Collins of Swix Wax. “It is less expensive from a lift ticket point of
view, you can even do it in your backyard with a little snow.”
Trail passes at Harris Farm are $12 for adults, and $8 for students.
Nordic centers maintain and groom their trails, plus provide signage
and trail maps as part of the fee. But there are no lifts, which was a
disappointment to my daughter when we came to our first big hill to
climb. “They should put in a rope tow here, Mom,” she suggested.
I reminded her that the reward for making it up would be a thrilling
ski down on the other side. The modern scaled skis gripped the snow as
we trudged up the hill, and the herringbone technique came into play
in a few steeper spots.
The descents were fun, even though we were sliding at a fraction of
the speeds we attain when downhill skiing. Perhaps it was the sense of
accomplishment for going up and down on our own steam, or maybe it was
simply not falling at this new sport.
Everyone we encountered at Harris Farm was smiling, enjoying the
beautiful outdoors and relaxed enough to exchange hellos as part of
this unhurried sport. And of all the new Nordic inductees we met, no
one appeared frustrated or stressed by the activity.
“If you can walk, you can pick up Nordic skiing,” said Jenny Freeman
of Kittery. Freeman explained that in her 30 years of cross-country,
the sport has become easier due to better grip and glide on the
shorter skis, and better wax.
Jean Harmon of Buxton was visiting Harris Farm for a Demo day. “I am
trying a pair of Karhu that are very smooth and fast, they glide
beautifully,” said Harmon. “The new skis have better balance, and
because they are shorter in length they are easier to control.”
Harmon said, “I am afraid I would hurt myself downhill skiing. I think
cross-country is so much safer and better for you aerobically. I like
that you can do it for an hour or two and feel energized.”
Freeman said, “I have given up downhill skiing because it has gotten
to be expensive and crowded. With Nordic you can get out into the
quiet countryside and hear the birds and really enjoy nature. Of
course, Nordic skiing is so good for your overall fitness, and it is
easier on the environment.”
Jeff Hurwilch of Rossignol Nordic said, “There is not a single better
sport for your body. Nordic skiing uses your legs, your arms, and your
abdominal muscles. It is the ultimate cardiovascular and aerobic
workout.”
After two hours on the groomed trails, we were well exercised, but not
sore or cold. We are not hanging up our downhill boards and crossing
over to cross-country. But our family is pleased to add skinny skiing
to our winter outdoor repertoire.
In fact, now my daughter wants to try ski-jouring, since she thinks
the sport can only be improved with a dog team to pull her up those
hills.
Harris Family
Farm
