Webskis Blog

ALPINA ESK PRO SKATE BOOT

When you look at the feet of upper level nordic ski racers around the world you cannot help but notice all the red color. The Alpina ESK and ECL have become one of the most popular racing boots on the snow. The Alpina boots are light and stiff and give the skier a noticeably quicker edge to edge power transfer than most boots. Dario Colgna finished first in the overall World Cup and the World Cup Final wearing an Alpina boot available next year.

So, for next year, Alpina has created a boot that is even lighter and stiffer with a couple of new wrinkles. The 2012/13 Alpina ESK Pro will have a sole with a ramp in the midsole that sets the heel 5mm lower than the toe. This is like the wedges that both Salomon and Rottefella have for their skate ski bindings. The toe is higher than the heel. It is a bit like Earth Shoes making a world cup level skate boot. Some skiers have found that they feel the wedge helps move the ski forward a tiny amount with each stride, especially climbing. I have tried the wedge and after a couple days, did not notice it. I did no objective testing to see if helped me ski faster. But the Alpina ESK Pro will have the wedge effect built into the boot. That way, a skier can step onto any NIS binding or even a R3 binding and have the wedge effect.

For people who like the old style flat sole that is close to the ski, Alpina will continue to make the same boot we use now, the ESK. Now, the new ESK Pro is going to be fairly pricey. We will be selling the boot for $579. You may see some retail prices over $600. I know that there is not a huge market for a boot at that price, but who knows what the industry future is for pricing all high end gear.

I really like the current Alpina boots. They fit me and allow me to find a flat ski easily and move edge to edge quickly. I have not yet skied in the new boot and Alpina has not made many. If you want to get a pair you could let us know now so that we can tell Alpina so that the boot will be made. Production of this boot will be limited.

Have a great spring and summer planning for next year when there has to be better snow. Now I sound like the Red Sox fan I am, “just wait til next year.”

The 2012 Great Nordeen continues to offer challenges for skiers and for waxers. Here is the current NOAA forecast:

Tonight, Thursday: Snow. Low around 27. Windy, with a west wind between 28 and 38 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Friday: Snow. High near 30. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 17 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow. Low around 22. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 18 mph increasing to between 27 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 24. West wind between 6 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Here is how I am planning. I am picking a pair of skis with a medium grind. Too aggressive and it will not work well in the new snow. I am also picking a pair of skis with a medium to softer tip. A stiff ski will not be fast in new snow. Now, if the groomers plow the new snow off the course, as they did a couple years ago, then the ski and wax choice would be different. I am counting on new snow.

Base: Solda UF 7 or a mix of Solda U7 and Performance Red.
Next, a layer of Solda S30 Cold Powder. Scrape when it is warm and don’t brush.

Paraffin: Solda F31 Pink

Top Coat: Solda HP04

That is what I am doing to my skis. I am starting tonight because I have to do other people’s skis tomorrow.

Bib pick up at our shop from 12:00 to 6:00 PM. See you there.

Bert

The NOAA forecast for the Higgins Lake area is:

This Afternoon, Friday: Snow showers and areas of blowing snow before 3pm, then scattered snow showers after 3pm. High near 27. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers before 7pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 7. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a south wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. West wind around 10 mph.

The forecast has the air temp at start time as 50F.

Solda Glide Wax:
Base: Crayon a layer of Solda HC28 and over this iron in Solda UF7; scrape and brush.
Parraffin: Solda F40 Carbon Yellow if the snow is at all dirty. If the snow is clean, go with Solda F40 Yellow Special.
Top Coat: Solda Fluor 100. If the snow is really wet you can benefit from a rub on of Powerjet 5. Crayon on the solid, cork it and brush it out.

A note about layering. Recent testing has shown that multiple layers of wax will give better glide over a long race. So, a glide out test of one layer of a parraffin will not necessarily test faster than multiple layers. But over a long race, multiple layers will adhere better to the base. In some snow, multiple layers negates the need for powders. This would be in dry to medium humidity. Multiple layers are used to better saturate the base. These layers will also aid in holding on to the next wax job.

The current NOAA forecast for Biwabik, MN:

Overnight Thursday: Mostly clear, with a low around -2. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Temp at 9:30 is to be 32F. Warming will be rapid with March sun.

Since I am not there to test wax, and testing will be difficult due to the cold snow on Friday and the warming snow on Saturday, I will have to make a guess based how I know the wax.

Solda Glide:

Base: Solda HC28 crayoned on and then iron in UF7. If there is new snow that is wind blown and the classic track has some fine grained snow, cover the UF7 with Solda S20.
Parrafin: Solda F40 Yellow or Yellow Special. If you have some Fluoro Plus, crayon this on over the S20 and iron the Yellow over the Fluoro Plus.
Top Coat: Solda Fluor 100

Classic skiers should iron and cork a binder. Then apply some warm wax in thin layers. Cover this with a couple thin layers of wax for the start temps. If the track is old snow that has transformed, go with a klister binder and then probably a “red” klister. This could be covered with a warm hard wax for the start.

The NOAA Forecast for Calumet, MI:

Overnight Thursday: Snow showers and widespread blowing snow before 3am, then snow showers likely and widespread blowing snow after 3am. Low around 15. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Windy, with a northwest wind between 30 and 35 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday: Snow showers likely and areas of blowing snow before 10am, then patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers between 10am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 23. Wind chill values between -5 and 5. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

According to the forecast, start time, 8:30 AM, temp is to be 25F (-4 C). Air temp at 11:00 AM 35F (1.6 C). Because of the location near the lake and the snow releasing moisture as it warms, my guess is that the humidity will be fairly high. The snow will be holding colder temps and is likely to be transforming during the race.

Since I am not there to test, and testing on sight will be difficult prior to the race because of the rapid change in weather, I will have to make a guess based on what I know about the wax. Local skiers are likely to know more about the snow and may make a different choice.

Solda glide wax:

Base: Solda UF7; over this wax apply a layer of Solda S20 powder.
Paraffin: A layer of Solda F40 Orange Special.
Fluoro Powder: Solda Fluoro 100
Top Coat: Solda Powerjet 1, corked and brushed.

I know the forecast is for warm, but with the wind and the cold temps prior to the race, my guess is that the fine grained new snow will be a factor, thus the S20 powder. If there is not much new snow and the snow is warmer, then go with Solda F40 Yellow Special if the start time temp is closer to 32F and the snow is transformed.

After waxing, apply a “yellow” structure.

Classic skiers will need a good binder ironed in and corked. Then test wax prior to the race remembering that the snow will warm. After the binder, add 4 to 6 thin layers of wax that will work from mid race to the end. Cover this with wax for the start time temps.

Rendezvous race is skate or classic 25km or 50km marathon.

The NOAA forecast:

Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as -2. Light wind becoming west southwest between 11 and 14 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -6. West southwest wind between 10 and 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

West Yellowstone snow always skis colder than it measures.

Start time temp should be between 15 and 20. Remember the snow will be colder.

Solda Glide:
Base: Solda HC28 and S30 cold powder. Apply the S30 over the scraped and brushed HC28. Scrape the S30 lightly when it is warm and do not brush.
Paraffin: Solda F40 Violet Special
Topcoat: Solda HP05/S30 mix 70/30.

Crescent Lake is 22km skate race. Start time is 10:00AM. Looks like weather will be warming to about 44 at start time

Current NOAA forecast for Crescent Lake is:

Friday: A slight chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of snow after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. West southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West southwest wind around 7 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. West southwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

A pair of softish to medium skis with some structure. I would apply a medium linear to the front of the ski and the back half with a medium v pattern.

Solda Glide wax:
Base: Solda UF7
Paraffin: Solda F40 Orange Special
Top Coat: Solda Fluro 100

Budget wax:
Base: Solda UF7
Paraffin: Solda F31 Orange

Economy Wax:
Solda UF7

42km and 21km skate race on Saturday, March 3.

Current NOAA forecast:

Friday: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -2. Blustery, with a west northwest wind between 9 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -11. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday: A 10 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

I am not there testing, but here is how I would prepare given what I see here from Bend, Oregon.
Skis: Pick a pair of medium flex cold base skis with a cold grind. If you have plus base skis, pick a pair with long contact zones. After waxing add a cold, linear rill structure.

Solda Glide:
Base: Solda HC28 and then a layer of Solda S30 Cold powder. Scraped the S30 while it is warm, don’t brush.
Paraffin: F31 Violet
Top coat: Solda HP05/S30 mix 50/50

Stampede Classic is on Sunday

Current NOAA forecast:

Saturday: A 10 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 12.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 38.

Solda Glide:
Base: Solda HC28 and Solda S30 cold powder. After scraping the HC28, apply the S30 powder and scrape it while still warm. Don’t scrape.
Paraffin: Solda F31 Violet
Top Coat: Solda HP05.

Kick wax: Apply a binder of Toko Green or Swix VG30 ironed in. Cork smooth when cool.
Then test kick waxes. Test in shade, on up hills, in sun and on downhills. I don’t know the course, but keep in mind where you will need the most kick. My guess is if using Swix, go with VR 40. Toko would be alternate layers of Red and Blue with short Red and short Blue under binding if more kick needed. Rode Blue Multigrade or Blue Super could work.

Black Mt Classic; 31km or 10km classic

Current NOAA forecast:

This Afternoon (Thursday): Cloudy, with a high near 32. Calm wind.

Tonight: Cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 28. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind around 15 mph.

Start time temperature 29F (-2C). Relative Humidity 88%. Chance of snow.

Solda Glide wax:
Base: Solda UF7
Paraffin: Solda F31 Pink or F40 Orange Special
Top Coat: Solda Fluor 100

Kick Wax:
Iron in a binder of Toko Green or Swix VG35. Cork smooth when cool. Go with appropriate kick for new snow. With this temp and moisture the track is likely to glaze over time. Be ready with good grip under the wax for early course conditions. Something like VR50 covered with VR45. Toko Red is in this temp range. Get there early enough to test.

Boyne Highlands 15km Skate race

Current NOAA forecast:

Friday: Snow likely after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 28. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 31. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 11.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 20.

Start time temperature 14F (-10C). Relative Humidity 90%. Chance of snow.

Solda Glide Wax:
Base: Solda UF7
Paraffin: Solda F40 Red or F40 Red Special
Top Coat: Solda HP04

My gut is going with the Red/HP04 because of the moisture and previous day’s temps. I am not there, but the snow may not be too cold. Local experts may know different, but with the lake open and the warmer conditions, it looks to me like it won’t be super cold snow. If you have two pair of skis, maybe wax one pair with F40 Violet and HP05 if it is colder.

While at the American Birkie last week I had a discussion with a dedicated SOLDA wax user about waxing for weekend races 3 to 4 days prior to the race. I am not in favor of doing that because of the uncertainty of the weather and snow conditions 3 to 4 days out. His position was that because he has to travel, often on Friday before the race, and ends up staying someplace with no waxing facilities or just gets in too late to wax, he is forced to prep his skis on Wednesday or Thursday. I have not been trying to get wax recommendations out before Thursday evening, and even so, will sometimes post updates the night before a race as conditions change. At the highest levels of racing/waxing, the techs are out testing the morning before the race and making the appropriate changes so their athletes will have the best chance to do well. I understand that this is not an option for most citizen racers.
So, how can you prep skis on Wednesday for a race Saturday? One thing is that you really should keep wax on the skis at all times that they are not being used. Skis that are waxed every time hold wax better and are faster when the day’s application is gone. Pick your favorite wide range wax (I use Solda UF7) and apply it to the skis after skiing for more than three hours.
You will also have to become a student of weather and the snow at the race venue. For example, snow in Sun Valley or in McCall, ID always skis colder than the temps might indicate. If the temps and forecast call for Red, go with Violet. This means getting a good handle on the weather and snow of your region. Places like Hanson Hill, MI will generally be colder that the forecast for Grayling, MI. Temps at Mt Bachelor, OR are almost always lower than the NOAA forecast. In the high-dry Rocky Mt area snow can warm to red conditions during the sunny days, but can return to green conditions overnight if it is dry and windy. Snow that forms and falls at high altitude will transform more slowly than snow that forms and falls at lower altitudes and that has more moisture. All this influences how you wax for a race.

So, I would suggest a number of things to prep skis on Wednesday for a weekend race.

1. Be sure to wax them after the last training before Wednesday with a wide range hydrocarbon or LF type wax.
2. Solda HC28 has proven to be a great first layer for many snow conditions. It can be applied as with any other wax, ironed, scraped and brushed. It can also be crayoned on to a dry ski base. After a good layer is on the base, then wax with your base layer over the HC28.
3. In snow that is colder than -5C (23F) I like to use a layer of Solda S30 cold powder in the base. I apply the powder, iron it in with an iron temp of 130C (265F) and scrape lightly while it is warm. Don’t bursh. Now apply the chosen paraffin layer.
4. If the forecasts (check more than one and check in with the race venue to confirm) are consistent, and it looks like the snow will be well transformed, even old and dirty, go with a F40 Carbon wax. You will have to estimate the temps at race time. If the forecast looks like new snow, then consider Solda F31 Pink in high humidity and air temps from 33F down to 16F, especially if it is snowing during the race. If humidity is 40 – 70% this can be F15 Pink. If the snow is fairly, ie, not significantly transformed, use F40 Orange Special in the same temperature range. Use F40 Violet special in high humidity new snow followed by cold weather; F31 Violet in low humidity cold new conditions. Old, hard, transformed snow from 32 down to 13, just go with F40 Red or Red Carbon.
5. Powders: If you are using powders there are a few things we have found that I will share here. There are also mysteries that I cannot explain.

a. Fluor 100 runs in falling snow at warm temps and melting spring snow
b. HP04 runs best on a day that is cloudy, high humidity and there will be little transformation of the snow during the race. Snow temps 32 down to 18F. There are other days when HP04 runs and I am surprised. I think the key is that the humidity is high and the snow is not transforming much.
c. HP05: think cold and old snow. It will stretch well as cold snow warms during the race. It will also handle cooling during the race. Snow temps from 20F to 5F. It will also run warmer than that in real old snow.
d. HP06 has very few times it runs. One time is during snow storm on a cold, humid day. It is also good on very cold artificial snow.
e. S20 often runs well at Sun Valley. S20 often runs well in dry windblown snow. S20 has a fairly wide range in Canadian East Slope conditions.
f. S30 can be a top coat in cold dry. Think West Yellowstone at 0F.

The Solda F40 Special waxes have the appropriate fluor powders added to them. In medium to short length races this can mean having good skis without having to use powders. This is especially try if the snow is not too abrasive.

All this means that if you are going to wax on Wednesday, you need to do your homework. Know the snow, know your skis and learn the wax system. I will still try to come out with requested wax recommendations on Thursday and update as needed.

Have fast skis.
Bert