Why we shouldn't Nordic ski in the backcountry

[Lars_Danner]

Here is a blog post from a few years ago that someone wrote about why you shouldn't ski the Iditarod Trail invitational. But it also applies to why you shouldn't Nordic ski in the backcountry in general. And yet we do.

https://chetfehrmann.wordpress.com/2018 ... L3mRAeanJw

[paulzo]

What is it about this that seems to you to apply to nordic backcoutry skiing in general? Seems very event specific to me.

[bauerb]

it seems a bit more tongue-in-cheek, half warning, half serious. its like articles I read like "why I hate running Ultra trail races"...and it turns out to be more like "why I like running ultras". I don't know much about the Iditarod race that does not involve dog sleds, but if people are running, nordic skiing, and going for speed, I do see how traveling extremely light for the benefit of speed could lead to bad outcomes in the backcountry

[mikesee]

I see no applicability whatsoever.

[jyw5]

I love skiing and wouldnt want to run/walk/hike for long distances...especially not hundreds of miles. much rather ski and run/walk/hike.

So this applies to a race... thats different. we are doing it for a thing called fun. so I think the context is quite different.

For those of you who havent been to AK...from what I gather from most members here, you wouldnt want to be in McGrath anyway... thats some seriously harsh terrain and weather.

Many of you here (myself included) are much more interested in nice light powder tours and chalets.

[Pealer]

I rather enjoyed the route using SNS bindings and the smallest of boots. Nothing broke. But, I wasn't racing anybody

[lowangle al]

I think that blog makes the assumption that your primary goal is to do the race and your choice of gear is made to facilitate that. If I remember correctly some years favored bikers and some skiers.

[mikesee]

If I remember correctly some years favored bikers and some skiers.

Lars will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think a skier has ever won the race. I think someone came close once in the last ~10 years, but that's once in 23 years of that race being held.

I think runners (whom mostly walk) usually beat the skiers, too.

Even in crappy-for-bikes conditions the bikes still win handily

When conditions are even remotely able to be called "firm", bikes dominate.

[bauerb]

just found this yesterday. its a great video on riding a bike on the Iditarod trail 350 course.

[AlaskaNordic]

I really think the title here is misleading, this guy is saying dont ski the Invitational route, in that hes probably correct, but even in the days of Fat Bike surpremecy I find some times skiiing it just better. Last year I skied into a remote hot springs and I met many fat bikers who stopped me and said I wish i had done that. Running? Running sucks, and no skiing in a race format for hundreds of miles is not great either. But straight skiing to cover ground and carry weight neither of the other two can compare. I enjoy my bike, I enjoy my skis but it all depends on conditions, fresh snow on the trial no question skis, but a good packed trail my bike. But for those of us who live in Alaska they may remember when bike surpassed nordic skiing it was all those winters of ice, people needed somthing to do or they were going to end up on a water tower with a rifle! A fat bike with studs fit the bill and here we are. The trails near my home use to be strictly ski-joring or people skiiing with their dogs, the skijorers are all gone and now I rarely see a skier, its kinda sad. After all that, if anyone wants to watch a great documentary on the Iditarod Invitational " Nome-Safety" is soooo good.;its on Amazon Prime and maybe others I highly recomend it. I just think of my bike as part of my quiver and i can decide based on my mood and conditions what Im going to do that day or make a trailside decision. The Blogger says skis break, bikes break too and shoes can fall apart so....