General Factors and Considerations for Choosing Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Routes

***THIS IS NOT A "STEP-BY-STEP" OR "HOW-TO" TYPE OF VIDEO.

Rather, in this video I describe my general approach and philosophy, as well as the principles that I adhere to when cross-country skiing in the backcountry. Ultimately, backcountry travel is dangerous and potentially fatal. So you have to decide for yourself if you're up for the task.

Backcountry travel is even more challenging on cross-country skis. That is, if you don't have the necessary skills to negotiate difficult terrain. Ultimately, cross-country skiing is a super technical sport that requires lots of time in which to become proficient. So develop your xc skiing skills before embarking on long and difficult backcountry tours. That, and take land navigation, mountaineering, avalanche, and wilderness first aid classes to become more educated about backcountry travel.

• Part 1: Characteristics of Classic Cross-Country Skis (   • Intro to Classic XC Skiing (Part 1): ...  )
• Part 2: Learning to Move Forward by Pushing Off (   • Intro to Classic XC Skiing (Part 2): ...  )
• Part 3: Learning to Transfer Your Weight and Glide (   • Intro to Classic XC Skiing (Part 3): ...  )

Yowza, this took me a long time edit! But describing my process of finding backcountry terrain on which to cross-country ski has been something that I've wanted to discuss for awhile. So I thank the viewers who recently requested that I publish something on this topic!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Preface
1:02 Goal Setting
4:06 Terrain Considerations
6:49 Evaluating the Snowpack
12:19 Time Constraints and Management
14:46 Considering Your Resources
17:59 Outro/Credits

In this video, I was running Fischer Spider 62mm with NNN BC Auto bindings. I wore a pair of Fischer BCX Tour boots.

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Please note that I produced my series of articles and videos tagged “Cross-Country Skiing Explained” with the beginner or intermediate cross-country skier in mind. Therefore, I don’t intend to address racing-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection.

Classic Cross-Country Ski Components (articles @ Tahoe Trail Guide):

Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 1)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 2)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

The Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 3)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

Types of Bindings for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 4)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

Ski Boots for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 5)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles (Part 6)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-cou...

Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis (for beginner and intermediate xc skiers):

Introduction to Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
https://tahoetrailguide.com/waxing-yo...

Step-by-Step Waxing Tutorial
https://tahoetrailguide.com/waxing-yo...

Considerations for buying cross-country ski gear (new and beginner xc skiers):

Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 1)
https://tahoetrailguide.com/buying-cr...

I've produced this collection of articles and videos about backcountry travel and exploration with the beginner and intermediate adventurer in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often served while working in the Lake Tahoe outdoor recreation industry. In essence, these informational projects I create and publish are extensions of the many conversations we've had over the years.

Please note that, although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility.

Copyright © 2022 Jared Manninen

For more information, visit… https://TahoeTrailGuide.com