Skate Skiing conditions Pajarito & Angel Fire (Los Alamos, Alamo: home, cabin)

[bongo]

We are getting ready to move back to our home in northern NM on the high road from Alaska, but with a new passion.... skate skiing.

Are there any skate skiers out there who have accessed the nordic groomed trails at Pajarito Mt. or Angel Fire? We are so excited to see that they have groomed trails there but wonder about the conditions.

Thanks for any info!

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by bongo

We are getting ready to move back to our home in northern NM on the high road from Alaska, but with a new passion.... skate skiing.

Can't answer your question but thought others might be puzzling over what the term means, as I was. I have used the "skate and glide" technique when cross-country skiing, but hadn't realized that it has become a specific sport with its own design of skis and bindings.

HERE IS A DESCRIPTION of this sport.

It obviously requires a wider flattened "snow track" than is usual for cross-country skiing, which can be done on un-tracked snow.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by jaxart

Can't answer your question but thought others might be puzzling over what the term means, as I was. I have used the "skate and glide" technique when cross-country skiing, but hadn't realized that it has become a specific sport with its own design of skis and bindings.

HERE IS A DESCRIPTION of this sport.

It obviously requires a wider flattened "snow track" than is usual for cross-country skiing, which can be done on un-tracked snow.

Thanks! My husband & I were avid backcountry, cross-country, downhill & telemark skiers before coming up to Anchorage. Now we have added avid skate skiers to our list. It was very difficult for me to learn, but now I am addicted. It was easier for my husband since he is a biker & telemark skier and has the legs for it. It's so FAST compared to cross-country that I don't even get out my cross-country or backcountry skis anymore.

Yes, it takes a groomed track, which is what we can access out our backdoor here in Anchorage.

Angel Fire & Los Alamos now have groomed nordic trails, but we have never used them & were hoping someone else here has.

Thanks for adding the link. You can also go to YouTube & search for skate skiing to actually see it in motion!

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by bongo

Angel Fire & Los Alamos now have groomed nordic trails, but we have never used them & were hoping someone else here has.

Purgatory ski area in SW Colorado (at Durango) has long had some wonderful back country trails. Really gung-ho types even do overnighters. I seem to recall there are now some maintained shelters for skiers that double for hikers in summer months.

[bongo]

I know Purgatory & the skate ski track up there & have backpacked the Colorado trail, but I will have to check out those shelters since I know nothing of those. We love our cabin to cabin treking up here in Alaska. Thanks for the info, jaxart.