EHS Nordic Skiing - Nordic Equipment Needed

Nordic Equipment Needed

Nordic Equipment Needed:

Skis-Boots-Poles

You will need both classic skis and skate skis. If you are new to the sport, you may want to rent your equipment the first year. Ski shops in the area have rental packages that include both types of skis. High School Racing is still divided evenly between the two disciplines and we will have two racing teams at States -- a classic team and a skate team.

1. Classic Skis and classic length poles

2. Skate skis and skate poles

3. Boots that match the bindings on your skis. "Combi" boots can be used for both, which is what most of our skiers have. Or you can get classic boots & skate boots.

4. Ski Bag You will need a ski bag to store your skis at EHS and to carry your skis on the bus. Nordic Ski bags do not have to be expensive

Options for renting or purchasing equipment can be found below...

School Provided Gear/Equipment

Waxes

The school provides all waxes and waxing equipment. Skiers will be taught how to wax and prepare their skis early on in the season. The day before each race all team members will wax skis in the Nordic ski/training room.

Uniforms

All skiers will be issued team racing spandex suits and warm up jackets.

Proper Practice Clothing

Skiers should dress using layers. Clothing should be fairly tight but allow for a lot of movement. You do not need special Nordic skiing clothing -- dress like you would dress for a long run in Vermont in the winter. Wicking material and clothing that is some type of synthetic material is better for skiing because cotton is COLD, heavy and bulky when it gets wet. Male racers will want briefs with wind protection built into them. Hats, gloves, and neck gaiters are required for practice. We will order some ski clothing with the Essex High School Nordic logo on them at the beginning of the year and this is an economical option for getting good ski clothing because we get these items at a reduced rate. Coach Moyer will send home an order form at the beginning of the season.

Where to get your Nordic equipment:

It can often be overwhelming for skiers and parents to cope with the price of a new line of equipment, but there a number of options available to help keep costs down.

Alpine Shop

The Alpine Shop has an extremely affordable Nordic Ski Package for those wishing to rent skis for the season. $189 for BOTH skate and classic skis for the 2018/19 season. Please check their webpage for updated prices.

Ski Rack

Ski Rack has 2 levels of rental packages. Here is their website with more specific information. They offer several levels of competition skis/poles to buy that vary in price. The Ski Rack also provides a large selection of Nordic ski clothing such as warm up pants, jackets, and non-cotton layering clothing such as spandex tights, shirts, etc.. High school team skiers receive a 10 - 15% discount, so let them know that you are skiing for Essex High School!

Outdoor Gear Exchange

Also has new and consignment Nordic equipment.

Ski Swaps

Every fall there are a number of ski swaps held in the Burlington area. Ski swaps are events where used/new skis are sold at reasonable prices. I highly recommend going to a ski swap if you are a new skier. Those working ski swaps are very good about making sure skiers are fitted with the right sized skis/poles, etc... Please scroll down this page to see a list of 2018 Vermont Fall Ski Swaps.

2018 Vermont Ski Swaps

This info was taken directly from Ski Maven's Vermont Ski Swap page. They will probably update that page more frequently than I will, so please visit that site to make sure you know about later swaps.