Equipment 

Skis: There are two main styles of Nordic Skiing. Skate Skiing uses a shorter ski and is closer in technique to speed skating, with an angled glide across the snow. Classic Skiing is more stride and glide in a linear fashion on a longer ski where a grip zone or synthetic material is compressed down onto the snow under the foot. Both ski styles use a ski that is fit to the skier based on the skier's weight first with additional factors of skill and possible snow type used to choose the correct ski.

Poles: Skate poles are longer with the correct general length measuring the height where the strap connects to the pole to line up around the mouth to nose while standing in shoes with the pole tips carefully placed on the floor. There are differnt straps and connections so this is a general rule. 

Classic poles should come up to the mid point of your shoulder or to the top of the shoulder. Poles can be cut down if too long. Picking poles that are stiff and light with a strapping system that is easy to use and fits your ski glove or mitten is very important. 

Boots:  Combination boot/Combi boot/Pursuit Boot is great way to start with a ski boot as a skier can use one set of boots for both skate skiing and classic skiing. Skate specific or Classic specific are also available and give the skier more advanced options. Get a boot that fits your foot and is NNN binding compatible. Some older used boots are designed for older style bindings and will NOT work with newer ski bindings (the mechanical device that attaches the boot to the ski.)

Ski Boots come in EU sizes and different brands in the same size can fit differently, much like shoes. Take notes and shop early!

Minnesota is home to a plethora of great ski shops. Just to list a few in the Metro Area (in alphabetical order): Finn Sisu, Gear West, Hoigaard's, & Pioneer Midwest. Joe's, Dicks, REI, and other big box stores can have some options. There are also online stores, but you have to know how things fit. 

PUT YOUR NAME  and PHONE # ON EVERYTHING!!! Even if you are renting equipment from EHS.. put your name and #  on duct tape on ALL of the equipment with a sharpie or paint pen!

Equipment Rental:  We are lucky to have a limited amount of ski equipment for rent. If you wish to be part of this rental equipment LOTTERY please fill out this form. 

Priority is given to first year skiers. Other skiers enter the lottery after first year skiers possible needs have been addressed.   

• First Year? Need Rental Gear? ~ FIRST YEAR Skiers ONLY!) ~ Go to the "important Links" tab and fill this rental form out if you wish to enter the rental equipment lottery. 

** We will let you know when your fitting date is.

If renting equipment form Edina Nordic you must put your name on tape and then on all equipment!

Ski Storage: We have a ski storage room at EHS by door 10. The door is a locked after hours so your equipment will be safe. We assign areas or bin for the skiers but remember that most ski bags look alike so put your name on everything and add a tag or decoration to your bag to make it easy to find. This is also a smart when racing or practicing where everyone piles their bag in an area, be it Edina or any other school. We encourage you to take your skis home on weekends so you can ski. When returning your skis after the weekend, put them outside of the locked ski storage room by door 10. If a parent needs to bring skis to EHS, you can check in at the Main Office (Door 5) during the school day and carry the equipment down to door 10.

This advice can change yearly as Administration adjusts to our Nordic Demands, as of now, walk your equipment to the area by door 10!

AVOID dismissal time at 3:15! If it is after the school day, then go to Door 6 as that is open. Parents can meet their skier at Door 6 (arrange this with your skier) or walk the skis down to our ski storage room by door 10. When we take a bus to a race we put our equipment in a trailer that is pulled behind the bus. If you are taking a transfer bus from South View they have generally let you bring the skis on the bus. If you need to keep your skis at South View Middle School for the day ask at the office or with one of your favorite teachers.

Waxing Skis:

We teach you how to keep your skis in good shape. Skiers get supervised instruction on the basics of both hot waxing and liquid waxing the glide zones of either skate skis or classic skis. Please ask if you miss the coach taught waxing instruction session as it is important not to harm your skis. We reserve the wax room for skiers who are racers first.  Varsity Racers get first use and then JV1 racers so check in with a coach before assuming you will be waxing your skis and plan ahead if you need help.