A Fun Polar Workout

After all of the snow we’ve had this winter, I think almost everyone is sick of it. But winter isn’t going anywhere, not yet at least. So you have a choice: you can either hide underneath your covers and wait for the snow to melt or you can accept Midwestern winters, after all you live in Wisconsin and maybe should learn to like it, right?

Last Saturday, Eric and I embraced the winter by going cross-country skiing despite our aggravation with the snow. It was one of those times when you have to take the “bad” with the good – not that snow is bad or anything. Whatever. You know what I mean...

On Saturday morning, we woke up to mild temperatures and the prospect of a day to capitalize on the massive amounts of snow outside. When we considered how this winter has been, we knew that we probably wouldn’t get a better weekend to traverse through such a winter wonderland. So, we seized the occasion and found that not only did our afternoon of skiing remind us of why we enjoy winter, but it was surprisingly a great workout!

I believe in the theory that if you can walk, you can ski – it’s like extended walking, but it’s much more taxing. In fact, even though it was only about 20 degrees outside, I couldn’t feel the cold – body heat from a grueling exercise is much more powerful than a blasting furnace, let me tell you. That’s why cross-country skiing is, in the opinion of many exercise physiologists and researches, the world’s best aerobic fitness activity – and by the way my legs feel today, I completely agree.

After a filling breakfast at the Original Pancake House, we gathered our hats, mittens, heavy coats and snow pants, and then drove to Les Moise in Whitefish Bay to rent the basic equipment: skis, poles, boots and bindings. All of the gear only cost us $12 each for two full days! I was surprised at how affordable it was. Once we filled out some short paperwork, a young man went to get our gear. Our skis were sized to us based on our weight – you get a longer ski if you’re heavier so that the weight is evenly distributed – and the poles were fit to our height by measuring them to our armpits.

Next, we paid and clumsily carried the equipment out to my car, and then made our way to Brown Deer Park. Finally, we were ready to hit the trails! Brown Deer Park and all of the Milwaukee County Parks allow free cross-country skiing whenever Mother Nature cooperates, so you are able to get a great workout whenever you want. Oh, and it’s incredibly fun too!

When we got to the park, we were pleased to see that there already were groomed trails with packed surfaces and grooved channels to follow. There also were some off-track areas that had been made by previous skiers. These tracks were so inconsistent that they made it difficult to travel. No matter how much I fought to control them, my skis kept following the wrong groves which caused them to crisscross and tangle – I was totally expecting to roll down the snowy embankment in a giant snowball just like in the cartoons. But, breaking new trail was fun because it’s unpredictable and requires extra attention and balance as you work through the conflicting paths and bottomless snow.

I hadn’t been cross-country skiing in years and Eric had never gone, although he had been downhill skiing a couple of times. At first it was a little awkward and sort of tricky to get used to the simultaneous arm and leg movement, but I was able to re-learn the basic motions in a snap. Eric also picked it up very fast. I think people like Eric who have an alpine skiing or in-line skating background can catch on quickly because it’s pretty much the same concept.

While cross-country skiing lives up to its reputation as the “best aerobic workout,” at times it was as easy as a walk in the park and at other times it was challenging and sweat inducing. For the most part it was a lot like using a cross training machine at the gym because such machines try to emulate the same synchronized use of your arms and legs. But, the primary functional difference between machines and real skiing is that you actually have to balance on the snow, which is not a real factor with the cross trainers I’ve tried. Of course, not having to balance is a good thing for some of us – I fell once and Eric wiped out several times! The fall never hurt our bodies but our stomachs sure ached after laughing so hard at each other’s mishaps. (I actually chuckle every time I look at the photo of Eric sprawled out on the trail!)

Among the herds of people skiing on Saturday, were flocks of older couples who probably benefit from the rhythmic, low-impact feeling of gliding across the gentle landscape. The quick learning curve, low injury rate and natural motions of cross-country skiing allow folks of all ages, fitness levels and interests to participate.

Eric and I spent the brisk afternoon climbing, descending and traversing the 360-acre terrain. We split up a couple of times, which was nice because Eric preferred to race around while I chose to enjoy the scenery. On my own I felt really in tune with my surroundings and at peace with myself and nature – it was a great time to unwind and sort out all of those badgering thoughts that were clouding my head.

Halfway through the day we had to take a break since we were both extremely parched. We combed the entire park, but couldn’t find a single drinking fountain, which is ludicrous because you’d think a park would have something in the form of a “bubbler,” water fountain or faucet! But, just when we were about to dunk our heads into a snowdrift, we wound up finding a gas station where we got a couple bottles of water to quench our thirst, and then we went back to skiing.

After we trekked nearly 4.5 miles over the course of about four hours, I could finally feel the exhaustion that I anticipated. Even though the trails are open until 10 p.m., we decided to leave at sunset. By that time I would have loved to use a J-bar or rope tow to haul me back to the parking lot.

When we got back to the car we took off our skis and squeezed them into the backseat and once I got inside, I peeled off all of my layers – I was ridiculously warm! I never thought I’d have to cool down after spending nearly an entire day out in the snow!

As a sport, cross-country skiing is one of the most difficult endurance sports as its motions use every major muscle group and it’s one of the sports that burn the most calories per execution. But not even a gratifying workout can compare to the joy of actually cruising across a sparkling snowscape feeling perfectly at ease with EVERYTHING. In fact, I’m thinking about buying my own equipment and taking up cross-country skiing as a new hobby!

Since it’s inexpensive to rent equipment and the Milwaukee County Parks are open to the public all winter-long, every Milwaukeean should get out from underneath their blankets and give cross-country skiing, or any other winter sport, a shot. There’s so much fun to be had during a Wisconsin winter, especially because you know that when it's 95 degrees and humid in July, you're going to be fantasizing about playing in the snow!

Comments

[char]

I didn't realize that renting the ski's was so inexpensive and your day sounds wonderful. I don't like being outside in this weather, but I loved looking at your photos. Great Job!!!!

[Karen]

The cost for ski rental probably depends on where you go. There are several stores besides Les Moise like Laacke & Joys in Milwaukee (Water Street) and Wheel & Sprocket in Hales Corners (108th Street) that also rent cross-country skis. Prices will vary depending on where you go. I called a bunch of places and found that Les Moise was the cheapest while Laacke & Joys was the most expensive – you have to put down a $100 deposit or something on top of the rental fee – and both are pretty close to where I live on the East Side, so it was an easy decision. But, there are a lot of stores that you can chose from based on location and price and what suits you.

I was really happy with our experience and would love to do it again!

[Jim Shuey]

Pictures are fantastic! It's really cold out where I am but after reading your adventure I think I'll go over to Recoup Gear and find me some used equipment and glide through the snow.

[Amanda]

Honestly, I had no idea that XC skiing was such a workout! I mean, it totally makes sense and everything, but it never occured to me I guess.

[wfbdoglover]

Sounds like you had a lovely day! My favorite rentals are FREE and if you are a member of the Urban Ecology Center - family membership is $35.00's for a "family", you can rent them for free anytime you like. You can also rent a tandem, canoe, and snow shoes for free as well. Most of the equiptment is brand new. You leave your picture id and they do make a copy of your credit card - as of coarse someone ruined it for everyon - but the rental is included in your membership and they are located right along the bike trail. Check them out - urbanecologycenter.org.

[Karen]

I've been meaning to check out the Urban Ecology Center for various reasons. For one, they always have some really cool events and activities going on. I never knew the Center had a rental service though. But, I’m glad you enlightened me because I was looking into canoeing for this coming summer and I think I'll head over to the Urban Ecology Center now. Thanks for the info!

[wfbdoglover]

You are welcome! I hope you find as much enjoyment out of it as we have!