North America Nordic Opener – coming to Traverse City, Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 22nd

The 1^st cross country ski race of the season in North America - A Michigan Cup Nordic Ski Race!

You don’t have to go to Australia to ski this time of year. The Vasa Ski Club and Brick Wheels invite you to welcome the upcoming ski season in style by skiing on Zamboni snow! That’s right – a ski trail will be created with snow from local ice rinks for first tracks in October! Also take advantage of hot deals on Nordic ski equipment at our inaugural cross country and telemark Ski Swap.

The local Vasa Ski Club (VSC) is partnering with Brick Wheels to host the Second Annual Nordic Fest on Saturday, October 22, 9 am–4 pm. The Fest includes on snow skiing, party with food, beverages and entertainment and a cross country Ski Swap including new and gently used equipment - skis, poles, bindings and boots. Brick Wheels will have new gear discounted too!

This Nordic Fest will take place at Brick Wheels. The event will be great fun, with something for everyone including the first ski race in North America for the 2011/2012 season. Racers will ski on an oval ski track constructed by the VSC.

Skiers from across the state will have a chance to participate in the first Michigan Cup Race of the season from 10am - Noon. $5 race fee will support VSC programs including the Junior Program and We Ski Program. The public is invited to ski for free on the snowy track from 12–7 pm. Enjoy the Vasa Ski Club Season Kick-off Party with food, beverages and music from 4–7 pm.

The weekend concludes on October 23 with a roller ski clinic led by the former Nordic coach of the University of Utah, Eli Brown at 11 am at Brick Wheels.

More details can be found below and at www.vasaskiclub.com  and www.brickwheels.com , plus on the NordicSkiRacer web site: http://www.nordicskiracer.com

For SWIX Race Wax Recommendations: WWW.SWIXRACING.US

* photo credit: Pete Edwards, WWW.SKIWALKING.COM LLC and the American Nordic Walking System

Nordic Walking Is A Great Way To Get Ready For Ski Season - Downhill and Cross Country (Alpine and Nordic)

The launch of the 2008-2009 cross country ski season in Leelanau County was on Monday, November 17th! The classic skiing couldn't have been better. We skied in our own tracks and didn't have any sticking or clumping problems on the bottoms or sides of our skies thanks to having our skies stored all summer with a thick coat of SWIX Base Prep Wax and a fresh application of liquid ski wax applied tip to tail - SWIX Violet Glide (F7LE - liquid glide).

Cross country skiing, also called Nordic Skiing, is one of several "Nordic Sports" including Nordic Walking, Nordic Running, Nordic Snowshoeing and Nordic Blading. After Nordic Walking since last ski season ended it was really great to be back on snow and skiing. Nordic Walking is the next best thing to skiing. Walking with poles has proven once again to be a great way to get ready for ski season. For more info about Nordic Walking contact The American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM .

Fresh snow on top of wet grass and/or leaves can create a waxing problem, but proper base preparation can ensure more FUN skiing and eliminate the hassle of dealing with skis that ice up during tricky conditions.

SWIX Violet Glide (F7LE - liquid glide) works great on skate skis, waxable classic skis and no-wax classic skis when temps are below freezing. Apply tip to tail (including fishscale and step-type no-wax bases). Allow time to dry (a few minutes). Cork in. For colder temps try SWIX Blue Glide (F6LE - liquid glide). For temps at or above 32 degrees use SWIX Red Glide (F8LE - liquid glide). For more wax info please check out the SWIX Wax Wizard: http://www.swixschool.com/web_tysk/wizard2.html?langInput=lang2&menuInput=subM2