Articles by: Roger Lohr

XC resorts like  Great Glen Trails in NH offer groomed trails, lodge, instruction.

Make More Tracks: XC Boost Coming?

Is This A Surge Season For Nordic? Will the upcoming cross country (XC) season fulfill the hoped-for surge projected by many in the industry? The COVID pandemic has some projecting a coming boom similar to the bicycle industry, which saw such a surge of sales and activity last spring. The kids were not in school, people were looking to get[Read More…]

by October 5, 2020 1 comment Make More Tracks
Touring is Nordic is XC. Credit: Dynafit

Make More Tracks: What Has Covid Wrought For Nordic Skiing?

XC Skiing And Snowshoeing Are Perfect Forms Of Recreation For The Pandemic. Based on activity with walking and bicycling last spring, many people in the snowsports business are anticipating a surge in XC skiing and snowshoeing this winter. If alpine ski areas are restricted in ways that lead to excessive waiting such as the amount of time waiting to acquire[Read More…]

by September 28, 2020 2 comments Make More Tracks
How To Choose An XC Ski Vacation Destination

How To Choose An XC Ski Vacation Destination

So Many Choices, How To Decide? In general, xc skiers select their winter xc ski destination resorts using some rating system of how xc ski areas perform in eight categories of criteria including trail quality and grooming, scenery, food quality, staff friendliness and service, the ski lodge facility and family issues. There is a great range of xc ski areas[Read More…]

by July 17, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Fat Biking At Nordic Ski Areas

Fat Biking At Nordic Ski Areas

Fat Biking Is A Combo Of XC and Cycling: What A Workout! Fat bikes, dubbed the “Hummers of the two-wheelers’ world” in the Wall Street Journal are proliferating where there are more than 150 cross country (XC) ski areas that have fat bikes available to use on snow covered trails. These specially-made bicycles that accommodate ultra-wide tires that can be[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Resort Review: Woodstock Inn, VT

Resort Review: Woodstock Inn, VT

The Venerable Inn Has Historic Roots In Ski History. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is one of Vermont’s true gems for travelers. It offers warm New England hospitality amidst an atmosphere of country elegance and year round recreation. Resort facilities include the new 10,000 square-foot Spa, the Resort’s Nordic Center, Suicide Six alpine ski area, the Resort’s Golf Club, and a 41,000[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Resort Review: Jackson, NH and The White Mountains

Resort Review: Jackson, NH and The White Mountains

The Hub Of The New England Nordic World Is In New Hampshire. We excitedly planned a weekend trip to Jackson, N.H., because it is a true Mecca for Nordic skiers. This is the quintessential New England Nordic (XC) skiing experience with the covered bridge, white steepled church, brookside trails, and the accompanying village with all of the trappings. Many of[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Who Needs XC Lessons?

Who Needs XC Lessons?

You Do. Take A Lesson From A Pro. The vast majority of cross country (XC) skiers do not take XC ski lessons, but rather they start with friends or family, who are usually not trained to teach XC skiing. So, who needs XC ski lessons? Most of us do! Starting with the basics, a XC ski instructor can help a[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Fun on snowshoes. Credit: Laura Rose/SnowshoeMag.com

Taking The Grandkids Snowshoeing

A Little Planning Goes A Long Way To Ensure A Positive Experience. On a winter trail outing near my home, I ran into a neighbor and her granddaughter on snowshoes – and it was not going well for them. The kid was whining and uncomfortable and she headed back home (nearby) by herself. Grandma kept going and since she is[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Dressing For Nordic

Dressing For Nordic

What To Wear: Ditch The Parka. Often on the cross country (XC) ski trails the clothes that many of the uninitiated wear are malfunctioning…that is, they are dressed for downhill skiing wearing insulated ski jackets and pants, alpine ski gloves or mittens, and ski goggles. XC skiing is a form of recreation that involves moving and thus lighter clothing is[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Take Advantage Of An XC Demo Day

Take Advantage Of An XC Demo Day

Try Before You Buy. Many XC ski areas conduct demo days to give skiers an opportunity to test drive the newest XC ski equipment. It’s a day when product suppliers’ branded tents and flags are flapping in the wind and company reps stand guard armed with knowledge of their wares.  You might participate in a demo because you have outdated[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Author Roger Lohr on Fischer Twin Skin Skis

New Gear For XC: Skin Skis

An Old Idea Updated With High Tech. The cross country ski waxless “skin” bases, use inserted mohair strips on the ski bottom, which are extremely effective for all temperatures and snow conditions. It is high performance waxless base technology for the classic skier, who prefers to use a waxless ski. The ski strips are like small climbing skins and they[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
The Meccas Of Cross-Country Skiing

The Meccas Of Cross-Country Skiing

What Are The Vails and Aspens of XC? Ask the general public to name an alpine skiing “Mecca” — described as a location where people, who share a common interest, yearn to go — even those who don’t ski can come up with at least Aspen or Vail, if not Killington and Sun Valley. But mention the Gunflint Trail or[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
The Skinny On Recreational Nordic Ski Gear

The Skinny On Recreational Nordic Ski Gear

Move Up To New High Tech Equipment. As a part of the cross country ski industry for more than three decades, I had to qualify my response when SeniorsSkiing asked me about new cross country (XC) ski equipment. There was an unknown research source in the 1990’s that proclaimed, in general, owners of XC ski equipment had their gear for[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Tips On Starting Nordic Skiing

Tips On Starting Nordic Skiing

It’s Different, It’s Fun, It’s Accessible. So you’ve decided to try cross country skiing, You can call it cross country skiing, Nordic skiing, XC skiing, or ski touring – when trying cross country skiing the first few times it may be a totally new experience for you and it may take time for you to become confident. Experienced cross country[Read More…]

by July 4, 2020 0 comments Make More Tracks
Add Nordic walking to your virus-beating activities to stay in shape.

Nordic Walking Burns More Calories

If You’re Going For A Walk, Bring Those Poles. Easy, Accessible Efficient. Staying active outdoors during the COVID-19 virus crisis is easy and very accessible with Nordic walking, which is a fitness activity that combines walking with specially designed poles to engage the upper body muscles. Like cross country skiing, the poles are used to match each step a person[Read More…]

by April 2, 2020 5 comments Conditioning
If Snow, Then XC

If Snow, Then XC

XC Offers Outdoors, Social Distancing, Exercise, Relaxation.  Go If You Have Snow. Editor Note: This article was first published in XCSkiResorts.com.  Thanks to publisher Roger Lohr for allowing us to reprint it. There have been plenty of COVID-19 perspectives and statements from alpine skiing-oriented associates such as ski area operators, marketers and media, product suppliers, and retailers. Rather than recommending[Read More…]

by March 26, 2020 2 comments Features
Corduroy in the morning. Dartmouth Skiway has a mix of twisty narrow and open groomers. Credit: TheSnowWay.com

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Historic Dartmouth SkiWay

Big Mountain Fun And Small Mountain Friendly With History All Around. Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme Center, NH was founded in 1956. After six decades the ski area has recently hired only the fourth director in its history. Mark Adamczyk who was the director of outdoor adventure at the Winter Park Resort in Colorado will replace Doug Holler, who is retiring[Read More…]

by March 4, 2020 1 comment East, Resort Reviews
Contemporary nordic ski togs are lightweight, warm, and more athletic looking than Alpine gear. Credit: Roger Lohr

X-C Skiing: What To Wear

[Editor Note: SeniorsSkiing.com is asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.] Support SeniorsSkiing.com by clicking here. ______________________________________________________ Don’t Wear Your Ski Parka. Choose Specialized[Read More…]

by February 26, 2020 1 comment Gear
Nordic Nibbles are happening across the country. Eat and lost weight.

Eat Your Way To Fitness

Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Food Events Offer Exercise And Gourmet Food. [Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com, published by Roger Lohr.] Want a guilt-free way to indulge yourself with food while exercising? Cross country (XC) skiing and snowshoeing are some of the best forms of aerobic exercise, but if you go on a “Gourmet Ski Tour” on[Read More…]

by January 15, 2020 0 comments Destinations
Remembering Joe Pete Wilson

Remembering Joe Pete Wilson

An All Around Snow Sports Legend and Sportsman Moves On. Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com. Joe Pete Wilson recently passed away at age 84. He will be remembered as a pioneer and endless promoter in the snow sports world.  Wilson hailed from Lake Placid, NY where he spent years as the innkeeper at the Bark Eater Inn[Read More…]

by November 6, 2019 0 comments Features
Recreational Therapy For Injured Vets

Recreational Therapy For Injured Vets

More doctors may be prescribing outdoor recreational therapy instead of Xanax if the proposed Federal legislation entitled the Outdoor Recreation Therapy for Veterans Act (HR 2435) passes. Studies are showing evidence that outdoor recreational activities can be therapeutic. I met Veterans Ray Gilmore and David Binford recently at a ski industry meeting, and they were engaging anyone who would talk[Read More…]

by October 30, 2019 2 comments Health, Features
Blind-Sided And Body-Slammed

Blind-Sided And Body-Slammed

Is It Time To Address Ski Slope Collisions? How? [Editor Note: This summer, we published a little play about the speeding, out of control skier and what the ski patrol can do about it. You can read it here. Bottom line: It’s not their job, at least, that’s the party line. They are there to maintain the lines, help injured[Read More…]

by October 1, 2019 32 comments Features, Home Top Box 2
Book Review: Boarding Southern Vermont

Book Review: Boarding Southern Vermont

[Editor Note: SeniorsSkiing.com is again asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.  This year, we have a mix of premiums for different level of[Read More…]

by February 21, 2019 0 comments Ski History, East
Memoir Of A Telemark Skier

Memoir Of A Telemark Skier

“Telemarketers” Found Each Other To Practice Their Distinctive Style. [Editor Note:This remembrance of Telemark skiing by Roger Lohr first appeared in his publication XCSkiresorts.com.] In the 1970s, telemark skiers were called the free heelers, telemarketers, and the Lunatic Fringe. But these skiers performing the historical telemark turn down the slopes at alpine ski areas were seen as “the vanguard of the slopes” by many for their ability and skill descending the[Read More…]

by January 8, 2019 10 comments Ski History
A little planning goes a long way when snowshoeing with kids. Credit: Crystal Mountain

Taking The Grandkids Snowshoeing

Here’s How To Do It Right And Have A Fun, Memorable Experience. On a winter trail outing near my home, I ran into a neighbor and her grandchild on snowshoes—and it was not going well. The kid was uncomfortable and headed back home by herself. Grandma kept going, and since she is a neighbor, I went along with her for[Read More…]

by November 7, 2018 0 comments Features