No glide in cold weather
 

I got a pair of Rossi Zynex skates back in 2009 to have a basic pair for the few days on snow that I have per year. I can’t remember a single time that I was truly happy with the glide, despite all the waxing (storage, warm, cold, you name it) and, most recently, stonegrinding. The grinding was done at REI -maybe not the best option, but choices are limited where I live (NJ) and the guy said they applied the grind to accommodate the “typical” conditions in the Northeast. The ski performs worst in cold temps (below -10C) and soft snow. It crunches and digs in, regardless of the type of wax that’s been put on it. On harder trails in cold weather, while it does not dig in, it crunches like on sandpaper, requiring a huge amount of effort for each step. At warmer temps (above -5C), it’s not great, but at least it allows me to do 20K without passing out. Wax type doesn't seem to matter in warmer temps either.

I kind of understand the digging in part - it appears to be a stiff ski, and on hard trails it pays off in good tracking. However, the part that about not gliding in cold weather is really frustrating. Can it be that these skis are irreparably "warm", with all the effort that I put in trying to make them glide in the cold? Anything else that I should try? For reference, the skis are 190cm, I’m 6ft 2, weigh 185lbs.

Thanks!

No glide in cold weather
 

A potpourri of possible explanations from a distance:

One answer is friction. Skating (and skiing) is invariably slower in
colder temps. And yes, skiing on cold snow will often sound like
sandpaper. That's why when the temps turn colder, a lot of people go
classical skiing. More return for the effort.

A second answer deals with technique. I haven't seen you ski, but note
that the Zynex skates were meant for "learners," so I have to wonder if
the problem is there (e.g., weight or hips back behind the center of
the camber). For that, a lesson from a ski area pro would be a good
check.

A third answer deals with the nature of the ski itself, it's camber and
what type of conditions it was designed for. And a fourth deals with
how well the skis fit you (body weight). Those two questions require a
visit to a good specialty x-c ski shop - definitely not REI. I don't
know how Reliable Racing is these days, but there are some good shops
in NY and VT.

A fifth answer is about how the skis are waxed. That is, whether the wax
or waxes used have been appropriate to the snow temperature and
track conditions (dirt?), and how good a job of waxing has been done:
ironing so the ski surface doesn't burn, which will slow a ski, and then
scraping and brushing thoroughly, to end up with a nice slippery, shiny
surface.

As for the grind itself, it's probably not the biggest problem, but
it's best to get a grind from a x-c ski specialist, with a machine and
grinding stones meant for x-c skis (alpine grinding is very different).
Zach Caldwell's shop in Putney VT does some of the best work in the
country - http://www.caldwellsport.com/ - but there are no doubt others
in the region that do good work, at least for your needs.

Gene

On Fri, 3 Jan 2014 19:28:14 -0800 (PST)
wrote:

I got a pair of Rossi Zynex skates back in 2009 to have a basic pair
for the few days on snow that I have per year. I can’t remember a
single time that I was truly happy with the glide, despite all the
waxing (storage, warm, cold, you name it) and, most recently,
stonegrinding. The grinding was done at REI -maybe not the best
option, but choices are limited where I live (NJ) and the guy said
they applied the grind to accommodate the “typical� conditions in the
Northeast. The ski performs worst in cold temps (below -10C) and
soft snow. It crunches and digs in, regardless of the type of wax
that’s been put on it. On harder trails in cold weather, while it
does not dig in, it crunches like on sandpaper, requiring a huge
amount of effort for each step. At warmer temps (above -5C), it’s not
great, but at least it allows me to do 20K without passing out. Wax
type doesn't seem to matter in warmer temps either.

I kind of understand the digging in part - it appears to be a stiff
ski, and on hard trails it pays off in good tracking. However, the
part that about not gliding in cold weather is really frustrating.
Can it be that these skis are irreparably "warm", with all the effort
that I put in trying to make them glide in the cold? Anything else
that I should try? For reference, the skis are 190cm, I’m 6ft 2,
weigh 185lbs.

Thanks!

No glide in cold weather
 

Thanks Gene. Not to rule out technique completely, but I should have mentioned that last week up in Quebec I had an opportunity to compare my skis with a similarly entry-level (Rossi Zymax)rental. The rentals, while not great, ran appreciably better. In fact, I think that's the only reason I was able to do 32k in one take that day. Just two days prior I was completely wiped out after just half of that on the same trail using my Zynex, and the trail was in better shape. Not sure what kind of care rental skis get there, but this experience made me wonder whether my Zynex is hard-wired for warmer temps.

No glide in cold weather
 

On Sat, 4 Jan 2014 10:08:25 -0800 (PST)
wrote:

Thanks Gene. Not to rule out technique completely, but I should have
mentioned that last week up in Quebec I had an opportunity to compare
my skis with a similarly entry-level (Rossi Zymax)rental. The
rentals, while not great, ran appreciably better. In fact, I think
that's the only reason I was able to do 32k in one take that day.
Just two days prior I was completely wiped out after just half of
that on the same trail using my Zynex, and the trail was in better
shape. Not sure what kind of care rental skis get there, but this
experience made me wonder whether my Zynex is hard-wired for warmer
temps.

Sounds like expert shop advice needed. Where'd you buy the skis?

Gene

No glide in cold weather
 

NJ, huh? Check out Pete Minde's site oxygenfedspot.com, and contact him for local advice on skiing in NJ.

Cold new snow is indeed slower, but it should not be that bad. When I lived in NJ I shipped skis for SG by mail to Zach C, or to Nordic Tuning. REI probably mostly does alpine skis which will glide no matter what (with gravity). At any rate, at few days of skiing per year, I am surprised you even bother with stone grinding. Structure does not really matter at cold temps. I use my warm skis for cold temps, just put plenty of Toko blue LF glide wax on them, iron it in a few times, and brush with a firm brush. So either you are not waxing, or the skis are a poor fit flex-wise.