"Ken Roberts" wrote in message:
Parham wrote
For me, the overall experience and the terrain choose
the skiing technique rather than the other way round...

For a 15 km tour, I can agree. But when it's 120-140 km of skiing, then
the
choice of technique matters a lot to me.

Because skating is just more fun, and I enjoy skating all year long. I
will
easily do more km (and days?) in road skate tours than snow skating this
year. For ski tour with more than 100 km of classic striding, I'd have to
have a separate training program just to get ready for it. So before I do
that, I need to ask what are the special benefits of CSM.

Ken, for one thing you hardly need a special program for the CSM unless you
are trying to break some kind of record, or may be even if you do -- lots of
seriously competitive skiers supposedly do both techniques for training,
even if they specialize in one for racing. I do most of my off-snow
training, skate skiing on roller skis (and bike commuting to work, with some
paddling thrown in.) This year I trained about 520 kms on snow before the
CSM. Out of that about 250 kms was skate skiing, because the conditions in
Ottawa before the New Year were rather poor for classic, and I enjoy doing
both anyway. I would recommend doing the last 200 kms or so classic, but
that'll just keep you multi-talented :-)

I must admit the thought of driving up to Ottawa twice in 10 days is rather
daunting. My approach would likely be to take that week off and enjoy
Winterlude and the various things around here and in the Laurentians during
the week (e.g. telemarking at Tremblent.)

In terms of special benefits, what can I say? It's beautiful terrain, skied
in friendly company, in an ultra-long-distance touring format, and is well
supported in terms of safety and enjoyment. The distance is long enough that
if you do it, there is a feeling of unique accomplishment. Just talk to
people who've done both the Keski and the CSM and see what their take is--
especially if they are not super competitive racers. Actually, this year we
had at least 4 ex Canadian national ski team racers doing the CSM for
enjoyment.

Also, as a family event, different members of the family can participate at
their own level. My wife who does not care for the long distances, has often
toured 2-3 sections each day and enjoyed it thoroughly. I may be touring
next year myself, so that I can do a section with my little daughter.

In the end though, I would say that you need to enjoy classic skiing for the
CSM to be worthwhile.

Parham.