First of three important pre-World Cup races

This weekend, Finland is hosting a classic sprint, an individual start 10k classic, and a 10k freestyle. (The only two Americans I saw were Alayna Sonnesyn, and John Steel Hagenbush.) 

Next week, Norway hosts key races in Beitostoelen, while Sweden hosts races in Gaellivare.   I suspect we will see more Americans racing in those venues.

Newest Olympic sport … Skimo

A critically important World Cup in Park City the first weekend in December, will be one of the final deciding factors for Olympic slots.

Wonderful conditions on the toll road

Early season avalanche in Tuckermans

https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/observations/#/view/observations/9a8d06f4-15ae-4668-af72-0c2b1d24c9bc

First big storm of the season

Between last night when the snow started, and dinner time on Tuesday we have gotten 5-7 inches of snow. We will probably get another few inches by Friday … it feels like winter has truly started. 

The morning ski tour with Stash on the 1980 biathlon trails; afternoon breaking trail at Scott's Cobble with 19 degrees and a vicious wind. 

Thinking of an October Trip For Next Year

After reading this article, I am giving some serious thought to going to Canmore for Frozen Thunder, or maybe to Italy next year!   But, I have been excited to get on snow in November, and will be heading out soon to enjoy the 3-4 inches we got last night. 

https://nordicinsights.news/2025/11/04/october-skiing-photo-roundup-from-fairbanks-to-the-world/

Good week of training

Three days on snow this past week, although yesterday was just barely skiable, but I was out long enough for it to count in my official tally.

I logged just under 15 hours this past week, on 182k (137k bike, 19k row, 16k ski, and 10k run), on 4150' vertical gain, with one strength session.

It’s that time of year

Two days skiing this week, but then sunshine and mid-40s and I am on my bike, with a side order of hiking. Heading out to see if I can ski on the toll road today!

Excellent morning skiing on toll road yesterday

Excellent short essay … everything you really need to know about training

https://fasterskier.com/2025/11/training-philosophy-a-holistic-view/

Another ski on the toll road

Icing up big time, but it was great to log some modest kilometers and vertical.

Put this on your calendar!

Nordic World Cup Finals at Mount Van Hoevenberg.

Good week of training

The weather was a mixed bag this week, but it was awesome to get a couple of inches of snow and get on skis. I logged just under 14.5 hours, on 167k (124k bike, 19k run, 7k ski, and 17k row), with 3420' vertical, and two strength sessions.

Tracking the snowiest spots in the Adirondacks

This is an excellent article: 

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/environment/what-is-the-snowiest-spot-in-the-adirondacks/?utm_source=Adirondack+Explorer&utm_campaign=ecf53244bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_03_11_11_16_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-17d298d4fa-47374863&mc_cid=ecf53244bc&mc_eid=6f75c95eb0

Six month review of training

The end of October, marks the first six months of the nordic skier training year, which started on May 1, 2025. I seem to be on track in most areas of my training plan.

I am set to hit volume targets of 750 hours and over 200,000' vertical gain. I have gotten up one 3000m peak thus far, and have completed 3 of six races/events: Prouty 50 mile ride, Stratton Uphill Race and the Dragonsback Ascent. Another plus, has been a big increase in the number of MTB sessions. The only major areas I have fallen behind on are stretching and strength.

First ski of the season

Not much coverage, but good skiing because it was two inches on top of a thin layer of bombproof ice.  The storm started as rain which froze solid. Quite a large crowd out there. 

Tomorrow morning could be the first ski of the season

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Kilian’s States of Elevation

https://www.nnormal.com/en_US/content/states-of-elevation?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Snow is coming

It looks like, by the middle of next week - if not before - skiing on the toll road might be looking good. Of course, also keep your eye on the Tug Hill Plateau, Jay Peak, Mt. Saint Anne, and Labrador City. 

Back home to a wonderful sunset …

And a wonderful dinner with Lucy!

A get-away with Sel, and a good week of training

With Lucy taking care of the animals and the farm, we had a long weekend road trip to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Lots of reading, champagne, binge watching The Diplomat on Netflix, chocolate chip cookies, hiking on Loon Mountain ski area trails, and just kicking back.

This past week I logged 14.5 hours, on 160k (137k bike and 23k run), with 4400' vertical gain, and four stretching sessions.

Laps on Loon Mt ski area

Along with a couple of good morning workouts in the gym, my afternoon was spent doing some laps on one of the ski runs was terrific.

Lining up trips and key events for 2026


Looking forward to spectating IBU Biathlon Cups February 26-28 at MVH. Heading to Zermatt with Lenny for the first ten days in March. After that, hosting buddies for the final Nordic World Cups at Mount Van Hoevenberg from March 20-22.

Snow flurries today … so that’s encouraging

Belated anniversary celebration …

Selden and I will have a mini-vacation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. However, before we go, just enough time for a short workout with Stash.

FIS bans Russian skiers from Olympic qualifiers

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/46673415/ski-federation-russia-belarus-barred-olympic-qualifiers

Nordic World Cup Races

Just under 150 days until the final three races of the 2026 season take place in Lake Placid.

NCS/CTT Board Meeting this past weekend

I was delighted to attend a gathering at RockE House after the meeting was finished. A great deal of fun re-connecting with old and new trustees. And of course, the view from the view from the porch never fails to delight!

Good week of training

The fine fall weather continued all week long, but it will be wet weather for the next few days. Unfortunately, too warm for any of the precipitation to fall as snow.

Last week I logged 14 hours, on 155k (138k bike and 17k run), with just under 4000' vertical gain. I also managed three stretching sessions and two strength workouts.

2026 Frozen Thunder

Canmore Nordic Center opened last week, with a 2k groomed loop for skating and classic skiing. Canadian national cross country and biathlon teams were in attendance. 

https://www.proxcskiing.com/traditional-skiing/frozen-thunder-north-americas-early-snowfest/

Liking the new COROS Apex 2 watch

One of many things I like - which should get better with more data - is their recovery algorithm. This gives a descriptive name and number, to what we all do subjectively, and which I have traditionally been oblivious too.

Evolution of Adirondack Skiing





https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8UJue-ZUUY

Back home after a great short road trip



A short Road Trip

Yesterday I loaded my MTB into the Hockmobile and headed south to Ballston Spa for lunch with Lenny. Afterwards, I continued south to an hour of biking on the Kingston Rail Trail, and then continued to Harry's farm in High Falls.

Today Harry and I will bike the trails in Minnewaska State Park, before I head back north for a lunch with Klink, and then continue on my way home.

Rainbow over Street and Nye.

The Rust Piton bottle is out!

Two old fossil buddies drinking whiskey on the deck, talking smack about mountain trips long ago! Gary is on the mend and will be back in sneakers in two weeks.

On a different note, given the spectacular weather, not surprisingly, I had another good training week. I logged over 15 hours, on 195k (174k bike and 21k run), with 3700' vertical gain, and two strength sessions.

Dirtbag Billionaire

Murph, my college buddy, and my first climbing partner in 1972, passed this along to me. Just finished the first couple of chapters, and it's quite good.

It reminded me to also take off my shelf, and re-read the historic 1972 mail order catalog.

Six day forecast for snow

Looks like a dusting at higher elevations.  Dare we hope that the upper part of the toll road might be skiable?

Kilian Jornet …

A wonderful 8 minute video showing the Colorado portion of his attempt to climb all the 14ers in the continental U.S.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GSb-_LQAAmU

Morning temperatures in the 20s

Great weather for training, and as we are past peak foliage, leaves are starting to drop. Hunting season is just around the corner, as is the first ski on the toll road.

Took out my old school - High Peaks Cyclery hat - for yesterday's morning combo workout. My 90 minute workout was half MTB, and half jogging laps on the World Cup sprint course.

HARVEST MOON AND FOLIAGE



Total time on snow during the 2024 - 2025 season

The first graph is my total time Nordic skiing last year, with a Strava paragraph comparing it to the previous season.

This next graph is the total amount of time spent alpine skiing last year, again Strava provided a brief comparative review with the previous year.

David Hochschartner (Hock)

Shackleton’s ship was bound to fail

An interesting article, which outlines some of the inadequacies of Shackleton's ship.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/science/shackleton-endurance-antarctica.html

Spectacular racing at the UCI World Cup

The U23 chase pack, following the top three riders, pedaling up to the high point of the course on some very steep climbs, and then heading back down to the stadium on some very technical and high speed terrain. The top rider finished the six lap course in just over 74 minutes.

On a related note, I had a good week of training which was dominated by my time pedaling. This week I logged just under 16.5 hours of training, on 210k (195k bike and 15k run), with just under 3500' of vertical gain. I also managed to do two sessions of PT stretching and strength workouts.