Skirack cross country ski fit expert, Jake Hollenbach will be doing a series of short Q&A's with Skirack sponsored athlete Ben Lustgarten while he races the Tour de Ski and 2019 World Cups. Enjoy!

QUESTION: How many Olympic gold medalists did you eat Christmas dinner with?
ANSWER: I ate Christmas dinner with 2 Olympic gold medalists! Jessie Diggins and Connie Carpenter-Phinney.

Join Skirack Nordic Fit Specialists for the Craftsbury Outdoor Center annual On Snow Expo.

Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9th: 9 AM - 4 PM

Craftsbury Outdoor Center
535 Lost Nation Rd, Craftsbury Common, VT 

Spending time outdoors is a big part of the lifestyle of many Vermonters, and dressing to stay comfortable during changing weather and activity levels is important if you want to get out there and have fun doing it.

Luckily, there are many trusted and well established gear brands that offer everything you need to be comfortable doing whatever you like to do outside.

Deciding what outdoor clothing you need and how to use it can be as complex as you want to make it, but if you start by learning to dress in layers, then you are well on your way to outdoor comfort.

The following tips on layering will help you make the most of what you already own and make better decisions about the new gear that will make your adventures even more fun.

On Friday, August 10th, NENSA and SKIRACK partnered for an incredible NASTAR style 100m Rollerski Sprint Challenge event! The event was held at Leddy Park in Burlington, Vermont and open to the public.

Participants were able to test their speed against Ludvig Søgnen Jensen, 100m cross country ski sprint world champion from Norway on a pair of Swenor rollerskis.

After the Rollerski Callenge, an autograph session was held at Skirack and an after party at Skinny Pancake.

Join NENSA and SKIRACK for a NASTAR style Rollerski Sprint with Ludvig Søgnen Jensen, 100m ski sprint world champion.

Test your speed against Luddeyo on a pair of Swenor rollerskis just like Ludvig Søgnen Jensen uses!

Rollerski Sprint Challenge at Leddy Park: 3 PM - 5 PM
Skiers must bring boots, poles and helmet.
Registration and signed waiver also required.

Autograph Session at Skirack: 5:30-6:30pm

Live Music & Food at Skinny Pancake: 7pm

I’ve been strapped into one type of ski or another since I could walk. I’ve played the backyard enthusiast wandering through my woods and the racer daring the elements in a thin, skintight uniform. Recently, I’ve added a dog to the mix.

Skijøring is an ancient method of transportation with roots that begin thousands of years ago in Scandinavian countries. Traditionally “ski driving” was done with reindeer pulling drivers on skis, but more modern athletes utilize dogs or horses. In fact, this event was once featured in the Winter Olympics and there are efforts to bring it back! The sport has evolved since then to include snowboarding, alpine skis, races of endurance or speed, and even steeple-chase like events. Those who don’t have access to snow may enjoy bikejoring or canicross, which is running or hiking with a dog trained with mushing commands.

Although this year’s ski season may be coming to a close, racing on the national scene is just starting to heat up. The nordic skiing Junior National Championship races will be held this week in Soldier Hollow, Utah, on the tails of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Vermonters make up more than half of the 2018 New England team, and many of them live and train in the Burlington area. 

Each year, the most talented high school skiers compete throughout the winter for a chance to race at the Junior National Championships. To qualify, athletes must compete in eight races that are held over four weekends through the season. Skiers score points based on their performances each race. At the end of the season, the skiers with the highest scoring points in their best 3-4 races are selected for the teams. 

Hometown: Burlington, VT

Years of Experience: I have been cross country skiing for 54 years and have been running and cycling for 43. I have extensive experience selling, testing and developing apparel and footwear since 1979 and with Skirack for the past seven years.

Certifications and Awards: MS, Biomechanics of Locomotion PSU 1993; Several age group top 5 finishes in running and triathlon; 2017 Goldstein Award for Poetry.

Outside Interests and Hobbies: Running, Cycling, Swimming, Cross Country and Alpine Skiing. Writing and illustrating verse. Collecting Chinese teapots.

The 2018 Winter Olympic Games have just begun, and hundreds of cross country skiers are converging in South Korea to compete for a world title.

Here is a list of 10 cross country ski male athletes to watch out for and will also most likely walk away with a medal. 

Header image is courtesy of www.olympic.org

The 2018 Winter Olympic Games have just begun, and hundreds of cross country skiers are converging in South Korea to compete for a world title. 

Here is a list of 10 cross country ski female athletes to watch out for and will also most likely walk away with a medal. 

Header image is courtesy of www.olympic.org