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ThatNYguy
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Posted: Jun 30, 2003 - 5:28 AM GMT

Grass skiing. I know of one manufacture, Rolka, as I have a pair.
Anyone know of another similar product or have tried this unique form of entertainment.

Russ[addsig]

MissDaEast
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Posted: Jun 30, 2003 - 11:03 PM GMT

I thought about buying a pair, circa 1971, but talked with a friend who had tried them. He talked me out of it...said they were heavy, and difficult to manoeuvre, unless you were skiing down a downhill putting green. I guess the "Non-selling Point" for me was when he mentioned that falling on rocks, sticks, and stones doesn't feel so great...especially in summer attire! As I recall, they were like long in-line roller skate blades (minus the boots, and present day technology-i.e. they had metal rollers). In fact, I think the metal rollers were doubled up, side by side, for edge control??? Glad I didn't waste my money! Did you ever try them???
I have seen roller X-Country skis, however, which look interesting. They are for use on paved roads, which could prove scetchy! How do you stop them in heavy traffic?[addsig]

mapnut
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Posted: Jun 30, 2003 - 11:49 PM GMT

Pardon the deviation from the thread, but that's an interesting old photo of Whiteface in your avatar, Russ. I'd always wondered about that liftless trail on the upper right, which is still visible. Do you know its history?

I saw somebody using those roller-skis on a highway in Marquette, MI last week. Ten-foot-wide paved shoulder and not much traffic. Looked like a good way to get some exercise.

edited by: mapnut, Jun 30, 2003 - 02:52 PM[addsig]

ILOVE2SKI
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 12:41 AM GMT

cross skates -you can use them at gunstock[addsig]

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SNOWTURX
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 1:25 AM GMT

So,T-NY-G,you seem to have a thing about,well,what should we call it,Skiing On A Surface,Other Than Snow (soasots),'Off Snow Skiing'.
As you probably know,because of you're previous post concerning the Trikke,I went and bought one,So I can answer any questions you may have about that.
The obvious 'soasots' tool,seems to be in-line skates,I bet a bunch of you have those.
I've always wondered how those 'Skiers Edge',training/workout machines are ? Any of you using/have used these ? You've probably seen the wee animated web ad,they pop up here and there on skiing themed places,it seems expensive.
I'm enjoying the Trikke immensly,by the way,TURX.[addsig]

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ThatNYguy
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 3:35 AM GMT

Since this thread has relies of a few questions, I guess the best way to answer would be to address the questioners... here we go.

MissDaEast: I first grass skied in the mid 80's at Catamount. I took one lesson (recommended for 1st timers) in which I was told to ski with my legs 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart. Since my snow skiing style would best be described as wedel, I was determined to ski in a similar fashion as I found "legs apart" akward. After the third visit I was wedeling on grass. A gentleman (later to become known to me, Bill Gilbert, operator of Catamount) approached me with curious eyes asking, "how are you keepin them legs together".
Rolkas are actually quite light with single "tank-like" treads.

mapnut: As to Whiteface avatar and the trail... yes I know about it and the history of this mountain. You can email me at NYSkiLinks@aol.com or better yet talking on the phone about it might be a better time enjoyed.

ILOVE2SKI: You got it, right on brother.

SNOWTRUX: The idea for this and the TRIKE threads was to spirit efforts to enjoy the summer as is rather than suffering depression over the lack of ability to enjoy snow. Since this is the Summer Edition of Snow Journal, it seems a natural fit. Glad your enjoying the TRIKE, mission accomplished.

Russ [addsig]

SNOWTURX
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 3:56 AM GMT

So,do you have a favorite Summer Pastime,as far as the skiing 'vibe' goes ?
I'm struck by the similarities between your screen name/interests,and those of NJSkiBabe,and her recurring thread of indoor skiing.You both show an interest in 'unusual' skiing,and you're from 'da east'.We might end up relying on you two through next year's off season,to come up with alternatives to moping around,TURX.[addsig]

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ThatNYguy
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 4:30 AM GMT

I have a summer pastime, but not skiing related but then again I do have one that is skiing related... not trying to confuse you, lol. I enjoy ATVin... kinda whent another direction on it all. I like the ATV for many reasons but my favorite use is for exploration. I spent several Sundays last year on Bearpen Mountain in the Catskills on a project I have been working on. I met many great people who enjoy "running" as a pack on the trails and having lunch at various scenic vistas off the summit... good clean stuff.

Russ[addsig]

SNOWTURX
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 4:40 AM GMT

Quote:

Since my snow skiing style would best be described as wedel, I was determined to ski in a similar fashion

OK,I assume this is skiing with your feet close together,but I couldn't find it in the dictionary,is it the name of a once famous skier ? TURX.[addsig]

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HClone
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 6:55 AM GMT

Wedel is an Austrian term for what Americans called "Short Swings" Very big in the 60s and early 70s[addsig]

NJSkiBabe
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 7:48 AM GMT

I never tried grass skiing, I did watch a lot of people try it, and I also watched a lot of them being taken to the local hospital after they took their tumbles on the rocks, dirt and grass. Unfortunately you can't really slide on rocks and dirt without taking some skin off.

There was something done that seemed like it might have been pretty fun way before grass skiing came in to play - - - in the 1940s there were several areas where people skied on slopes that had thick layers of pine needles on them.

Think that is something that could be done with today's skis???

My summer sports include: biking, hiking, volleyball, kayaking, and swimming.

Anyone ever try skiing on sand? I heard there used to be some areas in the U.S. where you could do that. Sounds pretty interesting also.

[addsig]

MissDaEast
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Posted: Jul 01, 2003 - 8:15 AM GMT

Ouch! I just cleaned out my gutters, and I can tell you that skiing on pine needles wouldn't be any better than rocks and dirt!

edited by: MissDaEast, Jul 01, 2003 - 05:06 PM[addsig]

NJSkiBabe
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Posted: Jul 02, 2003 - 1:27 AM GMT

I was told by someone who actually did it, that after trying several other types of "wax", the skiers soaked their long wood skis in long troughs at the top of the pine needle slopes that were carpeted and filled with kerosene before they took their runs so that their skis wouldn't stick to the pine needles.

Hope no one was near them with any matches!!!

Gather up your pine needles and make your own ski slope.[addsig]

WoodCore
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Posted: Jul 02, 2003 - 5:23 AM GMT

Reliable Racing of Glens Falls, NY, back in the early eighties offered a unique training device for skiers. It was basically a molded plastic platform that allowed the rider to stand in a traditional skiers stance over the top of a modified, extra wide skateboard undercarraige. My familiy owned one and let me say that it was quite the ride!

in fact it's a shame that ski board came out when it did, the skis at the time where 200 cm+ and the technique of skiing at the time was completely opposite of the technique that was required to operate the ski board with any success.

With the invent of shaped skis, and the change in alpine ski technique this ski board with a few mofications could closely mimik the similiarities that skateboards share with snowboarding???

Has anyone ever riden one of these?? Your thoughts or memories.

[addsig]

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NJSkiBabe
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Posted: Jul 02, 2003 - 8:52 AM GMT

There's something new that came out in the last year or two that is called a Mountain Board. Don't think it has really caught on yet. This could take the place of grass skis for anyone that wants to try to keep their feet together.

It's basically a skateboard with larger wheels. Your feet strap into it just like on a snow board. (Unfortunately there is no release from the board).

You then take off down any slope or hill and board (no snow needed for this).
No way to control your speed!

Learning to stop can be pretty hard. Lots of hard falls on the grass and rocks. More shredded skin! One of my friends tried it and ended up having to have back surgery after trying to ride a Mountain Board.

Ouch!!!!!

Are there any ski resorts that still allow grass skiing?

edited by: NJSkiBabe, Jul 01, 2003 - 11:54 PM[addsig]

SNOWTURX
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Posted: Jul 02, 2003 - 9:26 PM GMT

I thought Mountain Boards had been around awhile,maybe only in CA.
Many come with brakes installed,like this MBS Mountain Board
Also,you can buy brake kits.Some have bindings that you can use either locked,or not.
I must say,there seems to be a fair few manufacturers,I'm surprised I haven't seen more around.
You lucky people who live in the mountains,or near a resort.Have you seen any in use ? TURX.[addsig]

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SNOWTURX
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Posted: Jul 03, 2003 - 2:41 PM GMT

What do you know,here's another Summer option,for us SnowSporters:

SLEDDING IN SUMMER: If you thought bobsledding was just a winter sport, think again. Lake Placid, New York's Olympic Regional Development Authority is offering bobsled rides at its Verizon Sports Complex seven days a week through Sept. 1. It's dubbed The Summer Storm. The ticket is $30, but for an experience of a lifetime, be a big spender. A professionally trained driver and brakeman guide you down the Olympic course on wheeled bobsleds called Hurricane, Thunder, and Lightning, among others. This is one of the most popular attractions in the country, so give it a ride.

Grr,all I've got is (deleted) Six Flags,TURX.[addsig]

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sledhaulingmedic
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Posted: Jul 05, 2003 - 2:52 PM GMT

I remember "Turf Skis" being marketed in the early '70's. I think they lasted one (off) season.

The Blue Hills Gorillias were known for skiing Big Blue on a dew-ey August morning. (That was on rock skis.)[addsig]

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