And now here's a special treat! ... A unique ski lesson from the OYB website and YouTube!

The Best-Kept Secret in XC Ski Touring!

In the official world of XC ski instruction -- in classes and in all books -- the most advanced technique is for racing. However, most skiers do not race. They ski casual trails near where they live. And many of them have advanced skills. But the way they ski doesn't look like racing at all!

The biggest difference is that hardly anyone who skis homestyle trails does much doublepoling. By contrast most ski races are more than half doublepoling. This is a huge difference between two worlds of skiing! And it's not acknowledged in instruction or media!

Really, I'm the only one out here in media-land who is pushing to give respect to ski touring -- Trail Skiing -- and its special needs, skills and fun.

And one of the biggest skill differences is that Trail Skiers often enjoy using a technique called the Striding Doublepole. It's not officially taught anywhere, though. (Except by me.) It's the only kind of doublepole that works well on uneven trails. It works great in slower, softer conditions. It's great for skiing with a pack. And you can still sightsee while doing it since there's less up and down bobbing with the torso. It's also the best kind of doublepole for going uphill. And it's easy!

A somewhat similar official technique is called the Kick Doublepole, where for every doublepole you kick once. But our improved technique for touring is done by striding twice for each doublepole.

There are even times in racing when it comes in handy! Everyone should know how to do it. But Trail Skiers are the ones who really LOVE it.

(The kind of doublepoling that is officially taught is mostly useful when conditions are fast -- you're flying along -- and when the trail is tracked by machinery with firm, level, even, ski-tracks. And it's really only very useful when you're in good shape. It takes quite a bit of work.)