Winter is going to be hitting in a couple months. I'm an avid hiker on weekends and I'll need a winter outlet as taxing and dangerous as in New England, winter means gobs of snow and hiking is on hold till next summer.
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Back in the old country (western Montana), we were avid fans of "hooding." This involves an old hood from a '67 chevy pickup tied to the back of an '82 chevy pickup, driving at mach 4 through snow-covered pastures. You hang on to the hood for dear life and pray it doesn't flip over after catching 10 feet of air off a hay bale.
Either that or "Digging Out," which involves pulling tourists' sports cars out of snow drifts all day. That one's a workout.
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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We in Pennsyltucky call it "Dragging". We use the garden-veriety sleds you can buy at Wal-Mart and tie them with rope to the back of any vehicle. Then we get dragged down accessory roads and dirt roads and see how fast we can go. I must say that 35 MPH on a sled in 10 degree weather with nothing to breathe but the blue exhaust from an old Gold Dodge Dart was intoxicating, both figuratively and literally.
Hockey is a close second.
There is also, "Throw Snowballs at Cars and Call Them Bad Names" trying to initiate a chase, but that was a lifetime ago...
Posts: 1870 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hockey is indeed awesome, but to be competitive you have to start somewhere around 4 years old. Either that or be a natural at it.
During my youth hockey days, those who started late never caught up to those of us who started about the time we could walk in ability.
There are non-competitive leagues though where you can just have fun.
My suggestion is snowboarding. Its amazingly fun, and pretty easy to get into too. I was pretty okay at it my second time going.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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Yes, snowboarding is what I'm leaning towards so far. It still involved mountains and good exercise and fun and um...danger. Pushing yourself to the limit, that sort o' stuff.
I live in NH, so I have access to ski areas.
What do I need to do to get into it?
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I snowboard. Well, I used to, before my knees went bad. Sadly, I'm on the west coast, where it just isn't the same. I loved it, though. All you need is your snowboard, lift ticket, and snow clothes. I'm assuming you have them, living in NH and whatnot.... who knows.... grab a buddy who knows how, who can teach you, or just go pay the crappy fee to get a lesson or two. That's all you'll need though, the rest will only confuse you, heh.
EDIT: And don't forget to get PLENTY of sleep beforehand, as I never did.
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I used to ski, as well, but I owned my own snowboard, and not skis. I loved skiing as well. especially backcountry.
Posts: 146 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I ski, when I get the chance. I own a snowboard, but it's such a pain to pick up a new method, I just rent skis and do that. I fully intend to buy a pair soon. The thing I don't like about snowboarding is that if you wipe out (which you will, alot, in the beginning), the thing stays attached to you and makes you bend in all sorts of wierd directions, whereas skis come off and you just have to hike halfway up the mountain to get them back.
Posts: 609 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Boxing or some kind of competitive martial art. And yes I am serious. From what you've posted here, you already work out like a fanatic. Competitive fighting is just down your alley since 90 percent of that stuff is building your body up/limbering your body up enough to knock the poop out of people effectively.
Boxing is good because most areas have some kind of amateur bar boxing nights with oversize gloves for women and men, with winner getting some hundreds of dollars in money. It depends on the establishment.
Competitive fighting is, I think, the hardest type of sport on the planet. Something that requires mental and physical toughness that very few other sports even approach.
Places to do so within 90 minutes (mostly) of Manchester . . .
New Hampshire Nordic (Cross Country) Skiing Balsams Wilderness Bretton Woods Eastman Cross Country Center Franconia Village Cross Country Center Great Glen Trails Gunstock Inn at East Hill Farm Jackson Ski Touring Foundation King Pine Cross Country Skiing Loon Mountain Cross Country Skiing Nordic Center At Waterville Valley Nordic Skier Wolfeboro XC Norsk Cross Country Windblown Cross Country Woodbound Inn Cross Country
Descriptions of different types of cross country skis can be found here.
"Skiing at a moderate pace, a 175-pound man (for example) can burn as many as 800 calories per hour. Circulation improves. Blood pressure lowers. Every muscle group is used. It’s low risk, non-jarring exercise.
Actually, it seems they have the skis. poles. bindings and boots in a package that is currently out of stock. But, it will probably be back as it gets closer to winter. You can find the package deal here.
I'll show you links, missy. Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Ok, I guess dogsledding isn't really feasible unless you actually have a pack of dogs and a sled....but you only need one dog and a pair of skis for skijoring! Posts: 1225 | Registered: Feb 2002
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Though you really ought to rent or borrow the equipment till you're sure it's what you want to do. It seems a bit more expensive, so make sure you like it before investing. You know, when I used to go sledding, I would use a silicon spray to waterproof my jeans. Wear thermal underwear and a couple of pairs of jeans. Cheaper than going out and buying ski clothing, till you're sure. Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Mack, Telemerk skiing. You can go anywhere you can hike. More places, actually, because you can get out on frozen lakes, and sometimes rivers. It is exhilarating. Snowshoeing is great too.
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Telemarking is NOT boring, believe me. You can ski the bowls in the mountains, just you and a friend(always at least one) and the mountain. The ski lifts are your legs and lungs.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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quote:Back in the old country (western Montana), we were avid fans of "hooding." This involves an old hood from a '67 chevy pickup tied to the back of an '82 chevy pickup, driving at mach 4 through snow-covered pastures. You hang on to the hood for dear life and pray it doesn't flip over after catching 10 feet of air off a hay bale.
Annie! You're such a hick!
As far as skiing goes, I tried it a few times but I quickly discovered that I have a very serious problem -- I can't turn left. Posts: 1295 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I'm a recovering hick, Godric. I gave up my Rockies jeans three years ago, and I've gone all summer without attending at least one county fair. I'm making progress.
I'm a big fan of snowshoeing. It's like hiking and goosestepping in one. And we all need more practice goosestepping. No, really - it's a good workout and a great way to see the scenery, unlike skiing in which if you get a chance to see the scenery, it's probably because you're headed face-first into a tree. I hear that tele is great for the same reasons, but have never tried it.
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Racquetball. You can play in any weather, and it's an amazing workout. It's not an outdoor sport, but it's much more practical to go play racquetball on a wintery afternoon than it is to go skiing, unless you live really close to the slopes.
Posts: 224 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I already play raquetball It's like my reward after weights and cardio when I go to the gym. After those, I'll go beat the crap out of myself and the ball.
I live in the city now but I grew up in the country. Hiking is my escape from the city and I'm lucky to live in NH where the White Mountains are very close (relatively).
Snowboarding sounds extreme, which is what I like. Though stormy's suggestion of boxing or martial arts sounds VERY cool, I don't have time for the classes for them (I soooo wish I did ). This is my Sunday "escape from the city" sport. Hiking works very well, as I don't have to do a boring long run through the city to get this workout. What the heck is telemarc skiing?
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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Annie wrote: "I live in the city now but I grew up in the country."
Bob Dylan wrote: "I was raised in the country, I been workin' in the town I been in trouble ever since I set my suitcase down" "Mississippi"
Telemark skiing is, basically, extreme cross country skiing. The skis are sturdy, with metal edges. The boots are like an old fashioned downhill ski boot, which bend at the toes and have a free heel.
If you can ski, you would pick it up quickly. "Telemark" is the type of turn, which is a beautiful bent-knee sort of thing.
You can put skins on the skis and go straight up a mountain. Take the skins off, and you fly down a pristine ski bowl in the middle of nowhere.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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I love skating. Especially at night, on the longest skating rink in the world. (Ottawa's claim to fame...)
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Beginning in February, the almanac says, storms will target much of the eastern half of the country, with no letup until early spring, and parts of New England will get snow into late April.
The almanac, which hits the newsstands Tuesday, provides little solace for snow-weary New Englanders still thawing out from last winter.
"The big story in the Northeast is that February looks like it's going to be a never-ending series of storms that will be reminiscent of last year, when just about everybody was ready to head for Hawaii," said Sandi Duncan, the almanac's managing editor.
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Skiing or snowboarding. Definitely. If you want something exciting, that is the way to go. I suggest Jay Peak. I hear many good things about it. Alot of people think it's the best on the east coast. Of course, once you get good, you'll likely want to make a trip out west, to the real mountains like Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley, Whistler, Kicking Horse, etc.
I am working towards a set of touring bindings and boots this year. I already have a gps, a good backcountry bag and suitable skis. Now I just need the boots, bindings, skins, probe, shovel and transceiver. Once I have that, I'll be set, provided I can find someone interested in ski mountaineering and ski touring with me.
Posts: 1769 | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote: Skiing is not a sport. You get to sit down as some machine takes you to the top of a slippery mountain. Then you put a couple of slippery boards on your feet and ... you go down the mountain. Big deal. Try NOT going down the slippery mountain with slick boards on your feet. Now THAT would be a sport.
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Don't sell skiing short. It is a very challenging and solitary sport. You may be sharing a mountain with thousands of other people, but what you do when you get off the lift is up to you. Try skiing all the nooks and crannies on Whistler Mtn, then tell me that it's not solitary. The only thing I hear when skiing is my breath, my skis, the snow and the wind.
Posts: 1769 | Registered: Feb 2000
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I went out looking for sales today 'cause it's still hot (for New England) and there's bunches o' sales going on at the ski/snow shops for last year's models of gear.
In one shop, I found a burton board and bindings for $175 (snap in), a model from last year. Goggles are half off, as are boots and bags.
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I've skiied, though not in a couple of years. I think it'd be less painful to fall snowboarding though because it's easier to get up. (Not that that made sense ) But you could also try cross-country skiing. You can still go down hills, like regular skiing, you just can't steer or slow down. Or maybe that's just me.
Posts: 981 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Snowboarding sounds super fun to me, mac! That's what I would do if I lived anywhere near water in the solid phase. Here it pretty much stays liquid all year round.
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You'll love snowboarding, mack. Everytime you hit a flat area, you'll get a great work out trying to get to the next slope. Remember to always take a skiing buddy with you to give you a tow. Posts: 4625 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Pushing yourself to the limit, that sort o' stuff.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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). This is my Sunday "escape from the city" sport. Hiking works very well, as I don't have to do a boring long run through the city to get this workout. What the heck is telemarc skiing?
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) But you could also try cross-country skiing. You can still go down hills, like regular skiing, you just can't steer or slow down. Or maybe that's just me.
