Five inches of wet new snow covered my car this morning. More snow continued to fall as I dug out my driveway. After getting my daughter to school, I took the rock skis to Freedom Park.
With the temperature hovering right around freezing, I applied Toko Silver grip wax to one ski and old Swix yellow klisterwax to the other. I went out on the usual loop, across the football fields, downhill and across the power line. Following the trail that parallels Millbrook Road I worked my way back up to the back side of the power line hill. Both the Toko and the klisterwax provided adequate grip.
Top of the power line hill in Freedom Park.
Although it’s great to have this much snow falling at the end of March, it’s covering bare ground as our base from January is gone. There’s more coverage in the fields than in the woods. Significant sections of the lowermost trails are slushy or watery; however you can ski around them. Several times I punched down to rocks or the pavement; so bring your rock skis.
One of the wet spots in the park
The NOAA weather forecast calls for another three to four inches of snow tonight. While I was skiing, the precipitation changed from wet snow to small, sharp crystals back to big, diffuse, poorly formed snowflakes.
There should be good skiing at Freedom Park tomorrow; on Friday, the temperatures will warm back into the 40s. Get it while you can!
Can you recommend a store where I could purchase roller skis (I live in Jersey City)? This will be my first pair, so I would like to go somewhere where I can try on the equipment before purchasing.
Thanks for any help you might be able to provide!
Angela
Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA sells roller skis. Unsure if there’s anywhere south of that where you can buy roller skis. You might also try Rock & Snow in New Paltz, NY. Before driving up, you’ll want to call to ask if they have demos. Thanks,
This weekend 3/26 & 3/27 the high point xc ski center at high pt state park, nj is having ski sale and includes roller skis and you can get a lesson & demo them.