FEATURES

2017 LIGHT TOURING GEAR

What sort of ski do you need when you're setting your own track on ungroomed, untracked terrain? What if your thing is climbing a mountain to Telemark down through bottomless powder? Our editors called in a few dozen pairs of skis, boots and bindings and, thanks to an ample, early-season snowpack in Northern Vermont, put them through the paces.

WAX WARS: ON THE WORLD CUP CIRCUIT, AMERICA IS DAVID

Last winter, Hansi Johnson followed the US Women's Cross Country team to Lahti, Finland. While he watched a lot of racing, he discovered that, though the American team is outspent by Norway and others as much as 14 to one on waxing, the Yanks can more than hold their own.

CALM IN CHAOS: HOW 9/11 CHANGED AMERICAN BIATHLON

On September 11th, 2001, everything changed. The American Biathlon program, long supported by the US Army and National Guard, was no exception. So, we had writer Matt Crawford make some calls to the who's who of the sport. What he learned might surprise you.

DESTINATION GUIDE

Who skis around the world year in and year out? World-class ski racers. We reached out to professional skier Erika Flowers for a take on her favorite places around the globe, then our editors filled in some gaps. Got a Loppet race on your list? Go here. Got a continent you've never skied on? Go there!

DEPARTMENT CONTENTS

Mass Start

CONTRIBUTORS
Nordorks and Skinny Skiers.

EDITOR'S NOTE
One family, many trees.

WAX BOX
Readers react to the new look of an old book.

READER ESSAY: HONEYMOONLIGHT IN VT.
"When I look at those skinny sticks and think about how much I have accomplished, I feel honor bound to give them recognition."

Nordic Nation

WAX WRITE
Editor at Large Erika Flowers knows a thing or two about waxing. She shares a lifetime of tips on how to apply the right wax the right way for the right conditions.

OLD HAT
The venerable Swix hat has a history. Senior Editor John Dostal knows it.

WISING UP
The American Birkebeiner has a fascinating history. And now a home for it in a museum named for the Birkie's founder, Tony Wise.

DOUBLE POLING JUST GOT TOUGHER
In an effort to save the stride, FIS has some new rules about double poling.

Overland

TRIALS OF TRAILS
In our new department, we cover old trails found and new trails built.

Out the Back

LOCAL LEGEND
Every ski scene has its lore. Writer Jeff Burke tells the story of Jack Bellorado, long-time owner of Teton Pines Cross Country Center in Jackson, WY.

BIFF AMERICA
Swedes and Slurpees

FINISH LINE
A short history of The Flop