Outdoor VLOG 75: 100th XC Ski Day and Last Day of Work for the 2023-24 Winter!

[@ramblinwillowoutdoors1043]

Congrats on day 100! Maybe one day I'll reach that benchmark when I actually live somewhere skiable a good portion of the winter. It's a minimum of a 1 hour drive for a month or two of the winter, but more often 2 to 3 hours for me to reach skiable terrain. That said I did reach day 27 yesterday and hoping for another day or two if I can swing it but work is in high gear for the spring so time off is infrequent. I also split my time in winter between hiking, backpacking and skiing. Sometimes accomplishing the latter two in the same trip. It's been a weird winter here in New England, hoping for more snow next year.

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks so much! There does seem to be a small handfuls of ways in which to log that many days each season, with the main one being that you live near/at a skiable location. That said, it's almost like you also have to either work in the industry (so you're always at the resort, for example) or are retired. But I appreciate that you're able to get out as much as you do, as well as to have other non-skiing outdoor adventures. I thought I was going to incorporate more overnights this winter, but I think I'm going to have to put a bit more effort into planning those outings next season. Life just got in the way, as well as the occasional snowstorms (that I wanted to avoid being in for overnights). But it's all good. Let's hope for the both of us that we have something a bit more normal next winter. Ours didn't feel like it really got started until February this time around. Anyway, thanks so much for tuning in. Keep in touch!

[@bradshacker246]

My goodness!! Is that not the most glorious looking scenery, track, and day? And you seem to have that whole world to yourself! Naturally, my only question would be "where the heck are all the other skiers, what is wrong with them?"

[@JaredManninen]

I know, right?! Such a beautiful day and wonderful conditions! I'm glad I was able to ski when I did because it was just so perfect. There were a number of skiers throughout the day, but for a Saturday with pristine conditions it was relatively quiet. But, in all fairness, the trails that I was skiing were intermediate so a lot of beginners wouldn't necessarily ski them. But, still, the scenery alone is reason enough to take some lessons to become a better skier! Thanks for tuning in, especially since I know you're pretty far removed from xc skiing at this point in your season. So I appreciate the support :)

[@telezon7206]

love this channel to remind me what I'm missing when i don't get up in the mountains. very inspiring

[@JaredManninen]

So glad I can be of service - haha :) But, seriously, thanks for tuning in and for the kind words. I really appreciate!

[@mikefreitas5537]

Congrats on your 100 days! Great session to go out on.

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks, Mike! It was definitely a great xc ski experience :)

[@07madrone]

SWEET !!!

[@JaredManninen]

Thank you :)

[@paulgrimshaw8334]

If only all the last sessions of the season could be so nice!

[@JaredManninen]

Agreed! But, to be honest, this won't be my last xc ski session of the season. It was just the last at work. There's still lots of snow in the backcountry ;)

[@kathleenhavilan82]

Congrats! Love yr videos & if I didn’t live in San Diego I would definitely be doing XC ski lessons, clinics and everything possible to enjoy the winter. However I have been enjoying Tahoe summer vacations for 50+ yrs!

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Kathleen! I appreciate it :) San Diego is definitely not a bad place to be in the winter, but not a lot of xc skiing down there! haha :) Glad you're enjoying my videos. And I hope you're able to keep enjoying your summers in Tahoe!

[@ecphotographer]

Awesome scenery. This video is definitely worthy to pitch XC skiing in L.T. to other people. The absence of other people makes it better.

[@ecphotographer]

I mean, I know thats a given, but I guess I mean to target family and friends who are alpine skiers and open their horizons.

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks, EC! Although it's the end of the season, I would like to put some effort next season into building a practice of teaching/skiing with others here at Lake Tahoe :) There's so much terrain and potential for it.

[@JaredManninen]

That would be great to do. It's a whole other way in which to enjoy winter. And, realistically, it'll only help to increase a person's alpine skills too!

[@ecphotographer]

@@JaredManninen(Improving Alpine Skills) Oh -How so? I can see how telemark skiing directly relates, free-heelin’ with hard boots or skating in the flats, but, was there something else that I am overlooking?

[@JaredManninen]

​@@ecphotographer Since xc skis are usually a lot skinnier (particularly track and skate skis) a person develops better balance on the skis, as well as more effective single leg balance. And because xc skis don't do much to help with downhill technique (as most of us know firsthand - haha), as you develop your downhill skills on xc skis it translates to better downhill skills on alpine skis because, again, it takes far more specific movement to effectively downhill on xc skis :)

[@davidhill703]

Ever skate ski there? Looks like it would be great. BTW, what is your winter day job anyway?

[@JaredManninen]

Hey David! Oh yeah, I definitely skate ski at Kirkwood XC, whether it be in the meadow, the Caples Creek trail system (featured in the video), or its Schneider Camp trail system. Lots of good terrain for skate skiing. And I actually taught a skate ski lesson later in the day :) As far as my winter work goes, I work at a couple of different cross-country ski resorts/centers. I've worked at Tahoe Donner Cross Country (Truckee) for 10 seasons, and this past winter at Kirkwood XC was my first season over there. Kirkwood is actually a lot closer to where I live, so I plan to be working there more from here on out. At both resorts I teach, work in rentals, sell trail passes, wax skis, and perform gear repairs if it's possible. And, of course, as needed we all shovel snow, help direct parking, do some trail maintenance, clean bathrooms. You name it, we mostly do a little bit of everything. And, like I said, that goes for both xc ski centers. Although, TDXC is far bigger so there's more personnel that perform more specific duties. Thanks for tuning in. I hope you had a great winter!