The Complete Guide to Cross-Country Ski Preparation (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Getting the most out of skiing begins with choosing the right skis..." (more)
Key Phrases: wax testing, roto brushes, kick wax, World Championships (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Concise and to the point, the book is also incredibly thorough." -- Back Country Magazine

"Well-written and very entertaining with plenty of anecdotes from past Olympic and World Cup races." -- Cross-Country Skier

A handy compilation of everything you ever wanted, or needed, to know about cross country [ski preparation]. -- Sports Etc., Seattle, WA

Important reading for all serious cross-country and competition skiers. -- Bookwatch

It's amazing how much information is packed into this compact volume ... Don't hit the snow trails without checking this one out. -- Sweat, Scottsdale, AZ

Product Description

An essential resource for serious skiers.

Nat Brown was the official U.S. Cross-Country Team and U.S. Biathalon Team waxer for two Olympics and five World Championships. With this book, he offers a systematic course on choosing the right skis and preparing them for optimal performance.

Emphasizing simplicity and practicality, Brown guides skiers through all the techniques-basic to advanced-needed needed to produce fast skis. He covers the basic mechanics of skis and wax; all the factors that can affect a ski's speed and how to minimize or eliminate them; and advanced topics such as testing and repairs. Illustrated with b&w photos.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898866006
• ISBN-13: 978-0898866001
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wax guide., August 24, 2000

By	Kelly Squires (Lake Placid) - See all my reviews

This is really the only waxing book for serious skiers. Perhaps a bit much for a novice. Given evolving waxing technology the reader will have to also read the latest wax company literature to stay up to date.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Complete but lacking, October 18, 2001

By A Customer

It's a good book but it assumes you now the basics of ski waxing. I was trying to obtain a book to learn how to wax skis,and I am still looking. It's worth buying for the advanced procedures covered but you will have to find another book to learn how to "wax skis".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book of ski preparation, February 11, 2001

By	Marko Gracer, Former Head Coach, Slovenia (Kranjska Gora, Slovenia) - See all my reviews

The book is for all people in cross country skiing, not only for trainers, also for competitors, for every serviceman and for all amateurs. Only someone who has such a experiances from his work can write a book with knowledge for all. Or like Peter Hale wrote:" Since few skiers can just walk into a World cup or Olympic waxroom to see what's going on, this book is the next best think." I think that all we working in CC skiing can say just:" Thank you Nat for such a great present!"

It's the best practical book of cross country skiing I've ever read.