Cross country skiing is a winter sport that allows you to cover longer distances on the slopes than you could possibly ski in a normal skiing session. In order to do this, you need to be able to pull off some seriously cool tricks, like skiing on one ski and hiking on the other. While it may be possible to purchase a set of ski equipment that allows you to do this, the truth is that you can make your own wooden cross-country ski mask with only a few easy steps! Since we have all the materials needed right here in our house, we should probably make a tutorial on how to do just that.
Table of Contents
The Basics
The first step is to gather your materials: two tree trunks of the same size, some cedar boards, and a couple of ski poles.
You will need to take your time doing this and make sure you get the right shape and size for your ski goggles (which we will explain below). When you have finished, tie a knot in one end of the bundle and sharpen the other end with a small axe to give it a point.
Once you have your materials, the next step is to use a drill to hollow out two holes in each of the trunks (make sure you drill away from the edge so you don’t ruin your trunks).
Next, take one of the trunks and put a rope through both of the holes so you can pull on it like a hangman’s noose when you are skiing and let go of it when you are hiking.
Finally, take your time gluing the cedar boards on the inside of the trunks and sanding them down until they are smooth and shiny. You should also take the time to apply a polyurethane or other protective coat to the inside of the trunks before you use them for this project.
The Necessary Equipment
In order to make your cross country skiing experience as cool as possible, you will need the right ski equipment, including the ski mask, goggles, and ski jacket. Since these are the most important items when it comes to making a full winter sport out of skiing, we will begin by explaining how to choose the right ones.
The first thing to consider is how you plan on using them. Are you going to be skiing in cold temperatures or warm ones? Are you going to be skiing on the slopes or on the terrace? Are you planning on racing on the slopes or touring around and taking it easy?
Choosing the right equipment is all about having the right balance between form and function. You want to look good while skiing but you don’t want to be weighed down by excessive equipment. The right combination of ski gear is the following:
- A ski mask that doesn’t cover your ears and keeps the snow out of your eyes;
- A goggles that give you excellent visibility despite the thick snow;
- A waterproof jacket that keeps the snow out and is large enough to resist the wind;
- A pair of ski pants that are waterproof, have a drawstring, and are large enough to move around comfortably when skiing; and
- A pair of ski shoes that are light and comfortable.
If you are touring around and taking it easy, you might want to consider skipping some of the above items and opting for a simpler ski outfit. On the other hand, if you are going to be doing some racing, you will most likely need to invest in a good pair of ski boots. These will depend on the type of racing you are doing.
The Final Product
With all your materials gathered and the necessary equipment in place, it’s time to put them all together to create your very own wooden cross-country ski mask. As mentioned above, you will need two identical tree trunks, a couple of cedar boards, and a couple of ski poles.
With a little bit of ingenuity, you can use twine to connect the two trunks together and make a handle for the whole thing to hang on to (this will make carrying the pack much easier).
Once you have made the connection, you can use the two trunks as a pair of scaffolding and secure one of the ends of each to a tree (make sure you clamp them to the tree firmly and don’t let go of the handles until you are sure you can continue without any danger of falling).
Next, take the opportunity to drill a hole in each of the trunks and insert a rope through them so you can attach the hangman’s noose we mentioned above. When you are ready to go skiing, you can simply let go of the noose and enjoy your majestic skiing experience!
As our tutorial on how to make wooden cross-country skis demonstrates, it is not that difficult to put together your own set of ski equipment. The truth is that it’s a pretty cool project to do and it will allow you to enjoy all the thrills that come with winter sports. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and start making your own wooden cross-country ski equipment now!