Hands-On Ski Gear Workshop with CMU Ski Team

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REI, 925 Independent Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505
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  • Photo of cross country skis
  • Classroom setup at REI for a ski gear clinic with rows of chairs facing a screen, cross-country skis and poles lined up along the wall, ski boots on a table, and a video of skiing playing on a monitor.
  • Colorado Mesa University cross country ski team posing in maroon and yellow uniforms, holding skis in the snow.
  • View from skis on freshly groomed cross country ski tracks with snow and pine trees ahead.
  • Photo of cross country skis
  • Classroom setup at REI for a ski gear clinic with rows of chairs facing a screen, cross-country skis and poles lined up along the wall, ski boots on a table, and a video of skiing playing on a monitor.
  • Colorado Mesa University cross country ski team posing in maroon and yellow uniforms, holding skis in the snow.
  • View from skis on freshly groomed cross country ski tracks with snow and pine trees ahead.

Cross Country Ski Gear Clinic at REI

Join the Colorado Mesa University Cross Country Ski Team and their coach for a hands-on introduction to the wide world of Nordic ski gear. Whether you’re new to the sport or already skiing and looking to better understand your setup, this clinic will help you make sense of skis, boots, bindings, and poles—and how they all work together for classic, skate, and touring skiing.

This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s a practical, easy-to-follow overview from experienced skiers who use this gear every day on Colorado snow. You’ll get to see and handle the equipment in person, learn what matters (and what doesn’t), and walk away with tips that make skiing easier, more efficient, and more fun.

What We’ll Cover

✅ Classic Ski Gear

  • Waxless skis (with skins or etched structure) vs. waxable skis with grip wax
  • Why “waxless” skis still need glide wax
  • Ski camber profile and camber tension: what they mean and why they matter for snow type and skier weight
  • Binding systems: NNN, Turnamic, Prolink, SNS, Pilot
  • Boot types and sole interfaces—and how to match them with bindings
  • Poles: correct length, straps, baskets, and materials for classic skiing

✅ Skate Ski Gear

  • Skate ski design and profile
  • Skate-specific bindings and cross-brand compatibility
  • Boot differences between skate and classic
  • How to size poles for skate skiing

✅ Nordic Touring Setups

  • Touring ski types: skins vs. structure, kicker skins, full-length skins
  • Boot options: lightweight vs. warm, short vs. tall cuffs
  • Touring binding systems: BC NNN, Rottefella Xplore
  • Touring poles: adjustable vs. fixed, materials and basket choices
  • Recommended setups for skiing on Grand Mesa and other nearby touring areas

Why Attend?

The CMU Ski Team coach and athletes will bring gear to show and explain in detail, so you’ll have the chance to see the differences up close. The clinic is designed to demystify Nordic ski gear and give you clear, practical knowledge you can use right away.

No matter if your goal is racing, fitness skiing, or backcountry exploring, you’ll leave knowing how to choose the right gear, avoid common mistakes, and get the most out of your time on snow.

📢 Then, learn how to wax, scrape, and brush your skis like a pro at our Cross Country Ski Waxing Clinic on October 25 at REI Grand Junction.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Reserve Your Spot! (Free)