Cross Country Ski Gear Workshop at REI

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REI, 925 Independent Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505
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  • 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.
  • Photo of cross country skis
  • Ski tuning demonstration
  • Ski team working on their 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.
  • Photo of cross country skis
  • Ski tuning demonstration
  • Ski team working on their skis

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 cross country ski gear.

Whether you are brand new to the sport, getting back into skiing, or already skiing and want to better understand your equipment, this clinic will help take some of the mystery out of choosing the right gear. We’ll look at skis, boots, bindings, and poles, explain how they work together, and talk about the differences between classic, skate, and touring equipment.

This is not a sales pitch. It is a practical, easy-to-understand clinic led by experienced skiers who train, race, and spend a lot of time on Colorado snow.

You’ll be able to see and handle the equipment in person, ask questions, learn what really matters when choosing gear, and understand what you probably do not need to worry about. Our goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of cross country ski equipment and a few useful tips that can make skiing easier, more efficient, and more fun.

Bring your questions. We love talking about skiing.

What We’ll Cover

✅ Classic Ski Gear

  • Waxless, skin, and waxable skis, and how to choose between them
  • Why even “waxless” skis still need some waxing
  • How ski length, flex, and fit affect performance
  • Boots and bindings, including what works with what
  • Choosing the right poles, straps, and baskets

✅ Skate Ski Gear

  • How skate skis differ from classic skis
  • Skate boots and bindings, including compatibility
  • Choosing the right ski and pole length
  • What to look for when putting together a skate setup

✅ Touring Gear

  • Different types of touring skis and when to use them
  • Skins, kicker skins, and other options for grip
  • Boot and binding choices for comfort, control, and warmth
  • Adjustable vs. fixed-length poles and basket choices
  • Choosing a setup for Grand Mesa and other nearby touring areas

We’ll also talk about what is worth spending money on, what probably isn’t, and how to choose equipment that matches the kind of skiing you actually want to do.

Reserve Your Spot (Free)