The following is an attempt to cover some of the more common questions related to cross-country skiing in the upper Midwest...
Where do I find equipment?
Rentals - This article maintains a list of the known sources of cross-country rental equipment.
Shops - Area shops that provide knowledge cross-country staff and a full range of equipment.
Classifieds - Find great deals on used, and sometimes new, equipment from skiers.
How much does it cost to use the ski trails?
Trail/Park Fees - This article maintains a list of the current trail passes and links for details and purchasing info (many passes can be purchased online).
Where is there good skiing right now?
Trail Reports - A compilation of the latest trail reports, all submitted either by skiers themselves or the groomers.
I haven't seen a recent trail report for my favorite trail - how do I request one?
Request Trail Report - A quick and easy way to ask the skiing community for a new trail report.
How do I submit my own trail report? Can I include photos?
Submit Trail Report - Just finished skiing? Let us know what the conditions were like! And you can email your trail photos to
What trails are available near me?
Trail Listings - Browse ski trail listings broken down by sub-regions.
Are there places to ski after dark? How about candlelight skiing events?
Under the Lights - This article maintains a list of the known lighted trails and links to information on candlelight skiing events.
I went to my favorite park and it was very crowded or a race was being held. How can I avoid that?
Avoiding the Crowds - Notes on where you'll find high school meets and citizen races, schedules, and tips on backup trail systems.
What are rock skis? And B skis?
Rock skis are usually an older pair of skis, ones that you really don't care if the bottoms get scratched or ruined (you will ski over rocks with them). B skis are typically a recent pair of good skis, but now are your backup skis -- you'd prefer not to damage them, but they aren't your best skis.
What lodging caters to XC skiing?
Lodging section - The lodging section contains resorts and hotels that generally cater to cross-country skiing. Many have on-site ski trails.
Is there a list of ski races?
Racing Calendar - Full list of citizen ski races across the upper Midwest.
High School section - Along the left column there is a list of the major high school meets.
Updates on upcoming races, cancellations?
Racing Outlook - Contains detailed updates for events coming up in the next 7-14 days.
Where do I find race results? Are there results from previous seasons?
Race Results - The race results section contains the current season by default. You can access previous seasons and different categories by using the pull-down menus in the upper right corner of the page.
How do I submit photos or race results?
Submitting Race Results and Photos - This article provides detailed information and tips on submitting race results and photos. It also has tips on how to take better winter photographs.
How can I find for an old article on Skinnyski?
Search - You can search articles for articles. There is also a link on the front page, far left column, that goes to the search page.
Do I need a Skinnyski membership to post classified ads?
Memberships - Yes, posting classified ads is one of the perks of a Skinnyski paid membership. Members can also set trail reporting formats, like the number of days to show and a default region.
Why do you use Paypal for credit card payments?
Paypal - Paypal provides a number of key services for us. First, they protect your credit card data -- we never receive any of your credit card details. This also protects us, as we are not responsible for tracking your credit card details (and all of the regulations involved in the storage of such data). Second, you can also buy by bank account using Paypal. Third, Paypal provides a subscription system that automatically tracks your membership, sends you reminders when it is expiring and can even automatically renew your account, if you desire. Finally, Paypal is one of the oldest, most popular transaction services on the Internet. The company is owned by Ebay. If you can't remember your account details or forgot your password, they can help retrieve it. If you still don't want to use Paypal, there is a postal option for memberships
Can I purchase photos I see on the website?
Photo Sales - In general, many of the event photographs can be purchased. If there is no photographer credit listed on the photos, then those images were usually shot by Skinnyski and should be available for sale. If the photos were taken by someone else, we can usually put you in contact with the photographer.
