I ordered cross country skis. I got a good price on some used boots from eBay, so I pulled the trigger on skis and poles. Those ended up being new because I couldn't find much used that wasn't absolutely ancient. I feel a little bad ordering things when shippers are so swamped, but it's going to snow next week. It also seems like skis may go the way of bikes during COVID: sold out everywhere. I'm glad I got them on order. After three months off during the worst of Wisconsin's infections, I got back swimming the last two weeks. The first day was slow and hard, but today after just four workouts I feel a lot better about it. The strength and form comes back faster than it was built the first time.
100% classic. I've never had good balance or rhythm for things like roller skating or ice skating and figured skate would be a disaster. I actually got metal edged touring skis but narrow ones that should still work in a track. There's at least one park that doesn't groom and I think another. Do you do both classic and skate? Which do you prefer?
My wife and I finally got to use our snow shoes that we bought six years ago. The winters have been real let downs with snows melting within a day or two, lots of rain, and a couple of dry years. While trekking around the hills of an old mine we more or less followed some ski tracks. I was surprised at how many steep climbs the person ascended. I would not have made that kind of effort, inching, literally inching, my way up a slope with my feet angled spread out to be able to keep the skis from overlapping each other. Power to anyone willing to do that. It was enough effort to climb in snowshoes.
I've seen skiers do things like this! They're kind of amazing. We're supposed to get snow next week, so I'm hoping all my parts will get here by then. Staying active in winter is such a good way to make the short, cold days fly by. I'm glad you got to use your snowshoes! I have a pair myself and like them a lot.