People looking for used ski equipment are also usually in luck because the area has so many avid skiers that there is often great selection and amazing deals at club ski swaps, usually held in the Fall. And we now have a new service that will likely interest racers and recreational athletes alike, called the Racers Edge Cross Country Ski Exchange.
The Racers Edge is an online resource for buying and selling used cross country skis. Yes, there are other resources out there (don't forget XC Ottawa's great classified section . . . ), but Racers Edge takes selling and buying used skis to a new level by providing specialized camber and flex testing. A ski with nice looking bases might look fast, but it's mainly the flex of the ski that determines how it will perform, which isn't readily visible to most people (unless you're a gifted ski picker who can tell how a pair of skis will perform by squeezing them).
This testing will determine the body weight and snow conditions for which the skis are best suited. Camber and flex testing is especially helpful for classic skis, since it
will also tell you how long the wax pocket is, how many layers of wax
the ski needs, and how much to shorten the wax pocket for klister. This takes a lot of guesswork out of waxing, and can often make your outings more enjoyable.
If you want to know more about testing and ski selection, you'll find more information in this article. Camber and flex testing will be performed by Wayne Johannsen at Gatineau Nordique Sport.
With all these great options for ski equipment, you'll see even more happy faces on the trails this winter. And don't just "wait" for the snow - make the process more fun by entering XC Ottawa's First Snow Contest (deadline is Monday October 15th).