The Gunflint Trail is a place you can count on for snow
Devil’s Track Nordic is where I got my wax on for the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon while I was up along the Gunflint Trail. I had decided due to lame winters last year and the slow start to the snow season this year that I needed to go somewhere I could count on for snow to get some skiing in before the race.
The Gunflint Trail did not disappoint in the snow department
The Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota is where I turned for a sure thing as far a snowfall for cross-country skiing, and the place did not disappoint. Fortunately, we have a family cabin at the end of the trail. We have been coming up here for 25 years in both the winter and the summer. There have been some winters where we did not experience any snow until we climbed the hill overlooking Grand Marais.
The first order of business was I needed to get my Fischer skis professionally waxed for the Birkebeiner. The Birkie homepage gives some local options in both Hayward and Rice Lake. The problem for me was I was going to be in remote Minnesota the week before the race. I could drop off my skis in Hayward on my way up, but Hayward is off the main route by 30 miles.
Devil’s Track Nordic just up from Grand Marais
I figured since skiing was so big in northern Minnesota, there had to be a Nordic shop in Grand Marais or along the trail. I googled it and the search engine came up with Devil’s Track Nordic, and they were actually located adjacent to the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails just a couple miles north of Grand Marias on the Gunflint Trail. I called and found that they would be open on the Sunday I was planning on driving through and could wax my skis that evening.
Inside the cozy Devil’s Track Nordic ski shop
Whenever I think of anything to do with waxing, I immediately think of the movie Karate Kid and Miyagi, who was the wise karate instructor whose first lesson was “wax on, wax off.” When I pulled into the Devil’s Track Nordic shop I secretly hoped that Dave would appear pruning a Bonsai tree and look like Miyagi.
Miyagi from Karate Kid was not found at Devil’s Track Nordic, but a great wax job was
I pulled into the shop and found it to be open. The owner Dave came down, and I was disappointed that he did not resemble Miyagi; however, I was immediately impressed with his knowledge of his craft. We talked about the Birkie, waxing, and local ski areas.
Suddenly there was a slight buzz in the room. Dave quickly grabbed two ski poles and caught a fly out of the air in mid flight with the poles. Actually, that did not happen, but I knew from our conversation that I had found my ski wax master despite the fact he did not look like Ralph Macchio’s instructor.
Pincushion Mountain ski trails are adjacent to Devil’s Track Nordic
I picked up the skis the next day and Dave provided me with a set of kick wax to use and provided some instruction on that as well. The wax Dave applied was for extra glide going downhill and the kick wax is for going up slight inclines to get a grip on the snow, so you can move forward instead of slipping.
When I used the skis during the race I knew immediately that the glide wax job that Dave did was phenomenal. Whenever I hit a downhill section I soared past people. In fact, a couple of times during the race as I sailed past someone whose momentum had stopped prematurely, they said “nice glide” as I flew past them. You know that when a fellow tired skier is so impressed with your glide that he utters praise as you go by that it must be top notch. Check out the video below for a shot of me gliding past people.
This was a huge improvement over the skis I used at the marathon three years ago. I remember double poling like crazy going downhill and having people fly past me in the crouched position. This is important to have good glide as it gives you an opportunity to rest while you gracefully glide downhill.
I highly recommend you use Devil’s Track Nordic for your waxing needs for the Birkie or if you are just up along the north shore of Lake Superior or the Gunflint Trail skiing. They also rent skis and have a full service ski shop and an online shop. The fee for my wax job was $55.00, which was considerably cheaper than the offers the Birkie website had for local places in Hayward.
Dave may not be a Miyagi, but he definitely does a top notch job of getting your wax on.
TT
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Ted,
Every time I view your snow and skiing photos my mind flashes back to my single days and my passion for skiing. Thanks for the memories mi amigo!!!
Mike
Di nada mi amigo. I am glad you can find your fountain of youth in some of these pages. I think you do a good job of that on your own with your own travels.
I should so learn how to wax properly so that I too could race past people. If I get past people it’s all because of grunt work.
The ski trails look fabulous.
Leigh recently posted..What’s the Better Place to Visit – Whistler or Banff?
I need to learn how to get my kick wax done better. I have only waxed once and it was a failure.
hahaha – i love it! MR. MIYAGI
you are too funny Ted!!
lola recently posted..why i will be returning to Costa Brava
You have to love Karate Kid references. There needs to be more travel blogs paying homage to Miyagi.
So you have to wax skis…see, I learned something today:) Just so long as you don’t take your gear to those jerks from Cobra Kai…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..One Day in Atlanta – A 24-Hour Adventure
There are two kinds of skis D.J. There are waxable and waxless. The waxed skis are better for racing as you can manipulate the wax to the conditions of the snow. It is almost a science. Never would I give those bully Cobra Kais my business.
Cool trip report…wax on/wax off..
Cheers…
Charles Higgins recently posted..Big name Vegas entertainment March 2013
You are a good learner Charles-san.
i never realized you had to wax skis! i only knew about surfboards.
…does this make me your daniel-san?
the lazy travelers recently posted..five frugal habits of highly effective travelers
I have a ways to go before I start having my own proteges.
After just last weekend doing something akin to this, I have new-found respect for you. I may even wear a fanny pack in your honor.
No…
Leah Travels recently posted..We’re from Texas. You’re Not.
You would look great in a fanny pack Leah. Hope to see you styling with one at TBEX.
Would love to know the origins of those place names!
Fiona recently posted..The Yummy Way to See Verona
I am sure there are some interesting stories behind them.
I get so jealous with each cross-country ski post I read. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try out this sport this winter, and I think I’ll have to wait until next year. LOVE the videos of you!
The World Wanderer recently posted..My Homes Away From Home.
Thanks Erin,
This year started out slowly on this front. I was really frustrated, but the season sure turned around although it did take some effort to get to some of the places that I skied at.
nice touch with the karate kid, but I can’t imagine you’d find Miyagi in a place called Devils Track…. unless of course, he was an angel in disguise.
stay adventurous, Craig
You never know where Miyagi might show up.
Ted, I’ll have to rent a costume to look like the karate kid! Although I do swat a lot of flies with my bare hands! Keep up the skiing and the posts! Dave
Dave,
Thanks so much for the terrific wax job. It sure made a difference at the Birkie. I hope I can make it up to the Gunflint Trail next skiing season and have you work your magic again.