Cross country skiers glide along nature trails at Tosanak

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Skiing across the frozen landscape of the Tosanak Recreation Area is a fun way to stay active and burn off some calories.

No “expert only” signs or the threat of an avalanche came attached to this snow-packed endeavor. That’s not this sport.

While cross country skiing may sound similar to downhill skiing, it’s not.

“When they think of skiing, they think of the downhill skiing and speed. That’s completely different,” said Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams.

“Cross country skiing is as simple as walking. You’re basically just sliding your feet.”

Floyd County Conservation hosted open cross country skiing Saturday near Marble Rock at Tosanak. Young and old could pay a minimal equipment rental fee, learn about the sport or take a trip around the many trails in the 370-acre area filled with wildlife habitat.

“When you get your skis on, you can just go right on the track and ski with ease,” said Reams. “We have a loop out here so people that haven’t done it before can get a hang of it. Then they go out on the trails.”

Reams said several families came out to experience the beautiful winter day, snap the special boots onto their skis and take a trek into nature’s snow-draped winter wonderland.

“Only your toe is attached. So you still walk and do your regular motion, it’s just that you just kind of drag your feet,” said Reams. “The poles are just there for balance. They’re more like when you use a walking stick. You don’t really use the poles to push off. You stay up on the snow. You don’t sink down in.”

Reams said one can burn 400 calories in just an hour of cross country skiing.

“It’s a good aerobic exercise,” she added.

Reams also had hot chocolate on hand in the Learning Center building of Tosanak, so folks could take a break to warm up if they so desired.

Above-average temperatures this week made the snow a little more difficult to navigate.

“It hurts it a little bit. The warmer temps make the snow sticky,” said Reams.

But as long as there is snow cover and the trails are groomed, anyone with a pair of boots and skis can come out and enjoy the easy-to-learn adventurous skill set.

“It helps if you lean a little bit forward because if you have something slippery on your feet and you lean back – your weight is going to kick your feet up,” said Reams.

“It’s just a walking motion,” she said. “The most important thing is not to overdress. Typically, everyone comes all bundled up and once you get moving you’ll definitely work up a sweat.”

Prospective skiers can bring their significant others for some nighttime skiing next month on Saturday, Feb. 15. That’s when Floyd County Conservation has the Sweetheart Stroll planned. Reams said trails will be candle lit with ice luminaries so couples can ski the trails during the evening. She said the event is geared for adults.

“It’s amazing what you can see at night. Everyone is all worried about being able to see. Once you get away from street lights and house lights your eyes will adjust and you can see a lot better than you think,” she added.

Reams said kids as young as 5 or 6 come out to ski with their parents at Tosanak.

“We have youth skis. We can go pretty tiny,” she said.

The Fossil and Prairie Foundation purchased the ski equipment in 2011 and youth gear was added shortly thereafter.

Reams said Floyd County Conservation can rent out about 46 pairs of skis. The open skiing sessions, which ran from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, also offer up a chance for anyone that might be interested in purchasing their own skiing equipment if they decide they really enjoy the sport.

Floyd County Conservation also grooms trails at Wildwood Park in Charles City.

A snowmobile drags a trailer to groom the course and create two ski tracks so winter enthusiasts can glide right along the trails.

CrawDaddy Outdoors out of Waverly will rent ski equipment during the cross country skiing event which will be held on Cabin Fever Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 1.