X-Country Skiing

There are some things that have already been said about X-Country Skiing by others more eloquent.

"Allow me to introduce you to skiing in MUMC. We are not downhill skiiers. If you want to be a downhill *censored* then you're in the wrong place: go join *censored* MUSKI where you can talk a lot about how good your clothes look, how much you had to drink the night before, which is why you can't ski today (usually no more than two shandies before you were chundering all over the place in a Hotham night club), and how cool a car you've got.

Instead we at MUMC go cross-country downhill (XCD) skiing, using the divine touring ski with the enlightening free-heel binding, in the wholesome, manly (or womanly) fashion that God intended.

Imagine seeing yourself skiing with vigour in your heart, and clean air in your lungs as you stride purposefully across vast flat plains (which are sometimes even covered with snow), using flawless Nordic technique, whilst carrying a 20kg pack and wearing a flannelette shirt, shorts and gaiters.

Attempt for a moment, if you will, to comprehend the unparalleled experience of linking seemingly endless Telemark turns down a slope, as you glide past members of MUST (who are too busy preening themselves).

This is what MUMC can offer you. Indeed the club can teach you to become a skier in such an expert fashion that you may not even need to go skiing. Before you know it you'll find yourself spending Tuesday nights in The Clyde, whinging about yet another pitiful winter season with the best of them, mistaking white plastic bags and toilet paper for snow as adroitly as anyone in the club."

Dimitri Papaioannou
(with careful editing by Agent "Lincoln" Smith)

In reality all or none of the above may apply. At MUMC, we're most concerned about taking advantage of what snow there is, by whatever means seems appropriate.

Where

Most MUMC trips to the snow take place within Victoria, between July and the end of September. They include- skiing the yo-yos at any of our alpine resorts to maximise the number of turns, or an excursion to Bogong High Plains or Mt. Feathertop to carve up the pristine gullies. We also run more beginner-friendly trips to places such as Lake Mountain or Mt. Stirling, as well as tours in the Bogong High Plains.

Mt. Fainter North and Mt. Fainter South (collectively known as "The Fainters") is located between Mt. Feathertop and Mt. Bogong and is a convenient destination for shorter ski-tours. oliver clarke

MUMC members have been known to travel interstate (or even over the deep blue), with a tour of the Main Range being the high point of a season for some.

Advanced skiiers go to The Main Range in NSW for challenging and extended ski tours. su li sin

Duration

Trip length ranges anywhere from a day at the snow, to a week or more spent touring the backcountry. Day trips usually involve an early start (on the road by 6am), since the closest snow is the better part of 2 hours away. Weekend trips often leave on Friday evenings, with a night of driving, and for those crazy enough—walking up steep mountains, to be dispensed with.

Ski-tours sometimes span two days, camping out in snow for the first night. Mt. Stirling is a popular destination for beginner skiiers and those new to snow camping. steve chan

Technique

The nature of the majority of the skiing undertaken by MUMC is such that free-heel skiing using Nordic techniques is the norm; the Telemark is the turn of choice, and the display of brightly coloured thermals under shorts is considered normal. Most of our equipment is geared more towards touring than steep XCD, and although the odd OXO can be found in the Hoppet, cross-country racing techniques are not usually utilised.

That said, if you want to bring your snowboard or phat alpine skis, at worst you might get a dirty look and a good natured ribbing; be aware that if you choose either of these options you might find yourself wanting snowshoes or alpine touring bindings.

A small note about skill levels

Don't worry if you've never seen snow, let alone skiied on it...not all of us are hardcore elitists.