Newsgroups: rec.skiing

            The rec.skiing Frequently Asked Questions List
                              -or-
   Everything you always wanted to know about skiing and were *just* about
   to ask by posting.

   The rec.skiing FAQ is a work in progress and is maintained by glen
   baker (glenb@sr.hp.com) Additions and corrections to the FAQ are 
   welcome. If you have an addition or correction to make please take the
   time to write it out in the format of the FAQ so that I don't have
   to try to figure out how to say what you're trying to say!


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   *       REALLY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER STUFF!!               *
   *     -------------------------------------               *
   * The rec.skiing FAQ is a compendium of questions and     *
   * answers that frequently appear on rec.skiing. Neither   *
   * the contributors to the FAQ, the posters of the FAQ,    *
   * nor their employers make any claim whatsoever regarding *
   * the accuracy or safety of ANYTHING in the FAQ. Any item *
   * that may appear to be offering either medical or legal  *
   * advice is doing neither.                                *
   *                                                         *
   ***********************************************************


   Index:
       1) Welcome, Disclaimers, etc
       2) Alpine Equipment
       3) XC equipment/Info
       4) Clothing
       5) Technique
       6) Transportation
       7) Lodging
       8) Phone Numbers
       9) Miscellaneous
      10) Jobs
      11) Summit County
      12) Southern California
      13) Exercises
      14) National Ski Patrol
      15) Europe
      16) Lest we become too serious

 ------------- Section 06: Transportation -------------

 6.01) "What's the best ski-mobile ever made?"

     The Pisten Bully. However very few of them are street legal.

 6.02) "I have a 4WD but I don't know which wheels to chain up"

     RTFM. Most manuals will tell you which tires to chain up. There is
     no single correct answer to this question as 4WD systems vary. If you
     don't have a manual then call the manufacturer and ask them.

 6.03) "Should I buy chains or cables?"

     Depends. Chains are probably more effective than cables but the limited
     clearance between the tires and the wheel wells on some cars make chains
     a non-option. In either case you should be careful that the traction
     device is *tight* on the tire and do NOT exceed the manufacturer's
     recommended top speed (unless you really like thrashing your wheel 
     wells to death). 

     Note: one person reports a problem with Security Chain Co. cable chains
     equipped with a quick release. Apparently there is a strut member on
     Honda Accords and some other Japanese cars that catches on the quick
     release and causes the cable to come off. Apparently their "Whitestar"
     model does not have this problem.

     Whether you buy chains or cables you should practice installing them
     at home where it's warm and dry. The middle of the night in the 
     middle of a snow-storm is NOT the time to start reading the instructions!

     Note: the plastic traction devices are pretty much useless. Don't
           waste your time or money.


 6.04) "What's the best roof rack for skis?"

     This question usually will start a semi-religious argument between the
     Thule lovers and the Yakima lovers. Suffice it to say that both the
     Thule and the Yakima systems are fine, although somewhat expensive,
     systems. The major difference between the two systems is that Thule
     uses a square (rectangular) cross-section bar while Yakima uses a
     round bar. Either system offers a wealth of attachment options ranging
     from windsurfer racks to luggage nets. Either system is probably 
     going to lighten your wallet by well over $100.00 US.

     By the way, Yakima racks are NOT made in Yakima Washington. Nor are
     they manufactured in Eureka California. The Yakima production
     facilities are in Arcata California (which is right next to Eureka).