Paige Schember: Face Masks (Chronicles From the Not-So-Glamorous Side of Ski Racing)

Possibly the best race face yet, Rosie Brennan
winning the 20k classic race at U.S. Nats

Any skier can tell you, we work legitimately hours to perfect our race face. The perfectly timed grimace half way between a face that says "I'm loving every second of this" and a face that says "I actually think I'm about to die". We practice it during intervals, we compare faces with our teammates, we study ourselves in the mirror, and I won't be the first to admit scrolling through race photos to find the best faces. Because when you come around the corner in the middle of a race and see a photographer, you better hope your race face is prime.

So, imagine the HORROR when the day arrives that you can't show off your race face, because it's hidden by a MASK. (Cue instant ski fashion crisis).

There are a few types of "masks" that skiers have to deal with, and there are pros and cons to each.

1. The Buff, aka the Neckband: Most commonly known and used is the "buff", a swatch of fabric that goes around a skier's neck and can be pulled up over the mouth and nose. It's used to warm your face and ears, protect you from the cold, or make you look like a ninja. Pros: They're common, comfortable, and versatile. Also they come in fun colors and can be a great accessory. Cons: Sometimes they freeze and get stuck to you, creating a slightly unflattering snow/ice beard. Also not fun if you have a phobia of things around your neck.

My teammate Mary Rose rocking a buff at
U23 Worlds last year!
(If you need any tips, she has great buff style.)

2. The Air Trim: Specifically to protect your lungs against really cold air, this mask has two types of filters and fits over your head with a single strap. Colored in a fashionable light blue, the Air Trim is designed to cover just your nose and mouth. Pros: They do a great job keeping your lungs warm and preventing the infamous race hack. Cons: They tend to absorb every bit of moisture possible, and then proceed to drip snot and drool everywhere. Pretty nasty.

Julia Kern, a U20 here at Worlds, infamous
for racing fast while wearing the Air Trim.

3. The Pollution Filter, aka the Rhino: New to most of us skiers, we're using this mask a lot in Kazakhstan. It filters the particles in the air to protect your lungs from pollution, and some include moisture release valves. Pros: They save your lungs from pollution. Cons: You look like a rhino, you have to shout if you want somebody to hear you, and you have to choose between your eyes or your lungs because good luck wearing sun glasses and the mask at the same time.

Annie Hart and I demonstrating how to "smile with your eyes" while
wearing pollution masks here in Kazakhstan!

4. The Oxygen Mask: This one is more rare but is seen when training at altitude. Worn with an oxygen canister in a backpack, this pushes more oxygen to you to simulate training and racing at sea level. Pros: It makes you feel like Superman at altitude. Cons: You look like a mosquito and talking is nearly impossible.

My SVSEF teammate Casey Wright training to head to World Champs this year!

So, although definitely frustrating, our recommended solution to dealing with masks is to embrace it and ski fast. Besides, you'll have your race face on underneath anyway.

Kazakhstan, although a little polluted right now, is beautiful! We've been here for two days and we're all working hard on the 12-hour time zone switch. The race venue was moved into the city and sits right up above some neighborhoods, so it truly will be urban racing. The courses are fun, the people are extremely nice, and we are all psyched to be here representing the U.S.

Here is the race schedule (I'll be in the U23 Classic Sprint and 10k Free).

2-Feb Jr World Sprint Classic

3-Feb U23 Sprint Classic

4-Feb JW 5/10km Free

5-Feb U23 10/15km Free
6-Feb JW 5/5km W & 10/10km M Skiathlon

7-Feb U23 7.5/7.5km W & 15/15km M Skiathlon

8-Feb Jr World 4X3.3km W & 4X5km M Relay

More updates soon!