| Cross-country skiing is a fun way to take in | | | | strides. Your arms with poles also help you |
| the beautiful back-country trails in winter | | | | push you along. Skating is the other |
| with your family. | | | | technique done on a consistent packed surface |
| | | | where you make an open V pattern instead of |
| What It Is and Where You Can Do It | | | | straight ahead. You push one ski to the side |
| | | | and glide while using powerful pole strokes |
| I relish winter snow blanketing the | | | | to assist. It makes the quickest way to slide |
| landscape. Luckily, I've found a sport that | | | | for you racer types! |
| allows me to get exercise and travel on skis | | | | |
| without skiing downhill at a resort with lift | | | | The equipment needed is lightweight and all |
| lines. There exist downhill ski resorts that | | | | of it can be carried over your shoulders. The |
| have a separate area of trails for Nordic | | | | boots are only ankle high and are held onto |
| skiers. The term "Nordic" covers | | | | the ski by a binding which secures the toe |
| not only cross-country, but telemark and ski | | | | but allows the heel to lift freely up off the |
| jumping. | | | | ski. |
| | | | |
| These are trails that are usually groomed | | | | The shoes detach from the skis allowing you |
| creating a flat, grooved surface. The pattern | | | | to walk around comfortably. Poles similar to |
| will usually appear like giant corduroy | | | | downhill ski poles propel you along when |
| fabric. The advantage of a groomed trail is | | | | skiing. Skis fall into 2 categories. Waxless |
| that you will glide completely on top of the | | | | have bases with ridges cut into them for |
| snowpack while the groove directs you. If you | | | | grip. Waxable skis are the traditional kind |
| go on an ungroomed trail you will still be | | | | that need you to apply special waxes to |
| able to ski it. At times you may sink in it | | | | fine-tune your ski to match snow conditions. |
| some, but you can move forward through it. | | | | We don't want you sliding around aimlessly |
| You don't tend to sink much into snow because | | | | out there now! |
| your weight is distributed over your skis. | | | | |
| | | | Basic Moves |
| This activity is family-friendly. Infants and | | | | |
| toddlers can ride in a backpack or sled. | | | | Okay, moving right along, we've come to some |
| Grandparents can go as it is almost like a | | | | basic instruction on technique. |
| gentle walk. Teenagers can go fast with the | | | | |
| skate ski technique. Even your family dog can | | | | Kick and Glide creates the basic rhythym of |
| run along as some Nordic Centers welcome | | | | classic skiing. Keep your knees and ankles |
| them. | | | | flexed and your upper body forward. Push a |
| | | | foot forward and pressure the center of the |
| With over 350 cross-country ski areas in | | | | ski so it gets firm contact with the snow. |
| North America there may well be one near you. | | | | Now bring that heel down. Next, stride |
| This sport uses natural movements and has a | | | | forward with your other foot. |
| rather short learning curve. The biggest | | | | |
| challenge for a beginner is to maintain your | | | | Snowplow is used when you want to slow down |
| balance while shuffling along--think standing | | | | or stop. Form a closed V shape by bringing |
| with ice skates. | | | | your front ski tips together. At the same |
| | | | time shift your weight toward the insides of |
| The skis are quite thin and long; but with | | | | your skis. Bend your knees some. |
| time you will learn to balance. It is an | | | | |
| aerobic sport as you will experience after | | | | Herringbone is used to walk on uphill |
| you've covered some distance. Stay on marked | | | | portions where you cannot get enough momentum |
| trails and obey posted signs, as in some | | | | to push yourself up with your poles. Walk |
| areas avalanches are a risk. There are two | | | | straight up with your front ski tips facing |
| different movement techniques. | | | | out. Steering gives you control over going to |
| | | | the left or right. Pressing more on your |
| Classic refers to the diagonal stride where | | | | right ski causes you to go left. Pressing |
| you push each foot forward in long, graceful | | | | more on your left ski causes you to go right. |