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