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