Not only is cross-country skiing one of the best ways to stay in shape and healthy, but it’s also just plain fun. While downhill skiing tends to get more of the limelight, cross-country skiing is just as fun and allows for a peaceful way to enjoy nature at the same time. However, it can be intimidating to try this sport if you’re a beginner. Here’s a quick guide to cross-country skiing.
How to Pick Equipment
When it comes to picking out cross-country skiing equipment, Ski Length is one of the most important considerations. The more a person weighs, the longer the skis should be. It should also be adjusted based on skill level. Longer skis are faster than shorter ones, so beginners should be OK with shorter skis at first until they get the hang of it. It’s also crucial to find the proper camber and flex, which should match up to your skill level and abilities.
Two Different Zones
A classic cross-country ski is actually split up into two different zones: the glide zone at the tip and tail end of the ski and the grip zone (kick zone) that’s in the middle, underneath the foot. However, skate-style skis only have one glide zone, which stretches from the tip to the tail of the ski.
There are three different types of kick zones, including waxable, fishscale, and skin. Fishscale skis are waxless and perfect for a beginner. Skin skis are also waxless and are ideal for intermediate skill levels. The waxable ski is essentially only for experts in competition. Anyone who ever went sledding as a child and sprayed the bottom of their sled with cooking spray has got the idea why waxable skis are for the professionals—they go incredibly fast.
Classic Skiing
There are two different styles of skiing, including classic and skate. The classic style uses the traditional forward and back motion that looks similar to how a person runs or walks. Since it’s already a familiar movement for your muscle groups, many beginners tend to use this choice. Even if you’ve never been cross-country skiing before, this method is perfectly acceptable for shuffling along the trail at a slow pace until the confidence level moves up a notch.
Skate Skiing
This method is closer to how a speed-skater moves on the ice. To move, start by pushing the skis out to the side and then using the edges as leverage to move forward. This technique is more challenging to learn and better suited for experts.
Use Ski Tracking Apps
Another great way to improve cross-country skiing skills is by using a ski app to track your workouts. Using an app is the perfect way to see all the pertinent data as it relates to a cross-country ski workout. It’s always a good idea to use them in tandem with a fitness tracker, so it’s easy to monitor things like heart rate, calories burned, etc. That way, you can see improvement from week to week and use that motivation to get even better.
Try Cross-Country Skiing
If you’re a beginner in the world of cross-country skiing, don’t be shy. It’s an enjoyable sport that offers the silence and raw beauty of nature mixed with a very effective workout. However, beginners should typically stick with the classic skiing style and use a shorter ski combined with a ski-tracking app to keep in great shape. With the right skis and some willingness to work hard, you’ll be an expert in no time at all.