Cross-country skiing and more

What is cross-country and is it for me?

 

Classic Skiing is a way of travelling through a snowy environment using you own effort. You can ski forward by pressing a  waxed or fishscale area on the bottom of the ski into the snow and stepping forward from this base onto the other ski similar to a walking or running movement. The upper body and arms are also used to aid propulsion thus giving an total body work-out.  Climbing and descending hills is all part of the experience of cross-country and you can usually ski away from the crowds and really feel part of the mountain environment. Normally tracks (loipe) are cut by a special machine which also compresses the snow and you ski in these tracks. The equipment skis poles and boots are lightweight and the skis do not have metal edges.

 If you wish to tour on unprepared snow then you would normally use heavier equipment with metal-edged skis. You can follow trails marked with birch twigs or get off the beaten track with map and compass.

 

Skate skiing has become more popular in all the traditional winter sports destinations in the last 10-20 years and skating tracks are routinely pisted in most resorts. Lightweight skate skis and boots with more ankle support are used and the ablility to balance on a moving ski is the key to success. Whilst being a technical sport it feels great when you get the hang of it and can move smoothly and in control.

 

There are many races through the season and most weekends there will be a race within easy distance of Ramsau. Most races are freestyle which means you can use either classic or skating style although skating is usually faster.

If you want to see some skiing at home watch Eurosport on the TV or web to see some top-class athletes racing in the world cup series.

 

Cross-country is similar to cycling in respect that you can use it principally as a means to travel ie a trip to the shops, or you can go for an extended trip, ie a club run or leisure ride, or you can treat it as a training exercise and enter a race. If you are reasonably fit and don’t mind getting out of breath and working up a sweat then cross country skiing could be the winter sport for you.

 

The clothing you need is very similar to what you would wear in the winter on a bike ride or a brisk walk in the hills. Hat and gloves are essential, but you probably have in your wardrobe everything you need. If you need advice please contact me.

 

 

info@ski-daddle.co.uk