Forums >Cross Training>Cross Country Skiing
I have bought a pair of cross country skiis to keep me motivated during the winter months. As a complete newbie to the sport I am looking for some pointers. Trying to figure out how to take on a hill and any other good info someone could share.
Thanks!!!!
Genipher
"Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up." –-Dean Karnazes
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flatland mountaineer
The whole world said I shoulda used red but it looked good to Charlene in John Deere Green!!
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Feeling the growl again
It's great for your running, at the lattitude I went to college we barely ran in the winter but skiied 2-3 hrs/day.
"If you want to be a bad a$s, then do what a bad a$s does. There's your pep talk for today. Go Run." -- Slo_Hand
I am spaniel - Crusher of Treadmills
R2farm-I bought a pair of used skiis at a ski swap. Went cheap to start out with just in case I didn't really get into it. Doing classic, waxless skiis, with SNS Profile bindings.
Planning on doing mostly groomed trails. But since I live in Birkie country there is not a lot of easy trails. But I am still looking.
We got 6 inches of new snow that I was hoping to get out on but looks like it's raining now.
Good stuff... I love XC skiing, and have since childhood. The waxless skis will be a good help to you starting out; the waxing can be a pain in the ass with different types of waxes for different temperature ranges. Someday I'll modernize my gear... I still use old-school skis from the 70s, but they do just fine.
In terms of tips, I say just have at it and see how you do. Keep a slight forward lean and the movement as smooth as possible... you'll be surprised how little time it takes to feel natural (-ish...).
Oh, and try not to cross those skis... you look like a jackass when you fall over in slow motion for no apparent reason.
"Because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain."
Jack Kerouac
"Champions are everywhere; all you need is to train them properly..." ~Arthur Lydiard
I learned to cross-country ski by walking around for a while in the skis. After a while you'll start gliding and going faster because that's what people do. One thing I remember learning (in addition to the vital Ghostbusters "don't cross the skis" wisdom): Instead of gripping the poles tightly, let the hand-ties around your wrists take the down-force.
Groomed trails would make the whole process easier. Uphills will probably be the most difficult thing--the V-pattern and rhythm that will get you up them can be tricky. Also, you'll probably fall often, and you'll likely use the hit-the-deck method of emergency braking, so you may want to prepare yourself for that by wearing cushy clothes.
Try watching some videos to get some visuals on what you'll be doing.
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