Winter is known as a season of beautiful sports like figure skating. And skiing is also one of them. This motion of gliding through the snow is mesmerizing both to watch and experience. There are various types of this sport, but now we are going to take a closer look at the most famous one.
History of cross-country skiing
This particular sport traces its roots to Scandinavian countries like Norway where it first was a method of transportation when hunting during snowy weather. It started being considered a recreational activity in the 19th century. The first races were held in Norway. This sport joined the Olympic Games in 1924.
In the 20th century, this kind of skiing gained popularity across the world and its elements evolved to become more and more complicated. New equipment and techniques were developed and the activity spread among sports fans rapidly.
Today, this is one of the most popular winter sports with millions of fans all around the globe. It is an important part of the Winter Olympics and Nordic culture.
Types of cross-country skiing
What is cross-country skiing? It is a kind of traversal through snowy terrains like forests, fields, or parks. It is both a recreational activity and a competitive sport.
There are several types of it. The two main categories are:
- Classical or traditional. Includes a double-poling technique and a straight-ahead stride. Used for leisure riding and enjoying the scenery.
- Freestyle. Oriented at gaining speed. It has a V-shaped stride and the motion is similar to skating. Mostly used in professional sports.
Some other notable types are:
- Telemark;
- Ski jumping;
- Biathlon (a combination with shooting).
Nordic skiing vs cross country skiing
This topic is popular among those who have little idea of the variations of this sport. Both terms refer to the same activity and are used interchangeably. Although, the former is more spread in Europe, while the latter word collocation is used majorly in North America.
Nordic skiing vs alpine skiing is where you will find a significant difference. Contrary to the abovementioned sport, alpine traversing refers to riding downhill at quite a large speed. It is usually a leisure sport, however, there is also some competitiveness to it and races can be organized. Both sports use similar equipment such as special boots, poles, protective glasses, and gloves, although the form of the skis is slightly different.
Ski differences
Skis differ in their shapes and purposes.
| Characteristics | Classic | Freestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Usually longer | Usually shorter for about 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) |
| Width | Less than 2.67 inches (ca. 68 mm) | 2.4-3.9 inches (ca. 60-100 mm) |
| Flexibility | More flexible | Rather stiff |
The classic ones are more suitable and comfortable for beginners, who do not want to race anyone and for whom speed is not the main component of riding.
When choosing the right equipment, you also need to pay attention to the proportions of your weight and height. The correct length should be on the level somewhere in between your chin and forehead, depending on the type of equipment. If you are a beginner, it is better to select shorter options. The poles should be a little lower than your elbow and comfortable to hold.
How to ride and stop on cross-country skis
Skiing is a sport that is not hard to start, but difficult to master. If you have just bought or rented your first pair of skis, here is a short guide on how to start riding them:
- Choose the correct equipment that will fit you. Check that you are buckled up securely.
- Find a slope or a snowy path that is flat and straight. Or find a designated track.
- Practice a double-poling motion and a straight-ahead stride. If you are at a skiing track, you will be able to find instructors who will help you learn the basics.
- Gradually increase your speed and practice as much as you need before you feel comfortable.
The key to success here, like in any sport, is persistence and patience. Practice as frequently as you can and you will learn how to cross-country ski in no time. There is very little possibility of falling if you do everything correctly, nonetheless, we do not recommend performing any sports if you have injuries or going country-cross skiing while pregnant.
If you want to try riding downhill, there is a technique to do this too.
- Bring your weight to the top of the skis;
- Bend your knees;
- Set the legs apart;
- Lean forward and turn toward the direction you want to go;
- Shift your weight to the downhill ski;
Brand and price comparison
There is a huge variety of brands that manufacture snowshoes or cross-country skis.
The top brands are:
Fischer – an Australian company that has a wide selection of winter sports products for any scenarios;
Salomon – innovative French company which produces high-quality equipment;
Rossignol – the oldest company on this list, with over a 100 years history of operation;
Madshus – a traditional Norwegian sports equipment brand that offers a great variety of product modifications;
Atomic – an Austrian brand that has a large choice of products for racing and backcountry.
If you prefer shopping online, then Amazon is the website to go to. It has all the necessary equipment and accessories on sale. The prices range from $50-$850. Generally, you can find affordable options there. Although we would advise you to go shopping offline to try everything on and check whether it fits your parameters.
In the future, you will be able to meet articles about how to make sledge and how to determine ski boot size?
Do not waste your time at home, rent a pair of skis and enjoy a day in the mountains!
