CROSS COUNTRY SKIING—FUN & EASY
Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. Cross country skiing is loads of fun. Back when I lived near Lake Tahoe, I skied the trails in winter when it wasn’t safe to run on the slippery streets. I just threw my skis in the back of my 4-Runner and drove up the Mount Rose Highway to the cross country area maintained by Incline Village or over to the groomed tracks at Tahoe Donner.
Within minutes I’d be off by myself (or with a friend or sometimes my dog). There were none of the crowds, waiting in lines, or expensive lift tickets that downhill skiing or snowboarding feature. Besides being peaceful, Nordic skiing (the alternative name) is safe, easy to gear up for, and once you’ve got the hang of it, a super full-body workout. It’s one of the best cardiovascular exercises you can engage in. (Remember that original NordicTrack piece of equipment that so many folks bought in the 80s?—the machine was completely based on cross country skiing.)
I should have written this post a few months ago, but it’s only mid-April. There are still cross country areas open where you can head off on your own.
Probably the best way to ease into Nordic skiing is to take a lesson. After an hour or so you’ll learn the essentials. Before you launch, you may want to get a glimpse of what you’ll be doing: I found a REI Co-Op article by Greg Rhodes, How to Cross Country Ski. I’ll just give you the outline here; because you’ll want to read the full article.
In addition, view the Greg Rhodes YouTube video Classic Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started || REI
Here’s what‘s covered:
- Getting to Know Your Gear
- The Balanced Stance
- Moving With Skis On
- Using Poles
- How to Go Uphill
- How to Go Downhill
- How to Turn
- How to Get Up After a Fall
Hopefully, after reading the REI article and viewing their video, you’ll get excited enough to try out cross country skiing. If you can’t fit it in while there’s still snow this spring, then plan to do it this fall as soon as everything reopens. (Plus there should be fewer pandemic restrictions by then.) Have Fun!