Four Tips for Improving Your Cross Country Skiing Skills

Cross Country Skiing is a past time in which people propel themselves across snow using skis and poles. Cross country skiing is most popular in Northern Europe, Canada, Alaska and the upper Midwest United States. There are also indoor ski tunnels. There are three ski styles and techniques: classic, skating and telemarking, and there is special equipment for each ski style. Skijoring is another style is growing in popularity. Classic skiing is normally on prepared trails that have tracks cut in the snow. Skate skiing is akin to ice skating, there is a weight transfer from one ski to the other.

Telemark skiing is best suited to backcountry skiing, it is a descending technique, that requires dedicated equipment. In skijoring, the skier is pulled over snow by either dogs or a snowmobile. One tip for the classic style of cross country skiing is to keep your hip slightly forward and in line with the forward-moving ski. This will help the ski to grip the snow by pressing the ski down; the wax that is applied is engaged under the foot; the other leg is moved forward as this ski slows. Skiers can use a pole plant, or double plant, to assist with this motion. This technique is not difficult to learn, and can be practiced at a Nordic center with tracks for classic skiing.

Double polling is a tip that will give a skier powerful forward momentum, and strengthen arms and core. Keep your skis next to each other shoulder width apart. Keep your body relaxed, and bend your knees. Lean forward, plant your poles at the middle of the waist of your skis. Push from both poles with the strength of your arms and core. Then, bend forward with your poles raised behind you; glide for a moment, then repeat.

One good tip to control how fast you are moving is the wedge turn. Find a little slope for starters, make your way up it and then go down and begin accelerating, bend both of your legs and position your ankles properly. If done correctly, your skis should form a triangle shape. Now dig into the snow with the edge of your ski. When the edges are in the snow, start moving your skis as if you were making a skating motion. Now, patiently, change your body weight over to the right leg; this forces a left turn. To turn right, simply do the opposite.

If you think that you are going too fast, dig your ski edges in the snow, and you should be able to brake. This is a tip for those with the need for speed. It is possible to go 20 mph by straight-lining. Pick up some speed by going down the hill, the make sure that you are bending your knees and keeping your skis next to one another, and if there is a track available stay in it. As you pick up speed, lean forward and bend forward; this helps you maintain your balance. Take every known safety precaution when skiing, and enjoy yourself.

Sources:

About.com Skiing
Nordic Track Ski Machine