What is cross-country skiing?
Cross Country Skiing is a winter sport in which participants use skis and poles in combination with a gliding motion to propel across a snow-covered terrain. It is popular in Northern Europe, Canada, Alaska, and the upper midwest United States. Really understanding this sport entails more than a technical definition. It involves putting yourself in these boots…
Snow-capped mountains lie a hundred yards ahead. Gliding through a crisp layer of freshly fallen snow, my pace is steady and I know a break for some warm coffee and chocolate bar will be well-earned. I’ll also wrap my right ankle, still throbbing from the branch that knocked me down after my first mile in…
Initially hitting the first downward slope of the trail was so exhilarating I’d forgotten I hadn’t touched a ski in nearly two years. Gaining speed and momentum while expertly maneuvering left and right, my body naturally picked up the rhythm and balance it had once trained so hard to perfect. I began to question my sanity for ever having abandoned the sport that had conditioned me so well mentally, physically, and spiritually–until my memory was soon triggered.
A fallen branch lay across the trail. In a split second hundreds of images flashed through my mind, re-surfacing the dreaded incident that led to my demise. The course of the events racing through my mind quickened my heart-rate, my confidence vanishing.
Obstacles like these are usually a mere challenge, one of those hidden surprises that true skiers find enjoyment in conquering. Having jumped branches, bushes, tires, and even a person with my eyes closed, this branch was the perfect opportunity to test my spinning, jumping skills. Needless to say, it wasn’t executed as smoothly as pictured. The reality resulted in two broken legs, one broken ego, and me swearing off skiing indefinitely.
Pure whim brings me back today. The thought of hundreds of miles covered in peace and solitude is simply too tempting to resist. Blocking the fall from my memory served beneficial when jumping back into the skis, until now. Now, back on the slopes and facing that same dreaded branch that had taken me down, it felt as though an evil omen was taunting me. Two choices battled within. Gain back my pride and go for the gold! Or play it safe and climb over. Which option do I choose?
Neither. I crash right in. My skis fly off, one racing down the side of the mountain. No time to think about being hurt. Get that ski! It’s a rental! I chase the runaway down the side of the mountain, finally catching up to it as it reaches the base. Collapsing into the snow, I lie on my back and close my eyes for a moment, re-opening them to a whole new perspective.
An eagle soars through the cloudless blue sky. My eyes follow it across a flat open field stretching mile upon mile, blanketed with snow. I sit up and grab an apple and some granola from my backpack as I plan my next move. I think about calling it a day and look back at the mountain behind me. Straight uphill. I turn back to the open field. Not a tree or branch in sight. Easy decision. Strapping my poles to my pack, I snap into my skis and decide to take an easy glide across the open field. That way I can finish my snack and still reach the next uphill trek by noon. I can also take a moment to make a vow to myself. I’ll never let my fallen pride hinder me from my true love and passion.
I myself am both a downhill skiier and cross country skiier. There are two types of cross country skiing, classic, and skate skiing. I’ve done both but since Im a high school racer most of us skate ski. I will tell you right now, it is harder to learn skate skiier because they are slim skis (so it is harder to balance), and the motion is more unatural. Skate skiing is basically just what it sounds like-you make almost the exact same motions at skating on ice. It is a lot faster than classic skiing. Plus, the boots are stiffer, skis are slightly shorter, and poles are a little longer. Ski skating is generally less popular for recreation. A lot of skate skiiers are men in their 20’s or just athletic, high school or state racers, and people who take the sport seriously. Also, you have to wax this type of ski, so it may be inconvenient and expensive to some. Classic skiing is a lot more popular for all age groups, and there is less of a learning curve. I am pretty sure this is what your fr
