With their narrow and long shape, cross-country skis are designed to move the skier in a straight direction. That design, coupled with a binding system in which only the toe of the boot is secured to the ski, makes it a challenge to maneuver these skis using downhill ski technique since skiers are unable to use their weight to apply adequate pressure to lift or raise the ski edges. Fortunately, when skiing in deep snow, the resistance provided by the slow aids in stopping the skier.
Step 1
Sink deeper into a squat to lower your center of gravity and push your hands forward, ski pole tips facing behind you, to increase your balance. Crossing ski tips and tripping over your own skis is common for novices. Stack the deck in your favor by improving your balance before stopping.
Step 2
Push the inside edges of the skis to the outside. Do this by using your ankles as pivot points and imagine squeezing the knees together. This movement pushes the feet outward.
Step 3
Dig each ski's inside edge into the snow and lift the outer edge. This movement increases the downward pressure, removes more of the ski's gliding surface from the snow and increases resistance. Note that your ski tips will move toward the center. This action adds more surface area to provide more resistance to your forward momentum. Just be mindful to not cross your ski tips or you will quickly find yourself using your body, instead of your skis, as a brake.
Step 4
Maintain the pressure on the skis as you begin to slow down. Stay in your tuck. You are now in what amounts to a controlled skid.
Step 5
Stand up and plant your poles to your side for balance when you have come to a complete stop.
Tips and Warnings
- Allow the resistance from the snow to slow you down. With deep snow, the increased friction from the snow is often enough to act as an adequate braking system without resorting to more advanced stopping techniques such as the stop-turn or jump-turn.
- As tempting as it may be to use your poles as brakes, do not. The poles can be ripped out of your hands, broken or worse, jammed into your rib cage. Keep the tips behind you at all times.
References
- xcskiworld.com: XC Downhill Technique Basics
- "Cross-Country Skiing: A Complete Guide"; Brian Cazeneuve; 1995
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