Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing or XC skiing, involves the use of a person's entire body to propel themselves forward through snowy terrain. When compared with downhill skiing, cross-country skiing allows a person to climb with the skis in addition to skiing down the slopes. For this reason, cross-country skiing is considered one of the best cardiovascular activities, according to XCSkiWorld.com.
History
Although now considered a recreational or competitive sport, cross-country skiing's beginnings extend 4,000 to 4,500 years earlier as the only transportation mechanism for Nordic residents. Cross-country skiing was used by hunters as a means to more easily cross the snow. Early skiing equipment was made of materials such as wood, bamboo and leather.
Types
Two types of cross-country skiing are used by today's ski fans: classic skiing and skate skiing. Skate skiing lives up to its name, closely resembling the motion of skating where the legs move in a scissoring motion. Classic skiing involves holding the skis parallel while following a "groomed trail," meaning ski tracks are preset in the snow and a person propels themselves forward using the ski poles. Because skate skiing requires more use of the body, greater physical effort is required for skate skiing than classic skiing.
Equipment Used
Cross-country skiing requires special equipment to help a person navigate the snowy terrain more easily. Cross-country skis tend to be thinner than alpine skis and are finished with a curved tip that allows a person to cut through the snow. The boots involved with cross-country skiing bind to the skis only at the toe, in order to allow a person to more easily push through the snow.
Expert Insight
Competitive cross-country skiing is found in the Winter Olympics, FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and the World Cup and biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Cross-country skiing "marathons" also are held, which require a cross-country skier to cover as much as 160 kilometers of terrain.
Considerations
For those who practice the skate skiing version of cross-country skiing, there are a variety of techniques that must be learned in order to travel both up and down terrain on cross-country skis. From techniques such as the herringbone for going uphill to the snowplow for going downhill, cross-country skiing typically requires some instruction and skiing experience before safely skiing on your own. Most cross-country skiing areas offer professional instruction.
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