| Are you looking for a way to stay fit and | | | | events. Ski orienteering involves a marker |
| have fun in the winter? Consider | | | | search on skis with the help of a compass and |
| cross-country skiing! Depending on your | | | | map. |
| weight, the intensity of your skiing, and | | | | |
| whether or not you choose to ski hills, cross | | | | Compared to downhill skiing, the gear used |
| country skiing may burn between 400 and 1400 | | | | for cross-country skiing is some of the most |
| calories per hour. In fact, since | | | | affordable outdoor sports equipment |
| cross-country skiing involves a simultaneous | | | | available. You will need the following types |
| use of the arms and legs, many exercise | | | | of equipment for cross-country skiing: |
| physiologists consider it to be the best form | | | | |
| of aerobic exercise. The main difference | | | | - Skis with bindings attached, |
| between cross country Skiing and alpine or | | | | |
| downhill skiing is that cross country skiing, | | | | - Poles and boots. |
| the skier is attached to the ski only with | | | | |
| the toe of the boot.. In alpine skiing, the | | | | - Clothing suitable for cold-weather aerobic |
| entire boot is attached to the ski. The free | | | | activity |
| heel allows cross-country skiers to climb | | | | |
| uphill which is not very comfortable in | | | | Some people choose to go cross-country skiing |
| alpine skis. | | | | on packed trails, while others like to ski |
| | | | anywhere there is snow. There is a distinct |
| Cross-country skiing dates back to | | | | difference between skiing on packed trails |
| Scandinavia 4000-4500 years ago, when it was | | | | and skiing "off-track". On packed surfaces |
| used as a method of transportation. Today, | | | | your skis will have greater gliding ability |
| the sport is divided into two disciplines: | | | | and with classic tracks, you will have two |
| classic skiing which uses a straight-ahead | | | | grooved channels that your skis can follow. |
| gliding motion, and ski skating which makes | | | | Off-track ski conditions are dependent on the |
| use of glide and edge movements similar to | | | | weather and any previous skiers that have |
| ice skating or roller blading. | | | | been in the area. However, off-track skiing |
| | | | can feature obstacles such as fallen trees, |
| Cross-country skiing is part of the Nordic | | | | swollen rivers and inconsistent snow quality. |
| family of sports, which include a number of | | | | This is usually not an issue in commercial |
| exciting ways to play in the snow. Biathlon | | | | cross-country ski areas, who conduct |
| is a combination of cross-country skiing and | | | | extensive trail work throughout the summer |
| rifle marksmanship. Nordic combined combines | | | | months. |
| scoring of jumping and cross-country skiing | | | | |