Will this be the winter you skip the annual ‘escape’ to the tropical all-inclusive and opt instead to begin a love affair… with winter? Perhaps you’ve always wondered why so many people are crazy about cross-country skiing.
Here are my top 10 reasons so far this year; there are bound to be more:
1. For starters, you don’t need to shed those extra 10 pounds of winter hibernation come Spring.
2. Cross-country skiing is one of the best cardio building sports there is.
3. It’s a full-body workout, strengthening every muscle group.
4. As a weight bearing exercise, it also helps to build strong bones.
5. Cross-country skiing, (also referred to as Nordic skiing), is a sport you and your family can partake in for a lifetime.
6. Nordic skiing is significantly more economical than its alpine cousin, downhill skiing. Once you have the gear, you can ski for free at many destinations.
7. Travel is easy with cross-country skis. You can easily take them on the road when traveling to the mountains or if travelling a little bit farther to BC (nothing beats hitting the hot springs after a cross-country workout). The flat Prairies of Saskatchewan is also a great place to cross-country ski.
8. As a family sport, it cannot be beat. Perfectly suited for young and old. Once you learn proper techniques, it’s easy to do and every member of the family can participate.
9. It will get you outdoors and into nature. Picture yourself stopping for lunch on a K-Country (Kananaskis) trail with Whiskey Jacks, checking out your grits or hitting your stride skiing around a frozen lake in the Kootenays. Nothing beats fresh air and sunshine.
10. Most importantly, Nordic skiing will make you wish that winter would last just a little bit longer. As you sadly watch the snow slowly melt away, you can greet Spring with equanimity, instead of desperation.
Basic cross-country gear
Skis - There are two main types of cross-country skis because there are two main styles of cross-country skiing: Classic skis come in waxed skis or wax-less skis (fish tails). Skate skis require simple waxing only (e.g. glide wax).
Ski boots - If doing both types of skiing, you’ll either need boots that allow you to do both (combi boots) and are compatible with the bindings on both pairs of skis or you’ll need two pairs of boots.
Bindings - Bindings can be installed at any shop that specializes in cross-country skiing.
Ski poles - They need to be the correct height for the skier and also the correct height for the style of skiing you do.
Wax, scrapers and brushes - You will develop your own wax kit as you settle into the sport. When you’re ready to start waxing, find yourself a waxing clinic either with your ski club or check out the clinics held at MEC.
If you are just trying out the sport with your kids, you may choose wax-less skis for the sake of simplicity. As your young skiers take to the sport and want to progress, you’ll need to switch to waxed skis for better performance (speed!) and mom or dad will morph into a wax ninja. You can rent gear at the University of Calgary - Outdoor Centre; Canmore Nordic Centre; your ski club may rent to members; and Sports Rent.
You can buy gear at MEC and The Norseman. For the upcoming year, mark it on your calendars: LifeSport hosts great sales at its Calgary and Canmore locations each October (new and used). The Calgary Ski Club hosts a mega-sale at the Max Bell Arena, also in October (new and used).
Where to go
If you want to cross-country ski close to home, you can take your family to groomed City of Calgary golf courses and parks like Shaganappi Point Golf Course, Confederation Golf Course, Maple Ridge Golf Course Park, and Canada Olympic Park (COP). Note: COP is not suitable for beginner skiers. For more information, visit calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/Cross-country-skiing.aspx.
The Canmore Nordic Centre rent out skis and offers world-class trails for cross-country skiing and biathlons. And, of course, Kananaskis Country, Lake Louise and Bragg Creek are always great places to go.
Getting started
Sign up for lessons. Lessons are offered at Canada Olympic Park/WinSport and the University of Calgary Recreation. Join a club. Consider how often you’d like to train, where (in town or out of town), and how competitively you are interested in training. Then check lessons offered by some of the local clubs:
Calgary Nordic Training Group - cntg.ca/membership-programs/child-youth-programs
Calgary Ski Club - meetup.com/YYCSkiClub/events/226405857
Foothills Nordic - foothillsnordic.ca/cross-country
Rocky Mountain Jackrabbit Ski Club - rmjackrabbits.com
Find friends who cross-country ski or who are interested in starting, and get out there and revel in your new winter escape!
Teresa is an author and educator living a lifelong learning adventure home schooling, writing and keeping up with fast kids on her slow skis.
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