Cross-Country Skiing Done Right: Tips from a Pro
If you’re moving, you’ve already won. A motto that sums up cross-country skiing perfectly. This World Cup discipline may seem like an art form – but anyone can learn it. Professional skier Michael Bucher explains how beginners can easily stay on track.
In Gnadenwald, in the Hall-Wattens region, where the Absam Nordic Team trains, anyone can use the cross-country ski trail free of charge. The sun-drenched trail in Gnadenwald is groomed over a distance of ten kilometres for classic-style skiers and eight kilometres for skate-style skiers. From Monday to Thursday, night-time cross-country skiing is available; the trail is then floodlit from dusk until 7.30 pm.
Full details on cross-country skiing can be found at www.hall-wattens.at/langlaufen
A very special wind is blowing in Gnadenwald: namely, a strong breeze of success! In this village of 800 inhabitants in the Hall-Wattens region, the Absam Nordic Team trains young cross-country skiing talents to become true professionals. The club focuses on training children in cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski jumping. So the winners of tomorrow are already skiing, jumping and shooting here.
Even those who have long since outgrown childhood can still become their very own cross-country skiing champion. Club chairman Michael Bucher shares tips and tricks on how beginners can stay on track. The prerequisites: “A good sense of balance and a bit of body control,” laughs Michael. “Cross-country skiing is the perfect combination for mind and fitness. You develop coordination, balance and stamina. And all of that in the great outdoors!”
Anyone can take up this sport, whatever their fitness level. “You can do cross-country skiing as a gentle form of endurance training or in the form of sprints.” Particularly important for older people: cross-country skiing is extremely gentle on the joints.
Classic cross-country skiing or skating?
There are two types of cross-country skiing: classic and skate. They differ not only in the technique used, but also in the equipment: in skate skiing, the poles reach up to the nose, whilst in the classic style they reach up to the shoulder. Ski length depends on your weight and must be determined by a specialist sales assistant. The physical exertion involved in skating is significantly greater than, for example, going for a walk – which also means choosing the right clothing. “Beginners are usually dressed far too warmly; cross-country skiing is a strenuous, full-body sport.” Michael recommends a softshell jacket with thermal underwear underneath, plus gloves and a headband. “Much like when jogging in winter.”
Tips for beginners
The easiest way for beginners to start is with the classic style on the track. The skis are moved forwards in turn, creating a sensation of gliding along. Whilst this requires good balance, it is less tiring. The harder you push off with your arms and legs, the faster you go. “Lean your upper body slightly forwards, over the skis,” advises Michael. “Just don’t lean back too far, otherwise you’ll quickly lose your balance and fall over.”
Skating: Cross-country skiing technique for the ambitious
Skating is a bit more difficult – and, above all, more tiring! This is partly because the ski isn’t guided along the track, but is alternately moved forwards and outwards. The skis form a V-shape, and the arm thrust is powerful. “The steeper the terrain, the more pronounced the V-position! And: the fewer steps I take, the less energy is required and the less tiring it is.”
Braking in cross-country skiing is similar to braking in downhill skiing: using the snowplough position. If you are skiing in the classic style along the track, you take one ski out of the track and position it in the snowplough position outside the track.
Cross-country skiing in the Hall-Wattens region
In Gnadenwald, in the Hall-Wattens region, where the Absam Nordic Team trains, anyone can use the cross-country ski trail free of charge. The sun-drenched trail in Gnadenwald is groomed for classic-style skiers over a distance of ten kilometres and prepared for skate-style skiers over eight kilometres. From Monday to Thursday, night-time cross-country skiing is available; the trail is then floodlit from dusk until 7.30 pm.
Full details on cross-country skiing can be found at www.hall-wattens.at/langlaufen