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 ATOMIC NX 10 CROSS COUNTRY SKIS WITH FISCHER BINDINGS NORDICROSS $99.99 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 40m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Vintage Rollerskis Rottefella Binding Cross Country Training Roller Skis $31.01 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 41m |
 K2 SKIS Miss Baker size 167 Free Ride bindings boots back country downhill $45.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 58m Buy It Now for only: $395.00 |
 TYROL Waxless CROSS COUNTRY Touring SKIS 195cm with 3 Pin BINDING Classic NORDIC $129.95 Time Remaining: 16h 57m |
 ASC thick Leather Nordic Norm 3 Pin Cross Country Ski Boots Size EU 42 $77.00 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 6m Buy It Now for only: $77.00 |
 TRAK Waxless CROSS COUNTRY Touring SKIS 190cm with 3 Pin BINDINGS Classic NORDIC $139.95 Time Remaining: 17h 17m |
 ASOLO Womens BACK COUNTRY Leather NNN BC Cross XC Snow SKIING Ski BOOTS size 75 $79.95 Time Remaining: 16h 51m |
 ROSSIGNOL X6 Skate SKI BOOTS Mens sz 46 11 115 12 NNN New NORDIC Cross COUNTRY $139.95 Time Remaining: 17h 14m |
 Womens Merrell Nordic Norm Cross Country Ski Boots w Thinsulate Size 75 $49.00 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 36m Buy It Now for only: $49.00 |
 Fisher Cross Country Ski Rossignol Binding Shoes Sz 8 womens shoe $28.17 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 8m |
 New Salomon Womens Cross Country Leather Ski Boots Black Rose Size 95 10 $29.99 Time Remaining: 13h 35m |
 SWIX Nordic CROSS Back COUNTRY Waxable XC BC Snow SKIING Ski TUNE Wax TUNING Kit $17.95 Time Remaining: 17h 11m |
 New Whitewoods 301 75mm 3 Pin CROSS XC COUNTRY SKI BOOTS Sz 46 Gry Blk Free Ship $66.99 Time Remaining: 11d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $66.99 |
 Aplina TCS Nordic Cross Country Ski Boots 43 $150.00 Time Remaining: 7h 52m |
 Used Fischer Summit XC Cross Country Skis W 2 Poles Leg Covers Size 44 Boots $54.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 10m |
 1980 USSki Team whiskey decanter ski country It is in awesome shape $8.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 30m |
 FISCHER RC 5 COMBI CROSS COUNTRY SKI BOOTS 42 $99.99 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 39m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 FISCHER RC5 COMBI Womens CROSS COUNTRY SKI BOOTS NWT SIZE 6 EURO 36 239 $71.99 Time Remaining: 15h 36m |
 Rossignol XC Glide 210cm Cross Country Skis With 145cm Nova Excel Poles Nice $29.99 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 41m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 Alpina Wave Jr Cross Country Skis 110cm Red NEW $29.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 VTG Liljedahl Bamboo Cross Country Ski Poles 137cm $23.99 Time Remaining: 12d 7h 41m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 Alpina Control LW Cross Country Skis 185cm NEW $79.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Control LW Cross Country Skis 165cm NEW $79.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Control Lite Cross Country Skis 2012 165cm Green NEW $118.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 ARTEX Davos NordicNorm 75 mm Cross Country touring Ski BOOTS Made in Italy $39.99 Time Remaining: 25d 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Alpina Control Cross Country Skis 2012 182cm Red NEW $118.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Control Cross Country Skis 2012 172cm Yellow NEW $118.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Control Lite Cross Country Skis 2012 175cm Yellow NEW $118.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 2 Cross Country Ski Pins TREX + $6.99 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 46m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Rossignol Acrylite 49 Cross Country Skis w Salomon SNS Bindings 210cm $150.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 17m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 CROSS COUNTRY SKI PKG ALPINA WAXLESS 200CM 3 PIN BINDNG SKAN BOOT 42 ALPINA POLE $19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 44m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 TYROL Waxless CROSS COUNTRY Touring SKIS 195cm with 3 Pin BINDING Classic NORDIC $119.95 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 21m Buy It Now for only: $131.95 |
 NIP 75mm 3 Pin CROSS XC COUNTRY SKI BINDINGS w Hardware and Backplates Free S H $19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 24m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Alpina T20 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Black 43 NEW $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T20 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Black 44 NEW $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 TRAK Waxless CROSS COUNTRY Touring SKIS 190cm with 3 Pin BINDINGS Classic NORDIC $129.95 Time Remaining: 3d 9h Buy It Now for only: $142.95 |
 Alpina NNN Cross Country Ski Boots Sz 39 $27.00 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 21m Buy It Now for only: $27.00 |
 PELTONEN SONIC JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SKIS W ROTTEFELLA NNN II BIND 110 CM BOOTS $13.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 35m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 50 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 Alpina T 30 NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2011 41 Charcoal Silver Black NEW $59.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 COLORADO SKI COUNTRY USA POSTER VINTAGE 1970s $6.99 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Alpina TR 40 L Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 360 Black NEW $69.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Travelpro Padded Ski Bag Down Hill Cross Country Downhill Travel Pro Skiing New $25.00 Time Remaining: 15h 43m |
 FISCHER CROWN CROSS COUNTRY SKIS WAXLESS 195CM W SALOMON SNS BINDNG $14.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 45m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 New Whitewoods 301 75MM Cross Country Ski Boots Sz 47 Sz 13 Mens $39.99 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 12m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Alpina TR 25 L Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 360 NEW $29.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina TR 40 L Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 370 Charcoal NEW $69.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina TR 15 Juniors NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 370 NEW $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 VINTAGE HEIERLING CROSS COUNTRY SKI BOOTS SIZE 42 $49.99 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 43m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Alpina TR 40 L Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 370 Black NEW $69.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina TR 15 Juniors NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 280 NEW $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina RJ Juniors NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 370 NEW $29.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 CROSS COUNTRY TOURING SKI YURT POSTER VINTAGE 1970S $9.99 Time Remaining: 9d 18h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Alpina TR 40 L Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 360 Charcoal NEW $69.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T5 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2013 37 NEW $79.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T20 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Black 45 NEW $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 NIP CROSS XC COUNTRY SKI BINDINGS Comes w Hardware and Backplates 3 Pin 75mm $16.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 13m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 Alpina T5 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2013 39 NEW $79.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina TR 15 Juniors NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 290 NEW $39.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 37 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 Salomon Profil Auto Cross Country Ski Bindings Grey $54.95 Time Remaining: 27d 6h 54m Buy It Now for only: $54.95 |
 Alpina T10 NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Charcoal Black Red 45 NEW $69.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 Alpina T20 Eve Plus Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Silver Black Blue 39 $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T20 Eve Plus Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Silver Black Blue 40 $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 32m |
 FISCHER ROYALE CROWN CROSS COUNTRY SKIS NEW $45.00 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 20m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 KARHU KIDS JUNIOR YOUTH CROSS COUNTRY SKIS W KARHU SNOW GO BINDINGS 100 CM $4.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 TRAK RALLYE KIDS JUNIOR YOUTH CROSS COUNTRY SKIS W LOOK CONTACT BINDINGS 135 CM $4.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Womens Cross Country Ski Boots Salomon Auto Fit SNS Profile Size 65 EUC $45.00 Time Remaining: 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $67.00 |
 Junior Cross Country Skis Boots and Poles Rossignol Airtex Rottefella skiing $34.95 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 18m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
 Leki Shark Cruiser Mens Cross Country Ski Gloves 2012 Medium Large NEW $54.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 1m |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 42 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 29m |
 Bjorn Daehlie Cross Country ski suit swix toko odlolarge $140.00 Time Remaining: 13h 54m |
 WOOL CROSS COUNTRY SOCKS WOOL SKI CAPNORDIC DESIGN LT BLUE NAVY FOOT 9 $8.46 Time Remaining: 25d 17h 10m Buy It Now for only: $8.46 |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 40 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 Alpina Tour 75mm Cross Country Ski Bindings 2012 75mm Black NEW $17.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T20 Eve Plus Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Silver Black Blue 38 $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Toko Klister Blue Cross Country Ski Wax 55 Grams 2012 55 Grams NEW $11.18 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $11.18 |
 Alpina T20 Plus NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Black 46 NEW $90.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina T10 Eve Womens NNN Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 Silver Black Blue 38 $59.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 ROSSIGNOL X6 Skate SKI BOOTS Mens sz 46 11 115 12 NNN New NORDIC Cross COUNTRY $139.95 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $153.95 |
 1975 Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing by Erwin A Bauer 1st ed Winchester $9.75 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $9.75 |
 ASOLO Womens BACK COUNTRY Leather NNN BC Cross XC Snow SKIING Ski BOOTS size 75 $69.95 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 4m Buy It Now for only: $76.95 |
 ALPINA Ski Cross BACK COUNTRY Boots Fits NNN NIS 75 8 $19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 24m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 44 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 New Gray Black Whitewoods 301 75mm 3 Pin Insulated CROSS XC COUNTRY SKI BOOTS $56.99 Time Remaining: 11d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $56.99 |
 Leki Shark Thermo Mens Cross Country Ski Gloves 2012 Medium Large Black Red Yell $69.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 1m |
 1938 CAMDEN MAINE OUTING CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARDS SNOWSHOEING CROSS COUNTRY SKIING $12.87 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 33m |
 SWIX Nordic CROSS Back COUNTRY Waxable XC BC Snow SKIING Ski TUNE Wax TUNING Kit $17.95 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 LAKE TAHOE CALIFORNIA CROSS COUNTRY SKI SKIING MEMBER GOLD TONE ENAMEL PIN $6.95 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 46m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 Rossignol Max Universal Jr Cross Country Skis 127cm NEW $39.97 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 22m |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 38 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 48 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Atomic Salomon Pilot Jr Cross Country Ski Binding NEW $19.95 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 29m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Alpina Blazer 75mm Cross Country Ski Boots 2012 47 Black NEW $52.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Yoko 3100 Cross Country Ski Poles 2012 135cm Grey NEW $38.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 30m |
 Alpina ST Cross Country Ski Poles 2012 145cm Silver NEW $20.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 VTG Bamboo Cross Country Ski Poles 137cm $21.00 Time Remaining: 12d 7h 43m Buy It Now for only: $21.00 |
 Alpina Yoko 3100 Cross Country Ski Poles 2012 145cm Grey NEW $38.48 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina Diamond Storm 9 Cross Country Ski Poles 140 NEW $29.97 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
 Alpina ST Cross Country Ski Poles 2012 135cm Silver NEW $20.98 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 31m |
Country Ski
Cross Country Skiing - Getting Started
Cross Country Skiing, also know as nordic skiing or xc skiing requires some basic equipment that one can either rent or purchase. For the recreational cross country skiier looking to tour in their backyard or at a local cross country ski touring center, the beginner will need xc touring skis, boots, bindings and poles. Unlike alpine skiing, nordic skis are attached to the binding by only the toe, allowing the boot to flex as you are propelled forward. The cross country skis are narrower and lighter than their alpine cousin, and ski pole lenght is typically longer.
The sport of cross country skiing has two main techniques - classic skiing and skate skiing. The recreational user generally begins with the classic method, which is what most people typically have seen, using the diagnol stride. Classic cross country skiing for the beginner is a bit like walking or running. The skis are propelled forward by putting your weight on one leg and pushing forward with the heals down. The poles swing opposite the skis. Classic cross country skiing depends upon keeping your knees and ankel flexible, keeping your weight over one ski at a time, and putting the heel down first on the forward ski so you can engage the "kick zone" - where the wax or fish scales are located, and get enough traction to propel yourself forward. At first ski touring may require a bit more balance, since the ski bindings are fairly flexible and the heel is not attached to the ski. With enough practice, cross country skiing becomes easy and will allow you to get away from the crowds and into some beautiful winter scenery. For the beginning cross country skiier, taking a cross country ski lesson is well worth it.
Skate skiing is also great fun, but requires separate equipment, since skate skis are typically shorter, the bindings are much more rigid, and the boot is stiff. Some choose to dive right into skate skiing, since it is faster and requires more cardiovasular output. Skate skiing is a bit like speed skating, so if you have ever been ice skating, the transition is not too tough.
Most beginning xc skiiers have a tendancy to over dress. Nordic skiing is a cardiovasular sport and considerable energy is excerted. Dress in layers, so as you warm up as you are skiing you can shed the layers and remain comfortable throughout your ski.
http://xcskistore.com
About the Author
Brian has been running a cross country and bike shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA for over 30 years.
Best country to Ski in for a beginner?
Is there anyone that can give advice on the best country to ski in in their opinion/experience. Learning to ski and also use snow blades too.
I went with some beginner friends to Bansko in Bulgaria last Jan. I usually ski in France but we chose Bansko as it was so much cheaper, so for beginners it was much better.
Small resort but we had a great time and the off piste was fine for me while my friends had a great ski school called Method - all very good English instructors. I saw some people on blades too so I think you would be able to hire them there ok.
I would probably go back just for the meals at night at Chalet Rozov (where we stayed) which were fantastic, although the food in the mountain restaurants was pretty basic.
Cross or X Country Skiing- Basics of Diagonal Stride