Sarina Berchtold
On the move on narrow boards: Cross-country skiing
Winter
17.01.2023
Learn the right technique Proper classic cross-country skiing
To get the technique right from the start, I take a cross-country skiing course for beginners. We meet our cross-country skiing instructor at the cross-country ski trail at half past nine on Saturday morning. We have rented the cross-country skiing equipment. It's pretty cold this morning, but I console myself with the thought that we'll certainly warm up quickly. And I wasn't wrong. We warm up first - without skis. This is important to warm up tired muscles and joints.
book courseGet the right equipment here!
All beginnings are difficult Cross-country skiing - exercises for beginners
The first challenge comes quickly: putting on cross-country skis. It takes some precision to click the toe of the boot into the binding. But after two or three attempts, everyone manages it without any problems. As it is a cold morning, the trail is still relatively hard and icy. As a result, we stand unsteadily on the unusually thin skis. After a few short exercises, we head into the ruts of the practice trail - WITHOUT poles. Here we try to glide: Put weight on the foot, push off, lift the heel. After a few laps, when we've got the hang of it, we add the poles. Not so easy to coordinate. But little by little, the movements become more and more fluid and we realize: This is really fun!
Gain new experiences Cross-country skiing needs to be learned
Before we can make our tracks on the trail, we have to learn how to brake. It's a bit unusual, a plow without edges, but as old skiers we still manage quite well with the pizza slice. After our work is done and our first lap on the real trail, we've earned some refreshments. We enjoy the view in the sun on the terrace and watch the other cross-country skiers. Daniela says: “You can tell immediately from the technique who has done a course and who hasn't.” And even we, as beginners, can see that. The course was definitely worthwhile for us and the trails in Kleinwalsertal are now certainly a few classic cross-country skiers richer. Of course, I'll remain loyal to my alpine skis.
