Cross country skiing

Hi there. This is my first post on this forum, having just joined today.

We are going to Lake Louise/Whistler for a few weeks and I am thinking of trying cross country skiing. I am wondering how fit one needs to be for this pursuit and how difficult it is to learn. I walk most days, for up to an hour, including a few hills, but nothing more than this.

Our family goes on a skiing holiday once a year, but even though I have many downhill ski lessons during the week, I still seem to stay at the beginners level. Fear seems to be my biggest problem as it always looks so steep! I am hoping that cross county skiing will suit me better, but am concerned that I may not be fit enough and as we are leaving in a week, I guess increasing fitness is not an option!

Hoping to appeal to the cross country skiers out there!

Auscaz wrote:Hi there. This is my first post on this forum, having just joined today.

We are going to Lake Louise/Whistler for a few weeks and I am thinking of trying cross country skiing. I am wondering how fit one needs to be for this pursuit and how difficult it is to learn. I walk most days, for up to an hour, including a few hills, but nothing more than this.

Our family goes on a skiing holiday once a year, but even though I have many downhill ski lessons during the week, I still seem to stay at the beginners level. Fear seems to be my biggest problem as it always looks so steep! I am hoping that cross county skiing will suit me better, but am concerned that I may not be fit enough and as we are leaving in a week, I guess increasing fitness is not an option!

Hoping to appeal to the cross country skiers out there!

Welcome to J2ski,the top boys are pretty fit but you can take it at your own pace and take in the views, I think I will stick to sitting down going up and skiing down that slope, good luck and enjoy your holiday.

Go for it Auscaz!
Cross country is a bit like wandering around in the countryside - you can stroll and look and enjoy the peace and beauty or run a marathon, looking for your personal best.
It really is whatever suites you.
I used to cross country ski to avoid the crowds when resorts were busy, a lovely way to get away from people in the main.
I suggest you give it a go - worth an hours lesson just for the basic steps, it is not quite like walking on skis!

There are two types of cross country skiing; skating and traditional. Skating is quite energetic, but traditional can be no more rigorous, than a brisk walk. The pace is entirely up to you. Just step off the tracks for a moment, to let faster skiers by if you are holding someone up.

Definitely have a go. It's great fun, my first experience of any ski's was cross-country skiing in Northern Ontario when staying with a friend for Christmas. I wouldn't say I was particularly fit but managed a short groomed trail with lots of ups and downs of 4Km reasonably easily. My one piece of advice would be to not to wear to many layers as you use an awful lot of energy. When I went the temps were around -28 and because I wasn't used to this degree of coldness I wore loads of clothes and all my inner clothes were soaking by the time I had finished.

Good luck