If being stuck inside the gym all winter makes you feel a desire to take your workout outdoors, head for the challenge of the cross-country ski trails.  |
| cardio |  |
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| flexibility | |
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| strength | |
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| weight loss | |
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| injury potential | |
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| schedule flexibility | |
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| ratings key and credits | |
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the workout
You ski on mostly flat, groomed trails with lightweight ski equipment. Your boots are secured onto the skis by bindings that allow your heel to lift up off the ski. The result: a glorious gliding walk over winter landscapes.
upside
Often referred to as the number one aerobic exercise, cross-country skiing is a low-risk, fun, full body workout that improves your cardiovascular conditioning and burns a huge amount of calories.
downside
You’re dependent on the weather for perfect skiing conditions, so if there’s no snow, there’s no workout. If you don’t like the cold, this is definitely not the sport for you.
Unless you’re fortunate enough to live on the slopes, it can be expensive. A day of skiing requires: equipment rental, a lesson, and a trail pass, not to mention the money it takes to get there.
the pros say
- Be sure to wear a hat, gloves and warm socks. For comfort and safety, layer your clothing. Three thin layers of clothing allow you to move more freely than wearing one bulky layer, and you can always remove clothing as you get warmer.
- The layer closest to your body should be made of thin synthetic fabric (such as wicking material), designed to draw sweat away from your body.
- The central ‘convector’ layer should trap body heat and also wick away moisture.
- The outermost layer should be breathable, waterproof and wind resistant.
requirements
Gear: skis, boots, poles. Beginners should use waxless skis, which are slower but require no preparation to use.
Instruction/Facilities: in the right areas, local ski shops and ski areas offer cross-country ski instruction at a reasonable price for an hour-long group lesson. There is a small learning curve for this sport, and most people can ski proficiently within 1-2 sessions.
Time: from 20 minutes up to an entire day with breaks.