Developing a solid skating action in cross country skiing

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

  Often beginning skaters have trouble developing a solid push off when they skate. They may push the ski to the side off a flat ski which results in a skidding action and little power. Or they  may push too far back like they are striding and end up with the ski sliding back with little forward momentum.  Remember to flex slightly at the ankles, knees and hips and push through the centre of your foot—not off your toes or off your heels-- to develop power .

 

     Note how I am pushing off an edged ski                                Track left by an edged ski in the snow
    Also when conditions are right I tell my students to examine the tracks left in the snow to help them figure out how well they are skiing. When you free skate on freshly groomed trails you should see a section where the ski leaves a flat imprint on the snow followed by an edged mark. This is because as you skate you want to initially place your ski down flat on the snow to maximize glide and then when you push off this creates an edged pattern in the snow.   Skiers who don’t edge their skis enough when they push off may find the skis slides away from them. Skiers who ski like this will leave this sort of skidded track in freshly groomed snow (see photo below). So to improve your skating try to bring your feet underneath your body and land first on an flat ski to maximize glide and then push off an edged ski . So next time you are out check your tracks in the snow to see how well you are skating.  The following video looks at what your tracks say about your skiing-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-3VxuarJrc&feature=youtu.be.  Thanks to Auclair gloves and Infinity ski poles for their help.