Have you tried Nordic Skiing?
It’s a real mountain experience is Nordic skiing. There’s a chance to escape the clanging of ski lifts, the hustle and bustle of busy pistes and just enjoy the tranquil surroundings. Our Nordic lessons are taught by the super experienced Guy Beaumont . We asked him a few questions:
What will I learn on my first Nordic ski lesson?
How the skis work, how to hold the poles – yes, there is a right and wrong way! How to make the skis grip for propulsion, and glide on the skis on the flat, climb very gentle slopes, descend very gentle slopes, control your speed and stop and how to remain safe. In short after your first lesson you should be able to safely venture out on easy tracks on your own to practise the basics and gain confidence.
How did you get into Nordic skiing?
In the early 1980s when I was on a climbing expedition to the Jostedalsbreen area in Norway, we had to traverse the ice-cap to reach various mountain summits. Free heel skiing was the most efficient way to traverse these snow fields, so I gave it a go. My ideas and expectations vastly exceeded my ability, but it was still better than walking on the snow. I continued to copy others in an attempt to improve. Only when I was in the RAF did I receive my first lesson and realised I had been doing it wrong for a long time, and now had a lot of bad techniques that needed to be unpicked and subsequently corrected.
How can people best prepare for Nordic skiing?
General all-round fitness from walking, cycling and running is a bonus although in reality you can start cross country skiing at any level of fitness as you move at your own pace, though being fitter does make it a bit easier.
We are offering half day or full day lessons this winter. You can check availability for each lesson here
What's the hardest thing about Nordic skiing?
For those starting it is getting used to the idea of not having your heel fixed to the ski, and soft comfortable boots which for those used to alpine skiing appear to give very little support. For those trying the skate technique it is being totally in balance on one 40mm wide ski whilst moving forward.
Why Nordic
Its good for the soul & ecologically friendly!
It’s inclusive, if you’re nervous of alpine skiing or suffered injury, you can still get involved with snowsports.
Nordic skiing is just as good for the casual exerciser as for the fitness buffs.
It's a low impact sport, being relatively unidirectional, with very little rapid twisting or torsion to the limbs and the free heel binding minimises risk to the knee joint should falls happen.
hello@peaksnowsports.com | +44 1483 616 522