There is no greater exercise for health and fitness than cross country skiing!

I'm sure skiing is great. I'm also sure that the number of XC Ski days available per year to the average American is pretty far lower than the number of run days available.

The latter is (of course) 365.0 per physically able capita.

The former is (my guess) <1 per physically able capita.

This is Jim Kiler wrote:

If your biomechanics aren't already messed up, they will be after you XC ski.

Swimming is okay if you run the 5K in 38 minutes.

Not that you can in the snow, but cycling up a very steep hill for maybe 15 seconds, very hard, over and over is about the best you can do that's non-impact. Do that on a bike at the gym, 10 seconds on (all out), 10 seconds off, for five minutes.

Anything is as hard as you want it to be, after all. Very few have the skill or whatever to do this with cross country skiing.

Nonsense, where do you ever get the idea it would mess up your biomechanics!

Skiing in not great just because of the intensity. Its the total variety of different muscles that become developed.

A hard repetitive cycle up a hill cycle only over develops a limited couple of muscles (quads).

3xhytas wrote:

I'm sure skiing is great. I'm also sure that the number of XC Ski days available per year to the average American is pretty far lower than the number of run days available.

The latter is (of course) 365.0 per physically able capita.

The former is (my guess) <1 per physically able capita.

Only the lucky have ready access to cross country skiing for a number of days. That's why I do it when its available.

DanM wrote:

Darwin, C. wrote:

This isn't a sport for the poor. .

Huh ? $21 for an adult full day trail pass in Jackson, New Hampshire.

There is only one trail, that I might do once a season that charges. There are a number of great trails in parks that are free.

Actually of all the sports I do, its the least expensive.

trashcan wrote:

Xc skiing is weight-bearing. Swimming isn’t. Cross country skiing has more representation than any other sport on the list of top vo2 max scores(that may be partly based on who is tested).

It also translates better to running without the pounding

This is true. I can do an intensive ski twice as long as I can run and not feel as beat up afterwards.

There are a vast level of skills level for skiers. Its a sport best taken up before 35. I started in my 30's and it seemed hard at first but I did become very accomplished. I am older now (mid 60's) and don't take quite the difficult trails or ski under some of the more icy conditions that I used to but its still its a great sport for us older guys.

Emotionally being in that bright snow in the woods is very emotionally healthy too. I couldn't see going through a winter without this sport.

And as another poster said, inside looking out it may look cold, but once you are out, after the first 15 minutes you feel great. Not cold at all.

The concept seems low tech to me. How many people do you see in summer on roller skis, compared to bicycles?

Make a pedal-powered cyclo-ski thing and it would go much faster, I bet. Snowmobiles are very fast.

Bad Wigins wrote:

The concept seems low tech to me. How many people do you see in summer on roller skis, compared to bicycles?

Make a pedal-powered cyclo-ski thing and it would go much faster, I bet. Snowmobiles are very fast.

Studies have shown consistent high intensity aerobic exercise increases cognitive function.

Skiing could provide that.

DanM wrote:

Darwin, C. wrote:

This isn't a sport for the poor. .

Huh ? $21 for an adult full day trail pass in Jackson, New Hampshire.

Wow!...I'm in. I already bought some old run downed skis & poles from a thrift shop years ago and fixed them up. And I have some ski pants that I found at another thrift shop.

I'm ready to rumble.⛷

be best wrote:

3xhytas wrote:

I'm sure skiing is great. I'm also sure that the number of XC Ski days available per year to the average American is pretty far lower than the number of run days available.

The latter is (of course) 365.0 per physically able capita.

The former is (my guess) <1 per physically able capita.

Only the lucky have ready access to cross country skiing for a number of days. That's why I do it when its available.

Pretty much any mid latitude (>40th parallel and north, so draw a line from NJ/PA through the country to the Sierras) is going to have at least some skiing available somewhere within an hour or two from anywhere). More like 30% to 40% of the country. And it's quite accessible to the northern tier and mountain states and most anywhere in Canada. A lot of parks groom trails throughout the winter, not to mention ungroomed areas. And people can set their own tracks at park. Some of the the higher end resorts are kind of pricey, $20 to $35 a day, but that's still a lot cheaper than most any alpine area. High end racing equipment has gotten very expensive (a couple thousand a year if ski a lot and want everything up to date), but still less than many other sports. Average stuff doesn't cost too much and you can get a pretty good set up for a few hundred dollars.

I started in my early 20s and got more serious after some running injuries at 25. Trained and raced for 25 years. It's a good workout. Transitioning back to running in took 2-3 months each year. Now I just ski on weekends (3-5 times a month on average).

Not Much Snow Here wrote:

For those of us who live where it doesn't snow much, what's the best machine that mimics XC skiing? I remember long ago (90's?) trying a Nordic Track and thinking it wouldn't work for me. Probably the machines are a lot better now. Any ideas?

While there may be better machines out there, the old wooden Nordic Tracks work well for something that can be picked up on Craigslist for less than a new pair of running shoes. They are durable and low maintenance. Low tech is an advantage if repairs become necessary.

What you don't get from a machine, at least the simple ones, is the changes form that come with changes in skiing a real world course profile. Also you don't get much in the way of the lateral balance dynamics that you see in the real world on a no-so-stable platform, turning, skating, herringbone, and such.

I’ve been working on learning proper skating technique since late December and it all finally clicked last Sunday. Managed to do a 9k loop with 150m of elevation gain and man was I sore for a couple days.

As you say, it’s a great way to work your entire body, and for me especially muscle groups in the legs that don’t get worked with running. Working on my coordination is the main reason I’ve taken it up, and I feel it has helped my left knee recover.

I’m lucky to live near an area where so many kilometers of trails are groomed and free for everyone. My only costs? Fuel for the drive and boots. I inherited a pair of skating skis and poles.

be best wrote:

DanM wrote:

Huh ? $21 for an adult full day trail pass in Jackson, New Hampshire.

There is only one trail, that I might do once a season that charges. There are a number of great trails in parks that are free.

Actually of all the sports I do, its the least expensive.

The trail network in Jackson has a free section that is part of the White Mountains National Forest.

Good for you! That skating technique is fun and you can really fly over a course. I ski mostly classical just because the nearby trails are more suitable for classical.

Not mentioned yet, skiing also strengthens feet and ankles.

The technique isn’t the easiest to learn, but it really is fun once you get it! I can’t speak for classic, but I ski tour as well so maybe it’s similar? The important is to get out and have fun!

Have you ever tried boxing? It's great training. I updated my home gym over the holidays and have been hitting the weights and heavy bag every day. The improvement has been dramatic.

Not Much Snow Here wrote:

For those of us who live where it doesn't snow much, what's the best machine that mimics XC skiing? I remember long ago (90's?) trying a Nordic Track and thinking it wouldn't work for me. Probably the machines are a lot better now. Any ideas?

They make really long roller blade skis and poles that you can use on trails that you would bike on. It is pretty comparable.

DanM wrote:

Darwin, C. wrote:

This isn't a sport for the poor. .

Huh ? $21 for an adult full day trail pass in Jackson, New Hampshire.

A lot of ski towns in Colorado (Aspen, Pagosa, Crested Butte, and others) groom some of their bike trails for public use for free. The Aspen / Snowmass / Basalt trail system is absolutely awesome. A good trip is to ski up to the base of the Maroon Bells if you like traditional stuff as well. The skate skiing through town is perfect.

When you XC ski, your feet run straight, back and forth. Or maybe you skate ski? You have groomed trails in Des Moines right now?

My feet don't run straight, back and forth.

joed1rtty2 wrote:

Not Much Snow Here wrote:

For those of us who live where it doesn't snow much, what's the best machine that mimics XC skiing? I remember long ago (90's?) trying a Nordic Track and thinking it wouldn't work for me. Probably the machines are a lot better now. Any ideas?

They make really long roller blade skis and poles that you can use on trails that you would bike on. It is pretty comparable.

https://rollerskishop.com/

They are pretty neat. You really need the right type of groomed trail to use them. I don't think they are right for very hilly or country trails.

I have considered getting a pair.