Cross Country: Strap on nordic skis for a Utah adventure

If you can walk, you can step out on cross country skis. At least it starts off that way . . . right foot, left foot, right foot and so on.

It's easy, right? But then things start to get a little more technical. Timing, balance and rhythm suddenly need to be blended in with the walk.

Still, it's not nearly as difficult to master as other sports, which is why cross country is a popular winter activity, especially for families.

In the evolution of learning, after the walk comes the glide, which is an extension of the right foot, left foot walking motion. It's called the classical movement in nordic skiing, and it's what really separates it from walking. Instead of a single step, a glider can move forward a distance of 5 or more steps on a single glide. All that's needed is a little balance and rhythm on the part of the skier.

Obviously, the best place to go to learn the walk and glide is within the confines of one of Utah's nordic parks. There are 10 offerings of varying lengths of track, along with lessons and rentals. Some are tied in with ski resorts, like Solitude and Alta, while others are independent centers, such as Soldier Hollow, site of the 2002 Olympics, and the Homestead Cross Country Ski Center.

Why start at a track? The main reason is that each of the centers grooms a smooth path 10 feet wide with a couple of parallel impressions or slots off to one side for the skis for classical skiing. The rest of the track is flat and smooth for freestyle or skate skiing.

As one instructor pointed out, "What makes it ideal for skiers is the track is smooth and clear. Skiers aren't trying to push through the snow or find themselves running into obstacles along the way.

"Also, tracks set in a groomed trail are popular because they stabilize a skier. They direct skiers and allow them to concentrate on perfecting an efficient diagonal stride."

From this point on the learning curve is rather rapid . . . knees bent, flex the ankles, upper body leaning forward, skis directly under the body for good balance and then swing the arms in rhythm with the feet, same as with a fast walk.

Once the diagonal stride is mastered, turns and stops come next, followed by the various methods needed to climb hills, like the sidestep and herringbone. The first turns are called step turns and the first braking movement is the snowplow, with is also used in alpine skiing and involves putting the skis in a "V-shape" with the tips close together.