by Vanessa Cowley

Created on: December 09, 2008

I was first introduced to cross-country skiing around the age of 11 or 12, however, within a few years, I tried downhill skiing and the addictive adrenaline rush had me hooked. The three-pin cross country boots stayed in the closet for more than 10 years, as I spent my earnings on downhill ski passes. At $50 - $80 a day, it wasn't cheap, and I couldn't afford it too often.

Fast forward about 15 years. My dad invited me to join him on a ski trip to Vernon, in the interior of BC. He would go cross-country skiing at Sovereign Lakes, and I would join him for one day, and then ski downhill at Silver Star for the rest of the trip. I rediscovered cross-country skiing on that one day, and haven't put on my downhill ski boots since.

Now that I'm a mom, I've found that cross-country skiing is by far the most family-friendly choice. For a family of four to go downhill skiing is at least $200; a family cross-country trail pass is around $30. Consider that the equipment is much cheaper, and you can see why so many families are making the switch to cross-country skiing.

I have seen children as young as two on their own skis, with indulging parents waiting patiently for them to catch up. Often, these families have an even younger child sleeping peacefully in a "pulk", a toboggan strapped to an adult's waist, as they ski along the tree-lined trail. My own children enjoyed many peaceful hours in pulks before getting out on their own to ski. When skiing with small children, you get too far, but you are laying a solid foundation for a lifetime of activity. Additionally, the skills used to downhill ski are the same, and so your children will be able to easily transfer what they learn to a downhill environment. They will be well prepared when they head out on their first school trip to discover that adrenaline addiction for themselves.

If you decide to take up cross-country skiing as a family sport, here are a few pointers to get you started. Cross-country skis are much longer and narrower than a downhill ski. The binding locks only at the toe, allowing the heel of the boot to lift when skiing up hill or along the flat. There is usually some sort of ridge or groove between the boot and the ski that gives the skier a bit of leverage to push out with the heel when skiing down hill. The poles are also much longer, especially for skate skiing, but these will often get in the way for new skiers and you may find it easier to go without using poles for the first time out.

There are two different styles of cross-country skiing, each with it's own type of equipment: classic and skating. Classic boots are lower and more supple, whereas skating boots are higher and stiffer to allow for greater force when using the "skating" style on flats. Beginners are encouraged to start out with classic, although once you get a feel for cross-country, skating is the more popular style.

Cross-country skiing is initially very like walking. Don't worry about sliding or using poles. Just walk and get familiar with the equipment. To go up a hill, move your toes outward and "duck walk"; to go down hill, move your legs wide apart and bring your toes together into a snowplow. The challenge is to not cross the tips of the very long skis, as they invariably get tangled up and over you go!

Once you have found a basic level of comfort walking around on the skis, book a lesson with an instructor who can show you how to take your skiing to the next level. Very soon, you will be enjoying wonderful winter days out with your kids at a fraction of the cost of a day of downhill.

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