Passes, slopes, kids, cross-country skiing trails and more (2023)

FAQs

What age can kids start cross-country skiing? ›

There's no right age to start kids cross-country skiing. Some can start as young as 5, shuffling on cross-country skis for very short distances. Many kids start out by learning the classic skiing technique because the movement is so similar to walking.

Beginners will want to choose shorter and wider cross-country skis with directional scales (for more stability) and a low camber, ideal for sliding on soft snow.

Yes, absolutely! For young kids, from the age of 3 or 4, children can have so much fun on the slopes. As a parent you may be worrying about them going off for a couple of hours with a ski instructor, but it's amazing how independent they become.

A child can wear skis from the age of 3 upwards…

There are even some schools that give private lessons to children from the age of 2 and 3 and a half for group lessons. It depends a lot on the child, what he wants, how active he is and, more specifically his feet which need to be big enough to fit children's ski boots.

2. What size cross-country skis to choose? To calculate the length of your classic cross-country skis you should add 15 to 20cm to your height. Your weight and skiing ability should also be taken into account.

CHOOSING SKIS FOR KIDS

For sizing kids' skis, a good rule of thumb is youth skis should come somewhere between the child's chest and nose. If your child is a newbie skier, lightweight for their height, and prefers turning over being speedy, then you'll likely want to size skis around chest or chin level.

There are two types of cross-country skis: waxed and waxless. Skating skis are the primary type that is designed to be used exclusively without grip wax. For this type, the camber is there to provide traction over the snow.

It is often abbreviated as XC. Cross-country ski center: A commercial area featuring groomed trails and other amenities.

Disqualification: If a racer is assessed two violations in a single race, referred to as yellow cards, that skier will be disqualified from the event.

How far can you cross country ski in a day? ›

A typical day on the trails can often cover 10-20 miles, and while you can and should stop to rest, the day will be a lot more fun if you're not gasping for air. Here's a quick test: if you can run relatively comfortably for at least 30 minutes without stopping, you can probably ski about 10 flat miles nonstop.

Although our expert ski instructors would recommend learning to ski over a longer period of time, the answer is, in theory, yes you can learn to ski to a decent level in one day.

We do not recommend that children under 4 years learn to ski, for all of the above reasons! Our experience has shown that they are more happy playing in the snow rather than trying to ski on it.

There's no one rule that applies to everyone, so as long as you feel comfortable with it, you can ski when you're pregnant. But the NHS does recommend taking caution – especially if you're between four and 13 weeks, when the baby is really developing. The main risk is if you fall over or someone else skis into you.

Start with toddler skis that strap on to their snow boots with Velcro. Let them wear them in the house and walk around on the carpet. Again, make it a game. Next take them out to the ski hill and let them walk around on the snow where it is flat so they can get the feel of the skis sliding on the snow.

A good guideline for a typical all-around beginner's ski, which would be a wise choice for a new skier, is height minus 5-10cm. When in doubt, a slightly shorter ski is the right decision. The extra control and maneuverability are well worth the stability at speed you may sacrifice.

The average skier replaces their skis every 8 years (source). For the best performance, you can get 100-125 ski days before the ski starts to deteriorate – but this does depend on your weight, ski style and how well-maintained the ski is (source).

The ski boot sizing system is known as Mondopoint, which was developed by the ski industry to create a universal sizing system. Mondopoint is calculated by the length of one's foot in centimeters, from the heel to the big toe. As in all sizing scales, this only gives one dimension of the foot.

All modern skis have a set of dimensions; three numbers that determine their width. For example, a ski might have this printed on it: 122-86-115. This means they have a width of 122mm towards the tip (the widest point), a waist width of 86mm (under the foot), and a tail width of 115mm.

What is another name for cross-country skis? ›

The terms “Nordic skiing” and “cross country skiing” are often used interchangeably. In the wider sense, cross country skiing is a variation of Nordic skiing, and Nordic skiing encompasses a number of other disciplines too.

But in cross-country skiing, the heel of the boot isn't attached to the ski, allowing the skier to raise his or her heel with each step to approximate a normal walking motion. This enables skiers to travel across a variety of terrains without downward momentum, meaning they can move uphill as well.

Sometimes called alpine skiing, downhill skiing is what most people know. It's done at lift-assisted ski resorts with groomed runs that are marked and patrolled. Downhill skiers wear stiff plastic boots that click into fixed-heel bindings mounted to shaped skis.

The freestyle technique is the faster of the two methods, where the skier moves their feet from side to side in a manner resembling ice skating more so than classic-style cross-country skiing.

When an athlete is skiing at top speed, those freezing temperatures are intensified and competitors are in danger of burning their noses and cheekbones. Which is why they use protective tape to cover key areas.

Green Circle: Easy, best for Type I skiers and trail characteristics are wide, groomed, and have a slope gradient less than 25%. Blue Square: Intermediate, best for Type II skiers and trail characteristics are popular and heavily groomed, easy moguls and glades and have a slope gradient between 25 – 40%.

Highly trained Olympic cross-country skiers have resting heart rates between 28 and 40 beats per minute. Compare that to the resting heart rate of the average person, which is 60 to 80 beats per minute!

It is widely accepted in the field of exercise physiology as "the best cardiovascular exercise known." Cross-country skiing uses a large percentage of your muscle mass, and is more efficient and effective than activities using legs alone or arms alone.

2. What size cross-country skis to choose? To calculate the length of your classic cross-country skis you should add 15 to 20cm to your height. Your weight and skiing ability should also be taken into account.

Common ski injuries

The groin is quite complex with the adductor tendons (muscles that bring the upper legs together), rectus muscle (six-pack muscles) and inguinal canal all inter-related with the pubic bone and any tension or excessive 'pulling' in this area can give rise to groin pain.

How do you train for cross-country skiing without snow? ›

I recommend roller skiing throughout the summer or at least the fall for anyone with even semi-serious winter ski goals. Roller skiing forces you to practice balance while training in the most specific format possible without snow.

The amount of days you can ski in a row will depend on your fitness and experience level; on average, 4-days in a row is the limit. Pick your days on the hill, if you know one day is going to be bad weather, take the day off and enjoy other activities that the mountain has to offer.

How old does my child need to be before they can ski? While some ski-mad parents introduce their children to the slopes at 18 months, most resorts and ski schools will insist that your child is at least three years old before they teach them the basics.

But with some planning, preparation and the right attitude, cross-country skiing with a baby or toddler can be an immensely rewarding experience. It's a great way to get exercise, experience the outdoors with your child, and sow a future interest in a winter sport that you can do with the entire family.

A skiing holiday with babies and toddlers is not only feasible, it can also be a lot of fun for the whole family. The only important thing is to plan your trip well in advance and relax during your holiday. Then both young and old alike will have a great time together in the snow.

Downhill skiing is a lifelong sport. While you can learn at any age, kids have the advantage of being flexible, nimble and relatively fearless. Most ski schools will teach children as young as age 3. With good instruction, many kids can ski independently on a beginner slope in just a few days.

In fact, babies can make charming travel companions, and taking a baby skiing is no exception. It may sound like a mad enterprise but there are ways and means to make your first ski holiday with a baby smooth and (mostly) hassle-free if you do your research and make sure you're organised.

Starting kiddos on the slopes early is a blast for them and you! Breckenridge Ski Resort offers lessons beginning at three years old, as well as a great mix of beginner runs that are easily accessible.

Don't be put off from taking your baby skiing with you, it really can be done as so many of our guests have discovered. And once your little ones have enjoyed their time in Powder Pups when they're very young, they'll be ready to start skiing – and that's a different story……

Classic skiing can be done on the groomed trails or in the backcountry, making your own tracks. You can travel on narrow hiking trials or in wide-open fields. You can travel through shallow or deep snow, though deep snow may be more of an effort, but that's why you bring friends to share the effort of breaking trail.

How far can you cross-country ski in a day? ›

A typical day on the trails can often cover 10-20 miles, and while you can and should stop to rest, the day will be a lot more fun if you're not gasping for air. Here's a quick test: if you can run relatively comfortably for at least 30 minutes without stopping, you can probably ski about 10 flat miles nonstop.

Joint health: Cross-country skiing is a low-impact activity. The smooth gliding motion and gradual movements means it doesn't put much pressure on your joints. This makes it a great form of exercise for staying healthy with a low risk of injury.

Generally speaking, a first time skier needs at least 2-3 ski lessons before they go out skiing on their own (with an adult). Although every kid learns at a different pace, it can often be easier to judge their learning based on skills than a set number of ski lessons.