Last updated on February 1st, 2023 at 11:45 am
In winter when you can’t get to your favorite trails, You have other options besides heading to the gym. For most, cross country skiing (or Nordic skiing) sounds like there are many barriers to entry. Plus, it couldn’t possibly be an adrenaline-inducing sport like downhill skiing or snowboarding, right?! Well, there are 13 reasons to start cross country skiing that, once you know them, will change your entire perception and leave you wondering why you didn’t start sooner.
1. Best Known Form of Cardiovascular Exercise
Surprisingly, studies suggest cross country skiing is actually one of the best sports for building endurance and the best form of cardiovascular exercise! [source]
This is because cross country skiing requires that you use your entire body. Just by propelling forward and driving poles into the snow to move.
This gets your heart pumping due to the varying intensity of the hilly terrain. As a result, this sport does wonders for strengthening your heart and boosting endurance.
According to a study in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, elite cross country skiers have some of the highest VO2 max values ever reported. [source] VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, is a great indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
However, if you aren’t interested in trekking in skiis, check out our post on Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Men.
2. Easy on The Joints
Often, to get in this intense workout, we perform higher-impact activities like jumping, running, or lifting heavy weights. All of which can be hard on our joints.
However, cross country skiing is both a great workout and easy on joints since it relies on a gliding movement.
Thus reducing pressure on the cartilage surrounding our joints, leading to less pain and wear and tear.
3. Improves Balance and Coordination
While downhill skiing, hiking, and even snowshoeing, are great for improving balance and coordination, cross country skiing is particularly effective.
Coordinating your leg movement while lifting and planting poles poses a serious challenge to your balance and coordination on slippery snow.
This strengthens muscles that are crucial to balance, called stabilizer muscles.
These smaller muscles in your core and lower back can weaken as you age. Thus, making you more susceptible to injuries, and even back pain.
4. Whole Body Workout
Additionally, cross country skiing provides a full body, functional workout … yet it isn’t strenuous. Varying terrain gives your heart and muscles a great challenge. Furthermore, there’s room to push yourself more or less depending on your speed and the hills you choose. Of the 13 reasons to start cross country skiing, this is the best one.
Because you’re balancing while propelling forward with your arms and legs, you’re also utilizing nearly every muscle in your body.
Even if you only rent skis for an hour, you’ll feel the pleasant burn the next day. I remember after my first time I was surprised that my whole body felt worked out. Moreover, my triceps and obliques were sorest of all. which are notoriously annoying to exercise.
5. Safe and Easy
The thrill of gaining downhill speed after a lift drop might give you an adrenaline jolt, but it can also be dangerous and require serious skill. Conversely, cross country skiing doesn’t rely on slopes for you to move, so safety reigns. In fact, it’s so safe, it doesn’t even require a helmet! Plus, your equipment is lightweight and easy to handle.
The main tip I received as a first timer was to keep skis parallel. Additionally, to stay in the ski tracks left by other skiers. And other than immediately trying to walk backward, I didn’t fall but once that day.
We found that if you have a moderate sense of balance, cross country skiing is just as safe as summer hiking. It’s even better if you’re a pole hiker and are used to the arm movements.
6. No Waiting in Line for Lifts
Did we mention there are no hills required for cross country skiing? This also means no lifts. Last season we waited anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour in line for the ski lifts at our resort. Where six converging lines comprised mostly of loud teens are not governed by people nor logic.
Then we tried cross country skiing, where everything is peaceful and there are no long lift lines. Lines in which to patiently await a trip up the mountain just to complete a short 60 second run.
Truly, not to be blunt, but even if your only reason to try cross country is a break from backpack speakers. Or to experience a run that isn’t littered with mini Fireball bottles, just get out there.
7. Comfortable Boots
If you’ve ever tried to shove your feet into stiff downhill ski boots, you know how unforgiving they can be. Walking in them is also a joke, one that you get use to by the end of the season.
Conversely, cross country ski boots feel like a pair of high-top sneakers in comparison. They are simple, ankle-high, and supple, so your feet can remain cozy and bend with your movement.
8. Dogs are Welcome
If your dog misses long summer walks, don’t hesitate to bring them along for the ski.
Most cross country trails welcome dogs, and because you aren’t on an aggressive downhill, it’s easy to handle them on a leash.
It may be awkward at first as your pup gets used to the momentum and pace. But, most dogs enjoy the brisk skiing and keep to their side or to the front.
Rarely do I see psychotic [but adorable] dogs like mine on the trail darting between legs and causing a crash. But, if you don’t have a shiba inu, you may be ok. So, of the 13 reasons to start cross country skiing, this is the least important to us since our dog is impossible. However, we’ve gone with a friend’s dog and it was very peaceful.
On the bright side, crashes are much less painful than on downhill skis. Especially if you land in deep snow off trail.
For the moments of occasional breaks, check out our post on Best Lightweight Hiking Binoculars.
9. Bonding with Family and Friends
It’s hard to have a conversation over the icy wind whipping past you on a downhill track. Nordic skiing allows you and friends to continue a conversation at your own pace and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s also a great bonding experience if you’re all trying it out for your first time. Because it’s intuitive and slow paced, learning together is both hilarious and thrilling. Be sure to work your way toward a short hill for added ridiculousness.
10. It’s Inexpensive
Obvious benefits aside, cross country is also inexpensive, with most parks and resorts renting equipment for under $20 per person.
In fact, here in Ohio, one park rents boots, skis, and poles for just $5 per hour. Plus, it’s even cheaper for children younger than 13 years.
Yes, it’s more expensive than wading through snowy trails in your winter boots, but that’s not nearly as fun. And when compared to $60-100 for downhill ski equipment, plus a $40 lift ticket, cross country skiing is very accessible.
Usually trekking poles are included in your cross country ski rental. However, for practice or to bring just in case, check out our post on Best Trekking Poles for Hiking.
11. Hills
While Nordic skiing doesn’t rely on hills, you may encounter an occasional slope and dip. This is what makes cross country skiing so mentally and physically thrilling!
Our first time out included a pretty long, but gradual slope and it brought to mind childhood sledding thrills. Just remember to keep your skis straight and ‘pizza pie’ if you are gaining too much speed.
12. Bug-Free Trails
It may not have crossed your mind, but hiking in the winter isn’t only about getting out of the house. Imagine if you will, traveling your favorite trails without annoying gnat clouds that always want to fly in your face. Or the obnoxious mosquito attacks and being dive-bombed by horse flies.
If you’re on board with a zero-bug sport, why not try cross-country skiing? you can leave the bug spray at home!
13. It’s Fun
It’s probably evident by now that we really enjoyed our cross country skiing trip last season. Moreover, for only $5 and 1 hour I got a better workout than an entire month of my gym membership, at half the price. Plus, I know a great date spot for next season.
If you’re skiing in the day, bring binoculars to observe local wildlife. And, maybe pack a lunch, as most parks include a fire pit gathering area to enjoy as a family.
And finally, because cross country skiis are arguably more comfortable than hiking boots, it’s even easier to have fun!
Suit up and Get Out There
We love winter hiking, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing, so naturally we wanted to try cross country. So, when we were asked to go with a friend, we were completely shocked at how easy and thrilling the sport was. A sport, which we had always considered for the uber-fit. As it turns out, you don’t have to be super fit to start, but you may just become super fit after a few times out on nordic skiis.
Observing the rhythmic glide of cross country skiing from a distance may have led you to put it at the bottom of your winter activities list … but, as you can see, the health benefits within this underrated sport are undeniable. From the heart-pumping, full body workout benefits, to the ease, safety, and peace of the trail, cross country skiing is an activity that will have you looking forward to winter .
Title Image Credit, 13 Reasons to Start Cross Country Skiing: Yellowstone National Park | (source) | Public Domain Mark 1.0 — reduced file size and image
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