Cross-country skiing

This article is about cross-country skiing in general. For the competitive aspects, see Cross-country skiing (sport).

Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiers in western Norway.
NicknamesCross-country, XC skiing, Nordic skiing
Characteristics
TypeOutdoor winter sport
EquipmentSkis, poles, boots, bindings

Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of travel. Variants of cross-country skiing are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for the sport.

Modern cross-country skiing is similar to the original form of skiing, from which all skiing disciplines evolved, including alpine skiing, ski jumping and Telemark skiing. Skiers propel themselves either by striding forward (classic style) or side-to-side in a skating motion (skate skiing), aided by arms pushing on ski poles against the snow. It is practised in regions with snow-covered landscapes, including Europe, Canada, Russia, the United States, Australia[1] and New Zealand.[2]

Competitive cross-country skiing is one of the Nordic skiing sports. Cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship are the two components of biathlon. Ski orienteering is a form of cross-country skiing, which includes map navigation along snow trails and tracks.[3][4]

  1. ^ Hampel, Ian (1988). Australian Cross Country Skiing. Kangaroo Press. ISBN 9780864171993. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. ^ Broadbent, James (2004). New Zealand Backcountry Skiing. New Zealand Alpine Club. ISBN 9780958242134. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  3. ^ Kunnskapsforlagets idrettsleksikon [Encyclopedia of Sports] (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. 1990. ISBN 82-573-0408-5.
  4. ^ Hindman, Steve (2005). Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-89886-862-3. Cross country ski paper test.