Often in the shadow of alpine skiing and sometimes suffering from a somewhat outdated image, cross-country skiing is nevertheless a sporting discipline that is much more demanding than it seems. So let's dust off this complete sport. On track !
Cross-country skiing: an ancient sport
Cross-country skiing has been around for a very long time and was invented and used initially as a mode of transport in Scandinavian countries. It even allowed the discovery of distant lands, such as Greenland. Today, whether recreational or sporting, its practice allows you to indulge in real physical exercise, while enjoying a very often very privileged setting, just like other types of Nordic skiing, such as ski touring.
What equipment do I need for cross-country skiing?
Cross-country skis are narrow and fairly light skis, without edges, unlike alpine skis. They are equipped with small bindings only at the front, in which you just slide the tab that is at the front of your shoe.
When you are used to downhill skiing and therefore to feeling well attached to your ski, this new feeling of having your heel free is quite disturbing. Beware of falling forward, especially on the descents where the sensations are increased tenfold due to this precarious and destabilizing balance.
Once equipped, on the track!
Two disciplines make up cross-country skiing:
- The alternate or classic step. It is the one that is practiced by beginners because its approach is very similar to natural walking, where you advance the arm opposite to the leg. The skis are placed in rails which are worked beforehand by a machine, and they are equipped with small scales to retain them with the rise.
- The skater's step, or skating, is similar to the duck's slippery step and is rather reserved for amateurs. It is practiced with smooth skis and a little shorter than the previous ones.
Cross-country skiing opens your lungs….
Whatever the discipline chosen, cross-country skiing is a complete sport, which involves the whole body. The arms and abdominals work, via support on a pair of sticks, to help progress, especially uphill. One of the keys to being a good cross-country skier is to manage your breathing and your endurance well, because cross-country skiing requires very high respiratory power, like cycling or rowing. So don't forget to breathe, otherwise beware of side stitches!
Cross-country skiing sites
Large plateaus at the bottom of the valley or at altitude, the cross-country skiing sites are often of great beauty. In Tarentaise, the most emblematic sites are undoubtedly Pont Baudin in Peisey and Champagny le Haut, both gateways to the Parc de la Vanoise and competing in pure naturalness. They allow you to rub shoulders with forests, small streams, mountain pasture households, large expanses and why not glaciers, to delight the contemplative that lies dormant in each of us. Far from the hustle and bustle of the ski lifts, alpine ski slopes where speed is essential and the sometimes dense attendance, it is the silence and tranquility that challenge when you arrive in these Nordic areas, ready to put on your shoes. The relationship to the mountains, to nature is somewhat modified. So to help you manage the effort to provide and to put some balm in your heart, do not forget to look up and contemplate your surroundings.
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The advantages of an all-inclusive stay in a luxury chalet
An all-inclusive stay in a luxury chalet in Savoie is an excellent choice for those looking to live a dream vacation experience, combining the discovery of winter sports activities such as cross-country skiing with exceptional equipment. , an ideal location and the flexibility of a tailor-made service.
Pointe de sel aims to offer you unforgettable holidays. Consult us to find your ideal chalet stay for your family holidays in Savoie.
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