How to Practice Cross-Country Skiing Etiquette and Safety

Make your skiing experience even better with a refresher course on skiing do's and don'ts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ski Sharpening Tools
• Ski Hats
• Ski Socks
• Ski Tuning Manuals
• Boot Bags
• Cross-country Ski Boots
• Cross-country Ski Poles
• Cross-country Skis
• Men's Ski Gloves
• Ski Bags
• Ski Clothing
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Pants
• Ski Storage Wax
• Ski Tuning Tools
• Ski Waxing Tools
• Women's Ski Gloves
• Women's Ski Jackets

1. Dress in layers that can be easily shed. Because cross-country skiing is an aerobic activity, you will warm up quickly.

2. Stay in line with your group. Make sure the group stays together, and keep an eye on stragglers in the rear.

3. Call "track" when you want to pass a skier. The other skier should move aside, allowing you to pass.

4. Move aside to let faster skiers pass you as they utter the aforementioned phrase.

5. Keep distances in mind. Every mile you ski out adds a mile to your return trip, so pace yourself accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Lessons can be helpful, but aren't necessary for cross-country skiing.
• Because cross-country skiing isn't as physically demanding or potentially dangerous as downhill skiing, it can make for a great family activity.
• Many agencies offer vacation packages. All of them offer the opportunity to ski while seeing the countryside.
• Pay special attention to distances, especially if you're a beginner. On the return trip, weariness can creep up on you, so don't push yourself to the point of exhaustion.

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on 11/22/2005 There was a "tip" on the X-C Ski etiquette article that said "lessons aren't necessary." I beg to differ with that. Cross-country skiing requires a specific technique that you are not going to figure out if you don't take lessons. The trails are full of tour skiers who are shuffling along, struggling to get up hills, and not negotiating downhills and turns successfully because they think skiing is supposed to be as easy as walking. To ski properly, you must completely trade your weight from one ski to the other, and you must "kick" down into the snow when your weight is directly above the ski and not in front of the ski. Learn to ski properly, and you will have much more fun.