Nordic Fitness & Nordic Walking Instruction in Welwyn Garden City & St Albans

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** Cross-country Skiing Instruction in Switzerland & Norway with Nordic National Ski Teacher (ISIA) **
 
NEW - Skating at Hemel Snow Centre

Langlaufschule (Cross-country Ski School) Zuoz, Switzerland

Langlaufschule (Cross-country Ski School) Zuoz , Switzerland - Heathley is far left

Hemel Snow Centre

Exodus Cross-country Skiing Holidays

Cross-country Skiing - Classic  technique

Cross-country Skiing is, in the opinion of many exercise physiologists and researchers, the world's best aerobic fitness activity. The sport involves simultaneous use of arms and legs utilising ski equipment including boots, poles, and skis.

The Classic technique (also known as Traditional or Diagonal Stride) involves a straight-ahead gliding motion with each ski moving simultaneously. The thin, lightweight skis and comfortable soft boots makes the Classic technique an enjoyable introduction to Cross-country skiing.

As part of your instruction, you'll learn the following techniques:

- Diagonal Stride (the basis for Classic skiing, resembling running movements);

- Double Poling (arm and pole assisted forward movement, with no leg actions);

- Double Poling with Stride (linking Double Poling and Diagonal Stride);

- Transitions (alternating and blending techniques).

For complete beginners, other skills will also be covered (see below).

If you are interested in a Cross-country Skiing holiday, check out my recommended Partner.

Double Poling
Double Poling

Diagonal Stride
Diagonal Stride

Diagonal Stride
Diagonal Stride

Double Pole with Stride
Double Pole with Stride

Downhill Tuck (in track)
Downhill Tuck (in track)

Cross-country Skiing - Skating technique

The Skating technique (also known as Freestyle) involves a 'V'-style glide with the skis and edge motion much like ice skating or roller blading. It is more dynamic than the Classic technique. The thin, lightweight skis and comfortable soft boots makes the Skating technique an easy-to-learn introduction to Cross-country skiing.

As part of your instruction, you'll learn the following techniques:

- Basic Skate (the fundamentals of Skating);

Herringbone Skate (steep uphills);

- Skate 1 (paddling uphill);

- Skate 2 (arm and pole actions with each leg stride);

- Skate 3 (arm and pole actions with every other leg stride);

Freeskate (skiing without arm and pole assistance); 

- Transitions (alternating and blending techniques).

No previous skiing experience is required in order to learn Cross-country, however, for complete beginners basic techniques such as  sliding, falling and getting up, star and step turns, Ploughing, and safe stopping will be covered. We'll also look at the equipment, safety, and general fitness including warm-ups and stretching.

Downhill Parallel Turns
Downhill Parallel Turns

Snowplough
Snowplough

Freeskate (High Tuck)
Freeskate (High Tuck)

Skate 3
Skate 3

Skate 1 (Uphill)
Skate 1 (Uphill)

Skate 2
Skate 2

Freeskate ('Speed Skating')
Freeskate ('Speed Skating')

Skate 1
Skate 1

Instruction by Heathley in Norway and Switzerland
 
Join a private lesson or group instruction - for both Adults and Juniors. Click on either of the icons in the section at the top of this page for details of locations and dates available. Skis, poles and boots (for either Skating or Classic techniques) are available for hire, although you are welcome to use your own equipment.
 
Instruction is available for any level of skier - complete beginner or advanced - however, for beginners I recommend learning the Classic technique first.
 
Cross-country Skiing is an ideal compliment to Nordic Walking, or Nordic Blading, which provides for an alternative form of maintaining that Nordic spirit!

Teaching accredited by:
British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI)

Through BASI, member of:
International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA)

The number of people who are interested in Nordic Fitness:

Copyright: Heathley Clarke