Classic vs Skate Skiing: What's right for you?

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[@bladerunner1458]

Thank you for the comparison. I started with classic skis 50 years ago and have progressed to skate skiing which I’ve mainly do now. If it’s very cold I find classic ski to be better. I found that skate skiing uses all my muscles, is more demanding on energy level, is smother and easier on your joints and keeps my balance sharp in my older age, it keep me young and I hope I can continue to skate ski for many years to come.

[@jozsefberta2610]

How come skate skiing is smoother on your knee joints? I really am interested.

[@bladerunner1458]

The back and forth of ski movement in Nordic skiing changes the momentum of the knee. When skate skiing there in little back and forth movement and it’s more rotational and smother. When I first started skate skiing I did notice some stress on the tendons around the knee joint and some on area muscles. The stress strengthened my knees and the area muscles without impact type forces. It took time but I became a better skate skier. It also increases your lung capacity and cardio. I wish I took it up 50 years ago and I’d probably be much faster today.

[@jozsefberta2610]

@@bladerunner1458 makes sense, however I am concerning about the side push to affect my cartilage hiatused knee...

[@bladerunner1458]

@@jozsefberta2610 I Don’t know much about physiology, however I would take it one step at a time and see how it works for you. It took a while and In time I noticed that my knee was much stronger and resilient to injury in my many other activities. Anytime I felt pain of any kind I would always back off a bit. I’m careful and listen to my body and make adjustments to strengthen things slowly. Have fun snow has arrived.

[@shellybortolotto810]

Thank you this was very helpful and informative. I love how you broke down all the different factors in both.

[@patricktracy9947]

Used to be an avid rollerblader many years ago and am hoping to make the jump to skate skiing. Thanks for the video.

[@timmcglinn9227]

your videos are excellent. I particularly like that you clarify/explain things like how the 'kick' is not really a kick, it makes the sport more accessible.

[@Music7ube]

wow, great video. Love the parallell videos going back and forward going through the movement! thanks

[@davidfantle6721]

Very nice video. I'd like to add a comment for beginners that while classic technique is easier to begin with, as at its most basic level, it is like walking, it is more difficult to master at an advanced level than skate techniques are. Once the skating timing and weight transfer begin to 'click', most people can progress to advanced skiing fairly quickly, where as it may take years and possibly coaching to develop expert classic technique.

[@floriankienle457]

Would agree with that. Never really felt efficient or smooth on classic skis. Started skate skiing a few years ago and felt pretty good after only a few days of practice.

[@c.c.6760]

This was an excellent and very informative video, thank you so much!

[@rahulrane1658]

Thank you for all the information.

[@souleymanediarra5565]

Brilliant video with not a single superfluous image or word and every salient detail included. Some years back I threw myself in the deep end on the strength of 30 seasons prior mostly back-country xc ski-touring/ telemarking experience by renting a pair of skating skis and entering a birkebeiner 21km event which happened to have a no break 5km uphill section. I am certain this presentation will contribute to a better result next time. Been a fan of NSL for a few years now. Thank you for your consistent quality.

[@valecupa6405]

Great video, very helpful not only for beginners! Greetings from the Italian Alps

[@VILHELM1221]

Awesome instructional video. Beautiful area too

[@vxnguye]

Fantastic description! Thank you.

[@kevinriordan5022]

Wowzers, very well instructed!

[@AriannaAyers]

What an excellent video! I tried Classic Cross Country skiing when I was 13 years old, no tracks, no training. I was in the best shape of my life then, and couldn't go but 1 city block. Fast forward several decades, with an enthusiast to help do some light coaching, and tracks, and I did cross country skiing in Royal Gorge, North America's largest cross country ski areas for HOURS right off the bat. What a feeling of freedom, and exhilaration! I highly recommend trying both - for me skate skiing will be next - get out, and enjoy the outdoors, and feel like you can do anything at any point in life. Thank you for sharing the magic of wintertime! ❤

[@downhillupside]

Skate skiing is a lot of fun. I've been a downhill skier for most of my life and was used to skate skiing with downhill skies, which really relies on the blades digging in to the snow. I found out very quickly that this is not the case with cross country. You REALLY need to focus on consistent technique in order to be successful. That said, I had it figured out after a couple hours and was able to zoom around the nordic areas at a good clip. I really enjoyed it and look forward to trying it again.

[@mufalo]

This was very interesting as a downhill skiier who has to use a skate method to get around on flats, due to my heel being attached to the ski as well. I want to try it with cross country, which i have never tried before.

[@stuartbee7968]

You did a great job!

[@timmccurry9295]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@TheJennivision1]

Really well done!!

[@remembertomorrow6737]

Wow, thank you. Masterclass, Greetings from Spain

[@viarnay]

Ya semos dos :- B

[@arnauddechatre6564]

Thank you for this clear and exhaustive description, and giving technical, fitness and "motivational" advice. Now I can choose with a peaceful mind.

[@jadoncampbell2740]

what did you pick?

[@bigbobbelberni]

simply enjoy both styles... 👍🏻😊❄️☃️

[@MMRobinsonHS]

Perfect videos to describe the differences between the two activities. I showed my high school students since we live far enough away that many students don't even know what x/c skiing could be.. We have been trying classic skiing the last three days. We have a very old stock of three pin boots and bindings. lol

[@NordicSkiLab]

What a coincidence! I went to MMR in grade 9, before my family moved to Alberta. I used to ski every day after school on Tyandaga golf course, behind my house.

[@fayegee9894]

Great video and well done..... I have been down hill skier for years, but now cross country in my older age...had motorcycle accident and therefore not able to downhill, but i can cross country and given my balance issues..cross country is perfect in stabalizing my balance and get the outdoor exercise i need as well. Thanks again for the tips

[@acperak]

I never had Skis on my feet before. Went skiing for the first time yesterday and it turned out to be a cross country course. I must've annoyed a lot of people. Fell atleast 20 times hahaha, This video helped me a lot, really excited to try it again this week.

[@FlyWithMe_666]

Well, you’ll also need to check whether your area offers classic and/or skate tracks. Here in my area in Scandinavia, classic tracks are easily accessbile everywhere during winter as they require less space. For skating, there are much fewer prepared tracks available, as normal hiking paths are not wide enough to fit both classic and skating during winter. Then you typcially only get classic tracks.

[@xtran81]

Great video! Thanks!

[@xact3855]

Great resource! 👍

[@janinerosenke5463]

Thank you for your videos.

[@NordicSkiLab]

So nice of you

[@billie8804]

thank you for this video!

[@marjohn3449]

This is a detailed comparison of both techniques; obviously, the presenter of this video knows what she is talking about very well. Very useful comments for beginners. I agree with her: Start with what appeals more to you, and try the other technique later, too. (And I am very glad that you do the techniques in an excellent way. Very motivating, also for experienced XC skiers :-)

[@NordicSkiLab]

Thank you :)

[@guillaumedupuis777]

3:30 is gold (... and my problem :) ). thanks !

[@leifmeadows3782]

Excellent video. I started nearly 16 years ago with classic and have always wondered about skate skiing, because I am a figure skater and I have been wondering if there's any crossover skill. If the movements are similar to ice skating. It kinda looks like they're similar, and I would mainly need to figure out what to do with the poles.

[@z0uLess]

I find the opportunities I have to skate ski is very rare, even though I own a pair for both styles and I try to get some workouts with my skate skis every season ... there are always some stretches were skate skiing is difficult and I end up using the classic skis almost every trip for that reason ... If you like to go round in circles on a stadium I suppose you could have a go at skate skiing, else just stick to a pair of good allround skis that you actually can skate a little with as well just to switch it up in your training. My classic skis have metal edges all the way through the ski, though, so skating with them works pretty well.

[@chrystalfizer9332]

This is a very interesting video. I am extremely duck-footed and have zero balance with my feet in parallel. I've almost fallen on my ass by just standing in one place. I think skate skiing would be super fun.

[@gabriellloyd]

Nice video!

[@NordicSkiLab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johannageissler9514]

I love those videos. They are of excellent technical & instructional quality Question: do you consider Inlineskating a good summer training for skate skiing ? Or does it cause wrong technique ? NB: I would like to avoid the long "skirollers" that competitive skiers are using.

[@NordicSkiLab]

Thanks, Johanna. If you want to use inline skates and make them seem more like roller skis, you should imagine they have the length of a ski. You can roll through the ball of the foot on an inline skate, but if you do that on a ski, the tip of the ski will dive into the snow. So, watch your feet. How are you unweighting the foot? Through the ball of the foot? - Not good, if you want it to be like skate skiing. Through the entire inner line of the foot? - Good, if you want it to be more like skate skiing.

[@johannageissler9514]

@@NordicSkiLab Thank you for the promt answer. I will pay attention to this point

[@hawkthetraveler6344]

Thank you! Where was this filmed?

[@andresbeltran7142]

Question !! If you wanted to go into the back country (not down hill ) and explore logging roads and do winter camping, would skate skiing be better suited as you won't always have neat track ? OR could the calssic skiing linear movement allow you to push a little more through snow pack and have steady progress ?

[@NordicSkiLab]

What you are describing is a type of backcountry, or off skier set skiing. Skate skiing is not the right choice in that situation. You should choose backcountry skis, which will work more like classic skis in that the skis will stay parallel to one another. You'll want a wider ski, likely with metal edges. Ask for advice from a Nordic Ski Shop.

[@MisterTMH]

@@NordicSkiLab Get a pair of Madhsus Epoch or Annum BC XC skis. You can ski anywhere on them and carry a camping pack. The width of the ski with the pattern base and metal edges will permit greater floatation over the snow surface even if it has not been groomed, even with extra weight on your back .The bindings you choose to match the boots should be suitable for the BC skis such as NNN BC boots and bindings.

[@joycolclough8169]

I naturally toe out bc of my hips and high arches...would it be best start with skate skiing?

[@lizakillen5455]

Great video - what are the differences as the skier is on a downhill?. Is it easier to control on classic or skate?

[@NordicSkiLab]

Skate ski are easier to control on the downhills.

[@kaurvirunurm]

Classic skis are are usually longer than skate skis, and this makes turns / control more awkward.

[@marcofrey2903]

What do you look for in terms of terrain with classic vs skate? Will the ski areas specify which one it's groomed for? I'm assuming skate ski trails must be smoother and harder packed? In that sense, is classic skiing a more versatile choice for both trail types? FYI, I live near the Catskill mountains.

[@NordicSkiLab]

Cross-country ski areas might have trails groomed for classic only or dual classic and skate. It's less likely that an area will have skate only grooming. You might want to tour your region and check out various venues to get a better idea of what's available close to where you live.

[@svenfischer9933]

Красивая техника👍🏻

[@AriannaAyers]

Question: I live 15 miles outside of NYC. Where can I get training in NY, NJ, CT, VT, or NH when I travel? Does your Lab have a "find the nearest coach" option?

[@NordicSkiLab]

Not really. Many of our members are coaches and we have a community forum (member only) where members can connect and ask each other questions. You might find an instructor there, but I can’t promise.

[@mbcline]

This is really well presented. Does anyone know what software was used to pause and draw over the video here?

[@NordicSkiLab]

Coach's Eye app

[@mbcline]

@@NordicSkiLab Cool, thank you!

[@ml_haskell3854]

I wonder about going straight to skate. I'm an old lady, but I skate with my downhill skis to get through flats, or just to speed up through a snoozy stretch. My downhill skis are fat and wide, and rolling to the inside edge has just about no risk of snagging the tip into the snow. Also, in downhill, my heel is fixed, and my foot is just about molded into the boot. This gives me a lot of direct control of the ski. So, perhaps the two techniques are comparing apples and oranges. Perhaps Nordic Ski Lab can comment on the relation of the two methods of skating

[@NordicSkiLab]

Happy to reply. First, why label yourself "old lady"? If skate appeals to you, then go for it. Neither your age nor gender qualifies or disqualifies you. Regarding "skating" on alpine skis, that skill is almost irrelevant to skate skiing. Don't expect it to give you a head start. Think of starting from a blank slate and be prepared to climb a new learning curve. You definitely can do it, if you want to.

[@ml_haskell3854]

@@NordicSkiLab Thank you so much for your reply. I *am* old, so I say so. Age is a factor for taking up a new sport. Hairs in the inner ear give mammals a sense of balance and coordination. As you may know, as we age, the hairs wear down, affecting our sense of balance, often diminishing it. When I was young, I coached older athletes in another sport, and I saw "old man posture" all day long: a man who used his shoulders to balance, instead of his bum and his hips. "Old man posture" significantly affected performance. It takes the older athlete a lot of extra effort to continually re-train their bodies to keep balance. Sometimes, that inner ear loss cannot be overcome, and some activities that put a premium on balance must be given up. Like, say, skateboarding, unicycling, or single scull rowing. I'm going to look into rollerskis for skating, and give those a try, so I can condition now for the winter. Thank you!

[@stevendeckert6373]

@@ml_haskell3854 Skate rollerskiing is quite a bit more difficult than skate skiing on snow. I wouldn't recommend learning to skate ski on rollerskis because it hurts a lot more when you fall, and you can't really stop.

[@paulblichmann2791]

Most adult women who Classic ski don't really "ski" persay....they just walk with skis on. They basically just use skis as snowshoes.

[@jozsefberta2610]

Hey Nordic Ski Lab! I do Classic because I am affraid of skate style is harder to my multiple time operated knees. Can you tell me which one is better for knee and hip joints?

[@NordicSkiLab]

I'm sure it depends on your particular issue, but if I had to bet, I would say that classic will be easier on your knees than skate.

[@jozsefberta2610]

@@NordicSkiLab thanks, I value your quick reply :-)

[@jamesbondaygee]

Nice description...but what about the ski difference? Is there a different binding for each?

[@NordicSkiLab]

Yes. The skis, binding and poles are different. Usually skiers have different skate and classic boots too, but you can buy a combi boot to use for both skate and classic. A combi boot is also called a pursuit boot.

[@kaurvirunurm]

The skis are different, because classic skis must have a grip area, and their stiffness must be exactly fit for your weight and strength. Skate style poles are somewhat longer. However, for an amateur, a single pair of boots will and single pair of poles will do. But you absolutely must have two (or more) pairs of skis if you want to go both styles.

[@grtchldy6561]

Q. If I’m an avid downhill skier will skate skiing be easier for me? I kinda do that motion anyway when I’m on the flats. I’m I correct in this assumption? I’ve not yet tried either style of Nordic. I’m an avid cyclist so strong leg muscles. Good balance because I learned to ice skate as a 5 year old.

[@NordicSkiLab]

The mechanics of a skate ski are significantly different from an alpine ski. I think you will get some payoff from your experiences sliding on snow and ice, but don't be surprised or discouraged if you find it harder than it looks. This video explains more about the mechanics of the equipment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/paqYdH5sadJlaNU

[@brendancycling12]

which of the two types of skiing is it easier to get comfortable in the shortest time window?

[@NordicSkiLab]

Classic skiing.

[@double_bacon_cheemsburbger3820]

Can yoy do diagonal without tracks? I would like to begin but don't have many groomed trails by me

[@NordicSkiLab]

Yes, you can. Your skis will make the tracks. Ski in a loop so you can enjoy the tracks you make.

[@herb_2]

Personally I prefer classic skiing "off track". Its a bit more adventurous because you have the freedom to go where you want. This is sometimes called back country skiing. Some will get a special, wide ski for this but then you aren't able to use them on groomed/tracked trails. I just use a wide classic ski that I can do either if I want.

[@kaurvirunurm]

With certain weather conditions all the lanscape will freeze over and develop a "crust" of hard snow that you can ski over. Happen in March around here (in Estonia) when the sun is already high but the nights are still cold. This is the best time of all! You can go in any direction, fast, without sinking in - a freedom that you cannot enjoy in any other way or time, (or maybe with a mountain bike). I have Hagan offtrace hiking skis, but the "crust skiing" can be done with normal skate style skis as well.

[@johnmartin5240]

Diagonal gate not stride. In a lope.

[@TJ042]

I notice that competitive XC skiers use much longer poles than recreational skiers.

[@kaurvirunurm]

This simply means that recreational skiers do not put enough attention and money into the poles. Also many casual skiers end the arms push way too early, so the push stays way shorter than it could and should be.

[@joboring8397]

I like classic but I don't want to look like a dork.

[@paulblichmann2791]

I love it when there's no grooming and it's ADULT SWIM without the skating dorks!!!! Go rollerblading instead, you flamers!

[@znfl9564]

I am very sorry but this was not helpful to me at all. 12 minutes of commentation over the same repeating 2 second clip isn't providing me with enough visual to analyze.

[@evicaf4e]

Hello, did you ever seen cross-country skiing in real life?