I grew up in Minneapolis, so I can say this for sure: Winter is more bearable when you have something to look forward to. We knew it was going to get dark and cold for five months, so you either embraced the opportunities snow brought—pond hockey, snowmobiles, and skiing—or bought a timeshare in Orlando. As a young kid with poor hand–puck coordination, I was put on skis by my parents. The sport opened up a new side of Minnesota. I could now glide through silent white forests and trek up frozen creeks I’d fished a season before. Here’s how to begin exploring the snow-covered world outside your back door.

1. Where to Start

Visit a cross-country ski center with groomed trails, rent some gear, and try it out. These carved tracks eliminate 90 percent of your worries about sailing off into the woods because they keep your skis pointed forward, says Drew Gelinas, the Nordic ski director at Vermont’s Edson Hill, a lodge near Stowe with more than 15 miles of trails. They also offer lessons, which significantly accelerate your learning.

2. The Varieties

Groomed Trails: They’re like skiing on rails. Using a heavyweight or hydraulic press, a groomer carves a hip-width double track into the snow. Each track measures 70mm wide, enough to accommodate most cross-country skis (except backcountry skis, which are wider). In addition to keeping your skis straight, the tracks guide you around turns.

Backcountry: Anything off a groomed trail counts as backcountry. That means your local golf course (avoid the greens), parks, and frozen lakes in addition to ungroomed trails. Skiing without a set track requires significantly more balance, but wider skis will aid stability.

Skate Skiing: Performed on wide, groomed lanes, this technique mimics the fluid, side-to-side motion of skating. It’s faster but requires stiffer skis, longer poles, more supportive boots—doubling your ski gear—and a hell of a lot more balance. Start with rentals and a lesson.

3. The Basic Movements

The basic cross-country technique, the diagonal stride, is like a powerful walk with help from your arms. And if you get tired, you can always downgrade to actual walking.

Glide: If you’re comfortable walking on skis, add glide. Step forward and transfer your weight to your front ski, compressing its kick zone, the area just in front of and under your boots that grips the snow. Pull the ski back like you’re scraping a shoe on the ground to propel yourself forward. Drive the opposite ski forward, transferring your weight onto it and enjoying a brief, free ride along the snow.

Use Your Arms: Plant your pole with the basket in line with the opposite foot and your arm extended in front of your shoulder. Your arms should swing front-to-back-to-front like pendulums, providing momentum as they come forward. Practice this by holding your poles midshaft and only using them to prevent a fall. This will also improve your balance and leg drive on each ski.

Go Uphill: When trails get steep, your kick zone won’t provide enough traction. The herringbone technique, which looks just like the pattern, can ascend any grade. Turn your feet out to form a V with your skis, and walk up the hill, planting your pole behind your boot.

4. How To Buy Skis

Your weight is the main factor in selecting skis, which are essentially leaf springs. When you step down on one ski, you want the kick zone to collapse and bite the snow. While gliding along with your weight on both skis, you want the kick zone floating above the track. Shorter skis are easier to control, so when in doubt, size down.

Best for Groomed Trails: Fischer Ultralite Crown EF

Best for Backcountry: Madshus BC 55 MGV+

5. The Rest of the Gear

Poles: Your poles should come up to your armpits. If you’re going to ski backcountry, opt for a larger basket to get traction in powder. The Swix Classic($40) works well in both situations. To properly use the strap, bring your hand through from below and tighten it enough that you can let go of the pole when your arm is extended back. This boosts your power and range of motion.

Boots: Cross-country skiing needlessly offers two incompatible binding systems (SNS and NNN). Neither has a real advantage, but the Salomon Escape 7 ($135) is available with either interface and adds an ankle cuff for stability. Backcountry skiers should buy taller, more supportive boots (like a hiking boot) with a gaiter ring.

Clothes: You’re going to fall a lot and sweat a lot, so wear water-resistant layers that breathe, says Gelinas. Our favorites are the Swix Universal pants ($99), Black Diamond First Light Hybrid hoody ($229), Smartwool PhD light base layers (top, $80; bottoms, $85), and Gore Windstopper boxers ($40)—for the last place you want frostbite.

Article written by Matt Allyn and reposted with permission from Popular Mechanics

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