The styles of cross-country skiing taught on Blue Vixen include the classic (Langlauf) style and the skating (free) style. Novices will start with the techniques of the classic style but may well be introduced to the skating style as the week progresses and the instructor becomes confident of their basic skiing abilities. Skating is not a requirement for the Bronze Award but those attempting Silver and Gold will have to be increasingly proficient in the skill.
Classic Style
There are a number of techniques used in the classic style:
Diagonal Stride is an exaggerated running technique that utilises both the kick from the rear leg and transfer of weight to the front leg to maintain a gliding action and thus elongate the effective stride. Balance is important although the poles used primarily for additional power can help maintain balance along with the alternating arm action. Although more experienced skiers will only use this technique on hills the novice will come to rely on it as the primary driving technique of the classic style.
Double Pole relies solely on the thrust provided through the poles. The legs remain relatively motionless save a bend in the knee to augment the driving force provided by the dropping of the upper body and the extension of the arms. Experienced skiers are sometimes seen to jump slightly to facilitate a stronger push. This technique is used mainly on downhill to flat sections of track.
Double Pole with Kick introduces a kick on either foot during the recovery phase as the poles are brought forward again. It is most often used on the flat or slight uphill section.
Herringbone is a technique used for climbing steep hills when the normal grip of the ski is insufficient to prevent the ski from slipping backwards. The skis are splayed out in a V-shape using the inside edges for grip. The poles are used to assist the climb. As a compromise the half-herringbone technique may also be used whereby one ski stays in the track and the other is angled out for grip.
These are the 4 main techniques but there are other skills you will require including snowploughing; for stopping and turning, the tuck; for efficient downhill and recovery, lane changing; for swapping from one track to another on the move, star turns; for turning around whilst stationary. There are other tips and tricks that your instructor will show you assist you along the way including the easy way to get back up on your feet after a fall.
Skating Style
The skating style is really an evolution of ice or roller skating techniques and those who are familiar with this kind of skating may find they have an advantage when learning the skating techniques employed in cross country skiing. One ski is angled out and the edge of that ski is driven sideways whilst the weight is transferred to the flat ski in the direction of travel. The poles are used to augment the skating action and may be used in several ways depending on the "gear" being used by the skier. The gear relates to the speed/terrain the skier is traversing and as with a car or bicycle a lower gear is chosen for steeper inclines. Most of the time is spent in gears 3 or 4 over flat or mildly undulating sections, using 2 for the steeper uphill sections and 5 mainly for downhill sections. Ideally, gear 1 is only used on very steep inclines. Quite often, alternative naming conventions may be used as described below:
GEAR 1 - aka Granny Skate or Single Pole is basically a herringbone technique which ideally should include a short glide.
GEAR 2 - aka V1 or Offset Skate is a wide-stance skating action accompanied by a slightly offset double pole to a single side on every alternate step.
GEAR 3 - aka V2 or 1-Skate uses a double pole with every step.
GEAR 4 - aka V2 Alternate or 2-Skate uses a double pole plant to a single side on each alternate step. This makes it less frantic than gear 3 allowing more time to recover the poles between strokes.
GEAR 5 - aka V Skate or Free Skate is skating without using the poles allowing recovery at speed on downhill sections.
The terminology for skating techniques can be confusing as there doesn't seem to be an established convention and so different instructors may use different terms.
Skating is generally faster than classic and over the years has become the more popular style. That said, classic style is an ideal starting point, the basics being easier to master than in skating. In addition, each technique exercises different muscles and world class skiers will continue to train in both disciplines to maintain overall condition.
It's important to note that learning to use these techniques really is only the beginning and refining them to a powerful efficient process takes much more practice. Each step up the ladder is an achievement in itself and discovering the next improvement can feel like somewhat of a revelation.