You love the mountains but hurtling down the slopes all schuss, it’s not your thing? Cross-country skiing can be an alternative: this Nordic discipline is very good for your well-being and your health!
More endurance, less trauma
Responsible for the development of cross-country skiing on behalf of the French Ski Federation, Christian Frossard does not hesitate to praise its merits: “It is an aerobic activity that works the cardio-respiratory and cardiovascular systems intensely or moderately depending on your practice, he explains. In addition, like all endurance sports, it burns fat if the exercise is long enough and sustained.
But its greatest advantage is elsewhere: “Unlike alpine skiing or running, for example, there are no shocks in cross-country skiing. The idea is to slide. So we have much less joint and muscle trauma !” Not to mention more serious accidents: “In alpine skiing, you pick up speed very quickly, and that’s where the problems come in. In cross-country skiing, the courses are relatively easy. It’s a very accessible sport, because it’s a kind of slippery walk.”
Beginners: take lessons and prepare before you go
However, avoid getting started on the slopes without having taken a few lessons beforehand. And this for two reasons : “First of all, the courses are hilly and there are sometimes small descents. The ideal is therefore to know how to do a little snowploughing and turns, details Christian Frossard. In addition, the ski is narrower than in the alpine, and the heel is not caught in a binding. This freedom of movement may surprise you.” In short, don’t hesitate to turn to the ski schools before setting off on your outing: “Two or three half-day lessons will suffice. You will learn the basics. Then it will take some practice to acquire speed and be more efficient.”
Moreover, don’t forget to prepare yourself physically. Admittedly, you may not be planning to cross the Alps, but arriving in good shape will allow you to better enjoy: “In the month preceding the stay, I recommend at least three sessions of 45 min to one hour of walking in hilly terrain. The idea being to vary the paces so that your body gets used to chaining efforts.” There you go, you know everything, and the mountains are just waiting for you!
Thanks to Christian Frossard, Head of cross-country skiing development at the French Ski Federation.
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