A Beginner's Guide to Cross Country Skiing

In late December, the snow gods smiled upon us and blessed us with a massive snow fall which wasn’t ideal for driving conditions but did result in the official opening of the East Village Nordic Loop, a 1km cross-country ski loop on the Fort Calgary lands in East Village.

Cross country skiing isn’t a new activity. There are historical records dating it back 5 millennia as an important transportation method in Scandinavia. The act itself, along with the equipment, have both evolved drastically over the years catapulting cross-country skiing into the popular recreation activity it is today.

However, if you’ve never skied before, it might feel a bit intimidating to know where and how to get started. We reached out to Tanya Koob, administrator of the popular Cross Country Skiing YYC Facebook group, who breaks down some of the myth and mystery behind the sport.

What inspired you to first get started cross-country skiing and what do you love about it?

I was introduced to cross-country skiing as a child when my mother used to take my brother and I out to ski on the Nordic trails near our home in Northern Alberta. We used old fashioned wooden skis with three pin bindings and used to ski in jeans with socks pulled up over our knees. Clearly the sport has come a long ways since I was a child!

I took a break for many years during my youth and young adult years, but returned to cross-country skiing again after moving to Calgary in 2000, when I got married to a man who had himself just taken up the sport.

I’ve always found cross-country skiing to be a calming, peaceful sport and even as a child I loved the fresh air, the smell of nature around me, and the feeling that came from being outside. It has become my favourite sport and I’d ski year round if I could.

Can you describe the cross-country ski community in Calgary?

The cross-country ski community here in Calgary is vibrant and very diverse. It’s a sport that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users from families with small children all the way up to seniors looking for a way to stay active and fit. It’s also a popular activity and so you’ll often pass friends while you’re out skiing, with multiple kids following each other down the trail.

Can you describe the difference between classic cross-country skiing and skate-skiing and what would you recommend for beginners?

I have personally never tried skate skiing and have always been a classic skier. I feel that this is the best path for new skiers because most trails around Calgary are not groomed for skate skiing. Skate skiing requires a trail that is generally only single track set with a large groomed area where the skier can skate side to side (like a speed skater on ice skates). Skate skiing requires very specific skis and boots so a beginner needs to decide up front which kind of skiing he/she/they wants to get into.

Purchasing classic skis allows the skier more options for where to ski. For example, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis is a beautiful place to cross-country ski, but it doesn’t have a single trail groomed for skate skiing. I’d advise beginners to invest in classic gear where they’ll find the learning curve to be lower as well. Skate skiing requires a much greater fitness level and more skill before one can thoroughly enjoy the sport. Meanwhile, skiers can quickly get the hang of classic skiing with one or two lessons (or even just a friend showing them the basics).

What gear do you need to get started?

To get started skiing you’ll need a set of skis with bindings and boots that fit the bindings (there are a couple of different kinds of bindings so I recommend visiting a reputable ski store when getting started so that you buy the right kind of boots for your skis). You’ll also need a set of poles and then wax for your skis if you choose to go with waxable skis (I myself use waxless skis).

A ski store will help you choose the correct length of both skis and poles for your height, and will make sure that the skis are suited to your weight as well.

What kind of trails should a beginner be looking for?

A beginner wants to start with flat trails that don’t have any hilly terrain. The East Village Nordic Loop downtown is also perfect for a beginner skier. Both the Confederation Park and Shaganappi Point Golf Courses in Calgary have trails that are perfect for new skiers. In Kananaskis, there is a nice short beginner loop behind Kananaskis Village or new skiers will enjoy skiing on the Bill Milne Trail. For other suggestions, check out the story I wrote on the Best Beginner Cross-Country Ski Trails Near Calgary.

Is there any cross-country skiing etiquette to know before you go?

Basic etiquette would include always passing a slower skier on his or her left in the wide groomed area between the tracks. A beginner skier should never have to step out of the tracks for a faster skier. It is that skier’s responsibility to get out of the tracks to pass. And if you need to take a break, you want to take off or add a layer of clothing, you want a snack, etc. it’s important that you step out of the tracks off to the side of the trail so that others can get by. This is especially important on hills or around blind corners.

Know that most groomed ski trails do not allow dogs, but you can ski at West Bragg Provincial Park with your dog. Your pet needs to be on a leash in and around the parking lot but otherwise can be off leash as long as he or she is well behaved and not disturbing other trail users. (It is dangerous to other users if your dog runs at them for example while they are trying to ski). Dogs are also allowed on the trails around Ribbon Creek and Kananaskis Village, but they must be on leash at all times. And as a general reminder, please always pick up after your dog while out skiing.

How long is the cross-country ski season in Calgary?

The cross-country ski season here usually starts around mid-November (sometimes earlier) and lasts until the beginning of April (if you drive to Lake Louise). In Kananaskis we don’t usually ski past the end of March. If you’re desperate for early or late season snow, Lake Louise is your best bet for finding a trail to ski.

If you could give a beginner only one piece of key advice, what would it be?

Have fun! Don’t be afraid to fall, laugh a lot, never forget the chocolate at home (and a giant bag of candy if you have kids) and bring a ton of fun trail snacks including hot chocolate or tea.

Rapid Fire Resource Recommendations: Tools/Resources for Newbies
Cross-country ski blog: Skier Bob
Where to go for lessons: Cross Country Ski YYC
Any recommended online videos/tutorials: Nordic Ski Lab
Community Connections: Cross Country Skiing YYC Facebook Group
Where to go for equipment: Norseman Outdoor Specialist Calgary (purchase and rental) & Life Sport Calgary (purchase only)

And just for fun:
Favourite movie featuring a cross-country ski moment: True North

It’s a mockumentary about a group of Manitobans who ski up to the Alpine Club of Canada’s Bow Hut on the Icefields Parkway and at least one of them uses skinny skis (something you’d never do in real life). In reality I’m sure they’re amazing skiers and fully prepared for the trip, but the movie is pretty funny.

The East Village Nordic Loop is a groomed 1km free cross-country ski track, in partnership with Fort Calgary and Foothills Nordic Ski Club. Grab Life by the Poles and enjoy cross-country skiing (and snowshoeing) in the city! To find out more about the loop and how to access it, read more here.

A Beginner's Guide to Cross-Country Skiing