Origins of Skiing:
Before ski lifts were developed and before people thought skiing downhill could be much fun, cross country was the original form of skiing. People quickly realised that whether you were making your way to a neighbour’s home, exploring the polar regions, or transporting good across the country, skis were a very efficient mode of transport for countries blanketed by snow. It hasn’t always been a fun holiday sport, early forms of skiing were used by the military to travel long distances efficiently. This has now evolved into the winter Olympic sport; the biathlon, which combines cross country ski racing and shooting.
Many people don’t know just how old this form of travel is; there is evidence of ancient people skiing dating back to over 5000 years ago in Scandinavia, China and Siberia. Unfortunately, we haven’t found any skis left from this time. But we have found cave paintings depicting people skiing on planks of wood. The sport as we know it today wasn’t popularised or made more accessible until much later in the 1800s, though.
Originally, instead of a pole, skiers had a paddle-like object to help balance and steer them, since there were no such thing as edges that allowed the ski to turn independently. Some cultures even used their pole to act as a spear when hunting. Then much later on, 2 ski poles were used to improve balance.
Cross country skiing:
Cross country skiing is a discipline that falls under the sport Nordic skiing, but the terms are not interchangeable. Nordic skiing refers to a type of skiing, where the heel is not attached to the ski and lifts off. This includes can cross country and telemarking as well.
The first difference between alpine skiing and cross-country skiing that you might notice is the shape of the skis. Nordic skis are much thinner and longer than downhill skis, much like traditional alpine skis from 50 years ago. The bindings are also designed so that the heel of the foot is able to lift up. This means you can manoeuvre your legs more and gain speed on flat or downhill, without the help of a downhill slope propelling you forward.
Classic or Skating?
There are 2 styles of cross country skiing; classic and skating. In classic cross country, the skis remain parallel, and you are able to follow the tracks of those in front of you. This is also ideal for soft or freshly fallen snow. In skating, as the name would suggest, the movement is similar to ice skating, with the skis held in a v shape. This is better for hard snow.
With the classic technique, the experience of cross-country skiing is akin to running on snow. The speed is fast paced, and a decent amount of physical fitness is required. Hence why you will find cross country skiers often wearing their base layers and a thin jacket. It’s a full body workout, requiring endurance, agility and balance.
We love cross country skiing now because of its health benefits, especially for those in snowy climates where sports like running are more difficult. In ski resorts now, the cross country trails are often more isolated than the ski pistes, so that you will often be going through the forest and listening to birdsong as you ski. It also means that living far from mountains or a ski resort won’t stop fans of the sport from skiing. The nature of the sport makes it perfect for those living in areas of flat terrain.
Snowshoeing:
What once started out as a survival tactic – developing wide based shoe to be able to walk over deep snow without sinking – has now become a well-loved snow activity for many.
Different variations of snowshoes date back to up to 6000 years ago. Many cultures developed their own version of a wide based frame, which doesn’t sink into the snow. This meant they could walk in wintery conditions. Places with cold climates including, but not limited to, Central Asia, North America and Scandinavia all adapted a version of what is universally known as a snowshoe using a range of materials such as wood, woven grass and animal hide. Although different, they served a common purpose of walking through deep powdery snow, whether on large flat open terrain, or dense forested areas.
Nowadays, snowshoeing has become a fun recreational activity as opposed to a hunting method or survival skill. You will find modern snowshoes made with metal and plastic, to fit regular winter boots. This makes it a fun day out suitable for everyone, and no prior experience is needed to enjoy the sport.
So chairlifts have been invented in the last 6000 years, why would I snowshoe?
Snowshoeing is so much more than getting to the top of the mountain. You’re able to explore areas of the mountain away from the pistes in often isolated paths where skiers cannot go. The experience is a lot more tranquil, giving you time to slow down, enjoy the views and appreciate the peace of the mountains. It’s also a good opportunity to explore off the beaten path, without needing extensive knowledge or experience in the mountains. It gives a sense of adventure to the more causal mountain visitor, where marked trails can easily be found on maps, but still taking you away from the crowds.
You will only need snowshoes, and you can rent these easily. Otherwise, your own warm clothes are all you need to have a great day. So it’s not a huge step up from a regular country walk you may be used to outside the mountains.
Make no mistake, although you can easily snowshoe on your first ever go, a little fitness is still required. You might find that the beautiful views you’re looking at will be accompanied by the soundtrack of your own heavy breathing. It’s a great activity for those looking for a little cardio, whilst being low impact and low risk. It also means that you’ve definitely earned your fondue at lunch!
Luckily, you can choose your pace and terrain. Go for tracks with a nice gentle incline, or a steeper one if you’re looking for a challenge.
Sustainability:
As well as having an enjoyable day in the outdoors, your conscience can rest easy when snowshoeing or cross country. Think instead of its environmental benefits. This is because cross country skiing and nordic skiing don’t need ski lifts, and and only limited trail preparation. So you can enjoy these sports with almost zero carbon footprint. This makes us especially happy, and see here for the blog about our Swisstainable classification
European Snowsport offers private lessons for both cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
To book a lesson, just contact us here. We will be happy to help you enjoy the mountains even more.
Zoe Pfaller
