Brand new to cross-country skiing or racing?
This page is meant to introduce new skiers and parents to the major concepts of our program.
There are two forms or types of cross country skiing:
There are two formats to cross country skiing: skate and classic. Both are uniquely different, however several core body movements in skiing are used in both formats. The first goal of any first year skier is to be at practice everyday. The coaching staff will teach you both formats and you will feel more confident on skis every day.
Classic or striding
(watch only the first minute... don't bother listening to the audio)
(watch only the first minute... don't bother listening to the audio)
Skate or freestyle
(watch only the first minute... don't bother listening to the audio)
(watch only the first minute... don't bother listening to the audio)
We will do a considerable amount of training before and without snow:
Starting on the 2nd day of practice, we will do a ton of roller-skiing: Roller-skiing is our most important ingredient to creating fast and confident skiers. Expect to be challenged, a few scrapes (possibly a little blood), and a lot of blisters. We are proud of our road rash... "Bragging marks."
This video nicely demonstrates many of the skills and drills you will master in the program:
This video nicely demonstrates many of the skills and drills you will master in the program:
Quick tips about roller-skiing safely
Skier challenges:
1. First year skiers come in all ages. In practice, be careful comparing your improvement with others. Some athletes will progress faster than others and previous experience is not always helpful. When thinking about your own improvement, do so in terms of years skiing rather than years in school. If you're a junior and first year skier, don't compare yourself with a freshman who is a third year skier. Ski skills are not dependent on physical development.
2. Skiers will be broken into groups during practice in order to maximize coaching staff availability. Sometimes skiers will be divided between "First years" and "Uppers." Other times you will see "First years," "2-3" and "4+." These are instances where we attempt to sort relative skills with specific coaches. The athlete decides which group to practice. For example, a second year skier is encouraged to perhaps start in the "First year" group the first week, then jump to a middle group for the rest of the season, and sometimes jump into the "upper" or "4+" group on hard days.
2. Skiers will be broken into groups during practice in order to maximize coaching staff availability. Sometimes skiers will be divided between "First years" and "Uppers." Other times you will see "First years," "2-3" and "4+." These are instances where we attempt to sort relative skills with specific coaches. The athlete decides which group to practice. For example, a second year skier is encouraged to perhaps start in the "First year" group the first week, then jump to a middle group for the rest of the season, and sometimes jump into the "upper" or "4+" group on hard days.
Practice locations:
Generally, we will utilize the following practice locations. For the first two weeks we will practice at Winona High School and utilize the Winona Lake paths. Starting week 3 through the rest of the season, we will practice out of St Mary's University.