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Home  >  About  >  Blog  >  Nordic and Alpine Skiing, their symbiotic relationship explored

Nordic and Alpine Skiing, their symbiotic relationship explored

January 21st, 2012

Nordic and alpine skiing appear vastly different as far as sports go.  Alpine skiing conjures images of steep mountain vistas and someone dressed in bright colors spraying waves of powder and picking up speed with each turn.  Nordic skiing brings to mind people in tights and funny winter hats with pom poms looking very serious as they glide down a track.  Everything from the shape of the skis to the stiffness of the boots and length of the poles differs between the two sports, but many of the fundamentals are the same.

I am an avid Nordic skier, and I have been since I was very young.  I find that any problem I have on downhill skis can be improved by applying Nordic body position.  In Nordic skiing I am constantly keeping my ankles flexed when I want more speed or power and when I am turning the ski.  When I am having trouble turning on the mountain, it's usually because I am bracing against my hard plastic boot with my ankle joint straight.  When I soften my ankle into a Nordic position, I improve my control of the skis.  After a morning balancing on skinny skis and carefully shifting my weight so I don't fall, my big fat powder skis are a walk in the park and my balance seems better than ever.  The biggest benefit though is my increased endurance.  Nordic skiing is one of the best cardio vascular exercises out there, and after a few hours skating at Lone Mountain Ranch, I can head up to the mountain and never get winded.  Downhill skiing has also improved my downhill control and confidence on even the steepest hills on the Nordic trail.  I know how to use my body weight to negotiate turns and stop more efficiently.

Nordic skiing and Alpine skiing are the perfect compliment.  Each sport challenges me and I can use lessons I learn from one to help me improve the other.  The other benefit is always having a fun sport no matter what the weather.  If it's snowing like crazy I can ski on the Mountain, and if the conditions aren't great up top, they will be perfect for Nordic skiing. 

Katie Smith, Nordic Instructor and Big Sky Ski Enthusiast

750 Lone Mountain Ranch Rd.
PO Box 160069
Big Sky, Montana 59716

800-514-4644

lmr@lonemountainranch.com
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